September Commentary by Jack Wolcott
Through this column, I have worked to celebrate the values and benefits of locally owned, independently operated businesses. Because of coming changes in the Gazette-Times business section, this will be my last regular offering in this spot. The Corvallis Independent Business Alliance will continue to do its part, but I’d like to leave my readers with a few thoughts on how to help maintain the vitality of our local community.
First, it’s up to you to help educate your friends, provide feedback to your favorite local merchant, and speak up when governing committees or bodies request feedback. CIBA believes that a well-educated consumer is good for our businesses and our community. A healthy community is composed of individuals learning and growing together toward a common goal. We trust you to do what you can, when you can, and to do more when possible. And most important, share your learning with your friends and get them involved.
Here are three questions I hope you’ll ask when considering your relationships with businesses in Corvallis.
Who owns this business?
“Local” does not necessarily mean locally owned. Too often, the word has become a marketing buzz word and may actually relate more to location, franchise ownership, or other manipulations of the wonderful term. All CIBA members live here, raise their families here, and invest in our community for the long-term mutual benefit. If you are not sure about the business, just ask.
Who makes the fundamental decisions?
“Independent” does not necessarily mean independently operated. Who has the final say on food items and sources, book titles, home and gardening supplies, store hours and services, donation requests, etc? CIBA believes that the people who live and raise their families here should determine the decisions that affect our community.
Where does the money go?
Several studies have confirmed that for every $100 spent with a locally owned merchant as compared to a national chain, about 3½ times the local economic benefit is generated. The money stays in town, multiplies several times and becomes a diverse source of community support and stability. CIBA encourages you to vote with your dollars and put your money where your home is.
That is really about all there is to say. The rest is up to you to determine the quality and diversity of the community in which you want your children to grow. We are talking about a process, not an immediate change. Just start where you are, identify what is important to you, educate yourself about the significant differences among your choices, do what you can, and involve your friends in your process.
Watch for our new directory of member businesses due out this fall. If you are not yet a member, join soon for a free listing.
On behalf of the Corvallis Independent Business Alliance, I want to sincerely thank everyone for their genuine support for our efforts.
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Corvallis Sustainability Coalition E-Update September 21, 2007
Corvallis Sustainability Coalition
E-UPDATE
September 21, 2007
Welcome to the first “E-UPDATE” – a twice monthly news brief to keep you informed of the work of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and to invite your participation. Please forward this “E-UPDATE” to members of your participating organization and to other interested individuals.
Focus on ENERGY: Sharing Success Stories
Reducing – and ultimately eliminating – our dependence on fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources is one of the guiding objectives of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition. By working together and learning from each other, all of us can help accelerate that process. The “E-UPDATE” will be an important tool for sharing what organizations in Corvallis and Benton County are doing to realize this objective.
* Look at your group’s energy-saving practices. What projects/practices has your group undertaken to encourage energy conservation and the use of renewable energy? This is a good opportunity to involve your board or membership in thinking about ways your organization is working toward this objective.
* Share them! Please send a brief list or summary of your group’s energy-saving activities to amills@virginiavillageproductions.com">amills@virginiavillageproductions.com, so we can share them here. We want to let others know what you’re doing!
Corvallis Sustainability Coalition: Working Together, Growing Daily
What began as an idea from diverse community groups last January has become a reality during the past several months. The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition was formed to accelerate the creation of a sustainable community in Corvallis and Benton County by working together. There are currently 61 organizational partners in the Sustainability Coalition. Go to www.sustainablecorvallis.org to see who’s on board!
If your organization is not listed – or if you would like to sign on as an individual partner – please fill out and return the attached Participation Form. Also, please suggest names of other organizations that may be interested in joining the Sustainability Coalition.
Upcoming articles of the “E-UPDATE” will address the work of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s task groups and plans of our Ad Hoc Steering Committee for a community-wide sustainability initiative. We welcome your questions and suggestions for future articles!
Sustainability Guiding Objectives - A Framework for Decision-making
Our community will:
1. Reduce and ultimately eliminate our community’s contribution to fossil fuel dependence and to wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals. Use renewable resources whenever possible.
2. Reduce and ultimately eliminate our community’s contribution to dependence upon persistent chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances. Use biologically safe products whenever possible.
3. Reduce and ultimately eliminate our community’s contribution to encroachment upon nature (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems). Protect natural ecosystems.
4. Support people’s capacity to meet their basic needs fairly and efficiently.
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