Power of the Policy Presented by Shannon Renault Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

Articulate your chamber position Shape your public statements Guide advocacy efforts Role of Policy

Municipal Provincial Federal Choosing Your Policy Focus

Know your members’ priorities Know your political environment Identify how to win and add value Choosing Your Policy Focus

Significant to membership (scope) In line with chamber mission and goals Clear and understandable Specific and actionable Timely Policy Criteria

Title – related to the policy content Intro – problem statement, proposed solution Body – argument supported by data –in relative brevity Recommendation – tight and actionable Policy Structure

Issue Identification Research Analysis Approval Advocacy Policy Development Process

Ideas generated by staff, board of directors, members –From environment scan of emerging issues –From focus on ongoing issues –From surveys Issue Identification

Develop a sound policy draft –Members –Industry partners –Secondary sources Use sources as data citation Research

Analysis Review the policy to ensure it is –Significant in substance and scope –Defensible –Truly a business issue –Have traction

Approval Stages of Approval –Internal Policy Review Committee –Local Board of Directors –Provincial / National Policy Review Committee –Delegates at AGM

Direct Advocacy –Visits with elected officials and bureaucrats –Generally assigned to specific persons Public Advocacy –Media comments –Editorials, letters Advocacy

Late Fall / Early Spring preparation Submission by mid February (change) Policy Committee calls over March/April AGM in May Provincial Timetable

Late Early Spring preparation Submission by mid June or early July Policy Committee over the summer AGM in October Federal Timetable