Every year in March at its annual celebration of business, meeting of the membership and awards events, chamber leadership shares with its members, the business community and our Douglas County community as a whole, a recap of the chamber’s activities, undertakings and accomplishments for the past year.  Following are some of the Roseburg Area Chamber’s highlights from 2023:

• Advocated for in defense of our local business community under the chamber’s 2023-2024 Public Affairs & Legislative Agenda, specifically during the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session, submitting in testimony in opposition to anti-business legislation and in support of pro-business legislation.
• Filed two Amicus briefs in the United States Supreme Court in support of petitions for certiorari. The chamber’s briefs were founded in its long-standing interest and advocation for active management of public forestland for all designated purposes mandated under the O & C Act of 1937 and its opposition to Cascade-Siskiyou Nat’l Monument designation and proposed habitat conservation plan.
• The chamber’s membership lunch programs hosted the annual state of the county update, local efforts to mitigate impacts of homelessness, a discussion with Oregon’s new BOLI Commissioner, timber health, Wildlife Safari update, timber and wood products industry update and more.
• Provided membership significant political awareness, especially during the 2023 Oregon legislative sessions via newsletter articles, “Call to Action” and “Chamber News” emails, and membership meeting programs.
• Expanded the chamber’s financial stability. Due to long-term conscientious management of chamber funds, including ensuring emergency operations reserves, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce remains financially stable and secure.
• Represented the interests of business with government monitoring federal, state and local political activity, taking positions when appropriate.
• Continued growth of social media posts, member email blasts and website updates to expand communication of chamber programs, activities and positions to businesses and the general public.
• Regular updates of chamber’s website and printed collateral materials for the service to and promotion of members.
• Continued to grow chamber communications, specifically its electronic newsletter, “Chamber News” emails and “Calls to Action”; produced six editions of Business Perspectives in addition to current news on website.
• Hosted the chamber’s 68th annual awards dinner and meeting of the membership presenting RACC’s small, medium and large business of the year awards, business innovative excellence honors and First Citizen recognitions for 2022.
• Publish updated, online editions of the InUmpqua (business directory, community profile & visitor magazine); continued to provide printed edition to chambers and visitor centers around the state.
• Completed 33rd year of Project Leadership Roseburg, and began the 2023-24 (34th year) leadership class program in September 2023.
• Member-benefit programs: Shop Chamber & Save discount program, member referrals, ground-breakings/ribbon cutting events.
• “Shop local” messaging; promoted “shop local” for Black Friday and “shop small” on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season, during November and December.
• Provided visitor information to individuals interested in visiting Roseburg/Douglas County in response to mail, phone and email inquiries.
• Provided relocation information and packets to individuals and businesses in response to mail, phone and email requests.
• Distributed Roseburg/Douglas County map locally, regionally and statewide, and to individuals planning to visit and/or relocate to our area.