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Volume 3, Issue 10

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October 2005
     

CMBA—10 Years Old and Looking to the Future
by Peter Leonard, President CMBA

The Board of Directors of the Cedar Mill Business Association has been going through a period of self-study and planning. The all-volunteer organization has been in existence for 10 years and can be proud of its past work in facilitating communication and cooperation between local businesses. The Cedar Mill News filled an important niche in our community by presenting business as well as community news that is simply not covered in other publications. Monthly membership meetings have served both an educational and networking function as participants learned about other local businesses and issues ranging from road construction to identity theft. The Cedar Mill Business Association has contributed or participated in community events and organizations including the Cedar Mill Library, Sunset High School, THPRD’s Concert in the Park and Cedar Mill Days.

This summer, the CMBA surveyed local businesses to better understand their needs and to gather feedback about the future direction of the Business Association. Mark Paul, a local business consultant volunteered his services to design and implement the survey. The survey results were very clear. Local businesses want the Business Association to focus on business needs such as attracting more customers and recruiting employees. Another strong recommendation was to change the meeting time to the early morning. Many respondents offered excellent suggestions on how to improve the organization in order to take it to the next level. The CMBA Board of Directors already met twice to continue planning discussions. One big question the board is grappling with is “Do we have the necessary resources to transform the CMBA from its informal volunteer-run status to a more formal organization better able to respond to local business needs?”

First, we need to determine who will do what needs to be done to meet those needs and then we need to set a plan in action.
The survey helped us to learn more about the needs of local businesses, but we need help from local businesses to meet those needs. We invite all local businesses to participate in the Cedar Mill Business Association and to serve on the board. Make plans to attend the next meeting on Tuesday October 18 at 7:30 am in the library meeting room. Nominations for board vacancies will be accepted and voted on and suggestions for future meeting topics and speakers will be welcomed.

 

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The Cedar Mill News
Published monthly by the Cedar Mill Business Association, Inc.,
P.O. Box 91177
Portland, OR 97291-0177

Publisher/Editor:Virginia Bruce
503-629-5799
12110 NW West Rd
Portland, OR 97229