CEO Weekly Update: U.S. Chamber Foundation, Tacoma - Houston

​The U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Business Leads is developing business leaders to be education and workforce champions in their community and better connect education systems and students to opportunity. It equips chambers of commerce and associations with the resources necessary to implement change in the education and workforce pipeline.

Chamber President & CEO, Andrea H. Reay, was invited to join a special Master Class focused on engaging and supporting strong school boards to advocate for youth mental health resiliency, early childhood education, budgeting and financial sustainability, and authentic community engagement.

Business

Employers are choosing where to locate, in part due to the availability of a skilled workforce, and the quality of life. This starts with high-quality education from Pre-K to 12th grade.

​Furthermore, the Chamber recognizes the need to support the early learning and childcare industry who provide critical services to Pierce County families. We must continue to invest in our own learning as well as additional workforce training and education opportunities.

School Boards & Chambers

School Boards and Chambers are instrumental in leveraging community resources and policy to better serve both the needs of local students and local businesses by:
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• Encouraging Balanced Governance and Informed Oversight - The overall role the local governance board should include:
  • Opportunity for input on desirable school outcomes
  • Positive relations between school and community
  • Progress on School Improvement Plan Goals
  • Effective protocols

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• Supporting Critical Relationships - Network connections among individuals, groups, and organizations are critical to gain support and stability, and the Chamber is uniquely positioned to assist by connecting and convening community partners.

 

• Internal Connections and Bonding - Internal dysfunction undermines productivity and aggravates turnover on boards. High levels of bonding in groups, charged with governance, perpetuate a civic culture that enables efficient decision making, mutual accountability, and consensus. 

 

• External Connections and Bridging - Forming alliances, managing uncertainty, and securing legitimacy in the eyes of external stakeholders is crucial for success. The Chamber is well positioned to help build strong relationships between school board members, business leaders, and state and federal agencies to transmit ideas and reconcile often competing policy priorities.

 

• Kids - Centering our youth, their voice, their needs, and experiences is critical. It’s about the kids. Too often adults in decision-making positions forget our most cherished investment - our children.