Join AOI.
About Us: FAQ
The following are the most commonly asked questions of business members about AOI's services and purpose:
AOI is Oregon's largest and most influential comprehensive businesses association. AOI has thousands of member companies, from all corners of the state and all types of businesses.
AOI is a non-profit association with five experienced professional lobbyists and offers money saving services and discounts to members. As Oregon's premier business advocate, AOI represents members before the legislature and state agencies in areas of education, environment, health care, labor law, natural resources, retail, taxation, transportation, unemployment insurance and workers' compensation.
First, AOI is your business association. It focuses on the needs of your business. Oregon companies belong to AOI because they want to "be in the room" when public policy is developed affecting their company. If a company wants to "be in the room" AOI membership is the best way to achieve that. AOI also provides access to legislative leaders, ways to influence public policy, and a variety of publications to keep business leaders informed of current issues.
Second, businesses belong to AOI because they consider membership good business citizenship.
Third, businesses belong to AOI because they support AOI's mission and guiding principles.
Fourth, AOI is Oregon's only comprehensive network of business leaders. Businesses belong to AOI to gain access to other business leaders from all parts of the state and other industries.
Fifth, businesses belong to AOI to take advantage of our low cost services.
AOI Board policy decisions are guided by a set of ten principles that have guided our organization for more than 100 years.
- Promote market-friendly institutions by increasing competition and complementing innovation.
- Promote an educated, trained and motivated citizenry by emphasizing accountability, competition and improved quality.
- Promote the health of Oregon's economy and business community by keeping taxes low and simple and promoting private sector savings and investment.
- Promote cooperative and consistent regulations by deregulating and privatizing. Whenever possible, regulations should be enforced by the State.
- Promote business credit for entrepreneurs.
- Promote investment in Oregon's infrastructure.
- Promote the preservation of property rights.
- Promote an efficient and accountable government by prioritizing programs and budgets within existing resources.
- Promote an link economic growth, environmental improvement and community health by encouraging voluntary actions and private sector incentives.
- Promote a regulatory climate that fosters scientific and technological innovation and global leadership.
AOI's legislative success is without parallel. AOI introduces and gets passed more bills than any other business association in Oregon.
For example, only about 30% of bills introduced in the legislature become law. In contrast over 70% of bills backed by AOI become law, and over 90% of bills opposed by AOI as antibusiness are defeated.
In addition, state agency rules are carefully analyzed by AOI and we represent businesses before many state agencies and influence the regulatory process.
No association can be in agreement 100% of the time with 100% of its members. Fortunately, AOI's founders understood the importance of fair and democratic representation when developing public policy. They built into the AOI policy development structure methods for ensuring fairness and as much business agreement as possible. No other business association has a better structure for consensus building.
AOI's bylaws require the seventy-member board have five district vice chairmen. These chairmen, representing the five Oregon congressional districts, are charged with representing the interests of the AOI business members in their district. Bylaws also require the nominating committee consider the industry, size and geographic location of business members when nominating board of directors. Their goal- to assure the board reflects the Oregon business community at large.
Finally, unlike many other associations, AOI is a one business one vote organization. No one company has more power than another in setting board policy.
Just as AOI compliments the hard work of your trade association, we work closely with and compliment your public or government affairs team.
Your public or government affairs team, like your trade association, is an important investment. They advocate for your company on issues specific to your business, but may not affect other Oregon businesses. While your team is protecting you, AOI is following broader business issues. Because we will advocate on your behalf on these broader issues, your public or government affairs team can focus their complete attention on your company-specific issues.
