Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the criteria for becoming a BizFed member?
Q. Who owns BizFed?
Q. Who sits on the Board of Directors?
Q. Who will lead and manage BizFed’s activities?
Q. Who will manage the BizFed database?
Q. How will BizFed distribute advocacy messages and Action Alerts?
Q. How will BizFed determine which issues are raised to the level of an Action Alert?
Q. WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR BECOMING A BIZFED MEMBER?
A. Each partnering business organization will be listed as a member of BizFed. Criteria to be listed as a
member include:
(a) 501 (c) organization with business interests in Los Angeles County
(b) Supports BizFed’s overall vision, goals and strategies as outlined in the organization’s bylaws
(c) Agree to share member database with a confidential third party, (initially The Marshall School Of
Business at USC) in order to aggregate business data throughout the county, for mapping/
communication purposes covering every elected official’s district and to aid in BizFed’s efforts
(d) Submit database in Excel format to BizFed on an annual basis. Databases shall include pertinent
information necessary to carryout the mission of the Federation, and should include but not be limited
to: name of company; company address(es) within LA County; primary contact; number of employees
(e) Agree to send Action Alerts to members within 48 hours unless the alert conflicts with existing policy
or does not have the support of the member’s board of directors
(f) Agree that BizFed database is confidential and will not be shared with member organizations except
in aggregate
A. It is a 501 (c) organization owned by its member chambers and business trade groups.
Q. Who sits on the Board of Directors?
A. BizFed will create a Board of Directors comprised of one representative from every member organization
to oversee its operations. The members of the board will be nominated and serve according to BizFed’s
bylaws.
Q. Who will lead and manage BizFed’s activities?
A. BizFed will receive initial staff support from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and establish
its own funding to hire a person to be the chief contact with all partnering organizations, manage the
recruiting of other staff, vendors, and/or partners and raise the money to ensure that BizFed succeeds.
Additionally, an executive committee will be elected by the board of directors and be made up of board
member representatives from chambers and trade groups ensuring geographical coverage throughout
each of the five LA County supervisor’s districts. Corporate funding from affiliate private sector firms will
be solicited.
Q. Who will manage the BizFed database?
A. The Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC) will serve as the
independent, third party agency that will develop and host the BizFed database. The database will sort
member businesses by district within L.A. County for the following:
(a) U.S. Congressional Districts
(b) California Senate Districts
(c) California Assembly Districts
(d) L.A. County Board of Supervisors
(e) L.A. City Council members
(f) Select regulatory boards as determined by the board of directors
The database will include pertinent information necessary to carryout BizFed’s mission, and should
include but not be limited to:
(a) Name of company
(b) Company address(es) within LA County
(c) Number of employees
All BizFed data is confidential and will not be shared with other partners except in aggregate.
The Business database will be updated annually.
Q. How will BizFed distribute advocacy messages and Action Alerts?
A. As affiliates of this exciting co-op for business organizations, BizFed members agree to communicate
with their member businesses through a streamlined Web based Action Alert system that is easy for
recipients to respond to by communicating with elected officials and regulatory bodies via e-mail, voice
or fax.
Q. How will BizFed determine which issues are raised to the level of an Action Alert?
A. BizFed will develop a process for all member organizations that determines which issues are raised to
the level of an Action Alert. Criteria for an issue to rise to the level of an action alert will include:
(a) The issue and position is proposed by two or more members.
(b) The outcome of the issue will have a significant impact on the business environment in
Los Angeles County.
(c) The issue and position secures preliminary approval from the board of directors.
(d) The issue and position is emailed to all of BizFed’s member organizations.
(e) The issue and position is not opposed by more than 10 percent of the members.
