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Escondido chamber takes new approach to recruiting Latinos
By: DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer
Special committee could serve as membership steppingstone | ∞
Vanessa Karwan, a teacher at Mission Middle School, second from left, attends the new Latino Business Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
WALDO NILO Staff Photographer
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ESCONDIDO -- Recruiting Latino business owners has long been a struggle for the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, but chamber officials expressed optimism Tuesday about a new effort to attract skeptical Latino merchants to the chamber.
Because of cultural differences, Latino merchants can feel intimidated or marginalized at traditional chamber events, chamber officials said. So they decided this fall to establish a special Latino Business Committee, which brings together prospective Latino members with Latino merchants who are already chamber members.
"There are a lot of Latino businessmen and women who are just waiting to get involved in the local business community," said Alfredo Velasco, executive director of the Palomar Family YMCA. "This is really an awareness campaign aimed at them. Latino businesses are a large part of our community, but they are not a big part of the chamber."
The chamber has about 850 member businesses, but only 50 to 60 of those are Latino-owned, Velasco said.
Chamber officials said they are unsure how many local businesses are Latino-owned. But with Escondido's population being nearly 45 percent Latino, they said, it is safe to say that only a small percentage of Latino-owned business are chamber members.
"We've tried for years to get more Latino businesses into the chamber, but when they come to our mixers they don't know anybody there," said Harvey Mitchell, chief executive of the chamber. "We want to help them grow their businesses and form partnerships with all of the chamber's members."
More than a dozen Latino merchants, including some current members of the chamber and some prospective members, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the committee during its third official meeting on Tuesday morning. But they stressed that the committee should not be viewed as something separate from the chamber.
"We are trying to integrate Latino businesses into the chamber, not create a separate group," said Rosa Ruiz, a local real estate agent. "The goal is to get everyone involved in the business community, regardless of ethnicity. The Latino businesses can't survive by ourselves."
Bill de la Fuente, the leader of a Spanish-language business association in Escondido, said Tuesday that he has no problem with the chamber's new Latino merchant committee.
"I like to think of our group as a grass-roots effort that is more proactive in the community than the chamber," said de la Fuente, who created Comerciantes Latinos Asociados eight years ago. "We have different roles, so what they are doing is fine."
For example, he said his group plans fundraisers that provide computers for poor youngsters, and works closely with local public school programs aimed at increasing the number of students who attend college.
The main reason the Escondido chamber has struggled to recruit Latinos is the chamber's track record of endorsing political candidates who have alienated the Latino community, said de la Fuente. The chamber endorsed incumbents on the Escondido City Council in 2006, even though they approved a ban on rentals to illegal immigrants, he said.
Mitchell said the chamber focuses on helping businesses make as much money as possible and endorses candidates based on that criterion, not social issues.
Tuesday's meeting included a brainstorming session on recruiting, during which merchants urged each other to bring at least one other business owner to the next meeting.
"If we don't grow, there really isn't any point," said Deanna Smith, who owns a direct marketing business.
Smith served as Tuesday's inspirational speaker, describing her struggles as a third-generation Latino businesswoman. She credited the chamber with part of her success, and encouraged her fellow Latino merchants to become members.
"When you first go to chamber events, you feel like you don't even exist," said Smith. "But be patient and it will come. And membership in the chamber has led me to other groups, such as Rotary and the Children's Museum."
The new committee is modeled after a similar group created by the Vista Chamber of Commerce last year.
"Latinos make up 40 percent of Vista's population, so we thought we couldn't ignore that portion of our population," said Jim Baumann, chief executive of the Vista chamber.
Baumann said he hasn't seen a huge surge in Latino membership so far. But he said the committee has been recruiting at community events, such as street fairs, where they hand out bilingual materials.
-- Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.
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Latino leader wrote on Nov 14, 2007 6:09 AM:if the chamber is not more careful endorsing candidates that are hurting our community and bringing our businesses down,they never will be able to reach us. so far I'm not part of any of the two chambers ,but seing Mr. De La Fuente working on this community shows me who realy cares for us. I hope the chamber doesn't make the mistake to support Gallo and Abed on the next election.
Good then wrote on Nov 14, 2007 6:32 AM:maybe the City officals can once again, explain to them about people removing the shopping carts from their businesses. It was starting to clean up, but with new people moving into the area, it is once again getting out of hand.
Tell me now who are wrote on Nov 14, 2007 6:33 AM:the racists in this story? The Chamber has been reaching out to the Latinos. Hmmmm.
Goodjob wrote on Nov 14, 2007 6:47 AM:Good job Chamber! The commuity to pull together. We are all Escondido residents and should work together as one community. This is a positive step.
Robert24 wrote on Nov 14, 2007 6:59 AM:I'm thinking we should also start an Italian Business Committee, a German Business Committee, a Chinese Business Committee, etc. This is just plain racist! Amounts to nothing more than the Latinos playing the "woe is me card" yet again in why they can't seem to assimilate. I'm sorry, but quit catering to these folks and make them do it like all the others have to. They aren't and different or better than anyone else, and they are not stupid either. Figure it out, folks!
I am a Dutch wrote on Nov 14, 2007 7:34 AM:business owner and I resent the fact that the City will not try to recruit people from all nationalities. How utterly racist this is!
Here we go... wrote on Nov 14, 2007 8:37 AM:I agree with Robert24. I am so sick of this. Everytime I turn around, there is always something catering to the Latino community. Whether it be a form of an outreach or the "woe is me". C'mon people. If we are to work together as one, we need to teach and learn from one another as one. Why are all other ethnic cultures and "minorities" taking and/or allowing themselves/ourselves to take a back seat to the Latinos? There are so many people of all cultures and backgrounds that are wonderful people, but it seems some (not all)Latinos cry the loudest when they don't get their way. Don't forget the rest of us...the African Americans, the whites, the Chinese Americans.....
chamber member wrote on Nov 14, 2007 8:49 AM:I hope this works, because I'd like to get to know my professional colleagues within the Latino community.
A Latino Professional wrote on Nov 14, 2007 11:00 AM:Reaching out to a segment of a population that has felt alienated or not included is not racist, it is an invitation to become involved. There are no discounts offered for being a Latino businessperson, no special privlidges extended, no offer of special treatment. This is an extention of welcome to associate with these business owners as equals and to make them feel as such. I simply do not remember the last time I heard of the Dutch, Italian, Irish or any other nationality being proportionately underrepresented here in Escondido. When half of your community population is Latino, and only 6% of the businesses of that segment are represented, there is a problem. This is what the Chamber is addressing. Show me some numbers that are this skewed amongst any other group in Escondido, and I will personally take up your cause. Another mistake is to associate the illegal immigration issue with this issue of underrepresentation of Latino business owners in the Chamber of Commerce (not a city run organization if I may clarify). These are two different, separate issues. I would also remind Mr. DeLaFuente of this. As for the endorsement of candidates by the Chamber; The Chamber of Commerce is an advocacy group for the benefit and advancement of the local business community. It does not take a stance on your immigrant rights agenda, or your anti-immigrant agenda. Again, separate issues. Mr. DeLaFuente, if you or those you represent have difference with the way the Chamber of Commerce represents this business community with its endorsements, encourage the business owners you represent and advocate to become involved with the Chamber and represent their point-of-view. Until you have done this, your complaints of who the Chamber endorses is simple grumbling from the sidelines. The key to advancing your/our "people" to EQUALITY (not superiority) is not to alienate yourselves, it is to become involved members of the community, and not a separate community within a community.
To chamber member wrote on Nov 14, 2007 11:31 AM:at this moment it doesn't sit too well with the citizens of Escondido. Maybe we need to bring in attorneys to see if there is any bias here.
Concerned-1 wrote on Nov 14, 2007 1:58 PM:It is a shame how the radical immigrants rights groups have tarnished the character and spirit of the Latino community. We need more people like Latino Professional (11 a.m.), who appears to me as articulate and objective.
To Dutch Business Owner wrote on Nov 14, 2007 4:19 PM:The Chamber of Commerce is NOT a city organization. There are actually several Dutch business owners that are members of the Chamber of Commerce. One of the most successful businesspersons in Escondido is Dutch. I thought these facts may bring you some comfort.
Another Latino Professional: wrote on Nov 14, 2007 5:56 PM:A post above written by Latino Professional reads, "When half of your community population is Latino, and only 6% of the businesses of that segment are represented, there is a problem." Calling this condition a problem describes a socialist. The distribution (whatever it may be) of ethnicities among successful business owners is a function of individuals who have chosen to take risks and have an entrepreneurial spirit – not their ethnicity. Instead, Latino Professional is arguing that the ratio of Latino business owners to the total number of business should be similar to the ratio of Latinos in a community to the overall population. Apply that same logic to academic performance in schools. The implication is that all conditions should be equal regardless of merit. The truth is that individuals decide their future. I am part of the 6% of Latinos who owns a business. There is NOTHING wrong that a mere 6 of 100 Latinos own their own business. It is what it is.
Latino Professional wrote on Nov 14, 2007 6:38 PM:Not exactly... I am indicating not that 6% of the Latino population are business owners, but 6% of the Chamber representation are Latino. I am saying that there is a reason these business owners do not feel welcome in this organization for one reason or another. When this is the case, I do not have a problem with an organization rolling out the welcome mat which is all this effort is. I do not advocate a quota, or a preference for membership, but I do applaude the Chamber for recognizing that there is a desparity between the # of Latino owned businesses and those that choose association with the Chamber of Commerce. I can see where I was not as clear as I could have been... I am VERY far from a Socialist, and applaude all of those that participate in the "American Dream" whether they were born in this country or not.
Robert24 wrote on Nov 14, 2007 8:26 PM:I think the point, "Latino Professional", is that when the Hispanic community as a whole starts to assimilate to the Country that they have chosen to live in by learning her language, obeying her laws, assimilating to her cultures, etc., then the struggle will be lessened. It will not be any easier (if that is what is attempting to be accomplished) by catering to one particular group just because they feel underrepresented. The unfortunate truth is that the Hispanic community has lately raised such a stink as to what they "deserve" for being here, that many in the community have shunned them. That is the sad truth since the May 1st debacle of 2006. While you are correct that it tends to take on an illegal alien stance because it involves Hispanics, that, again is because this group whines the loudest about what they don't get/have. Lastly, if half of the population of Escondido is Latino (as you suggest), I would be interested to learn what percentage of that half is A. Legal, B. Intelligent enough (schooled) to operate a business, and C. Really wanting to do what it takes to run a business that would participate in the Chamber. If, as the argument goes, the majority that are here are only "doing the jobs that Americans won't". I doubt that they care about being involved in the Chamber.
To Robert24 wrote on Nov 14, 2007 9:15 PM:An unfortunate, narrow interpretation. I was with you up to etc....
To Robert24 wrote on Nov 14, 2007 9:59 PM:A disappointingly narrow interpretation. You have the general idea except I intentionally chose to not include the Chicano Studies 101 buzzwords, and everything after etc. is completely contrary to what I was trying to communicate. However, I do appreciate your attempt to help others understand the point I was trying to make. I will try to be a little more eloquent in the future so that your clarification is not necessary. Thank you. -LP
Robert24 wrote on Nov 15, 2007 8:05 AM:I'm sorry that you both feel that way. The sad truth is that the sooner we stop pandering to certain groups, and make them no more special than any other group, the sooner they will "step up" and become part of the culture. If we are all to get along, then we all need to have the same rules. Picking out one group and trying to say that they are "different" or "more challenged" because of their background only reinforces their belief that that is true, and keeps them down. Step up, suck it up, and go get what you want. Quit making excuses as to why you can't succeed; sounds like they just don't want to work hard enough for it. Sorry that we disagree........
ToRobert24 wrote on Nov 15, 2007 10:05 AM:I don't think that we disagree as much as we are discussing different issues. What I am reading is that you think the Chamber of Commerce is instating a program to aide the Latino business person, in specific, to successs. This is not the case. The Chamber of Commerce WANTS these folks amongst the memebership, and unfortunately they have not been generally participating. These businesses are already successful, and although the idea is that becoming active with the Chamber does help one grow their business through association with other businesses, it is what you make of it. Once any member of the Chamber of Commerce has joined, they are responsible (equally) for taking advantage of the benefits of membership. I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I don't feel that it is clear to you that the function of this committtee is not to assist or aide latino businesses any more than any other business. It is simply an invitation extended to a group that for one reason or another, has traditionally had a negative impression of the Chamber. Latino business owners are welcome at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and its events; period.
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