Advocacy

We believe that chamber engagement in economic development and legislative issues echoes our members’ collective voice and demonstrates strong leadership. This in turn positively impacts the health of our local business climate.

Have a say – share your opinion and insights on issues impacting your company, organization, industry and the entire business community.  Advocate for legislation that has a positive impact on the greater Elkhart business community and engage with partners to do the same for the entire region.  Your insights, along with those of fellow chamber members and council research, will aide in developing legislative priorities each year.  Oversee and guide opportunities for connections between elected officials, businesses and chamber members.

Third House Meetings
State lawmakers share updates and answer your questions.

Chamber Day at the Statehouse 
Visit Indianapolis for conversations with businesses and elected officials.

Elected Officials
List of Elected Officials

Chamber members are always encouraged to contact their elected officials directly to discuss issues impacting their businesses. For your convenience, elected officials and web links are listed below. If you are not sure who your elected representatives are, you can find out here.

For Elkhart
Elkhart Mayor’s Office
Elkhart City Council
Elkhart County Commissioners
Elkhart County Council

Indiana General Assembly, officials representing Elkhart County:

United States Congress, officials representing Elkhart County:

Tips for contacting your legislator and advocating your issue

  1. Be informed. Do your own thinking and research. Above all, be accurate.
  2. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your issue.
  3. Understand the importance of compromise and building consensus, particularly when it comes to funding. Your issue is not the only good cause needing new, sustained or increased funding.
  4. Understand the law- and policy-making process.
  5. When addressing your state and federal legislators, the proper salutations are “Dear Senator ___” or “Dear Representative ___.” When writing your local elected official, the proper salutations are “Dear Mayor ___” and “Dear Councilor ___.”
  6. Where possible, refer to the bill or ordinance number of the legislation of interest.
  7. Be clear and concise in explaining how the proposed or existing legislation affects your business and why you support or oppose it.
  8. Request that your elected official take specific action by telling him or her the outcome you seek. (“I’d like you to vote in support of HB 1011.”)
  9. Discuss only one issue per call, email or letter.
  10. For all communication, don’t assume the elected official knows you are from his/her district. State that you are a constituent or resident, and always include your mailing address and telephone number.

Tips adapted from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

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