About ASBA
The ASBA is a national, non-profit education and advocacy organization
dedicated to being a sensible voice for small business on
public policy issues.
The ASBA - founded in 1996 - recognizes that small business
is a primary engine driving that drives our economy, and that
the face of American business has changed dramatically in
the last few years. With this new diversity and expanded role
for small business, the ASBA has emerged as a refreshing voice
offering new ideas and a new brand of leadership.
The ASBA stands apart from other business organizations in
many crucial ways. We represent business people not as Democrats,
Republicans, or Independents, but rather as practical people
who want sensible business solutions. We're finding that more
business people are dissatisfied with the partisan, employer-vs.-employee,
us-vs.-them mentality espoused by other groups. An increasing
number now look to the ASBA to represent their needs and interests.
The ASBA and its members believe in creating a productive
workplace by investing in education, worker training and technology.
ASBA supports health care reform and reasonable environmental
standards, and continually listens and responds to the ever-changing
voice of the small business community.
Our Mission
The ASBA believes in a forward-looking, responsible approach
to business and public policy issues that unleash entrepreneurial
spirit and make business more competitive in this new economy.
The ASBA believes that the best way to achieve this is by:
· Creating a workplace that fosters healthy and productive
workers;
· Investing in education, new technology, worker training
and infrastructure;
· Making health care affordable, easily available and
better quality;
· Supporting reasonable health, safety and environmental
standards;
· Finding balanced solutions on other issues such as
taxes and regulatory reform
Our Activities
National Advocacy
The ASBA has rapidly developed into a respected player in
shaping public policy by lobbying Congress on a wide range
of legislative issues. We also play a key role in representing
small business on other fronts. ASBA members and staff sit
on advisory boards on health care reform, for example, and
provide technical assistance to other organizations.
Our legislative accomplishments include effective lobbying
efforts on the Patient's Bill of Rights, education reform,
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Y2K
liability, CHIP (Child Health Insurance Program), Internet
security, tax relief, and other business issues. We regularly
bring small business owners to testify before Congress and
appear at press events with Administration officials and Members
of Congress.
Local Advocacy
The ASBA's efforts don't begin and end in Washington, DC.
ASBA members, who hail from more than 35 states, are positioned
to educate their local governments on pertinent business issues.
As the ASBA grows, we plan to extend our grassroots effort
to the state and local levels.
Small Business Network
The ASBA Small Business Network mobilizes ASBA members, supporters
and other organizations from across the country into effective
advocates on behalf of important business issues. Through
Legislative Updates and Action Alerts via fax and email, the
ASBA keeps those in the Network informed on issues of the
day and ready to quickly organize around those issues.
Education
The ASBA sponsors meetings, workshops, conferences and seminars
aimed at promoting an understanding of worker and workplace
issues and their impact on both businesses and employees.
A speaker's bureau, providing members with the opportunity
to speak to the public and media, is another education tool
of the ASBA.
Our Publications
The ASBA distributes a bi-annual Voter's Guide that rates
every Member of Congress on their voting record on small business
issues such as education and training, global competition,
health care reform and taxes. Throughout the year, the ASBA
publishes its newsletter, ASBA Agenda, that updates members,
supporters, other business organizations and Members of Congress
on issues and activities. The newsletter also includes profiles
of members, tips on running a better business and a message
from our Executive Director.
In addition, the ASBA distributes press releases, legislative
alerts and other materials for use by members, the media,
other organizations and key public policy leaders in Washington
and throughout the country.
|