I had a long conversation with Hillary Brenhouse this morning. She is doing research and interviews for a new book about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, its history through current events. The author of the book is Alyssa Katz, author of Our Lot: How Real Estate Came to Own Us(Bloomsbury, 2009). Ms. Katz is also editor of the New York World, an accountability journalism project at Columbia Journalism School.
Obviously, Hillary was looking for the small business perspective on the U.S. Chamber. Anyone who has followed my writings and comments in the press knows how I feel about that organization.
She was particularly interested in efforts to create alternative business organizations to the U.S. Chamber. Having been a part of growing the American Sustainable Business Council and working with the Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority, I assured Hillary that in spite of not having the big membership dues of giant corporations, alternative organizations are growing.
If you want to share your thoughts with Hillary on this subject, email her at hbrenhouse@gmail.com. But be careful what you say, you just might find yourself in print in about 10 months.