Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce is an independent organization.

The Ojai ValleyChamber of Commerce is an independent 501 C-6 not-for-profit organization, incorporated in January 1956. We are supported by the dues of our members and what we make from our fundraising events and service contracts. Many people think that we are a subsidiary of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and/or the California Chamber of Commerce. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We receive no funding from nor are we influenced by either of those organizations.

Our local membership accurately represents the political make of our community: we are almost equally comprised of "blue" and "red" voters. In fact it's difficult for us to support or oppose many issues currently before our state and nation because of the balance of our membership. Still we work for what we think is the best direction for our town and the Ojai Valley, and we try to give equal weight to both sides of any issue or piece of legislation.

We have members in Meiners Oaks and Oak View, not just within the city limits of Ojai. That's why we continually stress that our name is the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce. Though a valley wide city has been discussed, it has been proved to be fiscally untenable at this time. The increased costs for infrastructure alone make it so. Still all of us know that what affects the city of Ojai will likely affect the valley of Ojai, and that what will be detrimental for Oak View, Mira Monte or Meiners Oaks will ultimately be felt within the city of Ojai.

If you have paid attention to the platform statements coming out of either Sacramento or Washington, D.C. (from either the California or U.S. Chambers) it's obvious they have no idea of how we think or of what we hold dear. Their willingness to make trade offs does not jibe with the way we think here in the Ojai Valley. This Chamber is not a puppet of any other organization. We represent our members interests and we support what will improve their economic vitality.