Our Organization
Mission
The Fresno Business Council (FBC) is a dynamic network of high-impact business and community leaders dedicated to tackling critical regional issues. As committed partners and stewards, we collaborate to drive sustainable business growth and enhance the well-being of our community.
How is this achieved?
“Businesses must lead… with a stewardship lens.”
– John Gardner
John Gardner’s call for businesses to lead with a stewardship lens emphasizes their responsibility to prioritize community well-being alongside profit. Stewardship in this context means managing resources, influence and operations to not only benefit shareholders, but also their employees, customers, and the broader community. This approach fosters sustainable growth, ethical practices, and community engagement – driving positive change and building trust, supporting long-term success for all involved. John Gardner believed that true leadership in business comes from a commitment to serve and uplift the community, ensuring a legacy of integrity and shared prosperity.
History
The vision behind the FBC came into focus in 1993. With crime in Fresno escalating and the community deteriorating, a small group of business leaders united to reverse this social and economic downturn. The Fresno Business Council was born!
Since then, our members have impacted every sector of our community. By convening, collaborating, initiating and advising, we have changed the way we think and act together – and as a result, we ourselves have changed. The more we work together, the more our love for this community grows. Fresno has become the forever home of our families, our businesses, our alliances – and our hopes.
From our start over 30 years ago, the FBC’s story has been one of inspiration, bringing passionate business leaders together to collaboratively address the region’s most complex economic and social issues. Today, our board and membership spans all sectors, and we are proud to be a part of Fresno’s ever-evolving culture.
As we face the future, the FBC is focused on engaging the next generation of business leaders and building awareness of the important role of civic stewardship in both individual business success and community improvement.
Community Values
Advancing Fresno’s culture begins with developing our own set of holistic values to benefit the greater good or adopting Fresno’s Community Values, which have served as guiding principles for regional transformation efforts since 2000. These values align with the broader goals for inclusive prosperity and wellbeing and foster an atmosphere of fairness, respect and personal responsibility.
These values are at the heart of our community and are available for everyone:
Stewardship
We will lead and follow as stewards, caring responsibly for our community assets. We will work together to achieve the greatest, long-term benefit for our community as a whole.
Boundary Crossing and Collaboration
We are willing to cross political, social, ethnic and economic boundaries to achieve community outcomes. We will lead “beyond the walls” to create an inclusive, cohesive community through partnership and collaboration.
Commitment to Outcomes
We are willing to take responsibility for tasks and achieve specified outcomes. We are committed to staying involved until the tasks are completed.
“Art of the Possible” Thinking
We believe that anything is possible. We will envision success without limitations and then map reverse-engineer a specific, attainable strategy for achieving that vision.
Fact-Based Decision Making
We will base decisions and action plans on objective data, thereby avoiding distortion of issues by personal feelings or agendas.
Truth Telling
We will value the empowerment of everyone involved to honestly and forthrightly share all knowledge, experiences and insights relative to the work at hand. We will take responsibility for ensuring our truth is current, not historical.
Power Parity
We will respect all persons and recognize that there are diverse viewpoints. Merit, not positional power, will determine a strategy or preferred outcome. Viewpoints from diverse constituencies will be proactively sought to ensure the best possible outcomes for our community.
Commitment to Resolving Conflict
We will be open to conflict, understanding that it is inevitable and sometimes required in order to achieve the best outcomes possible. Healthy conflict involves valuing every individual, regardless of stance on a specific issue, and fully committing to working through the conflict in a positive manner regardless of its severity.
Asset-Based Approach
We will focus on using a strengths-based, asset-oriented approach to people and issues. Positive change occurs when we appreciate, value and invest in what is best for our people and community.
Conflicts of Interest
We will agree to disclose any personal or professional conflict of interest that may affect our objectivity before engaging in work that will impact our community. We will seek to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.