Chamber Leadership and
Volunteer Applications Now Available
Six board seats & 4 committee chair seats to be filled
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Interested in becoming more involved at the Greater Kitsap Chamber? Consider joining the Board of Directors or one of our four working committees. We're looking for a diverse group of leaders coming from our many different communities and industries in Greater Kitsap. If you'd like more information, contact the Chamber today!
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Bremerton GreenDrinks @ The Toad House
Thursday, April 11, 2024, 5:00 pm
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Elevate Your Business: Sponsor Today
Join us for the 77th Annual Armed Forces Day Festival
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is thrilled to announce that parade registration is now open for the 77th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade & Festival. Parade participants can sign up online at www.greaterkitsapchamber.com.
This is also a great opportunity for you to advertise your business or organization through a sponsorship of this long-time event. Sponsorship information can be found by clicking on the form below or here. We hope you will join us on Saturday, May 18 for a fun-filled day in Bremerton!
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If you have a convertible that we can use for the Armed Forces Day parade to drive our VIP parade participants, please let us know by contacting the Chamber today!
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Chair-elect Susan Larsen of Land Title Company, conducted an energetic meeting where speaker Maureen Jann enlightened members on useful ways to use ChatGPT in their every day business. We welcomed 4 new members for their first luncheon and celebrated both our February and March Members of the Month. |
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April Luncheon: 2024 Legislative Update
Special Guest: Dave Mastin, VP Gov't Affairs, AWB
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Join us this month for our annual Legislative Update. Speaking to us is VP of Gov't Affairs for the Association of Washington Business (AWB), Dave Mastin. Dave will share with us how the 2024 session evolved and what legislation local businesses should be on the lookout for in the coming year.
Don't forget - be sure to bring an item for the raffle benefitting the Chamber's scholarship programs.
Strengthen your business and your business connections at the Greater Kitsap Chamber monthly membership luncheon - you won't want to miss! This month's luncheon will be held at the Kitsap Golf & Country Club.
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Get the Most Out of Your Member Benefits |
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According to the Harvard Business Review, 54% of job seekers considered better health, dental and vision insurance worthy of “heavy consideration” when evaluating job offers.
If you’re competing to attract and retain top talent, just making benefits available in not enough – employees need to regularly make use of their benefits and understand what is available to them.
Our partner, Business Health Trust has put together six post-enrollment strategies to help your workforce thrive – and help you keep them happy. Click the link to read:
🔗 Article Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/news-insights/welcome-to-the-post-open-enrollment-playbook-ensuring-your-workforce-thrives/
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? Contact Irene now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
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New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! |
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New & Renewing Members for March
Thank you for your continued investment & support!
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Growth
Main Street
Business
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Advertise in Discover Kitsap Visitor's Guide |
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The Kitsap Daily News, Bainbridge Island Review and Sound Publishing are taking ad space reservations now for the award-winning Discover Kitsap Visitor's Guide. This premier tourism publication won best tourism guide from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association last year! It is primarily distributed on the ferries and tourist hot spots, and it will be inserted into their 4 Kitsap newspapers on May 31st. Your ad will reach locals, visitors and people who are new to Kitsap. It will be distributed June 1st on the ferries and continue through at least October. It’s also available year-round online.
The deadline to book an ad is Friday, April 12th.
If you'd like to view the last Discover Kitsap online, click here.
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Celebrating Grocery Outlet - Bremerton
Thursday, April 11, 2024
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber Board of Directors and Staff are pleased to announce the selection of Haselwood Auto Group as the April Member of the Month. Members of the then-Bremerton and now Greater Kitsap Chamber since 1986, the Haselwood Auto Group have been staunch supporters of the greater business community since Chuck Haselwood opened his first used car dealership in 1949.
From our beginnings, we've made it our highest priority to continuously exceed the expectations of our customers by providing unsurpassed service and value. For, if it weren't for our customers, we wouldn't have a business at all..."
"At the Haselwood Auto Group, you will be sure to find exceptional service in every aspect of our dealerships. For us, your purchase marks the beginning of our relationship, not the end of it."
Stay tuned as we highlight this amazing pillar of the Kitsap business community this month and join us as we congratulate them on their selection and continued success!
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Haselwood Auto Group
515 West Hills Boulevard
Bremerton, WA 98312
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AWB Legislative Wrap-Up:
tba
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Even as the linkage bill passed, "the Legislature was not as aggressive in adopting the reforms the business community asked for," Godlewski said. That's due to a looming ballot initiative that would repeal the CCA.
WRAP Act: The Washington Recycling and Packaging Act, which sets up a producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products, returned this year. AWB had concerns about this bill, and although it didn't pass, we expect to see it again next session.
Coming up: Other bills may also return, including environmental justice and permitting, food additives, and hydrofluorocarbons.
Contact Government Affairs Director Peter Godlewski to learn more and get involved.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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Craft3 Business Services:
Business Builder Webinar Series
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The Business Builder series are free webinars sponsored by Craft3 Business Services and designed to support small business owners like yourself. We know you’re busy and it can be hard to find trusted advice to help you run and grow your business. This series can help you think about the bigger picture and get connected to the professional services you need for your business to thrive. |
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SBDC: SquareSpace 101
Thursday, April 11, 2024, 11:00 am
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If you want to use SquareSpace to build or to edit your own website, this webinar is a good place to start. We’ll go over how to select the right template for your business, how to build and edit your pages, change your navigation, fill in your SEO settings, connect to your merchant processor if you want to conduct ecommerce transactions on your site, register your domain, use SquareSpace chat support, and more.
The presenter, Liz Jamieson, is a Washington Small Business Development Center Certified Business Advisor, and Certified Global Business Professional. Liz owned her own website design and development firm and has extensive experience coaching entrepreneurs in marketing, ecommerce & social media advertising, business planning, loan packaging, Human Resources, and leadership. See more about Liz at https://wsbdc.org/advisors/liz-jamieson/. This training is offered as part of the partnership between the Washington Small Business Development Centers and Washington State University.
Workshop Fee: FREE
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KCDEM Cyber Security Conference
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Business News & Resources |
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WA Workforce Portal Helps Businesses Find Quality Internship Candidates |
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Free resource: Internship season is coming up soon. Find your ideal internship candidate with the Washington Workforce Portal, a free platform that pairs Washington businesses offering internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships with high-school and college students seeking real-world work experience.
Making a match: Employers can post internship opportunities and students can post profiles with information on the type of internship they're seeking.
"It was seamless, it was easy, it was free," said Michelle Wynne, human resources business partner at LifePort. "I was able to search any type of intern in any type of specialty and what their major was. I found quality candidates for our business."
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I. |
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Change on the Horizon: See if July
Holds Something New for You
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Legislative changes effective July 1, 2024, will impact several industries
Health Care:
New health care labor standards requirements go into effect July 1, 2024 under E2SSB 5236. Passed in 2023, the bill clarifies labor standards and enforcement regarding mandatory overtime and uninterrupted meal and rest breaks for certain health care workers (HLA.A.1, HSL.A.2). Finalized policies will come out before July 1. Learn more about the policy drafts on L&I’s website.
Contractor Registration:
Changes to contractor registration rules include amendments that will affect the definitions, penalty and bond amounts, and fees for general and specialty contractors. The amendments are due to legislation passed in 2023.
Bond increases go into effect for construction contractors on July 1, 2024. Contractors can renew 90 days before the expiration date, so the changes will apply to those that start renewing April 1 or later.
Some things to note:
- The new bond amount is $30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors
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Construction contractor licenses expiring July 1, 2024, or later are required to provide the new, higher bond amount prior to renewing. This includes those that choose to renew early
- This change does not affect plumbing or electrical contractors
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Got a question or issue to be solved?
Call L&I's Small Business Liaisons for assistance.
Phone: 1-800-987-0145
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Nonprofit News & Resources |
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NAWA: Boards in Gear
Thursday, April 11, 2024, 12:00 pm
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As a board, you want your nonprofit to thrive and make a difference in the communities served by your organization. Whether your nonprofit is just starting or is long established, getting your board in gear can help put your organization on a clear path forward.
Workshop Fee: FREE, thanks to a partnership with the Washington Office of the Secretary of State
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You Don't Have a Fundraising
Strategy without DAF Gifts
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Photo: Getty Images by malerapaso
It doesn’t matter who your organization thinks or who you think is (or isn’t) in your donor base. Having a comprehensive, well-thought-out strategy for soliciting donations from donor-advised funds (DAFs) is almost as important for your organization today as breathing.
It’s both well-documented and widely understood that DAFs represent one of fastest growing areas — if not the fastest-growing area — of philanthropy. However, the discussion surrounding DAFs is about more than rapid growth and the potential for future domination in charitable giving circles. That world is already here. The story today is about how incredibly central DAFs already are to giving in the present day, and how DAF donors are increasingly each charity’s existing donors simply hiding in plain sight.
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Central Kitsap Community Council
Tonight: Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 5:00 pm
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Kitsap County Invites Public Feedback
on Comp Plan Update
Board of Commissioners to host April 8th public hearing
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Kitsap County is making an essential update to its Comprehensive Plan - a blueprint that will guide local policies, planning, and capital facility investments. The Comprehensive Plan, mandated by Washington State's Growth Management Act, plays a pivotal role in shaping the county's growth and development strategies.
The 2024 plan update will determine how the county manages growth and what it’s future direction will be in areas like policies, zoning, and departmental regulations as well as planning-level environmental impacts and capital facilities reviews.
"We're committed to ensuring that our Comprehensive Plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our residents," said deputy county administrator Eric Baker. "Your input is valuable as we work to address current challenges and plan for sustainable growth."
To encourage public engagement, Kitsap County is inviting residents to participate in the Comprehensive Plan Update process, by submitting comments in writing, via kcowa.us/compplan online, via email, or at in-person events.
The Public Comment Period on the Draft Comprehensive Plan Elements, Draft Development Regulations, and Capital Facilities Plan will remain open through April 8. Community members are encouraged to review the documents on our kcowa.us/compplan website.
The Board of County Commissioners will hold a hearing on the Comprehensive Plan update at their meeting on April 8. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Kitsap County Administration Building, located at 619 Division Street in Port Orchard. Public comment is encouraged, with both in-person and online/hybrid options available.
"We value transparency and collaboration in our planning processes," said Katie Walters, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. "We urge all residents to get involved and help shape the future of Kitsap County."
To learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Update and how to participate, visit the kcowa.us/compplan Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan website or contact the Comprehensive Plan team at compplan@kitsap.gov.
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CKFR Assistant Chief Mike Tague gives a tour of Olympic View Station 52 that is slated to open in June. MEEGAN M. REID/KITSAP SUN
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Central Kitsap Fire Asks for Levy Lid
Lift on August Ballot
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Central Kitsap voters will see a fire levy lid lift proposition on primary ballots on August 6.
Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue said the board of fire commissioners passed a resolution in March to place a fire levy lid lift on the primary election ballot. The tax increase will be used to hire additional firefighters and replace aging apparatus, CKFR said.
Voters will be asked to approve an increase of the fire levy from $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value to $1.50, which is the levy rate they approved in 2019. The $0.16 increase will cost the owner of a $500,000 home to pay an additional $6.67 per month or $80 per year, according to the statement.
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Meet with Your Kitsap Delegation:
State Legislators from the 23rd
Saturday, April 13, 2024, 1:00 pm
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Silverdale GreenDrinks @ Illuminate.Me
Tonight: Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 5:24 pm
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Bremerton First Friday Art Walk
Friday, April 5, 2024
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Kitsap Fest Seeks Vendors & Sponsors
Live Well Kitsap Hosts Event at Silverdale Waterfront
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Come Visit CKFR's Newest Station
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 11:00 am
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Save-the-Date: Kitsap Pride
Saturday, July 20, 2024
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks or COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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The Admiral Theatre Presents: |
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An Evening with Groucho
starring Frank Ferrante
Friday, April 5, 2024, 7:30 pm
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Dubbed "nothing short of masterful" by the Chicago Tribune, award-winning actor Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed stage portrayal of legendary comedian in this fast paced 90 minutes of hilarity. The two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs including “Hooray for Captain Spalding,” and “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady.” The audience literally becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style.
Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields and Marx foil Margaret Dumont. A show perfect for all ages!
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Bremerton Community Theatre: Titanic
April 5, 2024 - May 5, 2024
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Epic and majestic, with moments of heartbreaking intimacy, Titanic captures the triumph and tragedy of the hopeful passengers on the ill-fated Ship of Dreams, including workers in the boiler room, first-class attendants, the poorest passengers who scraped together their life savings to purchase third-class tickets to America, to some of the wealthiest men of the Victorian age, including John Jacob Astor and Benjamin Guggenheim. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score in 1997.
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Port Gamble Theater: On Golden Pond
April 12 - 28, 2024
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Clearwater Casino Resort:
John Waite - 40 Years of Missing You
Saturday, April 13, 2024, 8:00 pm
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As a solo artist and as the lead singer of The Babys and Bad English, John Waite was a fixture of album-oriented rock radio stations during the ’70s and ’80s. He had a talent for power ballads and driving arena rock, occasionally touching on new wave-styled power pop as well. John will entertain you with his catalogue of hits from his 40-year career as a solo artist, with The Babys and Bad English.
John’s catalogue of hits features some of the most loved songs of the 80s and 90s. The number one Worldwide hit Missing You, The Babys Isn’t It Time and Bad English When I See You Smile rank amongst some of his biggest international hits and are still heard on radio today. Others include Tears, Change and These Times Are Hard for Lovers. Every Step of the Way and If Anybody Had a Heart appeared on the soundtrack to the 1986 Demi Moore film About Last Night. Deal for Life, penned by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin, and was featured in the Days of Thunder soundtrack.
Purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com or in the Casino Gift Shop.
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Bainbridge Performing Arts: Cabaret
April 26 - May 12, 2024
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Step into the intoxicating world of Berlin's nightlife in the 1930s as BPA presents the iconic musical, "Cabaret"! Experience an unforgettable night of song, dance, and powerful storytelling that examines the thrilling and yet turbulent life under the growing shadow of the Third Reich.
Witness the life of Sally Bowles, a flamboyant performer at the Kit Kat Klub, and her relationship with the young American writer, Cliff Bradshaw. As they navigate love and life amidst the pulsating beats of the nightclub, reality begins to cast a looming shadow over their lives, echoing the profound changes that await them outside.
Our talented cast will bring this provocative and compelling narrative to life, complete with riveting performances and unforgettable musical numbers. "Cabaret" promises an exhilarating theater experience that's both deeply moving and wildly entertaining.
This spectacular production is a must-see event, as it explores the duality of hope and despair, love and loss. Purchase your tickets today and immerse yourself in the captivating and exhilarating world of "Cabaret."
Life is a cabaret, old chum, come to the Cabaret!
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Tiffany Diamond
Events Coordinator
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Bremerton Office (360) 479-3579 | 4th & Pacific Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall next to Macy's
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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