Out & About with Donna
Chamber’s Women in Business Program Coordinates Collection Efforts
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce ‘Women in Business’ program organized a can food and non-perishable drive to support the Volunteer Center’s Food for Kids program and Pediatric Therapy Network. Special appreciation is extended to Women in Business co-chairs, Charlene Nishimura, Pediatric Therapy Network and Jeanne Imbrogno, Amag Technology, Inc. for their coordination of the event. A special thank you to the Old Torrance Neighborhood Association, Torrance City Council member Heidi Ashcraft, Marifrances Travelli, Marianne Kelchner, Gina Gillum and the multitude of volunteers and donors. Over 850 pounds of food was donated.
News
Health Care Leaders Discuss Innovative Solutions to the Industry’s
Most Pressing Issues
The Torrance Chamber hosted a panel discussion with leadership from the health care industry this past Friday. ‘Navigating the Intersection of Business and Health Care’ examined the industry’s most pressing issues including preventative care, technology, social justice, business health, COVID-19 19 and the flu.

Panelists included Craig Leach, President & CEO, Torrance Memorial Medical Center; Ozzie Martinez, Chief Administrative Officer, Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center; Santiago Munoz, Chief Strategy Officer, UCLA Health and Garry Olney, Chief Executive, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers.

Jac Folkert, UCLA Health, was the event’s master of ceremony and Tara O’Brien was the facilitator. To watch the replay of the event, click here.
Chamber’s Foundation Launches Program for Fifth Grade Students
The Torrance Chamber’s Foundation has kicked off a program for fifth grade students attending Torrance Unified School District. CARES, an acronym for Compassion, Awareness, Respect, Education and Support is a program designed to rally, to affect positive change, to educate through dialogue on current events, to advocate and commit to advancing diversity and inclusion. The program will provide up to 40 black students the opportunity to hear and learn from influential leaders in a variety of careers.

City of Torrance Fire Chief Martin Serna spoke to the students at the first virtual meeting. He spoke about his dad as a mentor, life lessons he has learned and that volunteering and giving back is important. He also asked each student to write down three things they would like to accomplish in high school, college and as an adult.

The co-chairs of the CARES program are Tamala Lewis, AEG-Dignity Health Sports Park and Latrice McGlothin, Kinecta Federal Credit Union. Sherry Kramer, Continental Development Corporation, will also provide leadership. Read article online here.
Make An Impact By Shopping Small and 
Join the Shop Local, Shop Small Business Week Kickoff!
Mark your calendars for the ‘Shop Local, Shop Small Business Week’ Kickoff, this Thursday, November 12th at 9 AM. This 30 minute virtual kickoff will bring the business community together to rally for the members participating in the “Shop Local, Shop Small Business Week” happening from November 28th to December 5th. This week was started by the Torrance Chamber back in 2014 as an extension of the Small Business Saturday. During this week, the Chamber encourages the community to shop its local small businesses to help them thrive, especially now more than ever during this year’s holiday season. As we invest in our small businesses, we are ultimately boosting our economy. Register here.

Two speakers, Laurie Brandt from Red Car Brewery & Restaurant and Mark Comon from Paul's Photo, will speak at the Kickoff about their experiences from participating in past years and the benefits that their restaurant and store have seen from this week. See list of participating businesses here.
PPE Unite: Providing Free PPE to Your Business
Public and private sector organizations have partnered to create access to personal protective equipment for small businesses across the County of Los Angeles through PPE Unite™. 

PPE for small businesses may include: 
  • Face masks 
  • Hand sanitizers 
  • Face shields

Who Is Eligible
  • You must operate a small business with less than 50 employees.
  • Your business must be located in Los Angeles County.
  • You must operate as a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, C or S-Corp, or micro-business.
  • You have not received any PPE through this program in the past.
PPE will be offered on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Sign up here.
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) released some initial, helpful guidance on one of California’s new laws taking effect next year — certain employers will be required to report demographic and pay data by March 31, 2021. Read more here.
COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certification Program
LA County is helping train businesses on the implementation of COVID-19 safety protocols through a no-cost online training course called the COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certification Program (CSCCP). Once completed, business owners receive a certificate, and window seal to display on their storefront, which can reassure employees and customers alike that the business is following COVID-19 infection control and physical distancing requirements.

If you have not yet completed the CSCCP course or want to learn more about it, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/covid19cert.htm. Help support your employees, customers, and community while on the Road to Recovery.
Get Digital California Initiative: Digital Bootcamp
This is a four-part series to expand your online presence by launching and growing your online e-commerce store. Business owners will develop skills to drive traffic, grow on brand exposure, and reach larger audiences online while developing a strong understanding of the key elements needed to build and expand a robust e-commerce portal for their business. Four - 1.5 hour cohort workshops, must attend all sessions! 1. Your Website, 2. Driving Traffic, 3. Marketplaces, & 4. Scalability Sign up here.

There will be 5 different sessions to choose from:
Session A: Mondays, Nov 16, 23, 30 @ 3:30pm -5:00pm
Session B: Tuesdays, Nov 10, 17, 24, Dec 1 @ 10:00am -11:30am
Session C: Wednesdays, Nov 11, 18, 25, Dec 2 @ 2:00pm -3:30pm
Session D: Tuesdays, Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8 @ 1:00pm -2:30pm
Session E: Wednesdays, Nov 18, 25, Dec 2, 9 @ 11:00am -12:30pm
Upcoming Virtual Events
Click On The Event To Register
Renewing Members
Office Depot Rewards Program
As a member of Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, you are entitled to savings at Office Depot store. Discounts vary on items and services, but they do add up and you can save a significant amount annually on 175 most frequently needed items. Just another benefit of the membership! To enjoy this, Contact Us Here.
The Chamber helps businesses reach their full potential. Click Here to Join!