Wednesday, April 10, 2024 |
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GKC's Nonprofit Members Hope to Set Records During 11th Annual Kitsap Great Give
Support your favorites and donate now!
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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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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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Celebrating Grocery Outlet - Bremerton
Thursday, April 11, 2024
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Strong supporters of Kitsap's armed forces community, the Haselwood Auto Group have been long-time participants at the Chamber's annual Military Appreciation Day - just one of the many ways this company gives back to its community. Congratulations again, Haselwood Auto Group, on your selection as the April 2024 Member of the Month! |
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Haselwood Auto Group
515 West Hills Boulevard
Bremerton, WA 98312
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AWB Legislative Wrap-Up:
Employment Law, AI Bills
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Hard fight: AWB's 2024 Legislative Session Wrap-up Video series continues with a look at employment law and artificial intelligence bills. Many AWB members helped us defeat House Bill 1893, which would have allowed striking workers to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
"The problem with that bill is that it fundamentally misuses the unemployment insurance fund," which is intended to replace lost wages for workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, explains AWB Government Affairs Director and General Counsel Bob Battles.
Positive bills: House Bill 2127 increases the rates for employers using the Stay at Work Program to bring injured workers back to light duty, while Senate Bill 5890 requires the state to notify an employer of an impending safety violation and help correct it within 10 days. Both bills passed.
Eye on AI: The Legislature also voted to create an artificial task force to study AI issues -- the right approach rather than immediate regulation.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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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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SCORE: Financial Basics for New Small Bizs
Thursday, April 11, 2024, 1:00 pm
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This workshop is designed to give you, the business owner, the financial skills and know-how needed to perform key tasks like to determine how to accurately compute the amount of funding you’ll need to start your business. You will also learn how to project your future financial results realistically including:
- Projecting sales for a new business
- Understanding your cost of goods sold and gross margin
- Being able to project your operating expenses
- Calculating your net income
- Planning your cash flow successfully
This workshop includes a special section on creating financial statements for service businesses.
Proper management of finances is crucial to any business’s success and a special set of skills is needed to understand and create these critical financial statements. This workshop is suitable for everyone whether you are starting a new business or need to update your skills.
Workshop Fee: FREE
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Lunchtime Lightning Talk @ Vibe:
Your Bookkeeper Called
Tuesday, April 16, 2023, 11:30 am
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KEDA: Meet the Agencies
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 2:00 pm
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Business News & Resources |
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Business Grants to Apply for in April 2024 |
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Courtesy of Andy Medici, Senior Reporter, The Playbook, The Business Journals
(Puget Sound Business Journal)
American Express offers Backing Small Businesses grant program
In addition, out of the 500 initial grant recipients, 25 of those will be awarded an additional $30,000 enhancement grant. Businesses will be required to submit a final grant report using a template to report on how they used the money. Businesses must have 20 or fewer employees and have been in operation since before Jan. 1, 2023. They must also have a brick-and-mortar location, with home-based businesses not eligible.
Applications will be accepted through April 7, 2024, at 11:59 pm CST, although the organizations may close early if they receive a lot of applications.
PepsiCo launches small-business accelerator, grants
The program will target food and beverage businesses who can apply to the accelerator. Those selected will receive a $20,000 grant and will join a five-month mentorship program centered around business challenges. One business will receive an additional $100,000 grand prize.
To apply, businesses need to be Hispanic-owned and operating within the United States and have earned between $100,000 to $2 million in revenue in the last financial year.
Applications close on May 6, and business owners can find out more information on the program website.
LegalZoom expands $3 million small-business grant program with NBA, WNBA
LegalZoom’s Fast Break for Small Business grant program, in partnership with the NBA and WNBA, will be awarding $1.5 million in grants to 150 small-business owners and $1.5 million in products and services to 3,000 entrepreneurs looking to start their own business.
Small businesses that have been in operation for at least three months are eligible to apply for the individual $10,000 grants or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services. Entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services.
Winners will first be announced on social media and Action Opportunity Fund will administer the small-business grant awards. Grant applications close on September 13, 2024, at 8 p.m.
Other small-business grants open to applications right now
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Jobber, which provides operations management software for home service businesses, announced a grant program in which 15 businesses could get $10,000 each. Business owners can apply for and use the grant however they want, whether it's purchasing new equipment, marketing or training its team. Applications are open until June 12.
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The Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant is giving out $25,000 to 25 moms who own businesses. To be eligible the business’ annual revenue should not be more than $5 million, and it should have between two and 100 employees. All founders must identify as mothers. Applications are due April 16.
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Yogurt brand Dannon Light +Fit and the Female Founder Collective are offering $10,000 grants to five women entrepreneurs. Businesses must be majority-owned by a woman and have been in operation for at least two years. Applications are due April 4, 2024.
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Hello Alice offers $1,000 in “American Dream” grants to small businesses. Deadline: April 30, 2024.
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2024 Halstead Grant for silver jewelry businesses offering more than $8,500. Deadline: May 1, 2024.
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WA Unemployment Program Still Struggling,
4 Years After COVID
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Dollar for dollar, Washington still has one of the nation’s most generous unemployment safety nets. Weekly benefits last year averaged $704, among the highest in the U.S., with a current maximum of $1,019. And in Washington, benefits typically cover 50% of claimants’ lost wages, well above the national “replacement” rate of 43%, according to federal data.
When it comes to actually accessing those benefits, though, Washington often falls short.
The share of unemployed Washingtonians who received benefits in 2023 was 34%, according to federal data. That’s ahead of the U.S. average of 29%, but it’s behind other wealthy, progressive states like Oregon, California, New York and Massachusetts, whose combined rate last year averaged 47%. It’s also well below what Washington’s rate has been historically.
“Our benefits system is very generous — if you can get benefits,” said Anne Paxton, attorney and policy director with the Unemployment Law Project, a worker advocacy group based in Seattle and Spokane.
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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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Workplace Rights Refresher |
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A little reminder on workplace rights never hurt anyone...but forgetting these things could!
Youth Workers
Are you planning to hire youth workers this season? Be sure to read up on restrictions and responsibilities by visiting our “How to Hire Minors” page. L&I recently announced that a Vancouver business neglected some of these restrictions and ended up with over $22,000 in fines.
Paid Sick Leave Changes for the Construction Industry
Workers under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Industry Code 23 (construction)- except for code 2361 (residential building construction)- who have not been employed for 90 calendar days, must be paid the balance of their paid sick leave following separation from employment. Frequently asked questions and other resources are available on our website.
Job Posting Requirements
As of Jan. 1, 2023, employers with 15 or more employees must include in their job postings a wage scale or salary range, a general description of all benefits, and a general description of other compensation. The employer is responsible for all posting requirements, even if a third party is used. Visit the Equal Pay & Opportunities Act page for great resources like consultations and fact sheets.
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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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Nonprofit Team Management
the Ted Lasso Way
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April 5, 2024
Photo: Getty Images by bernardbodo
“Ted Lasso” fans, don’t expect any folksy down-home “Bantr” in this article, because folksy isn’t really my style. You may get a few truth bombs though, because I do have great admiration for personal and team growth, mutual support, accountability and doing the right thing even when it is difficult.
Given the important mission work nonprofits are tapped to accomplish with teams comprised of personalities that cover all of the letters and colors of the Myers Briggs spectrum, let’s take a look at a few Lasso lessons we can apply to help those teams along the way.
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Multi-million St. Vincent de Paul Redevelopment to Add Housing,
Services in Bremerton
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Rendering: Rice Fergus Miller Architecture
Bringing the different services of Bremerton’s St. Vincent de Paul into alignment has been executive director Joe Crain’s mission since he arrived at the social services provider in 2019. The 80-year-old Catholic organization served nearly 29,000 clients last year, housed 198 people at its women’s shelter and distributed 7,200 articles of clothing from its thrift store and 700,000 pounds from its food bank, Crain reported.
But operations have always functioned "disparately" between the aging series of buildings along Bremerton's Callow Avenue that St. Vinny's calls home.
Now, St. Vincent de Paul is gearing up to synthesize and expand its operations in a nearly $115 million, two-phase redevelopment that will create a resource center with wraparound services and over 140 units of housing. The agency's longtime thrift store was moved from the site to a location in East Bremerton in 2023, and plans next call for the demolition of the assistance center, food bank, women's shelter and two other small residences to make way for a campus that will completely transform a block between Callow and Wycoff just north of 11th Street.
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CKSD Faces Prospect of Rare
Second School Levy Failure
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It's been nearly 30 years since Central Kitsap School District went without voter-approved levy funding to supplement what the state funds for education.
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Impact of a Levy Failure
Central Kitsap voters have until April 23rd to cast ballots
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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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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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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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Uptown
Friday, April 12, 2024, 7:30 pm
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From New York City, the epicenter of contemporary Pop and Soul, Uptown is a group of men who combine the smooth stylings of R&B with the fresh hits of today. The perfect mix of Bruno Mars caliber stage presence with the vocals of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. You’ve never seen anything like Uptown! Each member of the collective is a soloist, bringing a unique flavor of performance that will have any crowd on their feet dancing and singing along. Regardless of the genre or era of music, The Uptown Show exudes freshness and fun in a way that everyone will enjoy.
Choreography, Vocals and Stage Presence...You do not want to miss out on Uptown.
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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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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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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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