February2011

Luncheon Speakers

Jeff erson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon meetings are held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., at noon each Monday, federal holidays excluded. Everyone is welcome!

Verraes takes chamber helmTeresa Verraes is coming

home to lead the Jefferson County Chamber of Com-merce.

Born and raised in Jefferson County, Verraes helped found the Boiler Room young peo-ple’s coffeehouse in 1993 and since then has led a variety of entrepreneurial enterprises. She was the owner of the Artisans on Taylor Gallery from 2004 to 2009 and has wide experience in leadership, program devel-opment, marketing and sales.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to come back to Port Townsend and work with our local business owners in a position that will grow the local business community, engage new members to work with the Chamber and bring al-most 20 years of entrepreneur-ial and management experience to what is my dream job in my home community,” Verraes said.

Currently a resident of

Portland, Verraes will begin serving as executive director on a part-time basis immediately. She expects to assume the job on a full-time basis sometime in mid-February.

She replaces Jennifer MacGillonie, who resigned to become a chamber director in California.

Verraes was chosen after a hiring committee from the chamber reviewed nearly 30 resumes. The job was adver-tised in local newspapers, on the Jefferson County Chamber website and with a network of chambers around the nation.

Committee members fi rst winnowed candidates to about

a dozen using a matrix of skills the chamber board identifi ed as important. Finalists were inter-viewed, the fi eld was narrowed again and fi nal interviews were conducted.

“It was a very diffi cult deci-sion,” said Past President Kris Nelson, who chaired the com-mittee. “Our fi nalists all were well qualifi ed. Any of them would have served us well.”

The executive director is responsible for the chamber’s day-to-day operations and for the overall development and administration of member programs and services in accor-dance with the board’s strategic vision, by-laws, mission and

policies.Verraes becomes the cham-

ber’s principal advocate and spokesperson, and manages chamber operations, including fi scally sound internal controls. Candidates were sought who had excellent skills in com-munication, problem-solving, community-building and budgeting.

Verraes replaces Jennifer MacGillonie, a former chamber president who served as interim executive director on two oc-casions, and became perma-nent director in 2009. She resigned in December to move to California to be closer to family, and is now CEO of the Camarillo Chamber of Com-merce in Ventura County.

Last year, the Port Townsend Chamber of Com-merce became the Jefferson County Chamber of Com-merce, merging with busi-nesses from the Tri-Area and Port Ludlow.

Feb. 7 – John MacElweeJohn MacElwee, Executive Director of

Centrum, will speak about Centrum, plans, and outline the hopes and challenges of the arts and education organization.

Feb. 14 – Philip Morley Jeff erson County Administrator Philip

Morley will give us the current state of the county aff airs, including an outlook on the county budget and beyond.

Feb. 21 – No meeting, President’s Day

Feb. 28 – MichelleSandoval

Port Townsend’s Mayor will give an update on the state of the city and the 2011 council goals and work plans.

MacElwee

Morley

Sandoval

“I am very excited about the opportunity to come back to Port Townsend and work with our local business owners.”

Teresa Verraes

New board retreats, adopts plan, sets prioritiesA board of directors with

almost half its number new members met Jan. 22 for the annual Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce retreat.

On the agenda was adoption of a strategic plan that lays a foundation for chamber operations in 2011.

On hand for the fi rst time was new executive Director Teresa Verraes, who shared her hopes

and ambitions.In addition, President Kim

Aldrich welcomed board members and explained a key theme for the chamber in 2011 will be “building on a solid foundation.” The chamber accomplished much last year, with merging Port Townsend, Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow chambers, adoption of a strategic plan and making the transition

to a new Executive Director. The challenge this year will be knitting all of that together to better and more effectively serve member businesses.

Some goals laid out for the chamber this year include retooling the organization so its fi rst priority is always serving its members, establishing a constant feedback loop so member concerns are shaping

chamber programs and seeking more community partnerships to enhance opportunities for chamber members.

Other goals include rebranding the chamber to refl ect its new reach and mission, establishing new committees, traveling new paths for generating revenue and raising the profi le of the chamber as a community leader.

2 February 2011 Jeff erson County Chamber Newsletter

By Kim AldrichPresident

Thank you all for the wonderful words of support I have received this past couple of weeks. I really appreciate your good will.

As most of you know, we have selected our new Executive Director, Teresa Verraes. I look forward to working with her and work-ing with all of you to make your Chamber an exciting and helpful organization.

This coming year will be all out about making con-nections – connecting with your fellow business own-ers throughout the county, connecting with your customers and connecting with the resources you want and need. Teresa, the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County Chamber, and I are

here to help you make that hap-pen. I am committed to bring-ing people together, fi nding the resources within our

community and using them.Once again I go back

to why I live here, and the answer is always connec-tion. I want to know the people I do business with; I want to look them in the eye and know that I am supporting them and they are supporting me. If I lived elsewhere, if I lived in a city, life would be differ-ent. Maybe I wouldn’t care so much who I am buying bread from, whose farm I am supporting or where the

dollar I spend goes when it leaves my bank account. But I live here by design because I like it.

Our job is to advocate for, connect with, and in-form member businesses. To do that we will need to understand your needs and wants. Teresa and I will be spending quite a bit of time meeting with Chamber members and listening to their concerns and desires.

The fi rst Tuesday of the month we meet at Pedro’s Fiesta Jalisco at 7:45 a.m. for a breakfast meeting. It is informal, and everyone gets a chance to network and share ideas. It’s pretty exciting and always a plea-sure. If you can’t make that meeting, please call me or talk to one of the other board members you are acquainted with. We are here to make things hap-pen for you.

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It’s offi cial. The dynam-ic winter festival that Port Townsend is becoming fa-mous for is just around the corner. This year, Strange Brewfest will be hosted by the American Legion, Jan. 28-30.

This three-day event will feature 30 Northwest craft breweries, showcasing more than 60 uniquely “strange” styles, most of which will only be available during this event.

On Friday, Jan. 28, we’ll kick off the festival with a Cask Conditioned Beer Gar-den, from 7 to 11 p.m. Along with the eight to 10 brews, local musicians LoWire (7 p.m.) and C-Pow (9 p.m.) will grace the stage for festi-valgoers’ entertainment.

On Saturday, Jan. 29, the festival roars into the hall with 30 breweries, four bands, belly dancers, and so much more. Doors open, beer starts fl owin’, and

entertainment begins at 1 p.m. with a crescendo until midnight.

On Sunday, Jan. 30, there is continued palate plea-sure beginning at 1 p.m. Of course, there will be more music and entertainment, in-cluding an awards ceremony marking festivalgoers’ favor-ite brews and breweries.

All weekend there is deliciously catered food from Culinary Renaissance Cater-ing and Some Like It Hot.

The American Legion will offer spirits, wine and non-alcoholic beverages for the non-beer drinkers that would like to enjoy this event.

This event is 21 and over, and cash only.

For more detailed information, such as advance purchase tickets, please visit strangebrew-festpt.com or “like” us on Facebook at Strange Brewfest 2011.

Strange Brewfest moves to Legion

We’re here to make things happen

Aldrich

A special evening of wonderful wines and sumptuous chocolates is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8 at the Northwest Maritime Center.

Sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Com-merce, the Wine and Chocolate mixer features some fi ne local wines, specialty chocolates, hors d’ouvres, door prizes and a raffl e.

Last year’s wine and chocolate event was extremely well attended and everyone had a great time.

Don’t miss this premiere event. Cost is $20 per person or $30 for two. Attendees can pay at the door, but please RSVP to admin@jeffcountychamber.org by Feb. 4 so there will be ample supplies for all.

RSVP today for Wine and Chocolate mixer

February 2011 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 3

Connecting with your community and getting to know fellow businesspeo-ple is the most powerful benefit of belonging to your chamber of com-merce. Here are a few of the ways you can benefit from chamber member-ship:

Weekly Monday luncheon meetings at the Elks at noon are a perfect opportunity to mingle and bolster your business network.

Monthly Chamber Mixers, the second Tues-day of the month from 5 to 7 p.m., are a great place to socialize with community members, and you have the opportunity to showcase your busi-ness by hosting a mixer.

Participate in the an-

nual Business Expo. Hav-ing a booth is a wonder-ful way to expand your network and increase exposure of your business to the community.

Read the monthly Newsletter to keep abreast of pertinent topics facing our business com-munity. Enjoy contribut-ing your own business news to share with other chamber members by submitting an article.

Weekly e-Letter up-dates are a quick and easy way to keep updated with chamber activities and business news.

Use the online net-working tools provided by the chamber, including Facebook and Twitter.

Join the chamber’s Ambassador Program.

Become a cheerleader and promote the chamber in the community while socializing with like-minded and fun chamber members.

Enhanced marketingVisitor Information

Center volunteers can di-rect business your way! If you haven’t made a point to contact VIC manager Karen Anderson to sched-ule time to stop by the VIC to introduce yourself and your business to the VIC volunteers and sales force, you are missing out. Or, schedule a Fa-miliarization Tour for the volunteers to come see your business.

Participate in special promotional displays at the VIC for tourism-based members.

Increase your online exposure on ptchamber.org, which lists a direc-tory of chamber members. You can further improve your exposure online by having an expanded listing, which links to your business’s website and puts your listing on ptguide.com. An even better, improved website will be coming in 2010.

Sponsor a Monday Luncheon Meeting to increase publicity about your business and share with other chamber mem-bers what your business is all about.

Enjoy cost-effective advertising by posting your ad or inserting a flier in the chamber newsletter.

Market your message to the community on the Reader Board.

Get chamber endorse-ment for special events – such as grand openings, open houses and anniver-sary events – from our Chamber Ambassadors.

Access a broader marketing audience for your business mailings by using the chamber mail-ing list.

Have the chamber represent your business at community events that we participate in, such as the Rhody Festival, Jeffer-son County Fair and Port Townsend Film Festival.

Enjoy financial incentives

Save money and de-crease your medical pre-miums with the Chamber Health Insurance discount for you and your employ-

ees. Decrease your mailing

costs by taking advantage of the chamber’s bulk-mailing permit if you are sending a mailing of 200 pieces or more.

Spice up your presen-tations by renting audio-visual and event equip-ment from the chamber, including a projector, tent, chairs and stage.

Get healthy by sign-ing up for the chamber’s health club membership.

PerksAttend educational

business seminars to get great information on ways to help your business thrive.

As a member, you have the opportunity to be formally recognized by the chamber as a business leader in our community.

Attend the Monday Luncheon Meetings, where you may win the raffle to receive a unique gift from the meeting sponsor.

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping member businesses suc-ceed. Don’t be afraid to ask us how we can help.

Chamber contactsChamber Staff

Executive Director Teresa Verraes director@jeffcountychamber.org

Event Coordinator Laura Breckenridge admin@jeffcountychamber.org 385-7869 VIC Manager Karen Anderson info@jeffcountychamber.org

Membership Director Heather Flanagan membership@jeffcountychamber.org 379-5380

Executive Board President Kim Aldrich Cobalt Mortgage

Vice president Fred Obee The Leader

Secretary Molly Force N.D. Prosper Natural Health

Past President Kris Nelson Siren’s Pub

Treasurer Kerry Robinson Frontier Bank

DirectorsJordan Eades

Hope Roofing Chuck Russell

Valley Tavern Ron Ramage

Quimper InnKatherine Brady

Brady Chiropractic Linda Streisguth

Puget Sound Energy

Judy Cavett FairWinds Winery

Carol Woodley Hadlock Realty & Hadlock Hotel

Debbie Wardrop Resort at Port Ludlow

Vi Koenig PT Laundromat

Terra Tosland Worldmark Club

Piper Diehl Ludlow Bay Wellness Spa

Nancy McConaghy Coldwell Banker

Newsletter AdvertisingSara Radka

The Leader360-385-2900

We welcome your submissions. The Chamber newsletter is a great way to let other members know what’s going on with your business. If you have news to share, send articles and photos to director@jeffcountychamber.org or mail to 220 12th St. Port Townsend, WA 98368.

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Briefly...The Chamber Ambassadors

The Ambassadors group meets on the third Thursday of the month to plan activities. Please contact the Chamber office to find out more about this fun program and how you can be involved, or to talk about having a ribbon-cutting or celebration at your business.

All members are welcome to be a part of the Ambassador group. This is an ever-growing, fun, social group that is getting together once a month at various member restaurants. They spend some time talking about new businesses that we can welcome, or businesses that have something new going on that we can celebrate. We are planning upcoming open houses and ribbon-cuttings. The rest of the time is spent eating, drinking and laughing – and getting to know fellow Chamber members better.

The Chamber would like to thank the following members for being part of this group: Sherry Kack – Professional Referrals (and organizer for the group); Carol Woodley – Hadlock Realty & Hadlock Motel; Heather Flanagan – Certified Life Coach and Chamber Membership Director; Marilyn St. Clair – Victoria House; Mark Cole – Upstage Restaurant; Melinda Short – Oasis Daycare & Preschool; Mickey Davis – Subway; Nina Dortch – Holly Hill House; Nancy Tocatlian – T’s Restaurant; Sandi Bird – Life Care Center; Vi Koenig – PT Laundromat & Car Wash; Viva Davis – Hadlock Realty; Riannan Clark – Jefferson Title Co.; and Pam Lampman – Wells Fargo.

Lots of perks go with membership

4 February 2011 Jeff erson County Chamber Newsletter

Enhance your business and expand your personal and professional contacts with the tools of Social Media with Peninsula College’s instructor Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond.

The Social Media courses will be offered in three distinct tracks: Twit-ter, Facebook and Website Engagement.

Twitter will be offered Feb. 5 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Dungeness Design in Sequim. Cost for the course is $24.

Facebook, the leading social networking site, will be offered in three loca-tions on the peninsula. Cost is $24. The dates and loca-tions are:

Monday, Feb. 28, at Dungeness Design in Se-quim from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Monday, March 3, at Lewis Room in Port Had-lock from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 16 at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Room B150, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The fi nal course in the series, Web site Engage-ment, will show you how to effectively deliver your message through your Web site. The class will meet the fi rst two Wednesdays in March, on March 2 and 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dungeness Design in Se-

quim. Students need basic computer and fi le saving skills to be successful. Cost for the course is $46.

You may register for the classes through Peninsula College at pencol.edu or call 360-417-6340.

By Patience Rogge

Anne Murphy, execu-tive director of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC), invites the community to attend two open houses at the Center’s Natural History Exhibit, Building 502 at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Feb. 4-6 or 11-13. The events will feature master mam-mal articulator Lee Post of Homer, Alaska, who will involve visitors in working with the skeleton of one of only five orcas on display in the United States.

The open houses are the most recent steps in building community awareness of the Orca Project, designed to expand the focus of the organization on global ocean issues by build-ing the Ocean Science Hall. The hall will tell the story of Hope, the orca who beached and died on Dungeness Spit in 2002.

Her body was necrop-sied by scientists who dis-covered that she carried a

tremendous load of toxins acquired from pollution in her aquatic environ-ment. In 2008, after the skeleton was retrieved from a dairy farm in Sequim where it had been buried so that nature’s biodegraders could clean it, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-istration (NOAA) put the

bones on permanent loan to PTMSC.

Volunteers took a year casting the teeth, bleaching the bones, and cataloging each bone to prepare a bone atlas, the first of its kind in the world. A group of scien-tists from the University of Idaho recently brought their portable scanner to Fort Worden to scan each of the 146 bones indi-vidually, which will make the atlas interactive and 3D. Since the PTMSC has been collecting and live streaming orca vocaliza-tions as part of the Salish Sea hydrophone network for several years, the Ocean Science Hall’s exhibits will add sound as well as visual dimen-sion to their educational efforts.

“The health of the oceans directly affects the health of all species, including ours. That this whale died on our doorstep sends us a message – to be aware that what we do

impacts the whole planet,” Murphy said. “With this project, we intend to involve the whole commu-nity as citizen scientists.”

Murphy brings a life-time interest in nature to her 22-year career with the PTMSC. As a child growing up in Kentucky, she was fascinated by the natural world.

Her academic back-ground includes natural resource management, environmental educa-tion, forestry, fi sheries and oceanography. Before joining the staff in 1989, Anne was active in Wild Olympic Salmon. She became involved with the PTMSC as a parent, bring-ing her children to its pro-grams for school groups. In addition to its school programs, summer camps for children, Protection Island cruises, and teacher education courses, Murphy points out that the center has offered a very vibrant Citizen Science Program since 2005. It is open to adults who are interested in learning about the envi-ronment and participating in such activities as in-vestigating algae blooms, dissolved oxygen and eel grass health. The program is based in the Foss Mari-time Discovery Lab.

“We plan to open the Ocean Science Hall in July 2012. Our fundraising goal is $1.25 million, and we are confi dent that the entire community will sup-port this important effort,” Murphy said.

For more informa-tion, contact the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at 532 Battery Way, Port Townsend, phone 360-385-3932, email info@ptmsc or visit www.ptmsc.org.

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAIDPORT TOWNSEND, WAPERMIT NO. 34

Profile

If you are a member of the Jeff erson County Chamber of Commerce and use Twitter or Facebook -- please follow us @Jeff CoChamber on Twitter and Jeff erson County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

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members and bring you the latest business news that is important to our members – so if you’ve got some news, a deal, a Twitter-only special – tweet about it and we’ll help spread the word.

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Member of

the month

Commander’s Beach House

Gail & Jim Oldroyd

400 Hudson St.Port Townsend, WA

(360) 385-1778

Orca bones inspire new project

Anne Murphy, executive director of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, invites the community to attend two open houses at the Center’s Natural History Exhibit.

College offers Social Media