August 2022 VOICE Magazine

A U G U S T

Saint Martin's Makes History with First Female President Dr. Jennifer Bonds-Raacke looks to the future while making history serving as Saint Martin's next president

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Fit Life Studio

Owner Tessa Effland helps fellow Olympians reach their goals (both fitness and business) with Fit Life Studio and her small business incubator

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August 2022

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER VOICE MAGAZINE

Visit ThurstonChamber.com and click on the Events Calendar for the latest information regarding Chamber events.

Join our Morning Mixxer hosts, Rejuvenate IV Hydration & Wellness Center at 205 Lilly Rd NE, Bldg B, Ste B, Lacey, WA 98506 on Tuesday, August 2 at 7:30 a.m. Morning Mixxer is free to attend and is held the first Tuesday of each month.

These networking events are great for making new business connections within the community.

Everyone who attends is eligible to win door prizes! MIXX 96.1 proudly sponsors Morning Mixxer.

Join our host, Olympia Oyster House, at 320 4th Ave W, Olympia, WA 98501 on Thursday, August 4 at 5:30 p.m. for the Thurston Young Professionals (TYP) monthly networking event.

Enjoy bites and beverages as you expand your network!

All are welcome – invite other 20 to 30-year-olds so they can expand their networks and meet our community's young professionals. Thurston Young Professionals is sponsored by Porcupine Media.

On Wednesday August 10, at 11:30 a.m., at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake at 2300 Evergreen Park Dr SW, Olympia, WA 98502, the Chamber will host its August Forum, where we'll hear from Washington State's Economist, Steve Lerch, Ph.D. on the state of the U.S. and Washington State economies, and a brief look at state revenue projections, consumer confidence, employment, gas prices and home sales. Forum will includes a lunch buffet. Cost is $30 for Chamber members, $35 for non-members in advance; $35 members, or $40 for non-members at the door.

Join our Business After Hours hosts, the Thurston County Food Bank at 220 Thurston Ave NE, Olympia, After Hours WA 98501 on Thursday, August 18 at 5:30 p.m., for mingling and networking with other business professionals, games, beverages and appetizers. Business After Hours is a great opportunity to expand your network, and is proudly sponsored by ROXY 94.5 and PacificSource Health Plans.

Thank You Sponsors!

In This Issue...

Fit Life Studio p. 7 Owner Tessa Effland, an Olympia original, helps people thrive with her personal training and fitness business, as well as a homegrown small business incubator.

SMU Makes History with First Female President p. 10 Dr. Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, Saint Martin's University's first female President, looks to the future of the school with a new energy and fresh perspective.

Great Representation Makes Sense p. 15 Growing area populations demand we re-evaluate our representation throughout County and Port roles.

New Members p. 16 Welcome to our new members!

This directory lists the most recent Chamber members!

Caught in the Lens p. 19 Keep up with the latest Chamber happenings and see the great smiles that make up our membership!

The VOICE is FSC® Certified.

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC), is a non-profit organization that sets certain high standards to make sure that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible and socially beneficial manner.

thurstonchamber.com

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magazine PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce EDITORIAL David Schaffert 360-357-3362 dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com CONTRIBUTORS Doug Mah Kathryn Millhorn David Schaffert Heidi Smith ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing: Krystal Barkus Elizabeth Bretschneider Ashley Chandler SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com DESIGN Ben Hawkes Mosaic Marketing Studio COVER Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, Ph.D., President of Saint Martin's University. Photo by Shanna Paxton Photography.

PRINTING Print NW CONTACT THE CHAMBER 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com

Greater Representation Makes Sense

by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Public Policy Director, Thurston County Chamber

In 1889, the Washington State constitution was adopted. Article 11, section 5, of the state constitution made the three-member commission form of county government the standard across the state. Thurston County has lived with this standard for more than 130 years.

set of voters and regional interests.

Our democracy, at all levels of government, depends on high quality representation that reflects the needs, interests, and concerns of the constituents represented by an elected official as expressed at the ballot box. But quality representation becomes more difficult as districts Thurston County, the Port of Olympia, the Thurston Public Utilities grow in population and service expectations change.

District, and a variety of ditch and water resource commissions all use three member commissions to set Between 2010 and 2022, Thurston public policy, establish fees and County’s population grew by almost taxes, and deliver services to meet 20 percent. Today, about 47 percent the needs of their constituents and of the population live in Olympia, communities. Once a model of Lacey, and Tumwater and another efficiency, three-member decision 47 percent lives in unincorporated making boards no longer make sense. Thurston County. The incorporated and unincorporated residents have different needs and expectations The distribution and density of the for services such as public safety, population across the county is economic development, and planning changing. Increasing the number for growth. More appropriate of commissioners and commission representation is needed to ensure districts will provide better and more equal representation for a more diverse balanced solutions across the region. (continued on page 18)

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BUILDING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY SINCE 1874 COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. ©2022 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.

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Saturday, November 5

Saint Martin’s University, Lacey, Washington Saint Martin’s University Gala 2022 welcomes celebrity chef, author, and TV personality Anne Burrell.

Join us for a black-tie gourmet evening that includes an exquisite dinner, cooking demos, and a live auction benefiting Saint Martin’s student scholarships.

Reserve your spot and stay updated on event details at, www.stmartin.edu/2022Gala

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE

thurstonchamber.com

FIT LIFE STUDIO

Helps People—and Fellow Business Owners—

THRIVE

by Kathryn Millhorn Photos by C-Sharp Images

“We are all about community and helping provide opportunities for all to grow and flourish. It is a perfect neighborhood building for all to come to and shop local. That’s what business to me has always been about: our community.”

-Tessa Effland, owner of Fit Life Studio (pictured, right)

In every community, small businesses are more than just places to eat, shop and mingle. They keep money in the community, hire locally and anchor strong, vibrant neighborhoods. When a small business succeeds, it provides hope—and a learning experience—for others around it.

one-on-one or small group settings.

But owner Tessa Effland also created a small business incubator which includes an esthetician, nutrition counselor, home décor and staging company, clothing retailer, accessory jewelry retailer, and a judgethemed, hidden speakeasy called The Chamber (in honor of Tessa’s grandfather who was a local judge!).

Located in Olympia's Briggs At Fit Life Studio, they teach personal neighborhood, Fit Life opened its training and fitness programming in doors April 8, 2022, but Effland thurstonchamber.com

is no stranger to our area and her chosen profession. “I have lived in the beautiful Pacific Northwest for 50 years,” she says. “As a young child I played every sport known to man from soccer to basketball to gymnastics to fastpitch. The love of sports continued in high school where I played soccer and basketball.”

And things didn’t slow down in college. “As I headed off to Western Washington University, I was fortunate enough to be a member of the Div. 2

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Fit Life Studio is located at 4528 Maple Ln SE, Ste 101, in Olympia. The gym takes up one side and Studio 101 offers access to the local businesses on the other side – Lovergreen and KD Lane boutiques, Seasons Design Studio, Edlund Esthetics, Fit Life Nutrition.

soccer team while working at an area gym in Bellingham. When I came home, I coached soccer at Olympia High School and Capital High School for 20 years. During that time, I also assisted the Saint Martin’s women’s basketball team for two years."

“I started working out with my friends 13 years ago at an area gym and was told I look like a trainer,” says Effland, “and that I needed to stop looking like I worked there because I didn’t. I even got kicked out until I changed how I worked out. I was so confused but it made me think why not? Why not get certified and do what I love? So I did!”

training and nutritional coaching,” explains Effland. “We are full body, all fitness levels. Modified for the novice to advanced within the same class, we offer competitive rates with no contracts. We allow clients to go from monthly members to drop ins to fit their monthly needs and schedules.”

incubator to help others starting out. “We are all about community and helping provide opportunities for all to grow and flourish. It is a perfect neighborhood building for all to come to and shop local. That’s what business to me has always been about: our community.” Working with the Chamber also offers the ability to interact, learn, and grow.

“Networking and marketing are priceless through the Chamber as is help with growth and development.”

In private training sessions, “there is no one else in the studio except you and your trainer or your chosen small group. Sport specific training is for all ages and athletes. We do sport contracts with area clubs and schools Fit Life Studio is located at 4528 Maple along with weight training and Speed/ Lane SE, Suite 101, in Olympia. The Agility/Quickness training in studio.” gym takes up one side and Studio 101 offers access to the local businesses “Nutritional coaching is our unique on the other side. Visit Lovergreen or KD Lane boutiques, Seasons Design She then reached out to others who program coaching clients into new healthy patterns,” says Effland, Studio, Edlund Esthetics, Fit Life might benefit from her expertise.

Nutrition, and The Chamber to see “I converted my garage into a small, “challenging them with weekly goals off scale and educating them on what all the buzz is about.

400 square foot gym and emailed my friends. I trained for a year in my how to eat the healthy food in the right serving size for them more garage until it got too big, and the At the end of the day, Effland simply consistently and the unhealthy food in hopes to “Keep growing to help more city of Olympia regretfully had to the right serving size less consistently. people be the healthiest versions shut me down. We took a leap and It is a balanced approach to healthy went to a brick and mortar and Fit of themselves.” Inside and out, at living within the lifestyle they live.”

Life Studio began!” work or play, she’s well on the way to becoming a successful teacher and coach of exercise AND business.

“Fit Life Studio is a small private studio Effland’s motto has always been for small group personal training ‘Stronger together!’ and with that in Swing by today and experience a classes, private training, sport specific mind, she used the idea of a business neighborhood gem. thurstonchamber.com

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Saint Martin’s University’s New President Looks to the Future While Making History

by Heidi Smith

Photography by Shanna Paxton

The more Dr. Jennifer Bonds-Raacke learned about Saint Martin’s University, the larger her sense of alignment grew. Growing up in Mississippi, Dr. Bonds-Raacke attended parochial schools from kindergarten through college where she was inspired by the nuns’ commitment to

redressing injustice through education. “It’s a very poor region of Mississippi and that experience impacted me early in my development in ways I didn’t appreciate until years later,” she explains.

“The fact that Saint Martin’s was founded as a ministry and a way to live out Benedictine values resonates with me.”

A commitment to those values is just one of the assets Dr. BondsRaacke brings to her role as the 11th president of Saint Martin’s University. She is the first female to occupy the position in the institution’s 127-year history after a 15-member Presidential Search Committee comprised of representatives from the abbey, faculty, staff, students, alumni, board of trustees and the Archdiocese of Seattle conducted a nationwide search for candidates.

Breaking new ground is nothing new for Bonds-Raacke; before coming to the Pacific Northwest, she was the first woman provost at St. Norbert College, where she was also Vice-President of Academic Affairs. “I think it says a lot about the monks we have at the monastery,” she maintains. “I’m a fairly young president in addition to my gender and I appreciate that the entire community was open to my expertise and experience and my love of Catholic higher education.”

Dr. Jennifer Bonds-Raacke and her husband Dr. John Raacke

thurstonchamber.com

At St. Norbert, Bonds-Raacke collaborated with partners in academic affairs to create equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) and mission cohort hires; sponsored anti-racism training for faculty, staff, and students; and partnered with human resources to revise policies and procedures, ensuring transparency and due process. Before that, she was the dean of Graduate School and Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects at Fort Hays State University in Kansas where she developed and supported programs to work closely with first-generation, adult learners, military and veterans, and historically underrepresented groups to ensure a college education is achievable for all.

Like many of those students, Bonds-Raacke was the first in her family to attend college, although her mother went back to school to become an RN during the same period. That experience informs her work with students both as a

teacher and now as a university president. “I know what it’s like when the whole family is invested in your success,” she says. “I want to ensure that everyone feels welcome when they come to our campus.

Sometimes in higher ed, we have these complicated systems and use jargon to talk about things where we can be using simple language.”

“I’m a fairly young president in addition to my gender and I appreciate that the entire community was open to my expertise and experience and my love of Catholic higher education.”

During her initial phase as president, Bonds-Raacke will initiate and advance several

Saint Martin's University.

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Join the conversation about informing, developing, and building pathways for career seekers of all ages.

Wednesday, September 14, at The Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake Visit thurstonchamber.com for sponsorship opportunities and registration details.

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projects, starting with a listening tour to discover what people in the community love and appreciate about the university as well as what it could do better. “It will be very informal, getting together in small groups,” she explains. “I won’t be going in to solve any problems, just to listen and reflect and use that information to shape how we move forward and think about our strategic plan.”

Other projects include working on a competitive compensation package for employees that reduces attrition rates by generating revenue in new ways and reinvesting it in staff. Within the next two years she’ll oversee the completion of Saint Martin’s ‘For Every Saint’ campaign, a comprehensive campaign that aims to raise $100 million to support programs, facilities and scholarships. Currently, the campaign is 80 percent complete.

“We’ll be primarily focused on student scholarships but also things like a new student center,” Bonds-Raacke explains. “How can we use that space to serve not only the students of today but students ten or fifteen years from now? We’ll think about those needs and how to make sure we’re building for the future.”

She looks forward to honoring and continuing programs involving collaboration with the larger community such as the Lacey Maker Space, which Saint Martin’s thurstonchamber.com

sponsors, and Washington Vets to Tech, a 16-week certification course that helps military veterans transition into tech careers.

“Saint Martin’s is here to serve as a partner to the business community,” she says. “We want

to ensure that we’re educating future employees for business and retooling current employees for retention. The invitation is open for local community leaders to consider how Saint Martin’s might help to solve local and regional problems that we’re all facing as we move forward.”

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Thurston Thrives Hires Josefina Magaña as New Director The Chamber Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Josefina Magaña M.A., PMP, CDMS as the Director for Thurston Thrives.

Thurston Thrives is the community’s collective health impact organization.

“I’m excited to engage in this work,” said Magaña. “The mission of Thurston Thrives is to eliminate health disparities so that optimal health is achieved for all, aligns with my personal values and passion. Immigrating to this country as a child and growing up in Lewis County, I know the health challenges and barriers many in our community may face. It motivates me and hopefully others.”

Magaña’s first actions are to reach out to the diverse set of community providers working to close health equity gaps and

NEWS

improve overall health in Thurston County.

She aims to renew efforts to convene and connect providers with shared resources and solutions to better address some of our most pressing community challenges.

According to David Schaffert, Corporate Secretary for the Foundation, “Josefina brings incredible lived experiences and skills to the role of Director.” Magaña has an M.A. in International Relations from the Brussels School of International Studies and a B.A. from Western Washington University. Magaña pioneered bilingual programs in Spain that allowed students to learn English as a second language.

More recently, she served as Executive Chair for the Governor's Washington State Interagency Committee of State Employed Women, improving the lives of state employees through advocacy, outreach, opportunity, and advising the governor on policies that affect state-employed women.

She has also worked at the Washington State

Department of Labor and Industries, keeping Washingtonians safe and working.

In 2020, she joined the Washington Career Development Association (WCDA) as a member-at-large and is currently the president-elect.

As Director, Magaña will convene, coordinate, facilitate and inspire Thurston Thrives' regional effort. She will drive the initiative's internal and external functions, including strategy, community engagement, communications, and administration, serving as an ambassador for Thurston Thrives' mission and vision.

Labor & Industries Can Help Employers Control Their Costs L&I offers financial incentives to employers who help workers injured on the job get back to work, and help prevent workplace injuries before they happen. Some of these programs include:

1. RETROSPECTIVE RATING

Retrospective Rating (Retro) is a safety incentive program offered

by L&I. In Retro, you can potentially earn a partial refund of your workers’ compensation premiums if you reduce workplace injuries and lower associated claim losses. thurstonchamber.com

2. CLAIM-FREE DISCOUNT Small businesses that prevent workplace injuries can earn the Claim-free discount. Businesses are eligible if they have no compensable claims during the 3-year experience period.

3. STAY AT WORK

With Stay at Work (WSAW), L&I may reimburse employers for some of their costs when they provide temporary, light-duty jobs for workers while they heal. Offering your employee light duty work could help you avoid a compensable claim and unnecessary work disability. Get free training on claims management, safety, and more.

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Welcome

Accurate Personnel, LLC 360-507-8720 accurateusa.com Consultants - Employment Services

Charlie June Customs 254-251-7328 facebook.com/CharlieJunecustoms Promotional Products

All Seasons Landscaping of Mason County LLC 360-485-7519 excavatingshelton.com Landscape Contractors

Chefs for Seniors - Tacoma & Olympia 360-742-8490 facebook.com/chefs-forseniors-103222098963967

Aqua Terra Cultural Resource Consultants 360-754-2208 aquaterracrc.com Environmental Consultant Bark Bus Mobile Dog Grooming 360-358-5668 barkbusmobilegrooming.com Pet Grooming Benjamin John Massive Impact Coaching 360-728-9681 benjaminjohn.net Career Counseling & Coaching Better Properties DuPont Lacey Yelm 360-584-9427 betterpropertiesdly.com Agents & Companies - Residential

Classic Cheesecakes by Kimberly 360-643-3555 Bakeries/Senior Services Community Birth Center 360-481-0105 community-birthcenter.com Midwives & Doulas Connie Patnode LMP 360-867-1029 schirm-loop-homesteadlavender-farm.business.site Massage Critter Control of Olympia 360-530-9007 crittercontrolofolympia.com Pest Control Dallen Taylor Productions 253-202-8825 dallentaylor.com Video Production Services

BitterSweet Chocolates 360-489-1812 bittersweetchocolatesllc.com Food & Beverage Specialty

Delphi Insurance Solutions 360-362-3655 delphiinsurancesolutions.com Insurance

Business Coaching/Professional Speaker | Sans M. Gilmore J.D. 360-705-3545 sansgilmore.com Career Counseling & Coaching

Deschutes Rugby Club 253-820-9392 deschutesrugby.com Sports & Entertainment

Capital Eyes Optical 360-438-9458 capitaleyesoptical.org Optometrists/Opticians Card My Yard Lacey 661-874-8906 cardmyyard.com/lacey Signs

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Fit Life Studio 360-481-6158 fit-life-studio.com Clubs/Gyms Generations Midwifery Services, LLC 360-481-0105 generationsmidwiferyservices.com Midwives & Doulas

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God's Grace Clothing and Shoes Association 855-261-1222 GodsGracecsa.Org Non-Profit Organization Healing Hearts Ranch 360-701-6001 healingheartsrancholy.com Consultants - Training HeartStrides Therapeutic Horsemanship 360-701-6001 Health & Wellness Holy Lamb Organics Olympia Bed Store 360-819-4293 Bedding Manufacturer/Supplier IKONIC Wings 360-915-6197 Restaurants IRO - I Raged Olympia 564-200-2840 iragedolympia.com Entertainment Ironwood Strategies 480-710-2925 ironwoodstrategies.net Accountants Jerk An Tingz 360-884-9858 Catering KIC LLC 253-921-1898 nlm.uiq.mybluehost.me/yourspacekic Shopping & Specialty Retail Kouture Kitchen 253-367-9460 kouturekitchen.com Kitchen Products Lady J's Boutique 253-241-0254 ladijsboutique.com Shopping & Specialty Retail

Landall Restoration 253-302-9562 landallrestoration.com Restoration Service Leaders Lead: The Podcast 253-267-344 pod.co/leaders-lead-the-podcast Motivational Speaker Legends Arcade 510-299-0322 Entertainment LINGER Boutique, LLC 360-951-0048 lingerboutique.com Shopping & Specialty Retail Love Local Events 360-515-8720 Lovelocalevents.info Community Events Lucky Dog Casino 360-877-5656 myluckydogcasino.com Casinos MAD Monkey Media 253-459-5439 madmonkey.media Promotional Products More Life with Monae LLC 425-260-1205 morelifewithmonae.com Finance & Insurance Motors and Controls Corporation 360-438-3447 motors-controls.com Industrial Equipment & Supplies Neuro Athlete Training 360-284-1663 Neuroathletetraining.com Sports Instruction Oly Bee 206-319-3765 olybee.com Event Planning Oly Wines 360-729-9463 olywine.com Wine & Wineries

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New Members!

Olympia Gear Exchange 360-890-4674 olygear.exchange Sporting Goods - Consignment

Professional Stone Products Lacey 360-489-0763 pspwa.com Building Materials

Pacific Harbors Council, BSA 253-682-2217 pacificharbors.org Non-Profit Organization

Professional Stone Products, LLC 360-489-0763 pspwa.com Building Materials

Parfait Bassalé, Consulting parfaitbassale.com Consultant

Red White Blue Agency 253-620-9943 redwhiteblueagency.com Insurance

Park Place Payments 360-480-3787 parkplacepayments.com Merchant Services Peer Olympia 360-522-9060 peerolympia.org Non-Profit Organizations

Release! Manual Therapy 360-456-4798 ReleaseManualTherapy.com Massage Roof 2 Lawn Home Inspections 206-476-9365 Roof2LawnOLY.com Home Inspection

People's Injury Network Northwest 360-357-7466 pinnrehab.com Rehabilitation Service

Runboard 360-451-4415 Computer Software

Pizzeria La Gitana - Yelm 360-400-2929 Pizza

Sani-Fog, LLC 877-456-0122 sani-fog.com Cleaners - Commercial

Precision Patio Covers 360-559-0261 precision-patios.com Outdoor Home Décor

Scott Tompkins, Realtor Coldwell Banker 360-951-0366 Agents & Companies - Residential

Premier Mortgage - Kaelynn Sabin 425-315-2375 pmrloans.com/clillibridge Mortgage Companies

Senior Helpers 360-742-5300 seniorhelpers.com/wa/olympialacey-tumwater Home Health Services

PresGroup Realty 253-363-2450 presgrouprealty.com Agents & Companies - Residential Primerica, Inc - Aziza Glast 253-592-1614 primerica.com/public Insurance

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Serendipity Children's Center, Inc. 360-786-0197 serendipitychildrenscenter.com Child Care & Preschools Sheldon Construction, LLC 360-584-0043 Painting

Shocking Difference LLC 360-754-4542 shocking-difference.com Electrical

Timberland Regional Library - Tenino 360-539-3329 trl.org/locations/tenino Libraries

Smiling Web Design 425-761-5258 smilingwebdesign.com Internet Web Development

Timberland Regional Library Tumwater 360-943-7790 Libraries

Soul Retreat SPC | Virtual Assistant Services 360-223-5501 soulretreatspc.net Virtual Assistant

Timberland Regional Library West Olympia 360-764-4440 Libraries

Taylor Ray's Cafe at L & I 360-902-6381 Espresso & Coffee Shops Taylor Ray's Cafe at Views 360-539-7025 taylorrayscafe.com Espresso & Coffee Shops The Landall Group, LLC 253-536-6650 Construction Equipment & Contractors Timberland Regional Library Hawks Prairie 360-252-9658 trl.org/locations/hawks-prairie Libraries Timberland Regional Library - Lacey 360-491-3860 trl.org/locations/lacey Libraries Timberland Regional Library Olympia 360-352-0595 trl.org/locations/olympia Libraries

Timberland Regional Library - Yelm 360-539-3330 trl.org/locations/yelm Libraries Traci Orr 360-819-3818 traciorrdivorcecoaching.com Counselors - Marriage, Family, Child & Individuals ULINE Shipping Supply Specialists 360-706-2500 uline.com Manufacturing, Production & Wholesale Valley View Health Center Olympia Region 360-236-7166 vvhc.org Health Care Vollara Air and Surface Scrubbers 360-999-1570 vollara.com/longevity111 Cleaners - Commercial Xavier Angel - Windermere Realty 360-951-6136 Real Estate Agent

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Greater Representation Makes Sense

ADVOCACY

(continued from page 4)

Increasing the number of elected commissioners at the County and Port are important, appropriate, and timely actions to take. Thurston County and the Port of Olympia are facing an increasingly complex set of community challenges that require more efficiency and focus. Expanding the number of elected commissioners will help meet these requirements.

An increase in the minimum quorum requirements for commission votes from two of three to three of five will enable commissions to establish subcommittees comprised of two commissioners that can focus and discuss specific issues and lines of business. The use of subcommittees to organize and frame issues is a common governance structure embraced by

contemporary public and private sector councils, boards of trustees, and boards of directors. This organizational change needs to be embraced by the County and Port.

Ultimately, increasing the number of elected commissioners will provide better representation and enable officials to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our rapidly growing and changing communities. Adding two commissioners will create more efficient and balanced decision-making bodies and ensure all sides of complex issues are heard.

Our communities will benefit from expanding elected commissions to five members.

EVENTS

Foofaraw!

The Chamber will join the Olympia Yacht Club to host local military personnel at the 58th annual Foofaraw! on Friday, September 9, 2022. Yacht club members transport guests to Island Home, where the Yacht Club and the Chamber treat them to a full day of games and a terrific salmon barbecue lunch. Local dignitaries honor the military personnel. The event averages two service members to every one civilian. For years, the Port of Olympia has shown their gratitude of service to our military by hanging a large American flag from one of their cranes.

Washington Economic Forecast with Dr. Steve Lerch, Ph.D. Join the Thurston County Chamber’s August Forum and hear from Washington State’s economist, Steve Lerch, Ph.D., on Wednesday, August 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake. The event will also include a South Sound BIPOC Expo.

Lerch’s presentation will include an economic forecast for the US and Washington. He will share information about inflation, oil prices and the unsettled state of the economy.

The Thurston Chamber is donating tables (valued at $150) for our August Forum to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned organizations for a South Sound BIPOC Expo. Included is a table and linen. Expo Participants will need to buy a $30 ticket for anyone attending, bring marketing materials and a representative to talk about your organization at your table. For more information, contact Jessica Houchin at jhouchin@thurstonchamber.com.

Visit members.thurstonchamber.com/events to find out more about these events.

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Caught in the Lens

Keep up with the Thurston Chamber happenings – ribbon cuttings and the networking events. Find more at the Chamber's Facebook page – fb.com/thurstoncountychamber.

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94.5 ROXY AAA Washington – Inland Budd Bay Café

American Workforce Group Chicago Title Columbia Bank Downtown The Creative Office The Evergreen State College GHB Insurance, Inc. Hometown Property Management, Inc. South Sound Behavioral Hospital Timberland Bank T & S Cleaning, Inc. Venables Pest Management Window Genie

Great Wolf Lodge Little Creek Casino Morningside Nisqually Red Wind Casino Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Olympia Furniture Company Phillips Burgess, PLLC Providence St. Peter Hospital The Rants Group SCJ Alliance South Puget Sound Community College WSECU – Olympia

ADP Comcast FORMA Construction Company Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC Pacific Source Health Plans Port of Olympia Puget Sound Energy Saint Martin's University TwinStar Credit Union Corporate Office Veterans Security Operations Washington Business Bank Wells Fargo Community Bank

TAGS Awards and Specialties

Nicholson & Associates Insurance

Michael White Agency – Farmers Insurance

Greene Realty Group

First Citizens Bank

Express Employment Professionals

Edward Jones – Dirk Farrar, Financial Advisor

Cap City Law PS

SILVER

GOLD

PLATINUM

DIAMOND

The Thurston County Chamber sends a BIG "Thank You" to ALL of our investors. With members like you, we are able to provide a sustainable business community in Thurston County as well as foster growth and positive change. Only through your support can we continue to fund important community initiatives and lead the way for business.

Thank You Community Investors

PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427