Your Chamber at Work - August 2, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Masks are back.

It’s not something any of us were looking forward to a year and a half into the pandemic, but with the rise in COVID-19 cases across our region and the Delta variant showing itself to be more contagious, starting today an indoor mask mandate is back in Kansas City. The KC Chamber is following this mandate.

The KCMO mask mandate is not surprising. Less than a week ago the CDC issued new data-based guidelines recommending a return to indoor masking – even for vaccinated people.The KC Chamber has been following CDC guidelines since the pandemic began. Even before today’s mandate took effect, you likely saw our staff masked up at last Wednesday’s POWER of Diversity breakfast.

A reminder that we have a large section on our website with COVID-19 resources -- including information for employers and nonprofits, for parents and caregivers, community needs and more. We also have a Return to Workplace Business Help Desk where you can submit questions to our staff. Vaccines remain our biggest weapon in the fight against the spread of COVID, especially as school begins in a few weeks. To find out where you can get your vaccine, check out VaccinateKC.org.

In the meantime, we will be following the mask mandate and closely watching local and CDC guidelines and notifying you of any changes to our in-person events.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD BOARD MEMBERS

The KC Chamber’s Nominating Committee is now accepting Board nominations from the KC Chamber’s membership. Nomination suggestions should be in writing and mailed to: Gordon Lansford, Nominating Committee Chair, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 30 West Pershing Road, Suite 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64108; or e-mailed to ronfeldt@kcchamber.com, prior to August 15. Chamber bylaws allow additional nominations to be made by petition after the committee has presented its slate.

VIRTUAL HEALTH CAREER FAIR

Spread the word and join Welcoming KC, Children's Mercy, and Vibrant Health, for a virtual healthcare career fair on August 11, from 11 am – 1pm. The event will be held on Remo, a platform that lets you connect one-on-one with employers by moving around the virtual room. You’ll find small to large sized employers, and entry level to highly qualified positions. Register here to connect with employers from all over the Metro.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: PATIO SERIES – KC PET PROJECT

Connect with Chamber members, enjoy some great coffee and conversation, and meet some adorable puppies, kittens, and more at our upcoming Neighborhood Networking: Patio Series at KC Pet Project! Spend the morning with us Friday, August 20, 8:30 am – 10 am, at KC Pet Project’s new campus near Swope Park at 7077 Elmwood. Register here. It’s free for members and just $15 for non-members. Who knows: you just might meet a new four-legged family member! The KC Chamber's 2021 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Menlo and Unbound. The KC Chamber's 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: AN AUTHENTIC PERSPECTIVE

Leadership plays a key role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. What’s your leadership style? Can you make mistakes and still be an effective leader? How do you lead so many different personalities on one team? Join leadership expert Dr. Nicole Price for Diversity & Inclusion: An Authentic Perspective, August 24, 12 pm – 1 pm. Register here for this free virtual workshop, where Dr. Price promises she’ll get real and you’ll learn from her mistakes. Thank you to our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series Presenting Sponsor Commerce Bank, and our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presenting Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. This event series is presented in partnership with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, Grandview Chamber of Commerce, Independence Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.