Your Chamber at Work - January 10, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Two items to share with you this week:

With the Delta and Omicron COVID variants circulating, the resulting stress on our healthcare systems, and out of an abundance of caution, the KC Chamber will offer many of our events in a virtual/hybrid format. For our events where in person attendance is available, masks will be required and in-person attendance encouraged at those events only if vaccinated. At a news conference last week, hospital Chief Medical Officers from the Kansas City region and across the state of Kansas, discussed the dire conditions they’re facing: serious staffing shortages as a record number of employees calling in sick due to COVID or exposure to the virus, a lack of available beds, and patients dying in emergency rooms while waiting to be transferred to hospitals with open beds.

On another subject, applications are now open for our next Centurions cohort. Centurions is the area’s oldest leadership development program, a two-year immersion in community issues, leadership, and service. Applications are due Tuesday, February first, and we’re offering an application workshop on January 12 at 4:00 in the Chamber Board Room. Click here to register.

Applicants are selected on the basis of a written application, recommendations, and personal interviews. The program selects a group of people from diverse backgrounds, both personally and professionally, each with strong potential as a future community leader. It’s an honor to be selected.

For more information about the Centurions program, email the Chamber’s Lindsay Jarquio.

SMALL BUSINESS SUPERSTARS

Have you submitted your Small Business Superstars yet? Small businesses are the backbone of the KC economy. The Chamber is recognizing as many as possible through our Small Business Superstar campaign. Submit your favorite small businesses now through February 7. All KC Chamber members that are small businesses have already been automatically submitted, so this is a great opportunity to submit your fellow small businesses! Each superstar will receive a digital marketing toolkit, access to exclusive Small Business Superstar resources, and be invited to a special reception in March. Submit as many as you want and do it today!

CHAMBER HOSTS COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

The Community Blood Center has issued a blood emergency. Levels are low and hospitals need help. Register now to donate blood at our upcoming community blood drive, Wednesday, January 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Chamber Board Room, located on the first floor of Union Station. Colder weather is here, COVID-19 cases are surging, and the Community Blood Center has had to cancel hundreds of donor events over the past year. Your donation could save as many as three lives in KC. You can click here to book your appointment. Save a life today.

RIBBON CUTTING: KANSAS CITY ARTISTS COALITION

Join as for a ribbon cutting with the Kansas City Artists Coalition Wednesday, January 26, 9 to 10 a.m. We’ll help KCAC celebrate the opening of ten new artist studios located at the Wonder Lofts, 2999 Troost. For more information, email Jennifer Klock at jklock@kcchamber.com. KCAC is a non-profit, artist-centered, artist-run alternative space, supporting artists at every level in their career through exhibitions, continuing education and artist studios.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: MADE IN KC

You’re invited to join us Friday, January 28, 8:30 to 10 a.m. for Neighborhood Networking at Made In KC’s Lee’s Summit location, 860-U, NW Blue Parkway. Made In KC serves as a storefront for hundreds of local makers, selling everything from t-shirts to sauces to earrings to books. What began as a pop-up at Prariefire Museum in 2015 has grown into 10 locations in every corner of the Metro. Register here to check out the Lee’s Summit location, enjoy great local coffee and a light breakfast, and of course connect with your fellow Chamber members to start the new year full of collaboration and inspiration. Neighborhood Networking is free for KC Chamber members and $15 for non-members.