Letter to NS Chamber Members
Dear North Seattle Chamber of Commerce Member:
As we put the winter behind us and look forward to a beautiful summer season in Seattle I am excited to share with you the recent work of the Board of Directors of the North Seattle Chamber of Commerce(NSCC). Like our weather, the future is bright!
During the past, nearly six months, the Chamber Board of Directors have refined the mission statement of the North Seattle Chamber and evaluated our ability to meet our organizational goals and objectives in the most beneficial manner for the members of the Chamber. This look inward brought the Board to the conclusion that we should make some timely, significant changes and historic decisions in our work to improve the business community of north Seattle.
The first significant change that you will see is that the North Seattle Chamber will not be renewing its management contract of the Lake City Community Center. This effort for the past 5 years has been a great partnership between the Chamber and the City of Seattle. The Chamber has improved the facility where resources permitted and increased programming by welcoming some wonderful new users/tenants. I have notified the Seattle Parks Department of our decision and the Department will begin their process of determining how they will proceed. Don’t worry, the Salmon Fest for 2017 will take place and we are excited to host the community in the Center.
In addition to the management contract decision the Board of Directors has launched a major change in the way that the Chamber will function in 2018 and beyond. Officially, the North Seattle Chamber of Commerce will cease formal operation on December 31, 2017. However, the goals and objectives embodied in our mission statement will live on in the form of a new alignment with the Business Development Committee of Lake City Future First (LCFF). We have been working closely with the Director of Lake City Future First, Chris Leverson and the Board of Directors of LCFF, to make sure that the new alignment of our organizations is seamless. Look for news from LCFF on future opportunities to become involved with regular business networking events and other ways to promote your businesses.
You will begin to see cross promotion of events by the NSCC and LCFF online and in print throughout the community and sharing of information by both organizations throughout the summer and fall. The strength of this alignment will be demonstrated by the strong commitment of Lake City Future First and its Business Development Committee to building a strong and vibrant business district for the entire Lake City community. You can also be assured that there will be an opportunity for you to become involved with the LCFF Business Development Committee and add your voice to this exciting transition.
Change is never easy. The Chamber has worked tirelessly for over 70 years in Lake City to make things better for our businesses and our neighbors and customers. I am confident that this tireless effort will continue in our new partnership with Lake City Future First.
What I can tell you is that the decisions outlined above were made easier and felt right after deliberate and careful discussions. The continued success of our business district and our community guided our final votes. We are confident our members will be excited about the renewed energy and commitment to a thriving business district and serving the needs of our diverse community.
As the weather moves towards a beautiful time of the year I am excited about the future of the Lake City community. Thank you to the members of the North Seattle Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the work of the Lake City Future First. It has and will continue to be a great honor for me to serve as the President of the Chamber.
Sincerely,
Kevin Love, President
North Seattle Chamber of Commerce
