 It's that time of year -- time to start planning for 2024! That also means it is time to seek out candidates for the Covington Chamber board of directors. Directors serve two-year terms, up to a maximum of three consecutive terms. They meet monthly via Zoom on the fourth Thursday of the month (8 - 9:30 a.m.) to discuss Covington Chamber business. They also participate in events and vote on important topics that guide the direction of the Chamber.
This year, we have four board members (George Frasier, Treasurer; Pat Hanis, Chair-Elect; Lori Paxton; and Mark Smith) with terms expiring at the end of 2023. Each has expressed interest in remaining on the board, but we welcome applications from other candidates. According to our amended and ratified bylaws, we accept board candidate applications and two references per candidate and forward them to our Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee reviews the candidates and, based on their assessment of the applications, selects a slate of candidates to be presented to the Board of Directors for review and voting. Once the slate has been finalized and approved by the Board of Directors, the approved slate of candidates is presented to the membership for ratification at a membership meeting. We will present the slate of candidates via paper ballot to membership at our October 12 membership luncheon. The slate of candidates shall be deemed approved unless a simple majority of the membership votes to disapprove. Does board service interest you? If so, you have until September 15 to submit your candidate application and two references for consideration. All information must be complete, including submission of references, for applications to be considered. If any item is missing at the deadline, the application will not be considered for board candidacy. Due to September 15, 2023: Application to Covington Chamber Board of Directors References for Board Candidates Have questions? Contact Dana Neuts, executive director, at info@covingtonchamber.org or 253-780-1555.  The 2023 Fill the Canoe School Supply drive was a huge success. With 2,370 pounds of supplies raised — the most ever in Covington to date — our community showed up in a big way for our Vine Maple Place families!
Michelle Frets, Executive Director of Vine Maple Place, shared a story about a family visiting the day we met to weigh all our supplies for the drive. Newly unhoused, a mother asked Michelle if she would be able to get back to school supply help, the worry and concern palpable. Michelle walked them down to our work area and assured them they would have what they needed. The relief was immediate. What is typically considered a time of joy and renewal — the start of the school year — can be one of great uncertainty and anxiety for families in need. Thank you to all who supported Fill the Canoe, especially the Covington Chamber’s Good Work Fund, Pollard Chiropractic and the members and branch staff of Red Canoe Credit Union. You made a difference in the lives of our neighbors in most need and we appreciate the partnership in community! For more information on Fill the Canoe, please contact boconnor@redcanoecu.com. For more information on Vine Maple Place, please contact juliap@vinemapleplace.org.  August 1, 2023, COVINGTON, Wash. –- The South East Area Legislative Transportation Coalition (SEAL-TC) wants to thank the Washington State House and Senate Transportation Committees for maintaining the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) preferred timeline for improvements to State Route 18. SEAL-TC is comprised of regional cities, chambers of commerce, and fire and rescue services in the 5th and 47th legislative districts, and they are grateful to the House and Senate Transportation Committees for moving this project along as proposed.
The coalition was formed in fall 2016 to bring awareness to the transportation, commerce and safety challenges posed by SR18 and the importance of widening this key thoroughfare to save lives, facilitate commerce, and provide a safe route for employers and employees between South King County and the Eastside. Construction funding for the project was approved in 2022, and it is slated to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2029. At the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Jay Inslee proposed a new timeline for the project, which would have delayed project completion to 2033. Members of SEAL-TC, including local elected officials, chamber executives and first responders, testified on behalf of the coalition and reached out individually to the House and Senate Transportation Committees to stress the importance of keeping the preferred timeline for the project. The coalition is pleased that legislators on the Transportation Committees heard them and made their decision accordingly. “It is way past time to complete this critical transportation link,” said Mayor Mary Lou Pauly of Issaquah. “A widened, divided, lit highway, that accommodates both commerce and commuters in the safest way possible, is critical to improving the quality of life for so many.” “Eastside Fire & Rescue continues to support advancing this vital infrastructure improvement project. Enhancing the safety of residents, commuters, and first responders is EF&R's top priority. The Highway 18 improvement project is critical to improving emergency response capabilities along the route,” said Ben Lane, Fire Chief, Eastside Fire & Rescue. “We want to express our deepest gratitude to our legislators for the funding allocation and support for the preferred timeline for the SR18 improvement project. This project is vital to our business community, and it demonstrates a true commitment to safety, sustainability, and economic growth. We are thrilled to see this commitment become a reality, and we look forward to the many benefits it will bring to our region,” Kelly Coughlin, Executive Director, SnoValley Chamber. The coalition’s next steps include working with WSDOT to get regular project updates and remain alert to any possible changes or delays to the project timeline and budget. For more information about the SR18 project, click here: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-18-issaquah-hobart-rd-deep-creek-widening. SEAL-TC is made up of representatives from the following municipalities, organizations and agencies:
Media Contact: Dana Neuts Covington Chamber info@covingtonchamber.org 253-780-1555 |
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