tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45494637269039478212024-03-12T17:30:22.290-07:00Greater Seattle Business Association <i>Equality is Good Business</i>GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-13393616252319997512015-08-27T16:33:00.005-07:002015-08-27T16:43:31.670-07:00Rachael Reports - GSBA Takes NGLCC Conference by Storm!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From August 11-14, over 800 LGBT and
allied entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate representatives and LGBT
chamber leaders from across the country and around the globe descended upon Ft.
Lauderdale Florida for the <a href="http://nglcc.org/" target="_blank"><b>NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference</b></a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attendees take part in three days of
symposia, panel discussions, development seminars and special events designed
to generate business opportunities and build strong relationships with
corporate champions and one another. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was fortunate enough to be one of
those attendees along with GSBA President & CEO Louise Chernin and GSBA
Board members Drew Ness and Jenny Harding. GSBA is a founding member of the NGLCC and we have sent representatives
to this conference almost every year and even hosted it in Seattle in 2009. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were not the only GSBA
representatives at the conference. Some of our small business members are very
active with NGLCC including <b>George Pieper </b>of <a href="http://www.outsmartofficesolutions.com/" target="_blank">OutSmart Office Solutions</a> and
<b>Elise Lindborg </b>of <a href="http://www.zippydogs.com/" target="_blank">ZippyDogs</a>, both of whom are certified LGBT businesses. Both have been named Supplier of the Year by NGLCC, in 2012 and 2013,
respectively. It was great to see them around the conference and watch them in
action as they presented in breakout sessions, were matched with corporate
procurement officers to discuss potential business or exhibiting in the
marketplace. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57ppracugIvZ0wKcvGWj2W1FUmpeebCvNsgZll5cPgdYZgG2u1B3cyF5lPkmVCD7TTTE8eXoi2T8CmRuYW9SN5Iy7aNilj72RdJij9bStKglGvbPO9WYDjxlQMGDmmD_1In_MI8MA4ps/s1600/Fran+Presentation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57ppracugIvZ0wKcvGWj2W1FUmpeebCvNsgZll5cPgdYZgG2u1B3cyF5lPkmVCD7TTTE8eXoi2T8CmRuYW9SN5Iy7aNilj72RdJij9bStKglGvbPO9WYDjxlQMGDmmD_1In_MI8MA4ps/s640/Fran+Presentation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another GSBA member took center
stage….literally. <a href="http://tomboyx.com/" target="_blank">TomboyX</a> was a contestant in the LGBT Biz Pitch, a fast-paced
competition among three LGBT entrepreneurs selected to give their best
10-minute presentations on their company. They gain valuable feedback from an
expert panel of angel investors, venture capitalists, and other business
experts. Participants have the potential to continue their dialogue with the
judges, and one lucky winner is awarded a $10,000 cash prize as well as a brand
positioning package valued at $20,000. Co-Founder and CEO of TomboyX, <b>Fran
Dunaway</b>, delivered a fantastic presentation complete with models showing of
their top selling product, the boxer brief. Her knowledge, enthusiasm and
overall great line of products paid off because <b>TomboyX won the competition</b>!
Congratulations to Fran and her team for a great pitch. </span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EwzdgYVbkOvaVC2jYFsN-4UhTQAe4yOe4gOQVyTVy0OeqPbgwP63Sa97WZxvmdqvAZRwt0E_MJMu32LtAq0msIEoZje4zs4c3ANS5B23kDetN0olIuqfZcYyoehfq_-Z5nQyRVdFxoE/s1600/IMG_8896+-+TomboyX.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Throughout the conference the breakout
sessions are categorized for the different types of attendees. One of these
tracts is for LGBT chamber leaders from across the country. Earlier this year,
I submitted a proposal, along with the Co-Founders of <b>Travel Gay Canada</b>, to
present one of these sessions on Tourism. Our proposal was accepted and along
the way we added an additional presenter: the President & Co-Founder of the
<b>Argentina Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce</b>. </span></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Driving Economic Growth Through
Tourism </span></span></b></u></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tourism plays an important economic
driver for many communities and LGBTBEs. This session will highlight the
importance LGBT tourism can have on a community, and how local and
international LGBT Chambers of Commerce can work with their members, their
tourism industry, and their destination marketing organizations to create value
through increased visitation and tourism receipts. From the session,
participants will receive concrete takeaways that they can use to grow business
for their own Chambers, LGBTBEs, and communities.</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT2X-nB6EmLSt1Ht6dndRgCv-Rj-q5wPIekfhnglkypc1gOuHmJBfslAoBPsFpv1Sx8EbtXRwBx3eVFYlww6JacHRnrdJfaKTxY0ff4Y3fabpLPnoe-V_b-k9xPjg73TBgHP3PvCVJr8/s1600/20851826405_bd118b3d01_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT2X-nB6EmLSt1Ht6dndRgCv-Rj-q5wPIekfhnglkypc1gOuHmJBfslAoBPsFpv1Sx8EbtXRwBx3eVFYlww6JacHRnrdJfaKTxY0ff4Y3fabpLPnoe-V_b-k9xPjg73TBgHP3PvCVJr8/s200/20851826405_bd118b3d01_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I focused on what GSBA has been able
to accomplish in the LGBT Tourism realm, how we promote our members in this
industry and the successes and challenges of a Chamber-based Tourism
initiative. I was proud to highlight the
diverse and generous support we receive from our Tourism sponsors and I
emphasized the importance of creating strong partnerships with sponsors -- that
our Tourism sponsors offer so much more than just a signed check. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And speaking of checks, a major
highlight of the week was the<b> $10,000 grant GSBA received from NGLCC and Wells
Fargo</b>. GSBA was awarded a grant to increase our efforts around LGBTBE
certification. <a href="http://thegsba.blogspot.com/2015/08/wells-fargo-and-nglcc-award-10000-to.html" target="_blank">Read more about that here</a>. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoLXzKujhpjgC-ZxoBjuwiiz8lziKeexIGtVYhJkZyEJxCjK_8GcvM63lDzELwBFVDpaC-tIpvvr64HMNIFclEdOTso328FG7wnVtRsBpO1yPhyi9VvIwsQphm5m7ISeRnuP78qo-1nA/s1600/Suze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoLXzKujhpjgC-ZxoBjuwiiz8lziKeexIGtVYhJkZyEJxCjK_8GcvM63lDzELwBFVDpaC-tIpvvr64HMNIFclEdOTso328FG7wnVtRsBpO1yPhyi9VvIwsQphm5m7ISeRnuP78qo-1nA/s200/Suze.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And on a personal note, in addition to
thoroughly enjoying my experience presenting at the conference, I was a giggly
fangirl for the keynote plenary on the 1st day of the conference. The one and
only <b>Suze Orman </b>told her story of being an out lesbian in the world of finance
and her rise to become one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject.
She also spent time answering questions from the audience, often with
no-hold-barred answers. Before she spoke, she took the time to pose for
selfies. This fangirl, unfortunately, did not make it to the front of the
ballroom fast enough. But it was such a thrill to hear her speak, I can
overlook the fact that I did not get to post a #SuzeSelfie.</span></span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-29193922932980798802015-08-27T14:30:00.000-07:002015-08-27T14:30:01.854-07:00Scholarship Supporter: Tom Yetman<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By John Wong</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dr. Thomas Yetman
delivered babies in Michigan before moving to Seattle in 2006 to work for
PacMed. Currently the CEO for Providence Medical Group NW Washington, Tom is
passionate about education and supporting LGBTQ students.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When and why did you start donating to the GSBA
Scholarship Fund? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6UZFBIj_FD7asArXfJGX66h-ZDr9P2_kZDtnqXTRlKbUeKMtmSl5aI8BVtSYI3ZtJSVy_G-SvtAgCfaAmX0jqnWFW-uL0eHY4e1K8OyaDmihUaVMkc26eMKYPBDnrdNWpxW1_1nl-io/s1600/TJY+Photo+012012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6UZFBIj_FD7asArXfJGX66h-ZDr9P2_kZDtnqXTRlKbUeKMtmSl5aI8BVtSYI3ZtJSVy_G-SvtAgCfaAmX0jqnWFW-uL0eHY4e1K8OyaDmihUaVMkc26eMKYPBDnrdNWpxW1_1nl-io/s200/TJY+Photo+012012.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PacMed was a Gold
Sponsor of GSBA, and I was asked to host a table at the 2007 Taste of
GSBA. I was struck by the mission of the Scholarship Fund and moved by the
scholars’ stories, and began giving immediately. Education has been such a
large part of my life and so essential to my career success. I believe that our
community will succeed by helping all of our members to achieve their maximum
potential. Helping our youth to complete their education is essential to this
work. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are there any particular scholar stories you
found inspirational? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am totally entranced
by the stories of transgender people who I have met and in the media. As hard as it is to be gay or lesbian,
I can only imagine the strength required to face the adversity that so many transgender
people confront every day. I have so much admiration for those members of our community who have been able to be true to who they are and come out in this way. We have so much to learn from our
transgender brothers and sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you think LGBTQ students face more challenges
to success in school/life than their heterosexual counterparts? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do think that LGBTQ
students face more challenges, because we have to deal with the world’s opinion
of who we are and how we love. Being judged by a large portion of society has
to affect one’s ability to learn and focus. Some parts of society are so ugly
that it feels personal and that has to hurt at times. That is why it is so
important to constantly send messages of love and support to our LGBTQ youth.
They need to know that their family has their back and will always be there for
them. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What would you say to someone is the most
compelling reason to give to the GSBA Scholarship Fund? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because the need is so
great. And perhaps we have the chance to supporting the next Maya Angelou, the
next Albert Einstein, the future Barack Obama when we support the GSBA
Scholarship Fund. Who knows the wonderful things that society has been robbed of by not supporting some students in their educational aspirations?
Shame on us if we allow even one person with potential to wither and wilt
for lack of education and opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why do you continue to donate? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because the need
continues to be there. I will do what I can as long as there is even one LGBTQ
student who needs to complete their education.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your story is one of coming out later in
life. You've seen a lot of scholars in their teens and early 20s come out as
LGBTQ. What message do you have for them? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be true to yourself. You
are supported by a large crowd of LGBTQ family members who love and support you.
Never be afraid of owning your truth. There is great power in your truth. Your
honesty and integrity will be a beacon to the world that LGBTQ is only one
aspect of who you are. Your success in your career and your relationships will
be the sign to the rest of the world that we are to be taken seriously and that
our contributions are just as important and valued as any other member of
society. When our culture sees people as people and not in terms of “gay” or
“straight” we will have arrived at the society that we are meant to have. You
are making that day closer by your proud and honest lives. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a donor and philanthropist, what would you
like your legacy to be? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He gave when the need
was there. He supported for his family and community by loving and caring for
them. He worked hard to be true to who he was and his life enriched those
around him. In every way he endeavored to be honest and embraced his truth with
vigor and enthusiasm. He made a difference. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-10034262134557233802015-08-26T15:02:00.001-07:002015-08-26T15:03:06.167-07:00Speaking of Women's Rights: Inextricable from LGBT Rights<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>By David Ward, Legal & Legislative Council with Legal Voice and Chair of the GSBA Public Policy Task Force.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> </i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a gay man who works for <a href="http://www.legalvoice.org/" target="_blank">Legal Voice</a>, a non-profit organization
in Seattle that advances women’s rights in the Northwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The issues I focus on include gender-based
violence, family law, and LGBT rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes,
I’m asked why a women’s rights organization would make LGBT rights a core part
of its mission, which Legal Voice has done since the 1980s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the answers show how closely intersected
the women’s rights and LGBT rights movements are – or should be.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwDNV7iUTTXjx0C2S_vzlL7pOMfM2mS53yWEQXnZ4Ad_6InxZnqUt5D-CRlFQA7MyYtVrtD3U5cgTpzeHOIlQvnrFzohRBe1YQUF39mLm3-a1j4g06F250UtqUEXo-EfqLz-kd-yZdgw/s1600/LegalVoice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwDNV7iUTTXjx0C2S_vzlL7pOMfM2mS53yWEQXnZ4Ad_6InxZnqUt5D-CRlFQA7MyYtVrtD3U5cgTpzeHOIlQvnrFzohRBe1YQUF39mLm3-a1j4g06F250UtqUEXo-EfqLz-kd-yZdgw/s200/LegalVoice2.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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First, both movements challenge gender stereotypes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The women’s rights movement fights the idea
that women and men should act in certain ways based on their gender and that
their roles in society should be defined (and limited) by their gender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LGBT rights movement challenges the same
gender stereotypes – like the idea that a marriage should only be between a man
and a woman, or that men should be “masculine” and women should be “feminine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because such gender stereotypes often find
their origins in religious doctrine, both movements must fight against allowing
religion to be used as a license to discriminate under the law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both movements also must focus on ending gender-based violence
and harassment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Violence against woman
and violence against LGBT people are both the result of a culture that permits violence
against “others” to be normalized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
a trans woman is murdered or a gay man is attacked on the street, it is often
because the attacker feels a privilege over a person who is marginalized in our
society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same is often true when
women are harassed on the street, sexually assaulted, or victimized by domestic
violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPXeL-glkf_03y5N8HIQ1nAC5wn7K2h9qztlTbz2ZzmPF7gekhz8YsOb0jo-5n7-oF9wkYGZhz1bgh5kVlVahwecQXJgO1I13a_nWeWLuAuWP6ybWDMAU9KBF-CleAVdMmPMhyIJkdGg/s1600/LV_Blog_Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPXeL-glkf_03y5N8HIQ1nAC5wn7K2h9qztlTbz2ZzmPF7gekhz8YsOb0jo-5n7-oF9wkYGZhz1bgh5kVlVahwecQXJgO1I13a_nWeWLuAuWP6ybWDMAU9KBF-CleAVdMmPMhyIJkdGg/s320/LV_Blog_Header.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The two movements are also linked in our efforts to protect
bodily autonomy – the right to control your own body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the women’s rights movement, this includes
the right to decide whether to have an abortion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the LGBT rights movement, bodily autonomy
includes the right to decide how to express oneself sexually, as well as the
right to have a body that matches your gender identity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To achieve bodily autonomy, the women’s
rights movement must fight for insurance coverage for abortion care, while the
LGBT rights movement must fight for insurance coverage for transition-related
care for transgender community members.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are just some of the reasons why the women’s rights
and LGBT rights movements are so closely linked – and why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">both</i> movements should support each other and work closely together in
our common fight for equality.</div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-53305201910272339132015-08-24T09:28:00.002-07:002015-08-24T09:28:50.772-07:00CB 118455 – All-Gender Restrooms Ordinance<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>This letter was submitted to the Seattle City Council on August 10. <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/249567?ctp=BizDev&src=Syndication&msc=Feedly" target="_blank">The bill passed unanimously</a></i>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Councilmembers:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On behalf of the Greater Seattle Business Association
(GSBA), we are writing to express our strong support for CB 118455. This
important legislation will help ensure that transgender and gender
nonconforming people have safe and equal access to restroom facilities in City
buildings and other places of public accommodation in Seattle.</div>
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<br /></div>
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CB 118455 will advance this goal in a cost-effective manner
by:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Providing that single-occupant restrooms in City
buildings and places of public accommodation may not be restricted to a
specific sex or gender identity, and must use appropriate signage to indicate
that such facilities are designated for use by any person.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Explicitly specifying that when places of public
accommodation have gender-specific restrooms or other gender-specific
facilities, individuals have the right to use the facilities that are
consistent with their gender identity or expression.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Updating and clarifying the definition of the
term “gender identity” in the Seattle Municipal Code.</div>
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As the nation’s largest LGBT and allied chamber of commerce,
the GSBA strongly supports this effort to protect the civil rights of
transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. These protections are
also good for Seattle businesses. They will help ensure that transgender
and gender nonconforming people – a large and growing community in the Seattle
area – will be able to patronize Seattle businesses without fear that they will
be denied access to appropriate restroom facilities. As a result, we
would expect this ordinance will promote increased patronage of Seattle
businesses by transgender and gender nonconforming customers.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for your consideration of our views and for the
Council’s leadership on this important issue.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sincerely,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jay
Petterson David Ward<br />
Public Policy Chair, GSBA Board of Directors
Chair, Public Policy Task
Force
</div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-5121438230073825272015-08-20T09:11:00.006-07:002015-08-20T09:12:12.028-07:00New Board Member: John Sternlicht<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpnPNkyu0kxZDJrXfBmOEVyg60qYfZUFx74ZX829LOHNhSdkwKBUzQcQmkPjXqPwMB77zDaneAE372_zMF65hdqPBM0NrRYZT4jIcEyg5Ag_dIbygq8zr2101bXJx91UmPohomjUeaCg/s1600/Sternlicht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpnPNkyu0kxZDJrXfBmOEVyg60qYfZUFx74ZX829LOHNhSdkwKBUzQcQmkPjXqPwMB77zDaneAE372_zMF65hdqPBM0NrRYZT4jIcEyg5Ag_dIbygq8zr2101bXJx91UmPohomjUeaCg/s1600/Sternlicht.jpg" /></a></div>
John Sternlicht was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) at the August meeting.<br />
<br />
John is the Executive Director of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County (EDASC), a nonprofit membership roganization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the economic vitality of Skagit County. He also currently serves on the international Economic Development Council's Board of Directors. He previously served as Economic Development Advisor to King County Executive Dow Constantine, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia and as the first General Counsel and Policy and Legislative Director of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">John spent his childhood in Rhode Island and North Carolina, and has a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown
University, focusing on Western Europe and Latin America, and studied
journalism and communications at the Université de Fribourg before earning a
law degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He practiced
law in North Carolina and Virginia and earned his certification in economic
development from the International Economic Development Council in 2001.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sternlicht
has been married to James Finley, Seattle University’s head volleyball coach,
since 2010. Together they have three grown sons. </span></span></span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-13024587046429476042015-08-19T14:59:00.002-07:002015-08-19T14:59:41.531-07:00On a Mission to Walla Walla<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Four years ago there was a notable change at the TASTE of
GSBA when we switched our beverage focus to world-class Washington wines.
Previously we had served an assortment of wine, but 2011 was the first time we
featured local wineries and had several wine makers in attendance. This year we
will have our biggest wine district ever, with wines from across our state and
winemakers hosting tables for an upgraded wine experience.<span> </span>With that in mind, a small group from the
GSBA including CEO Louise Chernin and partner Mary, Director of Programs &
Fund Development </span></span>Mark Rosén and husband Matt, and Board Member Dena Levine and
husband Ron, took some vacation time and travelled to eastern Washington to thank
some of our far-flung sponsors and donors and to make new connections with more
wine and tourism resources.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>Our stay began in the birthplace of Washington wine, Prosser.
Longtime supporter Debbie Haggerty Augustavo welcomed us at her lovely guest
house, the Seven Gables, just a <span> </span>stone’s
throw from the<span> </span>Vintner’s Village, where
you can walk between over half a dozen wineries. We started our day with a
visit to Pontin del Roza where we met with <span> </span>winemaker Scott Pontin and his husband<span> </span>and enjoyed the view from his patio and
bocce court. Next we visited the Walter Clore Center which honors one of the
founders of the Washington wine industry and features tastings from our unique
AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) on a rotating basis. Tasting room manager
April <span></span>Reddout<span> </span>made sure we had a great experience and we
left not only with wine , but also with a generous donation to the TASTE
auction. We ended our day basking in the warmth of the sunset reflecting off
the Horse Heaven Hills as we dined on superb food at Wine O’clock, paired with
some outstanding Bunnell wines.<span> </span>Watch
for a package at TASTE featuring a stay at Seven Gables, bocce ball and
tastings at Pontin del Roza and the Clore Center and more!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqBnNmIJyUuarDhxncDVEQqvG9dkIWmODjD_mqByq7IfmraplhKtfGD1jK6AGwrCBrLV4LCYNCn0EIrwq4AvUAJLxD7V-lmeoikTGR-rABA-uyrL_LesnwQl7H4wILFswXfy0HXXbI1c/s1600/WP_20150724_12_12_00_Pro.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqBnNmIJyUuarDhxncDVEQqvG9dkIWmODjD_mqByq7IfmraplhKtfGD1jK6AGwrCBrLV4LCYNCn0EIrwq4AvUAJLxD7V-lmeoikTGR-rABA-uyrL_LesnwQl7H4wILFswXfy0HXXbI1c/s200/WP_20150724_12_12_00_Pro.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>Our second day brought us to the world-renowned Red Mountain
AVA with stunning views and unique growing conditions. Hightower, Fidelitas,
and Kiona were on our list and none disappointed. Look for Fidelitas pouring in
our Wine District at TASTE. From the sunny slopes of Red Mountain we headed to what
some call the “Napa of Washington” – Walla Walla.<span> </span>Waterbrook Winery, located<span> </span>just east of Walla Walla, is one of the most beautiful
settings you can imagine. We dined on the patio, sipping rosé, admiring the
architecture, and appreciating the wonderful service as the guests of <a href="http://www.preceptwine.com/" target="_blank">Precept Brands</a>, one of our new TASTE sponsors. Waterbrook, Brown and Canoe Ridge will
all be at the TASTE and we have a fabulous stay at the Waterbrook bungalows to
auction off as well.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesMU3gwjKY0zRDo7t166U24iuvijcaTtU1XP-rRzICDNCfipciDinOORo16476oXGkNVON8K-78CxeLD2Dijc-fXUMFBE2Ehs99fUO01mueT7O_VvOrh3T0x3kEB0dHfMf577MbUAIkI/s1600/WP_20150723_11_24_57_Pro.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesMU3gwjKY0zRDo7t166U24iuvijcaTtU1XP-rRzICDNCfipciDinOORo16476oXGkNVON8K-78CxeLD2Dijc-fXUMFBE2Ehs99fUO01mueT7O_VvOrh3T0x3kEB0dHfMf577MbUAIkI/s320/WP_20150723_11_24_57_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>Saturday was devoted entirely to Walla Walla! With our great
drivers from Whitman College – Phil and Bri – at the helm, we were free to
enjoy all that Walla Walla has to offer. Beginning with a visit to Tranche, we
knew we were in for some of the best. Va Piano, with its beautiful setting so
evocative of Tuscany, served some of the outstanding wines they are so well
known for. Sleight of Hand offered the perfect setting for a little picnic
break and more rosé and then it was off to a private tour and tasting at
Corliss that blew us away the moment we walked into the restored warehouse which
has been transformed into a luxurious tasting room, production facility, and private
residence. I couldn’t resist purchasing a large-format bottle to donate to our
wine auction, so some lucky wine lover will be very happy!</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So much wine, so many wineries, but most importantly so many
friends, old and new (Tamara at Owen Roe, Two Mountain, Clore Center) who were
all generous when they heard about our mission to support our Scholarship Fund,
including so many<span> </span>recipients from
eastern Washington. We now know for certain that when we say Greater” Seattle
Business Association, the “Greater” means our family, friends, donors, and supporters
from all over the state who we had the pleasure to meet over the weekend. We
are already planning next year’s trade mission, so if you love travel and love
wine and food (who doesn’t!) then ask about joining us in 2016.</span></span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-37025646476814259332015-08-13T16:43:00.000-07:002015-08-19T08:38:40.713-07:00Wells Fargo and NGLCC Award $10,000 to Greater Seattle Business Association<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfJFTMTNIEGFIe11YUb-vkjKRNoeFua9oPUSMR5HKmLu2BYFcTzNPrW0kwBCl-GF8OEqtu-isD8Mx_LYmWyNwr01IGS4_q9hiZXhkCndJ7Ae0eawq3RkyaWnNwizoIB3650bAMEhJ60U/s1600/NGLCC+Check+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfJFTMTNIEGFIe11YUb-vkjKRNoeFua9oPUSMR5HKmLu2BYFcTzNPrW0kwBCl-GF8OEqtu-isD8Mx_LYmWyNwr01IGS4_q9hiZXhkCndJ7Ae0eawq3RkyaWnNwizoIB3650bAMEhJ60U/s640/NGLCC+Check+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Seattle (08/13/15) – The <a href="http://www.thegsba.org/">Greater
Seattle Business Association (GSBA)</a> is proud to announce that the chamber
was awarded a $10,000 grant on Thursday, August 13<sup>th</sup> at the National
Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)’s 2015 International Business
& Leadership Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, this grant was awarded
to expand capacity and offer technical assistance to the GSBA’s Let’s Get
Certified outreach and workshop program. The main goal of the program is to
foster the development, growth, and sustainability of certified LGBT business
enterprises (LGBTBEs®). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13QNYcho3UxeNIwmxxVc2vb_weD9ieDUT3yFq2frgPBCbnWLJMA729uVsmUfBIAj2SpphA_ST63B_BTyCsNBwNXGEO3FK0mh2GAdEiSEt5U4cCtkGSPW_qAQfVTGlW1Jr6d1o4eEpwz0/s1600/NGLCC+Check+4+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13QNYcho3UxeNIwmxxVc2vb_weD9ieDUT3yFq2frgPBCbnWLJMA729uVsmUfBIAj2SpphA_ST63B_BTyCsNBwNXGEO3FK0mh2GAdEiSEt5U4cCtkGSPW_qAQfVTGlW1Jr6d1o4eEpwz0/s320/NGLCC+Check+4+crop.jpg" width="307" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The Let’s Get Certified program has become a vital resource
to our members as they develop their businesses and engage in strategic
planning,” said Louise Chernin, GSBA President. “We are thrilled to receive
this generous grant from Wells Fargo and NGLCC which will allow us to expand and
enrich our program.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Wells Fargo has a rich history of supporting diverse
chambers of commerce, and we share their commitment to helping small business
owners succeed financially,” said Lisa Stevens, Regional Marketing, Small
Business and Pacific Midwest Bank Executive. “Through our partnership with the National
Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), we are proud to provide funding
that will support chamber-led entrepreneur training programs and dedicated
resources for education, growth and advancement of diverse business owners in
communities across America.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About GSBA</b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Established
in 1981, the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) is the largest LGBT
and allied chamber of commerce in North America, with over 1,100 members. </span>GSBA is widely known throughout the
Puget Sound region for its work on business development, connecting community
through business, advocacy on both civil rights and business and promoting LGBT
tourism through its Travel Gay Seattle initiative. GSBA invests in the next
generation of leaders by sponsoring a Scholarship Fund which has given out over
$2.1 million in scholarships. For more information about GSBA, visit <a href="http://www.thegsba.org/">www.thegsba.org.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About NGLCC</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRzE7kmy-1waBnA1ezOG-D3fIousEV4ERur9cIRw4Q4OhMKiM-BY9zCij4oUn2wBQ_em8FsJJECOvrpSzMnZn9K7-nOKu6i6nylcxR3eWiz2MqIXIfu1K81HyYGoJ5neB_c0dkebqWls/s1600/nglcc_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRzE7kmy-1waBnA1ezOG-D3fIousEV4ERur9cIRw4Q4OhMKiM-BY9zCij4oUn2wBQ_em8FsJJECOvrpSzMnZn9K7-nOKu6i6nylcxR3eWiz2MqIXIfu1K81HyYGoJ5neB_c0dkebqWls/s200/nglcc_logo.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is the
business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit
advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic
opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive
certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. <a href="http://www.nglcc.org/" target="_blank">www.nglcc.org</a><u><span style="color: blue;"></span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">MEDIA CONTACT:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Adam Shapiro</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="mailto:Adam.Shapiro@ASPR.bz">Adam.Shapiro@ASPR.bz</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">202-427-3603</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Wells Fargo</b></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu95AUKb0d6J5msuzeEUI9WQ0UgUpV-RwfaaV7v_2rWxs8KwIVuVAchSpBBd8mfnMdxRH36SAukEr22U7Iyy428-jREMX0v8KSQkBLf1y4vXMzJ4ZmzW-nUdi4MVxHHYi1V6FvJ4WeshI/s1600/Wells+Fargo+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu95AUKb0d6J5msuzeEUI9WQ0UgUpV-RwfaaV7v_2rWxs8KwIVuVAchSpBBd8mfnMdxRH36SAukEr22U7Iyy428-jREMX0v8KSQkBLf1y4vXMzJ4ZmzW-nUdi4MVxHHYi1V6FvJ4WeshI/s200/Wells+Fargo+Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide,
diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.7 trillion in
assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo
provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial
finance through 8,700 locations, 12,800 ATMs, the internet (<a href="http://wellsfargo.com/">wellsfargo.com</a>) and
mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct
business in the global economy. With approximately 266,000 team members, Wells
Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo &
Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s largest
corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs
and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available
at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.</span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-78561774258357304962015-07-16T15:13:00.002-07:002015-07-16T15:13:17.747-07:00Rachael Recommends: Summer Social Media Focus on Facebook<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Scouring the digital marketing blogosphere….so you don’t have
to.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I subscribe to a lot of blogs and newsfeeds from experts in
various aspects of the digital marketing field.<span>
</span>This is my roundup of articles, tips, how-to’s and best practices for
social media, apps, marketing, pr and some technology thrown in for good
measure. If there is a particular subject or social media platform you want to
learn more about, <a href="mailto:rachaelb@thegsba.org" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">please let me know</span></b></a>. Check out my comments before the links. <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now onto this month’s roundup…I am focusing on Facebook
posting, advertising, tips and more with a focus on <b><i><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Facebook
for small business</span></i></b>. And before you delve into specifics, check
out this handy overview for <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/quick-reference-guide-for-facebook-marketers/" target="_blank">Facebook marketing</a>.
I also suggest you follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marketing" target="_blank">Facebook for Business</a> page for tips and updates. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;">Call to Action</span></u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">At the top of your business page you may have seen a new-ish
button next to your like button that says: Create Call to Action. Vertical
Response’s blog has a helpful video on what this is and how to use it. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.verticalresponse.com/blog/how-to-create-a-call-to-action-on-your-facebook-page-video/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Create aCall-to-Action on Your Facebook Page</span></b></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;">Advertising</span></u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook advertising can be very effective and affordable for
small businesses. The articles below offer some helpful tools and tips for
creating Facebook ads and also some info on the new way Facebook is charging
for its ads. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span><a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-facebook-advertising-tools/" target="_blank">5 Facebook Advertising Tools That Save Time and Improve Your ROI</a></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8181-facebook-ads-cpc.html" target="_blank"><b><span>Facebook Is Changing How It Charges for Ads</span></b><b><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></a></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/2015-04-16/how-get-500-roi-facebook-ads" target="_blank">How to Get 500% ROI from Facebook Ads</a></span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Already using Facebook advertising and you want to take your
ads to the next level? Check out <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/advanced-facebook-ad-techniques-marketers-need-know/" target="_blank">this article</a> on advance techniques for
Facebook advertisers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;">Video on Facebook</span></u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Video is a versatile, easy and fun way to market your
product, promote your brand or show your audience how to do something. And now
it is even easier to integrate short videos into many social media platforms.
You probably have noticed the growing number of videos that show up in your Facebook newsfeed. You know, the ones that just start playing as you are
scrolling through your newsfeed. These are examples of native video, when you
actually upload a video to Facebook (as opposed to just linking to a video
hosted on a different site/platform). <b><i><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">When you
publish videos to Facebook, the result is high visibility and a greater
likelihood of engagement.</span></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-native-video/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>7 Ways to Use Facebook Native Video to Better Connect With Your Fans</span></b></span></span></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/video-storytelling" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Use VideoStorytelling in Your Social Media Marketing</span></b></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;">Facebook Newsfeed Changes (yes, again)</span></u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook recently launched <a href="http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2015/07/updated-controls-for-news-feed/" target="_blank">updated controls</a>
for one’s news feed. This basically puts more power into the hands of the user
as to who and what they see in their news feed. The articles below help
decipher what this means for businesses using Facebook for their marketing. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-business/marisaasan/2015-07-14/facebook-updates-controls-news-feed-see-it-first-what-means" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Facebook UpdatesControls for News Feed with See it First: What This Means for Marketers </span></b></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.verticalresponse.com/blog/3-things-you-cant-do-on-facebook-anymore/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">3 Things You Can’t Do on Facebook Anymore</span></b></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-82644613257964603212015-07-14T13:47:00.001-07:002015-07-14T16:18:22.745-07:00I Am Still Here, and I Am Still Queer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>by Karyn Schwartz, proprietor of SugarPill, 2013 GSBA New Business of the Year and member of the Small Business Council. You can find Karyn at her shop at 900 E Pine Street in Seattle.</i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here and Queer came out of my own
frustration over reading the endless obituaries that people seem to delight in
writing about Capitol Hill. Every time I hear someone say the neighborhood is
gone, my only response to it is “I am still here, and I am still queer.” <br />
<br />
This spring I kept thinking, “What if the neighborhood was just much more
visibly queer again? Could that make a difference?” Through a series of
unexpectedly lucky phone calls, I got connected with two young men – Bakar and
Giorgi – who happened to be working on a platform to conduct social media
campaigns about freedom of speech, and they had exactly the kind of projection capability
that I needed. They come from a part of the world where freedom of speech is
rarely respected. Through their company <a href="http://www.deehubs.com/" target="_blank">Deehubs</a>, they are developing ways
for people to communicate publicly about issues that are sometimes difficult to
talk about, and in places where it is perhaps too dangerous to talk about them
at all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Deehubs provided was a way for
anyone to create their own messages and images to say what THEY wanted to
express about being queer, about being a part of this community and about what
they hope for in the neighborhood. Despite a ridiculously short amount of time
to make this all happen, and a mountain of technological issues to work out, we
received a marvelous variety of deeply moving contributions which were
projected at about a half dozen sites around Capitol Hill throughout the entire
weekend of Pride.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think there is enormous value in
using visible markers to create a sense of place. While I have admittedly never
been the most ardent fan of the rainbow as the most ubiquitous emblem of
queerdom (which is why I asked local artist Joey Veltkamp to create a logo for
the project and practically begged him to put some pink triangles in there for
me), there is something to be said for seeing an entire neighborhood festooned
in recognizable symbols of identity and unity. It makes me feel like I am home,
and welcome, and with that comes a tangible feeling of safety. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4Em8691Fo2gc7STpaWTL6bYpsAfdjNsgqSDu-iutiGvVTBHzlEnlRzy1sHF_hJY5lHwBCw8_tihBvmH1btvsHtTHxNwkrmP_cmvz3oBb9p4jMJI9mUAhBYM3MCB1gR91GisVSXFxy0o/s1600/SHSQ+-+Baldwin.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4Em8691Fo2gc7STpaWTL6bYpsAfdjNsgqSDu-iutiGvVTBHzlEnlRzy1sHF_hJY5lHwBCw8_tihBvmH1btvsHtTHxNwkrmP_cmvz3oBb9p4jMJI9mUAhBYM3MCB1gR91GisVSXFxy0o/s320/SHSQ+-+Baldwin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i></i></span>I cannot describe how wonderful the
reactions to the projections were, as well as to a number of other really visible
expressions of unapologetic queerness that were happening simultaneously. The
timing of all of this was so profoundly emotional: not only had the Supreme
Court ruling on marriage equality just been handed down on the morning that
Pride really kicked off, but there was also the wrenching funeral of Reverend
Clementa Pinckney of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston that very same day.
It was nearly impossible to feel celebratory while there was still so much
grief in the air, and hard to feel victorious when such a violent and
hate-filled act had just happened. I was so glad to see people use the project
to express their anger and their grief over the very real consequences of
hatred that too often goes unexamined and unchecked. The juxtaposition of these
feelings alongside those of joy, love and heartfelt appreciation for the progress
that has been made struck a chord that was far deeper than anything I could
have planned.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NqBGgAv0o8zvf6P-kybNzMXyMc8xdnkEgPGr6B1CkUrzxHFgGKqn4fP83KWp1q8w-v82nwkuLJB5q2EwMLEMEZ8NCZVV9tLedWosvZQ7zsZ16BlpyO0_VWpUtBTwFbMBrsENuYCzhTk/s1600/SHSQ+-+Faygele+and+Paul.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NqBGgAv0o8zvf6P-kybNzMXyMc8xdnkEgPGr6B1CkUrzxHFgGKqn4fP83KWp1q8w-v82nwkuLJB5q2EwMLEMEZ8NCZVV9tLedWosvZQ7zsZ16BlpyO0_VWpUtBTwFbMBrsENuYCzhTk/s1600/SHSQ+-+Faygele+and+Paul.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NqBGgAv0o8zvf6P-kybNzMXyMc8xdnkEgPGr6B1CkUrzxHFgGKqn4fP83KWp1q8w-v82nwkuLJB5q2EwMLEMEZ8NCZVV9tLedWosvZQ7zsZ16BlpyO0_VWpUtBTwFbMBrsENuYCzhTk/s320/SHSQ+-+Faygele+and+Paul.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was not lost on any of us that
while we were celebrating marriage equality here in the United States, queer
folks were getting fired at by police with water cannons and tear gas during a pride
parade in Istanbul, Turkey. Imagine if we could have projected the kinds of
messages that were created here onto the walls of buildings in Istanbul to give
people the inspiration to keep insisting on their right to be who they are,
despite how they are still being treated there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK2BdIqR_VmjFWFgCzV8pqjoTY0iw6uxltNawplQdNE_ZI74FTNwZ3ZYHLozkhlufRn6-NE38zFQukpJZsEfcgcMyiDoV0e8jPQy-GglW6j4NquVbcYlX6WdT8VRzOXXMUwvpXtQf1H8/s1600/SHSQ+-+Love.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK2BdIqR_VmjFWFgCzV8pqjoTY0iw6uxltNawplQdNE_ZI74FTNwZ3ZYHLozkhlufRn6-NE38zFQukpJZsEfcgcMyiDoV0e8jPQy-GglW6j4NquVbcYlX6WdT8VRzOXXMUwvpXtQf1H8/s1600/SHSQ+-+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK2BdIqR_VmjFWFgCzV8pqjoTY0iw6uxltNawplQdNE_ZI74FTNwZ3ZYHLozkhlufRn6-NE38zFQukpJZsEfcgcMyiDoV0e8jPQy-GglW6j4NquVbcYlX6WdT8VRzOXXMUwvpXtQf1H8/s1600/SHSQ+-+Love.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Before the project even went live,
we were out one night testing the projection equipment and making sure that
everything was working correctly. I had asked a few people to send in their
contributions prior to the actual launch so that we would have something to
test the system with, but I had no idea what would actually be projected or
what it would look like. As I was walking to meet Bakar and Giorgi at one of
the sites, I found myself alone, at midnight, behind a group of four very drunk,
raging homophobes. I couldn’t believe it was happening. They were having the
most hateful conversation, and recording themselves on their phones, laughing
and saying horrible things about “all the f**king homos”, and if I had not been
so close to where I knew Bakar and Giorgi were, I would have been terrified. <br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK2BdIqR_VmjFWFgCzV8pqjoTY0iw6uxltNawplQdNE_ZI74FTNwZ3ZYHLozkhlufRn6-NE38zFQukpJZsEfcgcMyiDoV0e8jPQy-GglW6j4NquVbcYlX6WdT8VRzOXXMUwvpXtQf1H8/s1600/SHSQ+-+Love.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK2BdIqR_VmjFWFgCzV8pqjoTY0iw6uxltNawplQdNE_ZI74FTNwZ3ZYHLozkhlufRn6-NE38zFQukpJZsEfcgcMyiDoV0e8jPQy-GglW6j4NquVbcYlX6WdT8VRzOXXMUwvpXtQf1H8/s200/SHSQ+-+Love.jpg" width="150" /></a></span>Just then, the projector went live, and this beautiful quote appeared, 40 feet
high, on the side of the building we were facing. It said,<b> “Our queer
community feels like loving arms wrapped around you. We are here.”<br />
<br />
</b>We all saw it at the same time, and the most remarkable thing happened: they
shut up. Those hateful, ignorant men stopped their conversation, they put their
phones down, and they all read the message. It worked. I don’t know what they
did with the rest of their evening, but what I do know is that what was happening
got interrupted. It was the best thing I could have hoped for – that something
beautiful got created which stood, at least for a moment, in the way of the
continuation of some gesture of hatred. Maybe it is too much to hope for that
something like this could actually stand in the way of outright violence – but
I will hope for it anyway. The more we see positive messages about things we
don’t understand, and the more we are confronted to re-think the biases and the
prejudices we walk around with, the more likely we are to seek a different
point of view or a deeper understanding of things we have taken for granted as
truth. <br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFWSv5Zc6qkdn3Vidmp8h-WGCfyCeyBibUEmYZYLmYha2NmmHAxbqP8DS5gvd4K9JiWRpD-c9mSIhlN2AwDaps3WhDM92062ckhIaHc8ltgSPaK_fPuLfEEDWNQm2im14JcHkRpGmLzU/s1600/SHSQ+-+Stay+Alive.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFWSv5Zc6qkdn3Vidmp8h-WGCfyCeyBibUEmYZYLmYha2NmmHAxbqP8DS5gvd4K9JiWRpD-c9mSIhlN2AwDaps3WhDM92062ckhIaHc8ltgSPaK_fPuLfEEDWNQm2im14JcHkRpGmLzU/s200/SHSQ+-+Stay+Alive.jpg" width="150" /></a>I think change does happen this way, and I think we are in great need of a
great deal of change still in this country as a whole, but also right here in
what should be a safe haven of tolerance and acceptance. With so much pressure
on our one small part of town to absorb the huge influx of nightlife visitors
and recently arrived residents, it is even more important than ever to maintain
a positive and unapologetic presence as a community, and the only way to do
that is to BE HERE, and not abandon the neighborhood. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you want a center of gravity as a
community, you have to nourish it by supporting the businesses and
organizations that cater to your interests, speak up on behalf of your
concerns, and that fly those rainbow flags all year long, and not just on the
one weekend that Pride brings us all together. There are so many of us
who are still here, and still fierce about trying to hold on to what makes this
neighborhood special. But we can’t hold on to it all by ourselves; we need all
of you who have loved this neighborhood and who have your own history rooted
right here with us to BE HERE, visible, present and glorious in all manner of
queerness. I live for the day that every night feels like Pride when I am
walking home from work – that it never feels unsafe to be who I am, and that I
still belong to this place that made it possible for me to become that person
at all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-14157778533644918892015-07-14T13:27:00.001-07:002015-07-14T13:29:27.277-07:00Providing Exceptional Experiences: Judy Dlugacz<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP1J7uzyeXozZkWo9_O5UsgnJ49d7PhxcZBLe5GztcjC7x9MqJVTmfX0KHKY9-zju8s3En0GagqRKEBHujK1Nyddm1KlAPJJoOrDNzCrrLmRe6xmViud8Il35RuXdEpcwLHpMJtnCwW8/s1600/65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP1J7uzyeXozZkWo9_O5UsgnJ49d7PhxcZBLe5GztcjC7x9MqJVTmfX0KHKY9-zju8s3En0GagqRKEBHujK1Nyddm1KlAPJJoOrDNzCrrLmRe6xmViud8Il35RuXdEpcwLHpMJtnCwW8/s640/65.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Madam Secretary, I’m taking 1,300 lesbians to Honduras in
six months. Will they be ok?” asked Judy Dlugazc. The National Congress of
Honduras had just deposed its own President, throwing the country into a
constitutional crisis. Judy’s company, Olivia Travel, had a tour group ready to
visit the island of Roatán and she was worried. The country already had a poor
record on LGBT rights, and adding political instability to the mix was
concerning. Across from her, U.S. Secretary of State paused for only a moment
before responding, “It’ll be fine.” So that settled it. Hillary Clinton had her
back, so it would all be fine!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://olivia.com/" target="_blank">Olivia</a> is changing the world. In bringing over 200,000 women
around the world since 1990, these cruises organized for women have gone to
many places where LGBT rights have not always been respected, including the
Caribbean, Africa and even parts of Europe. It is always important for Olivia’s
customers to be comfortable when they are out in the world, and Judy says that
being there in large numbers helps, but that they also work very closely with
the cruise lines and the U.S. government. “The experience of women who travel
hasn’t changed that much…It is important for women to come together and be able
to feel comfortable when they travel.” Olivia has welcomed trans people, male-
or female-identified, to join them since its founding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1973 Judy established Olivia Records, focused exclusively
on female artists, and oversaw hundreds of concerts and events around the
world. Combining her passions of music and travel, she organized her first
chartered cruise in 1990. It was so wildly successful that the organization
evolved into Olivia Cruises and has sent over 200,000 women around the world
over the last quarter century. This evolution of Judy’s business continues, as
her audience has begun to include more and more families with children. She
adds, “We’ve taught women how to travel on cruises. But women want to move on
from that and do riverboats, or go on safari. They main thing is that we have
to listen to our market.” They are even now in the process of creating a resort
LGBT retirement community in Palm Springs. Olivia is now the world’s largest company
for women in the world!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Things have changed radically over the years. In the
beginning, cruise companies were reluctant to let an LGBT-focused organization
charter their boats, but now everyone wants a piece of the action. The way in
which LGBT people are out of the closet on board the cruise ships has changed,
and the understanding of the multicultural crews on board has evolved in turn.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-wCV0IENmPUmvwp4R_-yeURTCCKwHsqccCfrhqjk7NV0x4kxaAwAcpa5W5_5Vq1JyrrOBliX5H1ZUH133RGlnP-_YxScH9mPQelVm0pYlsg3lRaLyttQj9sfsGsbUGvnFQSUAdaWvxU/s1600/olivia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-wCV0IENmPUmvwp4R_-yeURTCCKwHsqccCfrhqjk7NV0x4kxaAwAcpa5W5_5Vq1JyrrOBliX5H1ZUH133RGlnP-_YxScH9mPQelVm0pYlsg3lRaLyttQj9sfsGsbUGvnFQSUAdaWvxU/s320/olivia.jpg" width="320" /></a>Olivia stays relevant because it keeps moving. “Why is it
even a question if LGBT travel is still relevant?” Judy remarked in response to
the luncheon’s theme. “Of course it is! Being part of a community is a big
plus! When it’s not relevant I’ll know because we’ll stop having great sales every
year.” Providing the experiences that Olivia is famous for can come at a higher
price point than other cruises, but on what other boat could you have seen Patti
LaBelle, Melissa Etheridge and Maya Angelou? “If you are on an Olivia trip as a
woman, even if you are out in your whole life, you are still never in the
majority in a normal day. That fact that you are in the majority for seven days
during an experience is an extraordinary experience, even spiritual. You are
able to be yourself without ever even thinking about it,” Judy explains. “The
importance of LGBT travel and why it is relevant is that, in a lot of ways it
is more fun. You are, as gay people, in the majority, which
never happens in most places, especially on vacation. You are
comfortable even with the people sharing the elevator. You see
entertainment speaking to your own experience.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Creating a memorable experience while also providing a
meaningful and safe community has always been at the center of Olivia’s ethos. Judy
was adamant when she said that “It is the responsibility of everyone in the
LGBT tourism industry to still provide exceptional experiences. You need to do
something even more special, not just bring the community together. Because we
create something that is better. If we don’t, we might as well not bother. That
is really important.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Judy Dlugacz is an icon for our community, not just as a
business success story, but as a trailblazer for all of us and as someone who
has won victories for the LGBT community for more than 40 years. Giving back
has always been a foundation of all of her business philosophy. After the 2010
earthquake in Haiti, Olivia worked with other LGBT cruise companies to found
the LGBT Haiti Relief Fund and then with USAID to establish a global
development fund supporting LGBT organizations throughout the developing world.
Starting out on her own as part of a radical lesbian separatist collective, she
has now been appointed to President Obama’s LGBT advisory council. Judy is currently
working on a book about her four decades immersed in lesbian culture. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Judy Dlugacz,
President & CEO of Olivia, was the keynote speaker at GSBA’s June business
luncheon at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.</i></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-68972086954210072602015-06-26T11:30:00.000-07:002015-07-14T14:35:44.545-07:00VICTORY: Equal Dignity in the Eyes of the Law<!--[if !mso]>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB7evxHcTUcUYi6cxZdLK7iTkn4i4-zC7kNf4Ap1p9F-G3nGQkB31g9rZHPuwOIKCY0HLMxCBpxLuorCUzsWz6_yUYJsncJM_GakNct3Qjm4fGItQsTVwMlAKzZLcaUbmnXkyVNSEeYY/s1600/Rainbow+SCOTUS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB7evxHcTUcUYi6cxZdLK7iTkn4i4-zC7kNf4Ap1p9F-G3nGQkB31g9rZHPuwOIKCY0HLMxCBpxLuorCUzsWz6_yUYJsncJM_GakNct3Qjm4fGItQsTVwMlAKzZLcaUbmnXkyVNSEeYY/s640/Rainbow+SCOTUS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">What a historic day! So many emotions, it's overwhelming. As you
have surely heard by now, the Supreme Court announced a 5-4 decision today in
the Obergefell v. Hodges case. We have been waiting anxiously after the success
of Washington's Referendum 74 in 2012 and then the Supreme Court's Windsor
decision in 2013, watching state after state recognize the realities that our
families exist and deserve equal recognition and protection.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Years and years of hearing that our relationships and families are
less than others, but never giving up hope and never stopping our work to
achieve equality suddenly changes as we watch the news and hear the words that
our families and marriages will be recognized across the entirety of the United
States of America. Justice Kennedy's closing paragraph is profound:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the
highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a
marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some
of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that
may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say
they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it,
respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves.
Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of
civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of
the law. The Constitution grants them that right.</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></strong></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">The Obergefell v. Hodges case examined two questions: 1) Do
same-sex couples share the constitutional right to marry or can states refuse
to issue them marriage licenses? 2) Do states have to recognize marriages
entered by same-sex couples outside the state? With the majority ruling that
the Constitution protects same-sex couples freedom to marry throughout the
nation, all state marriage bans are invalidated and all marriages performed
must be recognized throughout the country.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">As with previous cases, GSBA was the first chamber to be asked to
sign on to the business-specific friend-of-the-court briefs. We were proud to
be asked to reach out to our membership and to the other chambers around the
country to stand up and declare that <strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">equality
is good business</span></strong>! Many of the businesses that signed on were
GSBA members from the Puget Sound region - we have said it before, and we will
say it again - <strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">we could
not be more proud of the incredible advocacy work that you all have done</span></strong>!
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Marriage equality is an important goal that many of us have spent
years working toward. There are still many struggles for the LGBT community in
our country, including youth homelessness, care of our seniors, equal access
and respect for our trans community, and employment nondiscrimination and
religious exemptions laws. GSBA will continue to work with our partners around
the country, particularly other LGBT chambers, until equality is achieved,
which has been our focus since our founding in 1981. But, for now, this is a day
to celebrate! </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Equality is good business. It was in 1981, and it still is in
2015.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Louise
Chernin, GSBA President & CEO</span>GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-27919907542169893952015-06-19T17:00:00.000-07:002015-06-23T10:33:53.168-07:00In grief over the horrific violence in Charleston<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Dear GSBA members and friends:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We offer our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives have
been forever changed in the wake of the horrific murders at the Emanuel African
Methodist Episcopal Church.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We grieve deeply for Cynthia
Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Rev. Clementa
Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., Rev. Sharonda Singleton and
Myra Thompson. We keep them and their families in our hearts, as well as all
those across the country who are also victimized by this, only the latest
heartbreak in a long history of systematic violence against the black
community.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">As one of the largest LGBT
organizations in the Northwest, many of us have experienced no shortage of hate
and violence, and we know all too well how an attack against even one person
because of who they are can reverberate throughout an entire community. We all
must stand up against those who are so infected with hatred and spite that they
lose sight of our common humanity.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Our hearts ache for the mothers,
fathers, sons, daughters, friends, colleagues and community leaders who were
lost in Charleston this morning. Their lives mattered, and it is our
responsibility to ensure that this tragedy is never repeated. For almost 35
years GSBA's mission has been to build equality for all. We remain committed to
supporting all of our friends and neighbors, not solely the LGBT community. We
encourage all our members to continually and consciously work to overcome the
pervasive layers of discrimination that are faced every day by many in our
society. Equality does not just arrive, it takes dedication and drive.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Louise Chernin</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">President & CEO</span>GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-10953159626795151352015-06-19T10:28:00.000-07:002015-06-19T10:28:54.340-07:00Press Release: Louise Chernin Appointed to Seattle Colleges Board<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;">Longtime
Business and Community Leader Appointed to Seattle Colleges Board</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;"> </span></b></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Seattle—Louise
Chernin, president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), has
been appointed to the Seattle College District Board of Trustees by Gov. Jay Inslee,
effective Aug. 1, 2015.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“The
GSBA is the largest LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. and a well-known
advocate for business and civil rights,” says Chancellor Jill Wakefield. “One
of the things that makes Chernin and her organization special is their
scholarship work. Since 1990, the GSBA has given more than $2 million to 450
LGBTQ students in Washington—many of the recipients being Seattle College
students. Her combination of leadership, business savvy, community outreach,
and commitment to education makes her an ideal member of our board.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Chernin will serve as one of five
members of the Board of Trustees. Appointed by the governor, trustees are
responsible for overall policy and leadership of the colleges. They serve
five-year terms and must be confirmed by the state Senate. Chernin’s term ends Sept.
30, 2019. She is replacing Courtney Gregoire, whose term has expired.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Prior to her 13-year career at GSBA, Chernin served
as vice president for Shirley Bishop Inc.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">She was recently appointed to the Seattle
mayor’s Gender Pay Equity Task Force and currently sits on the mayor’s LGBT
Task Force. She is also a board member of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of
Commerce.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Chernin’s dedication and commitment to the
community are widely recognized. She received the Leadership Award from the
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and has also been named one of <i>Puget Sound Business Journal</i>’s Women of
Influence. In 2010, the Economic Opportunity Institute honored Chernin with its
Aubrey Davis Award for Progressive Leadership, and in 2011, Rep. Jim McDermott
honored her with his Community Leadership and Service Award. The Seattle Storm
honored Chernin with its 2013 Inspiring Women Award, and in January 2015, the University
of Washington Women’s Center honored her with its Women of Courage Award.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Chernin holds a B.A. in sociology and psychology
from City University of New York.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">###</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;">About Seattle
Colleges</span></b><span style="line-height: 150%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">The </span><a href="http://seattlecolleges.edu/"><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;">Seattle
College District</span></a><span style="line-height: 150%;"> is Washington state’s largest college district, with nearly 50,000
students enrolled each year. It is composed of Seattle Central College, North
Seattle College, South Seattle College, Seattle Vocational Institute, and four
specialty centers. The district offers more than 135 workforce education and
training programs that lead to bachelor’s degrees in high-growth industries,
associate degrees in various disciplines, certificates in professional technical
programs, and transfer degrees to universities throughout the United States.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-59201435465145232532015-06-03T13:52:00.000-07:002015-06-23T10:41:47.023-07:002015 Pride Omnibus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlis-1CfLXwCF44Mnm_tLOgkjm0N-T61z1lebsmEWIbt-AXlgOPywyPm_D6Vt9h53eus0b3u3mMK8d-5_SRL5j4czR_qMpgDMEKHgjGtK606Edr9h4FPoH1oyQBVYGtXMS8yxJlzBACOU/s1600/Pride_2014_Part1-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlis-1CfLXwCF44Mnm_tLOgkjm0N-T61z1lebsmEWIbt-AXlgOPywyPm_D6Vt9h53eus0b3u3mMK8d-5_SRL5j4czR_qMpgDMEKHgjGtK606Edr9h4FPoH1oyQBVYGtXMS8yxJlzBACOU/s640/Pride_2014_Part1-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>This post will be continually updated throughout the summer.</i><br />
<br />
Getting the Guide at Pride has been a Seattle tradition for over
three decades. GSBA even organized the Pride Parade in the early 1980s.
We continue to sponsor, attend and participate in Pride events across
the Northwest. We welcome all of our members to drop in and say hi and
to pick up the new 2015-2016 edition of the GSBA Guide & Directory. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a49a9aa2cabfb6-pride" target="_blank">HERE </a>to sign up for a volunteer spot with GSBA</span><br />
<h3>
GSBA will have a presence at the following events:</h3>
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Pride Shabbat</span></b> | Friday, June 19 | <a href="http://tinyurl.com/prideshabbat2015">tinyurl.com/prideshabbat2015</a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Portland Pride </b></span>| June 9-14 | Tom McCall Waterfront | <a href="http://pridenw.org/">pridenw.org</a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Seattle Men's Chorus "Queen" </b></span>| June 20-21 | McCaw Hall | <a href="http://flyinghouse.org/smc/2014-15/queen.asp">flyinghouse.org/smc/2014-15/queen.asp</a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Pride Asia </b></span>| June 20 noon-4 PM | Hing Hay Park | <a href="http://prideasia.org/">prideasia.org</a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>PrideFest Film Festival </b></span>| June 23-27 | <a href="http://seattlepridefest.org/filmfest/">seattlepridefest.org/filmfest/</a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Seattle Storm Pride Game</b><span style="color: black;"> | Thursday, June 25 | </span></span>Key Arena | (<a href="https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/storm/EN/link/promotion/home/2a9d8ce8521ce3806b871ce65a5d30919d5a6fb3" target="_blank">link</a>)<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Trans* Pride </b></span>| Friday, June 26 | Cal Anderson Park | <a href="http://transprideseattle.org/">transprideseattle.org</a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Capitol Hill Pride Festival </b></span>| Saturday, June 27 10am-4pm | Broadway<br />
We will have 2 booths - one for the Chamber and one at the LGBT Visitors Center at 1st Security Bank <br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Seattle Pride Parade </b></span>| Sunday, June 28 11am | 4th Avenue | <a href="http://seattlepride.org/">seattlepride.org</a><br />
Includes the famous Briefcase Brigade, enthusiastic business members, and inspirational GSBA scholars <br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Seattle PrideFest </b></span>| Sunday, June 28 noon-8pm | Seattle Center| <a href="http://seattlepridefest.org/">seattlepridefest.org</a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Tacoma Out in the Park </b><span style="color: black;">| Sunday, July 11 | Pierce Transit Park | <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://tacomapride.org/">tacomapride.org</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Kitsap Pride</b> <span style="color: black;">| Sunday, July 18 | Evergreen Rotary Park, Bremerton |</span> <a href="http://kitsappride.org/">kitsappride.org</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Vancouver Pride </b></span>| July 25 - August 2 | <a href="http://vancouverpride.ca/">vancouverpride.ca</a><br />
<h3>
</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwcyPpDQWVqY9x8S1kFfih9G4BXtLQzNHMGvU2oHSq3WVvDvfaaq9KrRXmYsVNuapazgMsuKA9T6bg6tEHte4JULA1PGoE6eBLOHq099pWR9ocZbTfbd9wxVJ7PwYw2WVdxyGGC8LVNg/s1600/Pride_2014_Part1-013.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwcyPpDQWVqY9x8S1kFfih9G4BXtLQzNHMGvU2oHSq3WVvDvfaaq9KrRXmYsVNuapazgMsuKA9T6bg6tEHte4JULA1PGoE6eBLOHq099pWR9ocZbTfbd9wxVJ7PwYw2WVdxyGGC8LVNg/s320/Pride_2014_Part1-013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marching with the GSBA Scholars</td></tr>
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<b>Other Northwest Pride events:</b><b> </b></h3>
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<a href="http://www.deehubs.com/" target="_blank"><b>Here and Queer </b></a>- participatory public art!<b><br /></b><br />
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<b>General Pride Calendars:</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.seattlepridefest.org/" target="_blank">Seattle PrideFest</a></b>: includes Clean Sweep, PrideFest Film Festival, PrideFest Capitol Hill, PrideFest Seattle Center.<br />
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<b><a href="http://seattlepride.org/" target="_blank">Seattle Pride Guide</a></b>: includes Pride Picnic, Brunch and Comedy series, and of course the Pride Parade.<br />
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<b><a href="http://seattlegayscene.com/seattle-gay-scene-pride-guide/" target="_blank">Seattle Gay Scene Pride Guide</a></b><br />
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<b>THURSDAY, JUNE 11 </b><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CapitolHillArtsWalk" target="_blank">Capitol Hill Art Walk</a> | 6-9 PM | Ingersoll's Trans* Space<br />
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<b>THURSDAY, JUNE 18</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1597130" target="_blank">Divas Take the Hill</a> | 7:30-10:30 PM | 12th Avenue Arts | <i>Benefit for PSKS</i><br />
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<b>FRIDAY, JUNE 19</b><br />
<a href="http://www.seattlewomenspride.com/" target="_blank">Seattle Women's Pride</a> | 6 PM | Q Nightclub<b> </b><br />
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<b>WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24</b><br />
<a href="http://narkmagazine.com/tickets" target="_blank">Gender Blender Annual Drag Show & Benefit</a> | 9 PM | Neumos | <i>Benefit for Gay City</i><br />
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<b>SATURDAY, JUNE 27</b><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1002794203077761/" target="_blank">YWCA Rainbow Health Fair </a>| Noon-4 PM | All Pilgrims Church, 500 Broadway E<br />
Julia's Pride Street Party | Noon-10 PM | Julia's on Broadway, 300 Broadway E<br />
<a href="http://www.seattledykemarch.com/" target="_blank">Seattle Dyke March </a>| 5 PM | Seattle Central College, 1701 Broadway<br />
Bait Shop Pride Patio Party | 11 AM-2AM | Bait Shop, 606 Broadway E<br />
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<b>SUNDAY, JUNE 28</b><br />
<b> </b><a href="http://www.thewildrosebar.com/" target="_blank">Wild Rose Bush Gardens</a> | 1 PM- Midnight | The Wild Rose, 1021 E Pike St<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Briefcase Brigade!</td></tr>
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<br />GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-77980908118416187862015-05-28T09:57:00.000-07:002015-05-28T12:08:36.640-07:00It's All Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQrZwSjAstS-nM6mKnK2aihyphenhyphenhx9C8DS-HhVH1JQiM9i8VIRbQZCNiRQFkh6hwNz3z9EkNTY3QRCurwUPXHvuhnN_G7q1quV6eC_jxH9oSdh-OP5XPgwqdz-X61KKaEsxg29yJRmupM5M/s1600/Sunset+Olympics+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQrZwSjAstS-nM6mKnK2aihyphenhyphenhx9C8DS-HhVH1JQiM9i8VIRbQZCNiRQFkh6hwNz3z9EkNTY3QRCurwUPXHvuhnN_G7q1quV6eC_jxH9oSdh-OP5XPgwqdz-X61KKaEsxg29yJRmupM5M/s640/Sunset+Olympics+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-884cfd12-9b68-f5a2-de1e-c00767aa1dc6" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-884cfd12-9b68-f5a2-de1e-c00767aa1dc6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last week your GBSA staff got up early to catch the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston en route to a few days in Port Ludlow. After a foggy 20 minutes crossing the tip of the Kitsap Peninsula and the Hood Canal bridge, we arrived to the glowing smile of <b>Susan Windle</b>, Senior Sales Manager at the </span><a href="http://www.portludlowresort.com/inn" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inn at Port Ludlow</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUt28ShfcUPOZV0cK_sV-zIkBwr-zhhj0ov8NtkWGs4mh6cUfx-uGIly4KJBour-rO3laF3FWk4E7-YuBYZ0U8fDiEAC36xZ6oQdj0wv0euSkYhaLg5IFYPRgmL_D-pCAt-8OqRld2o4/s1600/Working.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUt28ShfcUPOZV0cK_sV-zIkBwr-zhhj0ov8NtkWGs4mh6cUfx-uGIly4KJBour-rO3laF3FWk4E7-YuBYZ0U8fDiEAC36xZ6oQdj0wv0euSkYhaLg5IFYPRgmL_D-pCAt-8OqRld2o4/s320/Working.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Strategy!</i></td></tr>
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</span></b></span></span>Susan had helped arrange a staff retreat for us, offering a perfect opportunity to get out of the city for a night and decompress after a long (but rewarding!) season of renewals, the next edition of the Guide, two galas, and more. She set us up in the Olympic Room and Andrew Suite, a separate area designed to hold </span><a href="http://www.portludlowresort.com/groups/group-meetings-and-events" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">small conferences and comfortable retreats like ours</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Led by the esteemed and fabulous <a href="http://www.bgrantgroup.com/" target="_blank">Barbara Grant</a>, we spent the next day and a half strategizing and developing plans for the coming year. Our meeting space had everything we could want (including some tremendous views) and Steven<b> </b>took care of us every step of the way. </span></b></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-884cfd12-9b68-f5a2-de1e-c00767aa1dc6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, as much as we all love staff retreats, the best part came after the work was done. Some of us chose to quietly relax on our balconies overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, watching the river otters scamper down the banks into Ludlow Bay and bald eagles swoop down just feet away. Others enjoyed very refreshing happy hour cocktails on the sunny porch of the </span><a href="http://www.portludlowresort.com/food/fireside-restaurant" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fireside Restaurant</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSSGY6W3jAxM2kqt4sj25SkoXkRXJUvTLAuhbFcjD4rwTy2b6CLmqBDHBfqu7z3wq0u6nhQqoSvNDZzXdLQbWL5rMaF7C2t7GnlySNqL37NALyi2fXg732v73DD1ULxnGObURaJNR2GI/s1600/Dinner+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSSGY6W3jAxM2kqt4sj25SkoXkRXJUvTLAuhbFcjD4rwTy2b6CLmqBDHBfqu7z3wq0u6nhQqoSvNDZzXdLQbWL5rMaF7C2t7GnlySNqL37NALyi2fXg732v73DD1ULxnGObURaJNR2GI/s640/Dinner+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seven courses of the best Northwestern cuisine</i><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However it was the incredible dinner that was the crowning event of the evening - we were treated to a seven-course feast with wine pairings, presented to us by <b>Anne Sackett</b>, Inn at Port Ludlow’s highly acclaimed Cellar Master who is currently studying for the level 2 sommelier. Curated by Anne, Fireside's wine list received the 2</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">014 Washington State Grand Wine Award</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. From crostini, soup, salmon, blueberry granita, asparagus with egg mimosa, the tenderest beef, and a heavenly chocolate mousse, each course was a pure delight. And considering the sheer number and variety of allergies across the staff, it was nearly a miracle that the kitchen under <b>Chef Dan Ratigan </b>was able to sate us all. The menu was a bounty of locally sourced riches and was a unique experience for many of us around the table.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvDduF8GcvVMtwzpIAUwRooXoeIzQrP93n227ZLsYRMKecIaFf9c21lM82oqYpSb27pvOp1COB5FTMiQd5Qpelk4ibdLpCrW3sCFGTj4Fdgl7gOA7lQHRcVTkruuH29onWY2CwdPovPo/s1600/Balcony+View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvDduF8GcvVMtwzpIAUwRooXoeIzQrP93n227ZLsYRMKecIaFf9c21lM82oqYpSb27pvOp1COB5FTMiQd5Qpelk4ibdLpCrW3sCFGTj4Fdgl7gOA7lQHRcVTkruuH29onWY2CwdPovPo/s320/Balcony+View.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A<b> </b>nice view to wake up to</i><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rooms, too, were beyond compare. With some of the most comfortable mattresses we have ever slept on, not to mention the fireplaces in every room. A coworker adds “My favorite thing was the fireplace in the rooms and the HUGE tub with bath salts! For a high-strung person who isn’t usually able to relax, I was able to do so in just one day there.” Coffee makers in each room, and small private balconies to read the paper (or check Facebook) in the morning as the early morning mist clears to reveal the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. And, really, we’re all Northwesterners here… a day of fog can soothe our souls, and there is no better place to experience it than along Ludlow Bay. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, we’re almost ashamed to admit it, but if you just can’t quite unplug while away for the weekend, the wireless connection was excellent.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Inn at Port Ludlow is a luxurious place to rest at the end of the day, but also offers convenient access to many other attractions of the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas. From the Resort at Port Ludlow’s famous golf course (named “Most Scenic in the World” by Esquire) and 300-slip marina (including kayak and skiff rentals), to the abundant hiking opportunities around the eastern slopes of the Olympic Mountains, to the exceptional wildlife viewing, there is no shortage of options for any taste. Several members of the GSBA staff were able to extend their stays into the holiday weekend and enjoyed visiting nearby Port Hadlock and Port Angeles, as well as the wineries on Bainbridge Island.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For both a fabulous work retreat and a relaxing personal getaway, it’s safe to say that the GSBA staff unanimously and enthusiastically recommends the Inn at Port Ludlow.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv23AqDui3TCrVMmgbMt2PmOQLxlG9_g9gc4i1mnTRqh-dufArQQeLRZfIuVwua4oRV9j3ynZvscxZnd6gcNi2bJqXMrJm49x-HDfK9mVRmkGSZFqoi7IqeEQEgOq4Wew5fYcDV7LdBYw/s1600/Sunset+Window+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv23AqDui3TCrVMmgbMt2PmOQLxlG9_g9gc4i1mnTRqh-dufArQQeLRZfIuVwua4oRV9j3ynZvscxZnd6gcNi2bJqXMrJm49x-HDfK9mVRmkGSZFqoi7IqeEQEgOq4Wew5fYcDV7LdBYw/s320/Sunset+Window+crop.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkEDkdIjO1fz_UdSiIwCwmaHkkH9TlOxfhul7LvlHkSYNa8J71pmVVzxdKE5-puAzOBi9VC_u7CWnSZVaKXO2CNEGaEptgytakKjWn3AaqV-ukJKfBWgKWlFVhd4Njk3vGX8TGv0Coh0/s1600/Lunch.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkEDkdIjO1fz_UdSiIwCwmaHkkH9TlOxfhul7LvlHkSYNa8J71pmVVzxdKE5-puAzOBi9VC_u7CWnSZVaKXO2CNEGaEptgytakKjWn3AaqV-ukJKfBWgKWlFVhd4Njk3vGX8TGv0Coh0/s320/Lunch.jpg" width="240" /></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYSjggjm7MDrz33iyiGbxQirrwV8-v_UYF9NmOMuhGSWkb8I9QRiQWd9dYH16HgJeczhi_8hJG_LjiGd_rTf3x-38FV9aWS75hu7BaGVvJYb-c2IF0tfZX_ETvYLrKXnu7w2t2cVMYz4/s1600/Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYSjggjm7MDrz33iyiGbxQirrwV8-v_UYF9NmOMuhGSWkb8I9QRiQWd9dYH16HgJeczhi_8hJG_LjiGd_rTf3x-38FV9aWS75hu7BaGVvJYb-c2IF0tfZX_ETvYLrKXnu7w2t2cVMYz4/s640/Dinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is serious work, people.</i></td></tr>
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GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-40339786891257578742015-05-27T12:36:00.003-07:002015-05-27T12:45:31.183-07:00The most successful GSBA Scholarship Dinner ever!<div align="center">
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Celebrating 25 years</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Reaching two million dollars in scholarships awarded since 1990</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Presenting $350,000 to 48 outstanding students</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Raising a record $200,000</span></b></div>
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It all made for a truly amazing evening! We heard stories from our scholarship Founders and early champions in a moving video created by <b>InterChange Media</b> (included below). We brought this visionary group on stage for <b>Michael Auch</b> to present the <b>Richard C. Rolfs Scholarship</b> and <b>Bob Dlugosh & Don McKee</b> to present the <b>Founders' scholarships</b>. <b>Mayor Ed Murray</b> welcomed our guests and touchingly reminded us of other early scholarship champions who have passed. During the evening, we were saddened to hear of the continuing challenges of poverty, violence, and lack of family support which so many of our scholars face. Our keynote address, given by GSBA's first four-year Scholar, <b>Laramie Smith</b>, was incredible. Laramie shared the story of her journey, from being disowned by her family as a teenager, leaving her with no hope of being able to attend college, to the difference that four years of scholarship support from GSBA meant to her, knowing she had the backing of an entire community. Today Laramie has a PhD and just last week was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. There was not a dry eye in the room when Scholarship Chair <b>Stephanie Dallas</b> came on stage with an impassioned plea that opened our hearts and compelled us to give generously.</div>
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Thank you to all of our table captains who brought wonderful guests to fill the room at the Waterfront Marriott. Chaired by <b>Allan Aquila</b> and Scholarship Dinner volunteers <b>Ryan Digges</b> and <b>Steve Gunn</b> and our Scholarship Fund staff led by <b>Mark Rosén</b> and <b>Jessica Wootten</b>, we were able to create an evening that powerfully connected our past to our future. Other highlights of the evening included two announcements from Board Chair <b>Martha Davis</b>: the first about the launching a new Leadership Matching Fund, and the exciting news that GSBA has committed to fund every returning undergraduate scholar. With your continued support, both of these commitments will make a huge difference in the lives of LGBTQ and allied students.</div>
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How wonderful it was to hear about the scholars who received our named scholarships this year. <b>Bob Rhodehamel & Dana Snyder</b> presented a Future Ribbons Scholarship to <b>Kelly Hill</b> who is pursuing her graduate degree in AIDS Research; <b>Glenn Johnson & Michael Melancon</b> presented the Bright Horizon Scholarship to <b>Jazmine Perez</b>; and <b>Linda Barzalai</b> spoke eloquently and poignantly about the "still small voice" inside all of us and how this voice honors the memory of her son David. The connection between past and future was everywhere; with past scholars seated around the room, including past <b>Chester Podlodowski Scholars</b> at Tina's table. A wonderful video with four past scholars -- <b>Ryan, Arianna, Morgan, and Linda</b> -- talked about the impact receiving a scholarship had on their lives, which made us all reach for the tissues. <b>Kent and Shay Thoelke</b> shared connections they have made with their new scholars demonstrating the joy and fulfillment their family has gotten by establishing a scholarship in memory of their father and husband, <b>Rich Thoelke</b>.</div>
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A very special thank you to <b>PwC</b>, our Title Sponsor, and <b>RBC Wealth Management</b>, our presenting sponsor, as well as our evening's sponsors: <b>Alaska Airlines</b>, <b>Carter Subaru</b>, <b>Microsoft </b>and <b>Seattle Goodwill</b>. Thank you also to <b>Team Photogenic</b> for capturing the evening through photographs, <b>Girlie Press</b> for all the print collateral, and to <b>FunFrames Photo</b> for adding a bit more fun. Big thanks also to the <b>Marriott Waterfront</b> for all the support they gave to this event and to <b>Janiece Haug </b>for her donation of wine.</div>
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Demonstrating their continued support of the GSBA Scholarship Fund, our annual sponsors were well represented, including our Jewels, the businesses which invest in both the Chamber and the Scholarship Fund. Our <b>Diamond Jewel Sponsor</b>: Microsoft; <b>Emerald Jewels</b>: 1st Security Bank and Alaska Airlines; <b>Ruby Jewels</b>: PwC and RBC Wealth Management. And our Annual Sponsors: <b>Platinum</b>: US Bank; <b>Gold sponsors</b>: American Family Insurance, Outerwall, Pacific Medical Centers and Wells Fargo; <b>Silver sponsors</b>: Boeing, Carter Subaru, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, Seattle Goodwill, Starbucks and UW Medicine; and, our <b>Bronze sponsors</b>: Argosy Cruises, Carpet Liquidators, CenturyLink, DML Insurance, Google, Group Health, Irons Brothers Construction, Mona Smith, Attorney at Law, Overlake Reproductive Health, Verity Credit Union, Vulcan and Whitepages. We are so grateful for all their support.</div>
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Also, how exciting to see so many guests ready to sign up as table captains for our over-the-top Scholarship fundraising gala, the <b>TASTE of GSBA</b> on <b>November 21, 2015</b>. Given, this event has sold out for the past four years, it is a good reminder to reserve your TASTE table now.</div>
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If you were unable to attend this powerfully moving 25th Anniversary Scholarship Dinner celebration, it's not too late to join the celebration and invest in the next generation of leaders by <a href="https://www.thegsba.org/scholarships/donate/" target="_blank">making a donation online today</a>. If you are already a donor, we hope you'll consider giving another 25% this year, in recognition of our 25 years of supporting the education of our students.</div>
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For the future,</div>
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Louise Chernin</div>
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President & CEO </div>
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GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-19319217489966269172015-05-26T16:00:00.001-07:002015-05-26T16:00:50.225-07:005 Questions with Victoria Odell<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">A big welcome to our new Business Development
Manager! We are very excited to have Victoria in the office with us. She can be reached at <a href="mailto:VictoriaO@thegsba.org">VictoriaO@thegsba.org</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="background: white;">Welcome, Victoria! Tell us a bit about
yourself. </span></i></b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I originally hail from New
York and made the move to Seattle in 2002. My heart belongs to NY so I
visit my family, my old neighborhoods, and try to attend the US Open (tennis)
every year. I love the game, be it playing or watching. I am
so passionate about tennis I became a board member of
the Seattle Tennis Alliance, the largest LGBT tennis organization in the
Puget Sound. We need more woman members so please contact me if you’re
interested in hearing more! Food, wine, travel, and biking are the pillars of
my leisure time. Nothing beats a great meal, with a well-crafted Washington
wine, after a great ride, with
the occasional intercontinental adventure for good measure.
2016 Olympics, here I come!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="background: white;">What did you do before coming to GSBA?</span></i></b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Prior to GSBA I was primarily
focused in sales and marketing roles within the hospitality industry. In
hospitality, I focused on business development and client services with such
organizations as the Sorrento Hotel, Columbia Hospitality-Talaris Conference
Center, as well as my own company Seattle Swirl. Any organization I have been
professionally associated with has become a GSBA member, if they weren’t
already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="background: white;">What are you looking forward to most in this
role?</span></i></b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been a GSBA member since 2008, a past board member, and I
am excited to be an integral part in helping the organization grow
and flourish. As the business development manager, I look forward to
engaging with existing members and “to be” members. I am also looking forward
to growing the travel and tourism initiative, as my previous experience lends
itself to this program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="background: white;">What are some of your favorite memories from the
Board or as a member?</span></i></b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Getting to know fellow
board members are some of my most cherished memories. It was an
honor to be on a board with such an impressive group of people. The education
and experience I gained from such a talented and dedicated group of people
has been invaluable to me personally and professionally. What
had to be most thrilling memory, was being invited to raise the Pride flag on
top of the Space Needle for the first time in 2010. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="background: white;">What are you looking forward to this summer?</span></i></b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am mostly looking forward to
all the upcoming Summer events in the Seattle area and beyond. Fremont's
Solstice Parade and Fair, Pride Festivities, Tamara Murphy's event Burning
Beast, and of course the US Open. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-29023024510313985932015-05-14T10:10:00.001-07:002015-05-14T10:10:15.139-07:00How Should Seattle Grow?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtO4FW7t3Q10iy6sN4H12Qu4xx29oJuQZQzfOUMFVTo0rkTblbZTSOqHfiZOsP3HtS0g6T4oQMqlrpVNXOkVuCqA6I8FmQ2SqKyIsr_UpJ_Pz0JkMh0u2H1RrjIRJyLxBZdoISMyUI9Q/s1600/white-skyline-image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtO4FW7t3Q10iy6sN4H12Qu4xx29oJuQZQzfOUMFVTo0rkTblbZTSOqHfiZOsP3HtS0g6T4oQMqlrpVNXOkVuCqA6I8FmQ2SqKyIsr_UpJ_Pz0JkMh0u2H1RrjIRJyLxBZdoISMyUI9Q/s640/white-skyline-image.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The City of Seattle is making progress on the next Comprehensive Plan - <b>Seattle 2035</b> - which will guide how the city grows<b>. </b>After months of community meetings and planning sessions, they have just released the <a href="http://2035.seattle.gov/deis/" target="_blank">draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)</a>.</div>
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There are many ways to get engaged on the Draft EIS and <b>they need your participation! </b>There are several ways to add your input:</div>
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<ul>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Go to <a href="http://seattle2035.publicmeeting.info/">seattle2035.publicmeeting.info</a> </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">to participate in the DEIS
online open house and take the survey</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Share seattle2035.publicmeeting.info </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">via your social media pages
and to your email lists</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Attend the DEIS Open House and Public Hearing</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> to chat with us
in-person, ask questions, view project informational materials or testify.
Details for the event are below:</span></li>
</ul>
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<b>Seattle 2035 DEIS Open House and Public Hearing<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b>Date/time:</b> May 27, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Location</b>: Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall, 600 4<sup>th</sup>
Ave., Seattle, WA 98104<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 105%;">
</span>Other ways you can submit formal feedback on the Draft EIS include:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Email</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">: Send comments to </span><a href="mailto:seattle2035@seattle.gov" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2035@seattle.gov</a></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Mail</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">: Mail comments to the City of Seattle Department of Planning
and Development, Attn: Gordon Clowers, 700 5</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ave., Suite 2000, PO
Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98104</span></li>
</ul>
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<b>They are accepting feedback on the Draft EIS via the online
survey and formal comments to the DEIS now through June 18</b>. Thank you for your continued engagement, and for helping
connect with your communities. You can follow the comprehensive plan on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SEA2035">Facebook</a>
and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/seattle2035">Twitter</a> to keep up to date
on upcoming events and the latest project news!</div>
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GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-80240294699807206532015-04-30T15:25:00.001-07:002015-04-30T15:25:27.018-07:00LGBT Week NYC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRK7KawCa9UOhK8judidxvePRTONtlpFXBKOIcmd0_6wdZI70lnfMjLvUi-ItVXBz-sZWJyhMVAIWPxzkWmVhrdrkvvrTrKWdFG_Nz6W0QrV74FV5mBfsqLRBsxpbUIwJi0-G61OX-EM/s1600/2015-04-22+16.04.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRK7KawCa9UOhK8judidxvePRTONtlpFXBKOIcmd0_6wdZI70lnfMjLvUi-ItVXBz-sZWJyhMVAIWPxzkWmVhrdrkvvrTrKWdFG_Nz6W0QrV74FV5mBfsqLRBsxpbUIwJi0-G61OX-EM/s1600/2015-04-22+16.04.04.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><i>by Rachael Brister, GSBA VP of Marketing & Tourism</i><br />
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Last week, I had the privilege of traveling to New York City to represent GSBA and present at the first ever <a href="http://www.lgbtweek.nyc/NewYorkWeek.cfm" target="_blank">LGBT Week NYC</a>, a week-long conference bringing together the worlds of advertising, marketing, technology and business in the LGBT marketplace.<br />
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The conference was produced by two long-term GSBA members and partners, <a href="http://www.communitymarketinginc.com/" target="_blank">Community Marketing & Insights, Inc.</a> and <a href="http://www.pinkbananamedia.com/" target="_blank">Pink Banana Media</a>. I attended the conference the last two days that were focused on marketing. Some of the presentations included <i>Reaching the Lesbian Market</i>, <i>Advanced LGBT Online Marketing Strategies</i>, <i>The Intersection of Cause and Commerce</i>, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Shaping the Future for LGBT People in China with Mobile</i> and <i>Millenials….WTF?</i> I really enjoyed learning about so many different facets of marketing to the LGBT community and in such rapid fire succession. Most presentations were just 20-30 minutes. These two days of the conference took place at the New York Times office building and conference center, a beautiful building just a few blocks from Times Square.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhcrszouazbQRV1kPKBat3iDv12cSNg-kboOz5hUMFjPCI4zeX3qqIhF28WHzryAhv_rjc7qIJ5uD4xAMJTBS7g2kpZOsmwq8r2u1vgz_C2RdrDeXlC4zTGVSidMTCkRbg-rFqBWLbAo/s1600/o-NEW-YORK-TIMES-BUILDING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhcrszouazbQRV1kPKBat3iDv12cSNg-kboOz5hUMFjPCI4zeX3qqIhF28WHzryAhv_rjc7qIJ5uD4xAMJTBS7g2kpZOsmwq8r2u1vgz_C2RdrDeXlC4zTGVSidMTCkRbg-rFqBWLbAo/s1600/o-NEW-YORK-TIMES-BUILDING.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></a>My presentation was titled <a href="http://www.lgbtweek.nyc/conference_agenda_item.cfm?PresentationID=25" target="_blank">Stretching Your Marketing Dollars with Community Partnerships</a>: Pride events, film festivals, professional organizations, employee resource groups, sports events, social groups, women's and family events...the LGBT community's events and organizations are as diverse as its members. These events and groups also offer powerful partnership opportunities that lend authenticity to a company’s outreach and marketing to the LGBT community. Whether you have a big budget, small budget or virtually no-budget, this session will provide your company with ideas and methods to multiply your message via known and trusted channels of visibility and communication.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok9QeVvq0o68ZXwoLNc4kdK71iJuIZneJDOc72iATghKzJxyY2A3ios8N3OjTzgij_iF6CInOkQ4fVUQ5qwaO_mG9O0GaKd4PpsRuu33Vpktk8V9NYELxNiaSK20J4r-4q8yAIIoCC5c/s1600/59538080-mc_042215076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok9QeVvq0o68ZXwoLNc4kdK71iJuIZneJDOc72iATghKzJxyY2A3ios8N3OjTzgij_iF6CInOkQ4fVUQ5qwaO_mG9O0GaKd4PpsRuu33Vpktk8V9NYELxNiaSK20J4r-4q8yAIIoCC5c/s1600/59538080-mc_042215076.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the NASDAQ building's windows anonymized Rachael...</td></tr>
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I really enjoyed calling on my experience at GSBA both as a staff member and former Board member as well as the 15 years I spent directing lesbian & gay film festivals to emphasize how important and powerful community partnerships can be in reaching the LGBT consumer market. Throughout the two marketing-focused days of the conference, many of us presenters discussed how writing a check to an organization is not enough. A company needs to go beyond the donation or sponsorship and engage with the organization, its constituents and treat the relationship as just that….a relationship and not just a one-way street. GSBA has excelled in this arena, not just because of who we are as an organization, but also because of the commitments, passion and engagement of our corporate and small business members and partners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUZTipFAfcKgB27FI4c_Y5C_1eWeG9oyrNB1OnBJvgluAYHXFdCzFQH6MtgHwSWZMa0X-H0CV_RBQ77K-0WPT5wGb0Irb2fzsrQn4ihHq-_iquPwdAI0fkl-ZWAT-ZKlGuk5zopkk-fU/s1600/Nasdaq+-+The+Anonymous+RB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUZTipFAfcKgB27FI4c_Y5C_1eWeG9oyrNB1OnBJvgluAYHXFdCzFQH6MtgHwSWZMa0X-H0CV_RBQ77K-0WPT5wGb0Irb2fzsrQn4ihHq-_iquPwdAI0fkl-ZWAT-ZKlGuk5zopkk-fU/s1600/Nasdaq+-+The+Anonymous+RB.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and after.</td></tr>
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One highlight of the trip was LGBT Week NYC was chosen to ring the closing NASDAQ bell on Wednesday, April 22. Nasdaq is the second-largest stock exchange in the world. Its opening and closing bells signal the beginning and end of trading each day, and outside parties are often allowed to ring the bells to help promote certain causes, brands or initiatives.<br />
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I was asked to be one of the representatives along with about 25-30 other presenters and conference attendees. The NASDAQ staff we worked with has this whole process down to a science, which I assume they must since it happens day after day. There was a myriad of photo ops and all of the pictures were then transmitted to the side of the NASDAQ building that faces Times Square. So for about 60 minutes, many of us were able to experience what it is like to be a large digital billboard in Times Square. The actual “closing bell” is on a screen on a podium. It still gets pressed, but it’s like pressing the screen of an iPad.<br />
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Seattle will get a chance to experience a condensed version of this conference this Fall when <a href="http://www.lgbtbiztech.com/SeattleConference.cfm" target="_blank">LGBT Week comes to Seattle</a> for a day-long conference co-presented by GSBA. It will take place at the Renaissance Hotel on Friday, September 18 and will feature the presentations on technology, marketing and advertising from an LGBT business perspective. I hope you can join us!<br />
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Other highlights and recaps of the conference:<br />
<a href="http://lgbtbiz.pinkbananamedia.com/2015/04/lgbt-week-nyc-2015-recap.html" target="_blank">Pink Banana Media</a><br />
<a href="http://www.adweek.com/prnewser/lgbt-week-and-the-rise-of-the-equality-dollar/113386" target="_blank">Ad Week</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDCE9_HTvGqXYP3KF4qqnUNzAbYcIP_mP7k0oKTt7gK-nDTjfdEJR_7TFhmbMNAIlDjWRmNspI7fhaldjYW253jICTGZZvselV6sJfh3_ygtCEwt4pFuUl59BZ6n4FgBVKuboPNM2tDA/s1600/mc_042215_hires-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDCE9_HTvGqXYP3KF4qqnUNzAbYcIP_mP7k0oKTt7gK-nDTjfdEJR_7TFhmbMNAIlDjWRmNspI7fhaldjYW253jICTGZZvselV6sJfh3_ygtCEwt4pFuUl59BZ6n4FgBVKuboPNM2tDA/s1600/mc_042215_hires-3.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-81297740853735847182015-04-30T10:28:00.000-07:002015-04-30T10:36:18.943-07:0025 Years of Investments: Dr. Laramie Smith<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>For 25 years, GSBA has invested in the hearts and minds
of LGBTQ and allied students. Join us as we award $350,000 to 48 of the brightest in
Washington State. Meet these inspiring students and support them along their
journey at the <a href="http://www.thegsba.org/events/events.php?category=Special&type=Scholarship+Awards+Dinner#1587">2015
GSBA Scholarship Dinner</a> on May 15 at the Seattle Waterfront Marriott. <o:p></o:p>If you are unable to attend the Dinner, consider sponsoring a scholar at the Dinner with a <a href="https://www.thegsba.org/scholarships/donate/">donation</a> of $150 or more. On this 25<sup>th</sup> Anniversary we will celebrate
investing over $2 million dollars in 350 leaders. Please read more about our
featured alumni speaker, Laramie Smith. She, and the many other alumni
scholars, will be on hand to share their successes with you.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtq0wGn6DrU6iM8Toa8Hiw3ZQFlFv0VWOD2qKZgNoctzEdJp1van9sXFVNIG0NP4U8zqOo3fVZSG1wbdd6Wl1OdOGNtHuEHBPxil4fRnEgoJRjFA_RfUPB8R3xViJOV-odulxeh13E5M/s1600/SmithLaramie_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtq0wGn6DrU6iM8Toa8Hiw3ZQFlFv0VWOD2qKZgNoctzEdJp1van9sXFVNIG0NP4U8zqOo3fVZSG1wbdd6Wl1OdOGNtHuEHBPxil4fRnEgoJRjFA_RfUPB8R3xViJOV-odulxeh13E5M/s1600/SmithLaramie_lg.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a>In 1999, Laramie Smith had lost her determination to go to college. She wondered what college would look like, how she would get there, how she could pay for it and what doors it could open. “They were mysteries I couldn't even begin to comprehend. I just knew I could do better with my life,” remembers the Lacey native. As she was looking into her options, Laramie applied for and received a GSBA scholarship. “I found myself without parents who could embody unconditional love and support, but I was suddenly and unexpectedly embraced by the LGBTQ community.”<br />
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Fast-forward 15 years: Laramie R. Smith, PhD, is a behavioral health scientist whose research is devoted to the prevention and treatment needs of HIV-affected and medically underserved communities.<br />
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Laramie received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in American cultural studies from Western Washington University. She worked on the Centers for Disease Control’s National HIV/AIDS Behavioral Surveillance study in conjunction with the Seattle–King County Department of Public Health’s HIV/AIDS Program, examining the intersection of substance use and housing vulnerabilities among adolescent and adult populations at the University of Washington.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VYsA6pbXDKS2BzP36KDS-qMkz2ZD_oDfy8s2fG-QaZAAylR8Z1hvJz8gYkgU3VEspcKfrRP-kl5jt0SmzQTgpRowk2CPpP4RbC0McCSdoIp-XQdFLq7SPaLiBM_JDg0N-TgXZtTb1dY/s1600/Dissertaiton+Defense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VYsA6pbXDKS2BzP36KDS-qMkz2ZD_oDfy8s2fG-QaZAAylR8Z1hvJz8gYkgU3VEspcKfrRP-kl5jt0SmzQTgpRowk2CPpP4RbC0McCSdoIp-XQdFLq7SPaLiBM_JDg0N-TgXZtTb1dY/s1600/Dissertaiton+Defense.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laramie defending her dissertation.</td></tr>
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She earned her doctorate in social psychology from the University of Connecticut. During her doctoral training, she received a National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Health to develop and evaluate a theory-based approach to retention in HIV care in the Bronx. Through a complementary line of research, Laramie continues to investigate mechanisms through which HIV, drug use and methadone maintenance-related stigmas disrupt individuals’ prevention and treatment behaviors.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
She worked at the Center for Health, Intervention, and Prevention (CHIP) on a large project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. As an extension of this trial, she integrated her work in HIV care with her investigation and support of the needs of newly diagnosed patients who were not yet eligible for antiretroviral therapy.<br />
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Laramie is currently a postdoctoral fellow at University of California San Diego School of Medicine’s Division of Global Public Health. Her research interests include infectious disease prevention, treatment and care; health disparities; medically vulnerable and underserved populations; LGBTQ health; health behavior theory; intervention development and evaluation; and structural equation modeling.<br />
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As the first GSBA scholar to receive four years of consecutive funding, Laramie gained just as much, if not more, from the knowledge that an entire community believed in her ability to thrive and provide leadership in the face of adversity. “This personal connection gave me strength and resolve to attain my education and invest my efforts back into in the health of the LGBTQ and other marginalized communities,” she says. “This support is more than I could have ever expected when I opened my first scholarship award letter in 1999. It has laid a solid foundation from which I continue to approach life's challenges and value my successes.”GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-50215246014186929072015-04-27T16:04:00.001-07:002015-04-27T16:04:34.906-07:00Your B&O Taxes at Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEQBfiw2EYFFfeG9LnIC6FWE-uo_2_3o70eXRJgdg4TrUKBLn8bMLFwcz8CcRPf0WrQN0SHujmuGrBFdLMD6k7deAMmjw0wfCeUwh9GisYWsF0tseMTZSWk0DiXqx5i6OfiAF6UDj2Gg/s1600/oed+banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEQBfiw2EYFFfeG9LnIC6FWE-uo_2_3o70eXRJgdg4TrUKBLn8bMLFwcz8CcRPf0WrQN0SHujmuGrBFdLMD6k7deAMmjw0wfCeUwh9GisYWsF0tseMTZSWk0DiXqx5i6OfiAF6UDj2Gg/s1600/oed+banner.png" height="96" width="640" /></a></div>
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GSBA is excited to announce a new partnership with the City
of Seattle’s <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/economicdevelopment/" target="_blank">Office for Economic Development</a> under its <a href="http://www.growseattle.com/" target="_blank">Grow Seattle</a> program.
Through your membership in GSBA, and if you have a City of Seattle business
license, you are eligible for up to <b>5 hours of business consulting at no charge</b>
with an executive certified business coach. Your consultation can include, but
is not limited to, budgets, leadership, business development, marketing,
writing job descriptions and beginning a business plan. These are your B&O
taxes at work! This is a very valuable resource, especially for new or
struggling businesses who want to grow and stay in Seattle. 5 hours may seem
brief, but it can get you on the right track to grow your business.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are interested, please contact <a href="mailto:mattl@thegsba.org" target="_blank">Matt Landers</a> and he will put you in touch with the City staff in charge
of this program. This program is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.</div>
<o:p></o:p>GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-52818271765246284932015-04-27T11:05:00.000-07:002015-04-27T11:05:29.686-07:00GSBA Members Dining Out for LifeAs usual, there are many GSBA member eateries participating in LifeLong's annual <a href="http://www.diningoutforlife.com/seattle" target="_blank">Dining Out for Life event</a>, this coming Thursday, April 30. Make sure to eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at one of these establishments, as portions of the proceeds will go toward<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;">helping fight hunger and illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. By dining out, you made a huge difference.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCllm9IRvGKRNJwgqCKZs_1h_5ULnsqqTsnOMF3U1wvSJJUHbQnLp8F4eGnFRbjEj3dONTaLXFzhcnJ7SnunI5WHYG4eNRZ5c_Ba0uCj7R1bqe3LWo0Fp0KazypjKZD5W7UvwdOzLajKk/s1600/DineOutforLife2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCllm9IRvGKRNJwgqCKZs_1h_5ULnsqqTsnOMF3U1wvSJJUHbQnLp8F4eGnFRbjEj3dONTaLXFzhcnJ7SnunI5WHYG4eNRZ5c_Ba0uCj7R1bqe3LWo0Fp0KazypjKZD5W7UvwdOzLajKk/s1600/DineOutforLife2014.jpg" /></a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Golden Fork Restaurants - Donating 50% of their revenue from the day to LifeLong:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lostlakecafe.com/" target="_blank">Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.fogonseattle.com/" target="_blank">Fogón Cocina Mexicana</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.witnessbar.com/" target="_blank">Witness</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.hispotcafe.com/" target="_blank">Hi-Spot Cafe</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.poppyseattle.com/" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;" target="_blank">Poppy</a></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.vivapoquitos.com/" target="_blank">Poquitos</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.rheinhausseattle.com/" target="_blank">Rhein Haus</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.smithseattle.com/" target="_blank">Smith</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.terraplata.com/" target="_blank">Terra Plata</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.aneighborhoodcafe.com/" target="_blank">Tallulah's</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.grimseattle.com/" target="_blank">Grim's</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.capitolcider.com/" target="_blank">Capitol Cider</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.barriorestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20.1599979400635px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.tuttabella.com/" target="_blank">Tutta Bella Columbia City</a></span></span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-21260566939706848652015-03-31T14:24:00.002-07:002015-03-31T14:24:40.192-07:00Meet Mark, Our New Director of Programs & Fund Development<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaWepfVpW-doWEbSsog9mrMVQgkXfTsOQI9IA-1OjzzPJfoPNDb1nKNcZN3A4CJ3HHAPw4lNNQ5wyTiKDAfFuOSKAPyT9peZSgkTGpvZFlIW2SxG11tbM6NzBI2eojXNRNSPnWKiQebE/s1600/Mark+Rosen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaWepfVpW-doWEbSsog9mrMVQgkXfTsOQI9IA-1OjzzPJfoPNDb1nKNcZN3A4CJ3HHAPw4lNNQ5wyTiKDAfFuOSKAPyT9peZSgkTGpvZFlIW2SxG11tbM6NzBI2eojXNRNSPnWKiQebE/s1600/Mark+Rosen.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5 Questions with Mark Rosén<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our new Director of Programs and
Fund Development is a face that most of you will recognize. We are very excited
to welcome him in this new role with GSBA!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome, Mark! What did you do
before joining the GSBA staff? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had a long career in the beauty
service industry and was a salon owner for over 20 years. During that time I
had the opportunity to travel and teach nationally with several major product
companies, including as a global educator with the Aveda Corporation. The most important lesson I learned in my
salon career was the value of building relationships, which is part of what I
bring to my new role at GSBA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You </span>aren't<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> actually new to GSBA. How
were you involved with the organization before 2015? <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m a longtime GSBA member (over 17 years) and
supporter of the GSBA Scholarship Fund. My salon was named Business of the Year in 2005. I had the honor of serving as Board
Chair for three years and also as Scholarship Chair. </span>I've<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> served on just about
every standing committee and have loved the opportunity to connect with so many
great GSBA members. One of the most fun things I can add is that I spearheaded
the return of the GSBA Briefcase Brigade, which was an early Pride Parade
tradition. I can proudly say that I am the most uncoordinated member of the
brigade, having made it to the front page of the </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seattle Times </i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">with the caption “Members of the GSBA Briefcase
Brigade attempt to stay in step”!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What are some of your favorite
memories as past Board and Scholarship Chair or as a member?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My favorite memories all revolve
around the successes we have seen with the growth of the Scholarship Fund!
Every year </span>I've<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> met incredible scholars and hear their moving stories. </span>I've<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> had the honor of supporting some of our past scholars as they prepare to present at
our events, and </span>I've<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> been thrilled to see new donors come on board with the
same passion I share for supporting our future leaders. Of course there’s also
the thrill of raising the Pride flag and the Equality Washington flag on the
top of the Space Needle! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is a new role in the office.
What are you looking forward to most?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m most looking forward to
exploring how we can continue to grow as an organization to offer our members
the most value with our programs and use our voice to advocate for important
business and social issues, as well as seeing the continued growth of our
Scholarship Fund and its important mission of creating future leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You helped organize the Wine
District at the TASTE of GSBA. What are some of your favorite Washington wines,
wine experiences, or winery members?</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As a Washington wine geek, I have
loved connecting my </span>wine-making<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> friends with the GSBA! It’s been a thrill to have them see the importance of what we do as an organization and support us
through their participation. TASTE of GSBA has definitely become a great
Washington wine event, and I loved hearing from Bart Fawbush of Bartholomew
Winery that our guests are the most knowledgeable wine enthusiasts of any event
he does. We now have winery supporters from all over the state, with a lineup
last year that included so many favorites: Laurelhurst, Nota Bene, Fidelitas,
Elsom, El Corazon, Va Piano, Bartholomew, Goose Ridge and more! That’s a pretty
amazing list! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-62824284082466016962015-03-26T11:27:00.001-07:002015-03-26T11:27:26.031-07:00GSBA Scholarship Founders' Breakfast<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50WxHyYEl38hLu39uv76R0ZLEUyxOCY1UDImYPkia7WiIFFkz-CNYTe_gN6CSOuj13HiX0scfjO7-zS65YLGlLaQhwbhipUGx8QS-KcpMkzaPSOLLLhzUeMKzbBuTwhhL-4RFzwVvmbs/s1600/2015-03-21+13.20.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50WxHyYEl38hLu39uv76R0ZLEUyxOCY1UDImYPkia7WiIFFkz-CNYTe_gN6CSOuj13HiX0scfjO7-zS65YLGlLaQhwbhipUGx8QS-KcpMkzaPSOLLLhzUeMKzbBuTwhhL-4RFzwVvmbs/s1600/2015-03-21+13.20.07.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Recently we had the opportunity to gather a few of the visionary early members responsible for establishing the GSBA Scholarship Fund 25 years ago. The creators and benefactors of our Founders’ Scholarship, <b>Bob Dlugosh and Don McKee</b>, opened their lovely home for us on a Saturday morning. We heard stories of the first scholarships and talked about the vision and hopes for the future of the Fund. We heard from <b>Rita Smith</b>, who continues to volunteer as a scholarship interviewer, about the need for the scholarship at a time when it was highly risky for a young person to come out in high school. There were no available LGBT options for assistance in attending college and many of our early scholars faced the challenges of having zero support from family or community. Recognizing that need was the impetus to create the Scholarship Fund.<br />
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We heard how that continues to be a need today and the importance of the Fund in helping fill that need. <b>Michael Auch </b>shared the significance of the first large bequest to the Fund from the estate of <b>Richard C Rolfs</b>. This was the first major gift of its kind locally and as such it “represented the LGBT community taking pride in itself in a way that had not happened before and therefore opened the door for more giving.”<br />
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Everyone spoke of their pride in having helped create something that they did not imagine could grow to give out its two-millionth dollar and to help support so many future leaders in such a significant way. Perhaps the most wonderful moment came when founder <b>Dave Brown </b>encouraged us all to “think about a time in the future when the Fund is $100 million.” Visionary then, and visionary now!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxZrDtpZEMKzGpcOPE-Km4t5oGwIohdALo8clgWDnhJPyl4OiOUHUtVlJ8lmn9ctp7rpanhDQ4DfEbkpLw8I9sABXkdKYV0-BzX93be9f8CF8zh5-MxlU4iWIy74o_W5uuNlosGLiU5c/s1600/2015-03-21+13.18.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxZrDtpZEMKzGpcOPE-Km4t5oGwIohdALo8clgWDnhJPyl4OiOUHUtVlJ8lmn9ctp7rpanhDQ4DfEbkpLw8I9sABXkdKYV0-BzX93be9f8CF8zh5-MxlU4iWIy74o_W5uuNlosGLiU5c/s1600/2015-03-21+13.18.01.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a>GSBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177150384386523980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549463726903947821.post-67049596873982032552015-03-24T10:05:00.004-07:002015-03-24T10:05:58.278-07:00CWU and GSBA Partnership Invests in the Education of LGBTQ and Allied Students<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCwJKUK2ee9dbBCSbDQTjwM7RF3g7WByfXbkQNNT7sA69IMfNHI4ThvccxFhapkjhMVn4I6jXHO2wN5xFG9J_Q09HX-zEi4FBiybNjGRIUBxKbVqlKaImEEH5bINJWQzZG19fRHXmEGE/s1600/GSBAScholar_Tag_Horz_rgb_TM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCwJKUK2ee9dbBCSbDQTjwM7RF3g7WByfXbkQNNT7sA69IMfNHI4ThvccxFhapkjhMVn4I6jXHO2wN5xFG9J_Q09HX-zEi4FBiybNjGRIUBxKbVqlKaImEEH5bINJWQzZG19fRHXmEGE/s1600/GSBAScholar_Tag_Horz_rgb_TM.png" height="66" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAc2AxnG-E14wkmS1FzXUWqYA7A3VgBNfY3pM3bM4djdd0bWw2ZOiS0Ylhi3SKkLnbiN3kQ38-Fvf_N8aYKbJ3xOjd19GE281ZJN2k71pmpLSquxn16o7PTkJCwWjebZIp-5aLqHJE9g/s1600/CWU.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAc2AxnG-E14wkmS1FzXUWqYA7A3VgBNfY3pM3bM4djdd0bWw2ZOiS0Ylhi3SKkLnbiN3kQ38-Fvf_N8aYKbJ3xOjd19GE281ZJN2k71pmpLSquxn16o7PTkJCwWjebZIp-5aLqHJE9g/s1600/CWU.png" height="53" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAc2AxnG-E14wkmS1FzXUWqYA7A3VgBNfY3pM3bM4djdd0bWw2ZOiS0Ylhi3SKkLnbiN3kQ38-Fvf_N8aYKbJ3xOjd19GE281ZJN2k71pmpLSquxn16o7PTkJCwWjebZIp-5aLqHJE9g/s1600/CWU.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">March 17, 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;">ELLENSBURG, Wash. — </span></b><a href="http://www.cwu.edu/"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Central
Washington University</span></a><span style="line-height: 150%;"> and the </span><a href="http://www.thegsba.org/"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Greater Seattle Business
Association</span></a><span style="line-height: 150%;"> (GSBA) have established a new waiver match
agreement that invests in the education of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
and allied students. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Under the new partnership,
every GSBA </span><a href="http://thegsbascholarship.org/facts.php"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Scholarship
Fund</span></a><span style="line-height: 150%;"> recipient who enrolls at CWU will receive a
tuition waiver match up to $2,500 from the university. The tuition waiver is
renewable each year a student attends CWU and continues to receive scholarship
support from GSBA. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The partnership between
CWU and GSBA is an important step in closing the opportunity gap in higher
education for LGBTQ and allied students—a group who are all too often
underserved by traditional support systems,” said Louise Chernin, GSBA
President and CEO. “GSBA applauds CWU for taking a leadership role in breaking
down barriers for LGBT and allied students to be able to attend college.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">CWU is among the top 50
LGBT-friendly universities in the nation as recognized by </span><a href="http://www.campuspride.org/"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Campus Pride</span></a><span style="line-height: 150%;">,
a leading nonprofit that encourages safe campuses for LGBT students. And in
2014 CWU was a recipient of the </span><a href="http://www.insightintodiversity.com/"><span style="line-height: 150%;">INSIGHT Into Diversity</span></a><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Higher
Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. The HEED Award recognizes colleges
that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Only 83
institutions were honored nationwide, and CWU is the only four-year university
in Washington to receive the award.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">GSBA scholarships support
a diverse group of students who have the capacity and vision to be the next
generation of leaders and create a better world. Over the past 24 years, the GSBA
Scholarship Fund has awarded $1.9 million to more than 300 LGBTQ and allied
students from Washington. The fund is poised to award its two millionth dollar and
celebrate its 25th anniversary when it presents $350,000 to 44 students at its
annual awards dinner in May. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">GSBA scholarship
applications are </span><a href="http://thegsbascholarship.org/facts.php"><span style="line-height: 150%;">online</span></a><span style="line-height: 150%;">
in October and are due in January. A team of business and nonprofit leaders,
former scholars and community members choose the award recipients.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">GSBA is the largest business chamber of its kind in the United States.
With more than 1,100 members, it has been advocating for equality in business
for nearly 34 years.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">Media contacts:</span></i></b><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Scott Wade, CWU VP for
University Advancement, 509-963-1494, </span></i><a href="mailto:wades@cwu.edu"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">wades@cwu.edu</span></i></a><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">Rachael
Brister, GSBA VP of Marketing and Tourism, 206-363-9188, </span></i><a href="mailto:RachaelB@thegsba.org"><i>RachaelB@thegsba.org</i></a></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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