5 Questions with Alysa Rosen, GSBA’s New Membership Services Manager

Alysa Rosen is the new GSBA Membership Services Manager. If you have any questions about joining the organization, expanding your involvement, or about what benefits are available to you, don't hesitate to reach out to her at AlysaR [at] thegsba.org.

Welcome, Alysa! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in Houston, TX, and received my master of science in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. Go Longhorns! In addition, I completed a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Washington in 2012. In my free time, I help organize events and programming for Kolenu, Seattle’s Jewish LGBT group. I also enjoy hiking, taking classes at Jet City Improv, reading great fiction, learning how to cook and seeing live music.  

What is your favorite hike?

I love so many of the hikes right off of I-90, like Little Si, Twin Falls and Tiger Mountain. But I think my favorite hike these days is Rattlesnake Ledge. I’m actually heading there this weekend! It’s a gorgeous, winding hike through the forest that ends in spectacular views of the Cedar River watershed, Mount Si, Mount Washington, Rattlesnake Lake and Chester Morse Lake. If the weather is warm enough, the lake is a great place to cool off in afterwards.

What is a memorable live performance you have seen recently?

I recently had the privilege of seeing Led to Sea live at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard. I have seen violist-violinist Alex Guy before and have always been impressed, but this time she had an incredible cellist and drummer accompany her. I was honestly transfixed. If you get a chance, go see her!

What did you do before coming to GSBA?

As the Membership and Program Director of Temple Beth Am, a 900-household liberal synagogue here in Seattle, I had the privilege of recruiting, welcoming and integrating over 200 new member households into our community during my five years there. I worked with our board of directors, senior leadership and membership to plan and execute programs and events to foster engagement, ensure our members were happy and would continue their annual support of the synagogue. Additionally, I built and supervised a robust volunteer corps to support new and existing programming.

What are you looking forward to doing here at GSBA?

I am excited to work for GSBA, helping to grow our membership, retain our wonderful existing members and maintain us as the premier chamber of commerce in Washington State. GSBA is truly a chamber with both a heart and a conscience. What other chamber in the country has included the term “social justice” in its mission or has devoted a large portion of its own resources and staff time to raising scholarship funds to enable LGBT and allied youth to further their education?

2012 GSBA Membership: GSBA fights for your business success

GSBA fights for your business success and looks out for your bottom line like no other organization. When comes to fighting for equality and looking out for the rights of the LGBTQ and Small Business communities, GSBA membership is worth investing in more than any other. Many come to the GSBA to increase business but they find that they renew more and more because of the like-minded community found among the other 1,000 members. GSBA membership offers incredible networking programs, member-exclusive marketing opportunities, business resources, and a chance to invest in the next generation of leaders through the GSBA Scholarship Fund. Rest assured you will find incredible value in your GSBA membership. 

Renew your GSBA membership by December 31, 2011 and be entered to win a Microsoft Expo PC Slate! In addition to the Slate, the winner will receive one year of personal training to ensure you are a Slate expert (over $800).

Partner with the largest LGBT Chamber in the country and connect with new clients, customers, associates, and your newest supporters. If you have any questions, or need additional information about membership or marketing with GSBA please email JessicaS@thegsba.org

GSBA Perspective Extra: InsideOut by Jerome Bader

InsideOut

By Jerome M. Bader

We did it! Our 29th GSBA Guide and Directory has hit the streets. You've probably already picked up your copy. I think you'll be very impressed!

The Guide and Directory is a symbol of who we are, where we've been and where we're going. It represents the best of what our community has to offer -- the businesses, elected officials, nonprofits, individuals -- and all of our members who stand up each day and in one voice say that they support equality and opportunity. The Guide has been at the core of GSBA since it was founded in 1981 and since that time it has grown to over 400 pages in size. It's available in print (20,000 copies), online (thegsba.org) and soon you'll be able to access the Guide iPhone app. So many people in our community simply know it as the Guide -- so much more than a phone book, it's a symbol of how one organization can bring so many people together for a common cause, “connecting community through business."

We certainly couldn't have achieved so much without our Guide Committee. They're a team of creative super heroes who navigate us through the production process, from editorial content and sales to layout and printing. They are led by the fearless Karin Nilsson. Our publisher Michael Kuntz, cover and editorial designer Matt Ketcham, copywriter Gail Benzler, GSBA sales representative Gerry Kunkel, the Chernins -- Louise and Rachel along with yours truly round out the team.

Our support team goes far beyond the committee. Every year many volunteers -- Guide proofers and editors -- give up their weekends in order to help bring this great Directory to life. To all of these folks, thank you!

This year, for the first time, Consolidated Press printed the Guide. Our representative Vicki Marie Stolsen has been an active and engaged GSBA member for many years.

As I close, I want to say that we do this all for you. The success of your business is at the heart of everything we do. Your membership is our lifeblood and we appreciate your commitment.