In the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (WSCC) meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, President Dave Montoure took a look at 2011 in terms of accomplishments and bid farewell to long time CEO Patti Mullen who is leaving to take a similar position in Federal Way. He mentioned that the strength of the organization was improving as membership growth was higher than in previous years.

Montoure cited the Chamber's business Advocacy and political action:

Referendum 1: WSCC took an active role in keeping "tunnel vision in-check, providing support to the prevailing Let's Move Forward campaign.
Rapid Ride BRT: WSCC provided support to businesses in Avalon and the Triangle along the new RR route. WSCC adopted a formal policy supporting Rapid Ride.
WS Transportation Priority: WSCC convened the WS Transport Coalition to provide a set of West Seattle transportation priorities to the CTAC-3.
Mandatory Sick Leave: WSCC participated at the stakeholder's table as the City crafted mandatory sick leave legislation. WSCC's iovolvement assured that adopted legislation impacted businesses less significantly than proposed legislation.
Triangle Advisory: Three years of meetings and process resulted in a Council commitment of resources to improve the Triangle.

Networking and Events:
Lunch with LEO: City Coundlmember Sally Bagshaw and Mayor Mike McGinn were our two Local Elected Officials.
City Council Candidate "Speed Campaigning": 10 of12 candidates participated in this program hosted jointly by WSCC & Rainier Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Annual Awards Breakfast;. Salty's on Alki, Mountain to Sound Outfitters, WS Farmers Market and Rick Jump were honored. Keynote speaker, Jordan Royer, provided a thought-provoking address to membership.
Speed Networking: February and September.
After Hours: Bridge Park, LINK Apartments, Roxbury Spine & Wellness, XGym, WS Physical Therapy, Wing Dome hosted.
Member Luncheons: SW Precinct, Sustainable WS, Why tbe Tunnel Works, Navigating TechnologyjComcast, Bill Bryant Port of Seattle Commissiooer, Memory Specialist, David Shoup.
Others: Annual membership meeting, new member recruitment event, holiday party and several new member receptions were held.

Transitions
After eight years of service to the Chamher and our community, WSCC bids a sincere farewell to CEO Patti Mullen who leaves us to take 00 new challeoges. WSCC acknowledges the cootributions Ms Mullen provided to our organization.

Membership
2011 saw an increase in new membership (up 155% over last year). Renewal rates were around 80%. These are indicators of the health of the Chamber going into 2012.

Committees
2011 saw a revitalized committee of WSCC ambassadors, the committee is adding a Young Professionals component in 2012. Additional committees will be convened in 2012.
Ambassadors and Young Professionals meets 1" Wednesdays at AmericaWest Bank (former Viking Bank).
Chair, David Kim
Government Affairs
Meets 2nd Tuesdays at Offices of Jerome 0 Cohen. Chair Jerry Cohen
Finance
Meets ad hoc at Chamber Offices, Chair, Kirk Mead
AnnualAwards Breakfast Event
Meets ad hoc at WaFed Bank. Chair, Dotty Hughes

2012 Board of Directors
Chair
Dave Montoure
West 5 Restaurant
Secretary
Dick Sherman
West Seattle Herald
Director
Sally delFiero
Port of Seattle
Director
Dotty Hughes
Washington Federal Bank
Vice Chair
John Huey
AmericaWest Bank
Past Chair
Jerry Cohen
Law Offices of Jerome O.
Cohen
Director
Patrick Jablonski
Nucor Steel
Director
Elizabeth Pluhta
South Seattle Community
College
Treasurer
Kirk Mead
Umpqua Bank
Director
Stuart Crandall
Merlone Geier
Management
Director
Karen Sisson
Senior Center of West
Seattle
Director
Nancy Woodland
West Side Baby