News & Updates

Member Spotlight: Give Something Back

Buy Things You Need While Helping Those In Need – That’s The GSB Difference!

GSB_WorkplaceSolutions_Logo_ColorGive Something Back is your local workplace solutions company offering over 50,000 products you need to run your business: office supplies, breakroom and janitorial products, high-quality furniture, electronics, and printing services. We donate the majority of our San Diego profits back into the community through local, non-profit organizations. It doesn’t stop there! We even let our customers pick the nonprofits that mean the most to them.

“Give Something Back is a great, socially responsible choice for office supplies. They connect Pandora’s business needs with our desire to support the environment and our community. Give Something Back delivers a service you’ll love!”– Michelle, Pandora Internet Radio

Give Something Back can lend a hand to you and the environment as a certified B Corporation. We offer over 6,000 eco-friendly products and free consultations to help you take the next step towards a cleaner community.

Values that GSB can bring to your business:K to College_Brand
1. Single source shopping
2. Controlled expenditures
3. Simplified procurement
4. Contribution to your community
5. Environmental awareness

We believe in giving back to the community, to non-profits, the environment, and most importantly, our customers. We’ve made a big impact in the San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento communities, and plan to do the same here with your help. Our competitive pricing, sustainable product offerings, and free next day shipping are just the start of what makes our customer shopping experience so great. Register today to get a good deal while doing good with every order: www.givesomethingback.com

For more information, please contact:
Sarah Harper, Regional Vice President, San Diego
Phone: 619-627-2550, Email: sharper@givesomethingback.com

Stay connected with us!

10News LEADership Award Recipient Michael Love

Michael Love is honored with the 10News LEADership Award for organizing the Brother 2 Brother Young Men’s Leadership Conference.

Member Spotlight: Blue Star Families

blue-star-families-logo

The families of our all-volunteer military make unprecedented sacrifices these days to serve our country. Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. We’re committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we’re all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation’s awareness of the unique challenges of military Home_hero-e1459899523654family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

With more than 150,000 members in over 35 communities and chapters worldwide, Blue Star Families touches more than 1.5 million military families every year. Through our research and program partnerships, Blue Star Families ensures that wherever American military families go, they can always feel connected, supported and empowered to thrive – in every community, across the nation and around the globe.

For more information, visit bluestarfam.org.

The-return-home

NASSCO Annual Neighborhood Clean-Up

General Dynamics NASSCO is hosting its Third Annual Neighborhood Clean-Up on Saturday, June 3rd. This year’s goal is to have at least 200 participants so that the company can expand their reach into the community. We encourage Chamber members to participate. For more information, please visit www.nassco.com/annualcleanup or download the flier.

General Dynamics NASSCO #NameOurTug Contest

As part of its #NameOurTug contest, General Dynamics NASSCO is inviting local K-8 students to help name their new tug boat. The contest will run May 2 – June 9. The contest winner will have the opportunity to participate in the christening of the new tug at a special ceremony this summer. The winner will also receive a family four-pack of tickets to the San Diego Zoo. Links to a contest flier and official submission form are included below. Additional information is available on NASSCO’s website at www.nassco.com/NameOurTug.

Contest Flier/Submission Form: ENGLISH  ESPAÑOL

 

Drone Ordinance Passes San Diego City Council

The San Diego City Council unanimously voted to support the City Department of Homeland drone-1434971_640Security’s proposed drone ordinance. The ordinance will align the City’s standards with existing FAA guidelines, and does not go beyond that. The ordinance will provide local law enforcement with the tools they need while allowing drones to be used safely and responsibly within the community. The Chamber joined SeaWorld and the Padres in support of the ordinance.

AB 5 Update

AB 5, introduced by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, will not be pursued for the remainder of the year, providing businesses additional time to respond to the proposal. The bill stipulated that prior to hiring a new full time employee, employers would be required to offer additional hours to all part time employees and provide training to equip them for the new role, should they want it. The Chamber and other business groups felt strongly that this bill would further hurt marginalized communities that are trying to enter the workforce. The Assemblymember has indicated that she will refocus on the bill in 2018.

Two Bad Housing Bills Stopped

Two state bills the Chamber strongly opposed have been amended and dropped for the year, respectively. AB 199 (Chu) would have required prevailing wage on all residential building projects, increasing the cost per unit up to $80,000, and further exacerbated the region’s housing crisis. AB 1506 (Bonta) would have expanded rent control throughout the state. After significant lobbying from statewide coalitions, in which the Chamber participated, we are pleased to report AB 199 has been amended heavily, removing the most egregious portions, and AB 1506 will not be pursued this cycle.

Stormwater Workshop 2 on May 15th

The Chamber, in partnership with the Water Reliability Coalition, was awarded a grant by the San Diego Foundation to execute three workshops, a summit, and an awareness campaign around the potential for Stormwater capture and reuse. The first workshop filled the Chamber Boardroom with 80 attendees on April 19th. A recap video of the workshop is included below.

The second workshop is scheduled for May 15th and will be held at the San Diego Foundation. Attendance is free and open to the public. The effort includes promotional videos promoting the workshops and bringing awareness to the concept released by the Chamber through member communications and social media. To register, click here.

stormwater 1 video