AWB Honors The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber
With 2007 Community Service Award
Pictured from left: Don Brunell, AWB, Melissa West, Military Affairs Chair, Caldie Rogers, Chamber President / CEO, Tom Donahue, U.S. Chamber, Cmdr. Don Leingang, Naval Station Everett, Janet Duffy, RMI
May 24, 2007
The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce was honored by The Association of Washington Business (AWB) for the fourth time as a 2007 Community Service Award winner in the category of Projects that Mobilize People & Communities into Action.
The Chamber was one of only 14 companies and organizations across the state to be recognized as this year’s winners of AWB’s 2007 Community Service Awards presented in Spokane on May 22.
"These companies realize the importance of being good neighbors in their communities," said AWB President Don Brunell. “All of them have invested substantial time, money and other resources to improve their corner of the state.”
This prestigious honor was in recognition of the Chamber’s new Military Family Friendly Partnership Initiative. A year in the making, this county-wide initiative is addressing one of the greatest concerns facing today’s Armed Forces - the employment needs of military family members. This initiative serves as an employment resource linking employers throughout Snohomish County to the talented workforce represented by the families of the Puget Sound Military forces who have, are, and/or will be relocating to Snohomish County.
The Military Affairs Committee of The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber has coordinated with Naval Station Everett, county and city governments, business and chamber leaders, to compile a multitude of resources in support of this initiative. Partnership agreements are being forged county-wide these same leaders to help encourage businesses to commit to being “Military Family Friendly” employers.
“It was touching to see the groundswell of excitement for our Military Family Friendly Employment Initiative by those in attendance at the Association of Washington Business. Additionally, actually being recognized as an award recipient under the category of "Projects that Mobilize People & Communities…" is a testament to both the vision of the Marysville-Tulalip Military Affairs Committee and the belief in this vision by the voting members of the AWB.” Cmdr. Don Leingang, Naval Station Everett
On hand to help accept the award with Rogers was the Military Affairs Chair Melissa West, Cmdr. Don Leingang of Naval Station Everett, and past Chamber Chairman of the Board, Janet Duffy of RMI, Inc.
The Chamber is unique among Washington organizations in that it is a four-time award winner in this category. Previous awards were extended in 2001 for the Chamber’s history making North County Summit series, which brought eight northern communities together to work on behalf of economic and community development in North Snohomish County, in 2003 for the creation of its high-tech regional facility featuring a premier Visitor Information Center, and in 2005 for the development of an Entrepreneurial Development Center.
Return to 2007 -2008 Index to Chamber Resolutions
See Press Articles Regarding the Military Family Friendly Partnership
» Initiative for hiring military spouses gaining support
Seattle Times 9/19/07
» Locals lead effort to end hiring discrimination against military spouses
Marysville Globe 9/19/07
» Military family members run into trouble when they hunt for jobs..
Everett Herald 9/13/07
» Job equality for military families sought
Seattle Times 7/16/07
