May 2019

Helping Businesses Prosper and our Community Thrive!

Your investment in the Oceanside Chamber is making a difference in our community! The Chamber's mission is to "stimulate economic prosperity and foster a vibrant community." Here's a quick overview if what your investment in the Chamber allowed us to accomplish in the recent weeks...

Public Policy & Business Advocacy

• Public Policy Task Force finalized Chamber’s Housing Policy Statements which were adopted by the Chamber Board earlier this month. These guidelines ​​​​​​will provide direction in how we will interact with the City and State on housing related policy.
• ​​​​Met with Congressman Levin’s office to request assistance from the Congressman in getting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete Shoreline Feasibility Study. This would be a critical step toward a long-term solution of our beach erosion issue.
• Provided testimony at the California Energy Commission meeting on behalf of our restaurant community that would be impacted by “electrification” proposal. The panel was discussing options for mitigating carbon emissions, including the possibility of moving in a direction that would involve shifting from gas appliance to electric appliance. Chamber CEO reached out to restaurant owners/managers for their input and shared their concerns with the panel.
• Joined statewide coalition in opposition to AB 1066 (Gonzalez) – This bill would affect any business that pays unemployment. What it does: Allows striking union workers to seek unemployment after 4 weeks.  Under existing law, a worker on strike cannot claim unemployment.  The concerns about this legislation are: first, it incentivizes strikes and makes labor negotiations more difficult by placing a finger on the scale in favor of unions.  Second, there are concerns it will jeopardize the health of the entire UI fund, which will cost employers more when federal loans are necessary.
• Reached out to San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to express opposition for any modifications to the 2004 TransNet Extension Ordinance being proposed by SANDAG. We advocated for highway and road projects to be implemented in any new regional transportation plan and requested that SANDAG pursue new sources of funding for projects not listed in the 2004 TransNet Extension Ordinance. Will be participating in a coalition with other North County business organizations to further address how to protect the funding for our highways.
• Joined coalition in opposition of SCA 5 (Senate Constitutional Amendment) which would amend the California Constitution to reduce the voter approval threshold from two-thirds to fifty-five percent for “parcel taxes” proposed by school districts and community college districts. This amendment will provide a more readily-available tool for school districts and community college districts to increase local revenues but may come at the price of increased taxes that specifically target and discriminate against employers.​​​​​​
• Supported North River Farms at Oceanside Planning Commission as a much needed, forward-thinking project that plans for the next generation of Oceanside.  We noted that the project makes a significant contribution to infrastructure and toward reducing Oceanside's substantial housing deficit.
• Wrote letter of support to US Bureau of Reclamation for the City of Oceanside’s application to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for WaterSMART: Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) to support the Pure Water Oceanside project.

Education & Workforce Development

• Partnered with County of San Diego and Oceanside on First Annual North County Employers Internship Workshop. Sixty plus people were in attendance to hear panels of employers and students share the important role internships play in the development of our future workforce. Chamber CEO, Scott Ashton, served as MC for the event and was involved in the planning and outreach.
• ​​​​​​Continued support of Oceanside Promise’s Latino Young Men Success Initiative as we work to find summer internships for the students.
• Participated with the Oceanside Promise in support of their Early Childhood Success (ECS) program, finalizing marketing materials for their upcoming Love of Literacy - Summer Reading Events in June and July. 

Political Action
 

• Hosted focus group luncheons to gather feedback from Chamber members on the types of candidates they would like to see the Chamber endorse for elected offices. To date, 4 sessions have been held with 2 more planned, giving Chamber members the opportunity to express their views on what they want to see in our future leaders. Member feedback will be used as we develop questionnaires and interviews for candidates next year.
• Began work on fundraising strategy for Chamber’s Political Action Committee so we will have funds to support candidates we endorse in the 2020 elections.
• Began process of writing our policies and procedures for endorsing business friendly candidates. This process has involved researching best practices of Chambers in California and other parts of the country.

Military Outreach

• Chamber hosted its 18th Annual Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation, proving a day of food, live entertainment and children’s activities for active duty military families.
• Provided 170 welcome bags to Marines and Sailors newly station to Camp Pendleton during weekly Welcome Aboard Briefings.​​​​​​ Bags include Chamber publications and discount offers from Chamber members.

Professional Development
 

• Held OYPN Committee meeting to discuss the direction the Young Professional Network would like to take.
• Organized and planned the upcoming OYPN Balls. Buckets. & Beers. event at Goat Hill Park. 
• Meet John Ashworth- the man behind both Linksoul & Goat Hill Park, and learn how he and his team not only saved but revitalized the self-proclaimed “people’s park of Oceanside”. Network with local young professionals and step up your golf game over drinks and appetizers. All equipment will be provided at no additional cost. The Playground, otherwise known as the kids course, will also be open for play.

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Thank You to Our Partners:

Emerald Partner:

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Platinum Partners:

Silver Partners:

Bronze Partners:

Investors:

The Chamber & the Community!

May's Emerging Issues Forum Features Updates from SDG&E on Time-Of-Use Plans

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Emerging Issues Forum, held the first Thursday of every month, provides an avenue for Oceanside Chamber members to learn about key community issues, interact with legislative representatives and receive updates on legislative items impacting business. May’s forum educated attendees on the evolving energy landscape and why the State is transitioning eligible residential customers to Time-of-Use pricing plans. Providing the information was Katie Scanlan, Public Affairs Manager at San Diego Gas & Electric.

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San Diego's Farms and Foods... Brought To You By Water

San Diego may be known nationwide for its beautiful beaches and unbeatable year - round weather, but what many people don’t realize is that many of the avocados in their tacos, the lettuce and tomatoes in their salad, and the potted plants for their yard are all grown right here in San Diego County. 
With more than 5,500 local farms employing thousands of San Diegans, the local $4.8 billion agriculture industry is thriving – and it’s all possible because of the safe and reliable water supply provided by the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies along with our famously perfect climate.

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Oceanside Promise Partners Join Together to Support the Success of Latino Young Men

What do we do when data tells us that a group of students could benefit from better aligned and focused support? You bring together some of the best Oceanside has to offer!
The Oceanside Promise's Latino Young Men Success Pilot is an innovative wrap-around collaboration involving the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside, MiraCosta College, North County Lifeline, Vista Community Clinic, Transformational Consulting, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego County Office of Education, Interfaith Community Services, Genentech, Oceanside High School, El Camino High School and more.

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Upcoming Chamber Events:

6/4/2019
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
First Tuesday Coffee

6/6/2019
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Emerging Issues Forum

6/6/2019
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Oceanside Young Professional Network Committee Meeting

6/12/2019
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Oceanside Heroes Reception

6/14/2019
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Plates for 8 at Saint Tropez Bistro and Beyond

6/20/2019
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Business Mixer at Arrowood Golf Course

6/27/2019
11:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Plates for 8 at Mangia e Bevi

6/27/2019
5:00 AM - 7:00 PM
OYPN Balls. Buckets. & Beers.

6/29/2019
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Western Dental Kids Grand Opening Ceremony

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