President's Message
Dear Chamber Members,
I hope that the New Year is finding you well! With the holidays behind us, things have been picking up at the Chamber. In the last month we conducted our annual contests for Kodiak Crab Festival Logo and Poster designs. Be sure to like our
Crab Fest Facebook Page
, for your first look at the winning entries.
We are also gearing up for ComFish 2018. ComFish is our long running commercial fisheries trade show, which brings together gear vendors, government agencies, and nonprofits involved in every aspect of commercial fishing. In addition to the trade show the Chamber organizes forums on a variety of topics relevant to the fishing industry. Be sure to mark your calendars for March 22
nd
-24
th
. Exhibitors interested in participating in the trade show can reserve their booth space today by completing our
online registration form
.
Be sure to save the date for the next Shop the Rock event organized by the Kodiak Small Business Forum, which will take place February 9th and 10th. Businesses interested in joining the forum or participating in the February event should contact
Chris Lynch
for details before January 15th.
I would like to also take a minute to thank Senior Citizen’s of Kodiak for hosting Business After Hours last month. It was great learning about all of the services available right here in our own community. If you missed it, be sure to scroll down to read a Spotlight Article detailing their history and programs. Business After Hours is a great way to show off your business or organization to a new audience, and connect with fellow Chamber Members. If you are interested in hosting during our 2018 season contact
Dana
at the Chamber to reserve your date or with any questions!
We are of course also looking forward to our next Business After Hours event at the Kodiak Athletic Center, coming up on January 26
th
, 5:30-7:30pm. I hope to see you all there.
Sincerely,
Stacey Simmons
President
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Community Spotlight: Senior Citizens of Kodiak Inc.
Senior Citizens of Kodiak first began in 1973 in an apartment, where the Kashevaroff Villa apartment building now stands. In these early days they operated as an information center, providing resources on topics such as housing, insurance, and other social services agencies. From there, they moved into the Community Room of what was then a senior living community at Bay View Terrace Apartments, before expanding into their own building, the Kodiak Senior Center, in 1985.
Along with the physical growth of the organization came an expansion of services, with an impressive roster including family caregiver training, congregate and meal delivery, chore services, respite, Lifeline, Island Cove day program and health equipment loans. The Senior Center is a hub of activity with daily exercise classes, social hours, special events and entertainment. Through all the changes they have maintained the same mission, to enhance the lives of older adults, with the majority of their programs serving Kodiak citizens 60 years or older. The Kodiak Senior Center is the first Senior Center in the state to have earned National Accreditation. They have achieved this designation, which requires a lengthy review process every five years, three times in a row and will be going through the accreditation process again this spring.
Senior Citizens of Kodiak also operates a few services that are open community wide. These include the
Island Cove Adult Day Program
, offering a safe monitored environment with structured activities for seniors and adults with special needs. As the only adult day program operating 7 days a week in the state, they are an invaluable resource.
Additionally, Senior Citizens of Kodiak oversees the operation of the
KATS - Kodiak Area Transit System
. Executive Director, Pat Branson, describes how the bus system is “an economic engine, allowing people in our community to continue to be viable citizens.” It is a great resource for people who need handicapped accessible transportation and is also the only handicapped accessible transportation in town. Rides can be arranged with 24 hour notice, or the bus can be accessed at any of its regularly scheduled stops for a suggested fare of $2. KATS gets Kodiak residents to shopping, school, social services, work and special events. KATS runs weekdays from 6:30am to 6:30pm and on weekends from 10-3.
A full list of services and activities can always be found in their monthly newsletter, available at the Senior Center and easily accessible on their
website
. Branson explains, “None of these services or activities are free. Senior Citizens of Kodiak is grateful for the support we receive from the city and the borough, as well as individual community members, without which our work wouldn’t be possible.” This includes donations from seniors accessing services and a great group of volunteers.
Those wishing to get involved as a participant, volunteer, or donor should contact Senior Citizens of Kodiak at 907 486 6181 or stop by the Senior Center at 302 Erskine Avenue.
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Native Youth Employment Training in Kodiak
The Supplemental Youth Employment Training Program (SYETP) is a long-running program facilitated by the Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA). SYETP connects local businesses and organizations with Native youth who are looking for work experience. Informally known as the “Summer Youth” program, SYETP is now available year-round.
Native youth ages 14–24 living in the Kodiak region who meet income eligibility standards can apply to participate in the SYETP. Each youth is limited to a total of 150 hours of SYETP employment in each calendar year and are compensated at $10/hr., just above minimum wage.
Because the youth are paid through KANA, organizations providing employment placement do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the SYETP youth’s payroll. The employer interviews, supervises, trains, and mentors the SYETP participants, allowing the youth to build a resume and accumulate work experience enhancing their employability.
In 2017, forty-two Native youth were employed for a total of 4,573 hours in 24 businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. The tribal offices in the Kodiak region: Akhiok, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Larsen Bay, Port Lions, Sun’aq, Afognak, Kaguyak, and Karluk have been a traditional focus of SYETP, and in 2017 Native youth were employed by the Tribal offices of Karluk, Ouzinkie, Larsen Bay and Old Harbor.
Native youth were also hosted by Ardinger’s Furniture, Brechan Construction, Kodiak Athletic Club, 58 Degrees North, Sportsman’s Lodge (Old Harbor), Alaska Brake and Tire, Harborside Coffee, DeHart Construction, Grand Slam Toys and Books and Ani Thomas at the Kodiak Garden Club in 2017. Other placements in 2017 were provided by several non-profit organizations including KMXT Kodiak Public Radio, Kodiak Animal Shelter, the Baranov and Alutiiq Museums, Threshold Services, Hope Community Resources, Kodiak Island Housing Authority, and the Kodiak Area Native Association. Several Alaska Native youth also worked in positions with the City of Kodiak Parks and Recreation Department and Kodiak Island Borough School District.
Any business, agency, or non-profit that may wish to host an SYETP participant can contact the Employment Training and Support Services Program at 194 Alimaq Drive, on the ground floor Koniag Building on Near Island, 907-486-9879,
ETSS@kodiakhealthcare.org
This article was submitted by Tom Pogson & Greg Zadina, Kodiak Area Native Association, Department of Community Services. Pictured above:
Cameron Howell, center, is an SYETP participant who worked at City of Kodiak Parks and Recreation Department in 2017.
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KEA Board of Directors: Three Seats Up for Election
Three seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year in Kodiak Electric Association, Inc.’s membership election.
The Board of Directors consists of nine elected voting Directors and one United States Coast Guard appointed non-voting liaison. This year, the seats currently held by Directors Stosh Anderson, Michael Brechan, and Cliff Davidson are up for election. All three seats are for three-year terms. KEA members locally elect KEA’s directors.
Nominating petition packets are available at the KEA office at 1614 Mill Bay Road between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. To be an eligible candidate, you must be a member of KEA.
Completed candidate petition packets must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the KEA office at 1614 Mill Bay Road.
The Notice of Annual Membership Meeting, Annual Report Highlights, and ballots will be mailed to members of KEA on Thursday, March 29, 2018. Completed ballots must be returned by mail in the envelope that is provided with the notice of the meeting, and must be received in KEA’s designated election post office box by noon on Friday, April 20, 2018. All voting will be done by mail.
Ballot results will be announced at KEA’s Annual Membership Meeting on Monday evening, April 23, 2018. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Kodiak High School Auditorium.
During 2017, regular meetings of the Board were held on the fourth Thursday of each month, beginning at noon. An average of 30 hours is required for 12 regular meetings during the year. The Board also meets as a whole for the Annual Membership Meeting and on the next day to organize the slate of officers.
KEA’s Bylaws state that each member is entitled to one vote. A husband and wife or any other two persons who occupy the same household and have both names on the account jointly act as a member. A ballot is voided if a spouse not listed on the account signs it. KEA members uncertain about the name(s) listed on their accounts are encouraged to call KEA to find out how to update their accounts. The deadline for any changes to be in effect for this year’s election process February 28, 2018. Business Accounts (corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) should annually update their list of officers/owners authorized to vote on behalf of the account.
Article submitted by Kodiak Electric Association, Inc. For further information, contact Nancy B. Sweeney, Communication/Human Resource Specialist, at 907 486-7700.
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President
Stacey Simmons
Past President
Rick Kniaziowski
Vice President
Julie Bonney
Secretary/Treasurer
Jeff Sanford
Board Members
Susan Johnson · Ellen Simeonoff · Tyler Kornelis ·
Aaron Walton · Brian Lickfield · Lindsay Knight
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City of Kodiak Representative
Mike Tvenge
Kodiak Island Borough Representative
Michael Powers
USCG Base Representative
Capt. Jeffery Good
USCG Air Station Representative
Capt. Mark Morin
KEA Representative
Darron Scott
Discover Kodiak Representative
Aimee Williams
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