Chamber Weekly | Message from the Chair of the Board

Out & About with Donna

Donna Visits ICAN

I recently had the opportunity to visit ICAN, California Abilities Network. Greeted by Lindsey Stone, Director of Programs and Services, I quickly became inspired through her passion and enthusiasm.

ICAN is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the community for over 40 years. They provide quality recreational, employment, empowerment, and socialization programs for Southern California’s adults with physical and developmental disabilities, meeting the needs of not just the individual, but his or her entire family.

Their mission is to serve people with disabilities and their families through life skills training, supported employment, and social programming. Our goal is to empower people with disabilities to discover and achieve their own 'I CAN' statement. Read more.

News

Message from the Chair of the Board

Serena Josel, Kaiser Permanente

Dear Chamber members,

The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce begins it’s 108th year at a time filled with hope and opportunity for our local business community.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult, particularly for our small businesses. As vaccine eligibility expands, the economy reopens, and virus numbers decline, we all hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The strain of the past year has served as a stunning reminder of how connected each of us are, in good times and bad. If we can lean into those connections and foster even stronger relationships, our local businesses will be able to come back stronger than ever. The Chamber offers so many opportunities to network, learn and engage – I hope that you’ll consider our long list of programs to find at least one that speaks to you.

We’d welcome your participation as we all navigate into this next phase, together.

I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Chamber event – virtually or in-person! – soon.

All my best,

Serena Josel

Chamber to Host Tribute and Appreciation for Torrance Police and Fire

Jeremiah Hart

Police Chief

City of Torrance

Martin Serna

Fire Chief

City of Torrance

Traditionally, the Torrance Chamber recognizes members of the Torrance Police & Fire Departments who, while serving in an official or unofficial capacity, distinguish themselves through outstanding performance above and beyond the call of duty and/or standard job responsibilities at luncheon events. This year, the Chamber will host the Tribute and Appreciation for Torrance Police and Fire virtually in honor of their outstanding service, Wednesday, June 30th at 8:30 am. Program remarks will be provided by Torrance Police Chief Hart and Torrance Fire Chief Serna. Register at torrancechamber.com/policefiretribute/

Stay in Compliance as You Reopen and Hire New Employees

Mandatory Harassment Prevention Training

Compliance Alert: California law requires all employers with five or more employees to provide harassment prevention training to all employees by January 1, 2021, and then every two years: This includes:

California supervisors (two hours) and nonsupervisory employees (one hour)
Out-of-state supervisors who manage California employees
Remote employees interacting with California employees
Newly hired or promoted employees (within six months)
(As of January 1, 2021) Seasonal and temp employees you hire directly to work for less than six months — within 30 calendar days after their hire date or within 100 hours worked, whichever occurs first.
If you trained staff in 2019, they are due for refresher training by January 1, 2022.

Important note regarding California’s training threshold of five or more employees: When counting employees to determine if you’re required to provide harassment prevention training, be sure to count staff located outside of California, part-time and temporary direct hires, independent contractors, as well as unpaid interns and volunteers. Register now!

Notice of Intention to Fill A Vacancy of the Torrance City Council by Appointment

The Torrance City Council took action at their regular meeting of June 8, 2021 to fill by appointment the unexpired at large term of Councilmember Tim Goodrich who resigned effective June 1, 2021. The term of office is from appointment on July 13, 2021 until the regular municipal election scheduled for June 2022 results are certified and the new city council are installed. All applicants must 18 years of age, reside within the City of Torrance and registered voters within the City of Torrance at the time the application is obtained.

If you are interested in applying to fill this vacancy, please fill out an application. Applications must be returned to the City Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Postmarks not accepted. If emailed, time of email must be 5 p.m. or earlier. Learn more.

10 Public Hearings on Los Angeles County Redistricting

During Summer 2021, the Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) will conduct ten (10) public hearings, ensuring residents’ ability to participate from all five Supervisorial Districts. At these public hearings, the CRC will present an overview of the redistricting process, legal considerations, outreach efforts, public access plan, and a timeline.

Your input is valuable. These public hearings are important for receiving public comments and input from communities of interest (COI), including what the CRC should consider in the redistricting effort. Members of the public are welcome to make live comments at the public hearings. Please fill in the COI Form to speak or submit public comments ahead of, during, or after the public hearing. Learn more.

DONATE TODAY: Torrance Memorial In Critical Need of Blood Donation

Torrance Memorial is in critical need of blood donations due to a severe nationwide blood shortage resulting from a recent surge in trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries. The hospital is appealing to all local residents to roll up their sleeves and donate blood immediately. “Blood donation has a significant impact on our patient care, including surgeries, cancer treatments and traumatic injuries," said Craig Leach, CEO of Torrance Memorial “We are strongly encouraging both our team members and community to donate blood now—and regularly going forward.”

Torrance Memorial's need for blood is on the rise as we are seeing many patients who delayed care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Type O is the blood type most urgently needed as it is the one most often used in transfusions, but all blood types are welcomed.

To schedule an appointment to give blood please call 310-517-4647. Learn more.

Together for L.A. Presents

Recovery & Resilience Resources Webinar

Together for L.A., powered by LAEDC, invites you to join our upcoming complimentary webinar on Tuesday, June 29 at 10:00AM PT, to learn about recovery and resilience resources for your small business with presentations focused on reopening, programs, grants, etc.

Together for L.A. is a collaborative of partners working together to advance a more equitable, sustainable and resilient economic recovery by offering no cost consulting and support to women and diverse-owned small businesses, funded by Wells Fargo. Learn more.

New COVID-19 Workplace Rules Explained

In Episode 122 of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, and employment law experts Robert Moutrie and Matthew Roberts break down the new COVID-19 workplace directives issued by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), which address face coverings, social distancing, COVID-19 vaccinations, and more.

Given the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic, government guidance and mandates may be altered at any time. Information presented in this podcast is accurate as of June 23, 2021. Read more

Leadership Torrance

Leadership Torrance is a program, founded in 1983, that focuses on developing effective leaders from across the South Bay. Sponsored by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Torrance provides opportunities for emerging leaders to take an active role towards building a stronger community. The mission of the Leadership Torrance program is to develop effective leaders by encouraging community connections through partnerships with City officials and local businesses.

For the next several months, this column will feature graduates of the program and highlight the positive growth of these individuals.

Sue Moylan

Marketing Consultant / President

Crest Marketing, Inc.

Leadership Torrance Class of 2005

1. Where were you in your career right before joining Leadership Torrance? I was working in Market Representation at Lexus when an opportunity arose to leave the traditional corporate setting and start my own marketing communications services business. At first, I continued working with Toyota in a vendor-role, but by the early 2000s, and as the result of a relationship with a well-known nonprofit consultant, much of my work transitioned into communication campaigns for nonprofits. Most of these organizations were based downtown, in the west side, and even out of state. I enjoyed being an early adopter of working from home, but I felt isolated from my local community. It was then that I joined the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, met Donna Duperron, and was learning of something called Leadership Torrance…Read More.

Testimonial Monday

The Torrance Chamber of Commerce has been one of the best decisions we have made for our growing business. Not only have we formed amazing business relationships we have also made great friendships with our fellow peers in the city of Torrance.

The Chamber has given us the opportunity to help bring our best service to the community and has brought us closer to changing the way people view plumbers. The Chamber has helped us through our journey by being a place we can depend on when we need any help from other local businesses as well.

We here at Sidoti's Plumbing & Rooter Inc. thank you for all you do Torrance Chamber of Commerce!

Bryan Sidoti

Sidoti's Plumbing & Rooter