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Thursday, January 28, 2021 | View as Webpage
OCBC ANNUAL DINNER—WE NEED A HERO! FEB 4.
IRVINE CARES - SIGN THE PLEDGE, BREXIT WEBINAR & MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
NEXT WEEK! DON'T MISS CAPTAIN “SULLY” SULLENBERGER AND HIS STORY OF RESILIENCE:* 
  • We need a hero! OCBC’s Virtual Annual Dinner February 4 will feature Captain “Sully” Sullenberger. In 2009, Captain Sully safely guided US Airways Flight 1549 to an emergency landing in New York City’s frigid Hudson River, saving the lives of the 155 passengers and crew on board. His inspirational heroism drew international praise and is captured in the 2016 hit film Sully. Join OCBC to hear the epic story of resilience in the face of disaster from Captain Sully himself—and the lessons leaders can take away in facing today’s challenges. Thank you title sponsor, UCI and UCI Health, presenting sponsor CHOC, and all of the generous sponsors who make Annual Dinner possible! Register here!

NEWSOM EXECUTIVE ORDER PROTECTS HEALTH CARE WORKERS FROM LEGAL LIABILITY:*
  • The executive order cracks down on potential vaccine profiteers in health care while extending a liability shield to workers delivering vaccines. Read the order here.

IRVINE MAYOR KAHN ASKS FOR YOUR PLEDGE--SUPPORT IRVINE CARES:*
  • Through Irvine Cares, community members pledge to protect one another by wearing a mask, washing their hands frequently, practicing social distancing, and staying home when sick. They commit to practicing kindness and good judgment by being respectful of others, especially those who are at increased risk for severe illness, and to being an advocate by promoting best practices in preventing COVID-19. Sign the pledge here!

STREAMLINED WORK SHARING PROGRAM OFFERS ALTERNATIVE TO LAYOFFS:* 
  • As California businesses continue to struggle to maintain their workforces during COVID-related closures, employers should keep in mind California’s underutilized work share program, streamline by last year’s AB 1731 (Boerner Horvath; D-Encinitas). Work sharing is an unemployment insurance (UI) program that allows employers to reduce employee hours during an economic downturn while allowing employees to receive UI benefits to replace their lost wages. Learn more

CSU TO KEEP TUITION FLAT IN 2021 - IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION SET TO RETURN IN THE FALL:* 
  • California State University will not increase tuition for the 2021-22 school year, citing the financial impact of the pandemic. CSU also reaffirmed their aim to resume in-person instruction for the Fall 2021 term. Read more
ADVOCACY
BIDEN’S IMMIGRATION PLAN FOR MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS:
  • President Biden unveiled legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for roughly 10 to 12 million undocumented immigrants, offering expedited green card eligibility to “Dreamers”—undocumented immigrants brought into the U.S. as children as well as those under temporary protected status and farmworkers. Read more

BUSINESS RESOURCES
LEARN MORE ABOUT UK PARTNERSHIPS AFTER BREXIT:* 
  • California-United Kingdom relations following the latter’s exit from the European Union will be the focus of an international virtual event hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. The special guest speaker will be Dr. Matt Beech, founding director of the Centre for British Politics at the University of Hull and senior fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Register here

IRVINE BUSINESSES: APPLY NOW FOR THIRD DISTRICT SMALL BIZ SUPPORT GRANT: 
  • City of Irvine has opened applications for the Third District Small Business Support grant program, which provides qualifying small businesses with one-time grants of up to $5,000. Applications will be accepted until Friday, January 29. Learn more and contact Irvine staff if you have any questions.  

APPLY NOW – 5TH DISTRICT SMALL BUSINESS GRANT RELIEF PROGRAM: 
  • If your business is in OC’s 5th Supervisorial District, apply now for the Small Business Grant Relief Program. $10,000 grants are being awarded to qualifying applicants on a first come, first served basis. Thank you Supervisor Lisa Bartlett for sponsoring this program! Learn more.

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
OC HUMAN RELATIONS LAUNCHES “OC TOGETHER” INITIATIVE:
  • OC Human Relations’ Orange County Together (OC Together) aims to meet the challenge of addressing racial equality by mobilizing and empowering local organizations to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and supporting them to create and sustain an equitable organizational culture. OC Together is a learning journey to develop skillsets and utilize tools for human resource leaders, executives and others to consider. Learn more

GET TESTED NOW! WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
MEMORIALCARE PARTNERS WITH OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY TO PROVIDE COVID VACCINATIONS FOR LAGUNA WOODS VILLAGE RESIDENTS:* 
  • Laguna Woods Village is the largest retirement community in Orange County with approximately 18,800 residents. This past weekend, numerous physicians, nurses and staff members of MemorialCare volunteered their time to successfully vaccinate the members of this vulnerable community. Great work MemorialCare! 

MISSED OCBC'S PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS? View them by clicking here. PLEASE SHARE THESE UPDATES WITH COLLEAGUES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact  Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.
RESOURCES
Giving Back
American Red Cross & Blood Donations - Donate blood today!
Caterina's Club Feeds Kids in Need - Donate today to help
Chrysalis Working for 100 – Help 100 people get back to work
Donate, Volunteer or Host a Virtual Food Bank 
Cal State Fullerton - Support Higher Education
Cal State Fullerton - It Takes a Titan Campaign
Colette’s Children’s Home - Donate Today to Help Homeless Women and Children
HCA Accepting Medical Donations - Masks, Gloves, Gowns Needed
Basic supplies needed
OC Food Bank- Donations needed. 
Help students with laptops & other financial assistance
Second Harvest Food Bank - Match My Gift- Every $1 DOUBLES to provide SIX nutritious meals!
Help support Vital Link's STEM and career pathways for students
StandUp For Kids Orange County - Help Homeless Youth
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If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
contact James Alley, at 714.501.9893 or jalley@ocbc.org.
OCBC works to get you the best information in these difficult times fighting COVID-19, its health and economic impacts. Check your email often for important updates AND follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. In addition, check out the COVID-19 Resources page on OCBC.org.