Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
We hope you were able to enjoy a happy, healthy, and memorable Thanksgiving with loved ones. Though this season is always filled with hustle and bustle (both personally and professionally!), the holidays can also provide an equally wonderful opportunity to slow down and savor some extra moments with those we hold closest to us.

As our Chamber team gears up for a new year and reflects on 2021, we can’t help but feel immense gratitude to our business community. 2021 presented more than a few curveballs – but as always, we prevailed together. We’ve witnessed our members support one another both virtually and in-person, and we’re so thankful for the opportunity to be able to connect with many of you at events again. We’ve been humbled by the continued support of our Rainbow Chamber Foundation amidst trying times, and we’ve truly felt the warm welcome extended to this year’s newly-elected Board Members. Perhaps most notably, we’ve watched your businesses persevere, grow, and thrive. We look forward to seeing what 2022 will bring!

Though the year is quickly coming to an end, December will be full of exciting events. Read on for event details and some Chamber updates!

We hope to see you at our Holiday Mixer, but in the meantime, we’re wishing you happy holidays and a prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,

Alexandra Michel, Chair
Fred Palmer, Executive Director
Thank you to everyone that ordered a Billy's Tree Farm Holiday Wreath!

We are so appreciative of Billy’s Farm for their generous support of the Rainbow Chamber Foundation through this season’s holiday wreath sales. 10% of profits from wreaths purchased by Chamber members will be donated to the Foundation!

We’re thrilled to have partnered with WEAVE for this month's game of Drag Queen Bingo. Thank you to all who attended and donated a toy to this wonderful cause!

And save the date for 2022:

January’s Drag Queen Bingo will take place at Mango’s on Thursday, January 6 at 7 PM. Our benefiting nonprofit will be the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus!

COVID-19 Protocol Reminder: To enter the event, attendees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event. Masks must be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Our Annual Holiday Mixer on December 16 is SOLD OUT!

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, we can’t wait to see you at our Holiday Mixer on December 16th at 6 PM. Taking place at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West, it’s sure to be an extra festive evening with hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails with Tahoe Blue Vodka, an ugly sweater contest and more! Many thanks to SMUD for sponsoring this event.

To rescind your RSVP or to join the waitlist for this event, please email info@rainbowchamber.com!



Our 7th Annual Crab Feed is Next Month!

Join us for our 7th Annual All-U-Can-Eat Crab Feed on January 29th! This event will feature all the crab fixings, live and silent auction items, a DJ, and an evening of fun and dancing. A few tickets and sponsorship opportunities still remain – register and learn more here!


 Sacramento Emergency Rental Assistance Program is Now Accepting Applications

The Sacramento Emergency Rental Assistance (SERA2) program is accepting online applications for low-income renters who have not been able to pay rent and utilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Landlords can apply for assistance on behalf of their tenants, and tenants may also apply on their own behalf. 
 
Applications for the program are available on the SERA website. More information and program flyers are also available in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese here. We encourage you to help spread the word to anyone who may benefit from this SERA program.


A Message from UC Davis - Consider Registering as a Supplier

​​The University of California recently reaffirmed its commitment to small businesses by enacting the Small Business First program and incorporating it into University policy.
The new policy states that wherever practicable, University of California contracts and procurement between $10,000 and $250,000 are to be awarded to a certified Small Business or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE).

There are exceptions. It does not, for example, apply to design and construction or patient care. And UC continues to honor its obligation to maintaining a strong in-house workforce by generally prohibiting contracting out for services customarily performed by certain Union employees. However, the new policy represents a significant shift in how the University conducts procurement by creating a policy and a process for focusing specifically on Small Businesses and DVBEs. The intent is to help UC reach its goal of using small businesses for 25% of its managed spend.

As part of this effort, UC Davis has been working over the past year to strengthen its relationship with the local business community, including the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. We encourage you to learn more about UC Davis’ support of small and diverse businesses and registering as a supplier with UC and as a local supplier with UC Davis.

Please look for more information soon about UC Davis’s second annual Small & Diverse Business Expo, planned for March 2022. We look forward to seeing you and discovering new ways to collaborate and support each other!
 
 
‌
Alexandra Michel, Chair
Alexandra.Michel@Rainbowchamber.com
Fred Palmer, Executive Director
Fred.Palmer@Rainbowchamber.com
Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
916-266-2630
rainbowchamber.com