SHORELINE — If the word junior conjures up any image, it is likely a younger and smaller version of something.
In the case of the new Shoreline Junior Chamber, the organization is not only younger and smaller than the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce — it is also different.
The group has recently been introduced into the community, but is not officially a chapter yet. To gain official status, the junior chamber needs 20 new charter members — a goal local organizers hope to achieve by October.
Once the group obtains official status with 20 new members, it will be possible for members to transfer from other chapters.
Heather Moody, 30, is the new chapter’s affiliation chairperson. She lives in Shoreline, is a small- business owner, and was a member of the Seattle chapter for 10 years. Moody said she became interested in expanding the group into Shoreline after living in the city for four years.
“I had a strong interest in Shoreline,” Moody said. “Shoreline is a very young city and a great middle ground between Seattle and Everett.”
Members in the junior chamber must be between 18-40 and are not required to live in Shoreline. It is a volunteer organization and the focus is on teaching leadership, management training, raising funds and volunteering. Participants learn such skills as team building, time management, business management and networking.
“The chamber of commerce is a business networking group, and the junior chamber encourages networking. But we also encourage individual development,” Moody said.
Karen Hauger, the Shoreline chapter president, said there is no requirement for members, other than that they have an interest in promoting Shoreline.
Hauger, 40, said the members have been brainstorming to determine what types of projects they would like to embark on. The organization is member driven, she said, and members form the plans.
The chapter will eventually have a monthly general meeting, and specific committees may meet more often. There has not been an official meeting yet, only brainstorming meetings.
Some members have also been attending city functions, such as City Council meetings, to gain a presence. They also recently began contacting local businesses, city hall and the chamber of commerce, telling them about the new organization.
“At this point we have been doing a lot of word of mouth,” Hauger said. “We are also attending a lot of functions in the community.”
Although the group is not affiliated with the chamber of commerce, Hauger said information was sent to them as well.
“We are hoping to have a symbiotic relationship,” Hauger said. “We are training new leaders and are hoping to work alongside them.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
