Thursday, August 13, 2009
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CONTACT
You may email the VITAL group at vitalforvashon@gmail.com.
VITAL'S OBJECTIVES
VITAL for VASHON is a Vashon- Maury Island Chamber of Commerce Initiative who’s goals are:
• To bring together the various island resources to create a cohesive image and message for Vashon; one which the community can rally behind.
• To position Vashon Island as a day-trip or weekend getaway destination.
• To educate and create awareness of all Vashon has to offer, for off-island visitors as well as island residents.
• To bring together the various island resources to create a cohesive image and message for Vashon; one which the community can rally behind.
• To position Vashon Island as a day-trip or weekend getaway destination.
• To educate and create awareness of all Vashon has to offer, for off-island visitors as well as island residents.
Vashon in the News
Wednesday 9/16/09: PBS did a piece titled Thriving in Tough Times, and in the beginning they talk with Bob Nortan of Appleyard Farm about growing your own food. Click here to watch but make sure to choose the video Thriving in Tough Times.
Wednesday 9/9/09: Rainy Day Garden and their soaps and the Vashon Farmer's Market receive great mention in the Seattle Magazine.com's Shopping Section. Click here to read for yourself!
Friday 9/4/09: Local broom artist Vicki Browne receives high marks on her rare and beautiful talent in The New York Times Style Magazine blog. Click here to read article
Wednesday 9/9/09: Rainy Day Garden and their soaps and the Vashon Farmer's Market receive great mention in the Seattle Magazine.com's Shopping Section. Click here to read for yourself!
Friday 9/4/09: Local broom artist Vicki Browne receives high marks on her rare and beautiful talent in The New York Times Style Magazine blog. Click here to read article
VITAL Members
Current Members
Barbara Stratton - Barbara Stratton Premium Chocolates
Debi Richards - Chamber of Commerce
George & Linda Kirkish - Palouse Winery and Vashon Island Air
Jay Becker - Community Consulting
Lee Okinga - Chamber of Commerce
Linda Bianchi - Windermere Realty and President of the Chamber of Commerce
Marie Browne - Keller Williams Realty, The Loop, and Quartermaster Inn & Restaurant
Melinda Sontgerath - The Hardware Store
Molly Reed - Vashon Allied Arts
Natalie Sheard - Cafe Luna
Priscilla Schleigh - Giraffe
Additional Members Apart of the Initial Setup of VITAL
Eric Heffelfinger - Silverwood Gallery
Karen Barringer - Vashon Bookshop
Stephen McClure - Vashon Wine Shop and Vashon Vinum Veritas
VITAL members are a combination of Chamber and non-Chamber members representing a variety of business groups on the island. For manageability purposes, 13 initial VITAL members were chosen by those from the Chamber charged with beginning this initiative. We've since added two new members while three members have stepped back as they were only able to commit their time to the initial setup of VITAL.
Barbara Stratton - Barbara Stratton Premium Chocolates
Debi Richards - Chamber of Commerce
George & Linda Kirkish - Palouse Winery and Vashon Island Air
Jay Becker - Community Consulting
Lee Okinga - Chamber of Commerce
Linda Bianchi - Windermere Realty and President of the Chamber of Commerce
Marie Browne - Keller Williams Realty, The Loop, and Quartermaster Inn & Restaurant
Melinda Sontgerath - The Hardware Store
Molly Reed - Vashon Allied Arts
Natalie Sheard - Cafe Luna
Priscilla Schleigh - Giraffe
Additional Members Apart of the Initial Setup of VITAL
Eric Heffelfinger - Silverwood Gallery
Karen Barringer - Vashon Bookshop
Stephen McClure - Vashon Wine Shop and Vashon Vinum Veritas
VITAL members are a combination of Chamber and non-Chamber members representing a variety of business groups on the island. For manageability purposes, 13 initial VITAL members were chosen by those from the Chamber charged with beginning this initiative. We've since added two new members while three members have stepped back as they were only able to commit their time to the initial setup of VITAL.
"...so to be as open, transparent and communicative with the island as possible..."
ReplyDeleteSo then, WHO makes up VITAL? Who is on the committee, and how were these business leaders selected?
"Tourism" has been (and will continue) to happen on this island. It encompasses the typical family & friends but also the day and weekend visitor. The challenge is to find the "right balance"!
ReplyDeletestill want to put attention to the immediate issues for local islanders..let's address garbage cans, bike racks, saturday morning traffic issues, etc........let's work inside of our hometown boundries...let's make living and shopping on Vashon better for the people who support the economy on a year round basis...
ReplyDeleteMichael Schuman writes about several successful VITAL type efforts in his book "The Small-mart Revolution, how local businesses are beating the global competition". He makes much of the BALLE organization which encourages members of a community to "Shop Local First" in a variety of ways including local currencies in some instances. BALLE is now headquartered in Bellingham I've just learned. At any rate, the essential economic fact Island business people need to remember is that a dollar spent in a locally owned business circulates several times in the local community helping create jobs here before going off-Island into the larger economy helping create jobs there whereas a dollar spent at a chain store goes to that chain's headquarters almost immediately.
ReplyDelete