Chamber Member Spotlight: Susan Randolph Foundation

The Sharon Randolph Foundation is having a Breast Cancer Fundraiser @ Tommy T’s

with Loni Love Thursday, April 12, 2012 at @7:30pm. Please come out and support. Please call Stacy Hogg at 818-422-4174 for more information on purchasing tickets for the show. Please visit: www.sharonrandolphfoundation.org

Like Stacy Audriene’s fan page and win two tickets to the Tommy T's Fundraiser with Loni Love April 12th at @7:30pm. Answer this question: What was the name of first group she sang in? www.facebook.com/stacyaudriene

Please Like the Sharon Randolph Foundation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sharonrandolphfoundation

Be the 200th person to like our page and win Two Free Tickets to our fundariaser and comedy show at Tommy T's April 12th 2012 7:30pm!!!!

Tommy T’s Comedy & Steak House

5104 Hopyard Road Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 227-1800

Invitation to Bid for 7th Street Lane Configuration

From time to time, the Chamber is made aware of local business opportunities and projects relevant to our members and other community based organizations. See below for the most recent opportunity spotlight:

Invitation to Bid for 7th Street Lane Reconfiguration - Phase 2 Between Trapac Exit Gate & Ben. E. Nutter Terminal, Middle Harbor, Oakland, California

 A Pre-Bid Meeting is scheduled as follows:

 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Port of Oakland

Board Room, 2nd Floor, Port of Oakland Building

530 Water Street

Oakland, California

Bid Due Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Bid Due Time: 2:00 p.m.

Bidders may obtain the Bidding Documents (Project Manual) for this project on line at the Port of Oakland website at http://portofoakland.com/business/bidnotic.asp on or after Monday, January 16, 2012. Detailed instructions on downloading the Bidding Documents are available at the following web address: http://portofoakland.com/pdf/bidDownloadInstructions.pdf. Any Addenda modifying the Project Manual will be posted at the same location.

Where will Oakland look to save money?

The Oakland Redevelopment Agency will be eliminated as required by state law on February 1. The loss of that revenue means the city has to cut about $20 million from its budget every year. The money has been paying for nearly 160 employees including more than 80 people in the economic development department, 15 assistant city attorneys and half of the salary of the Mayor and City Council members. The money also paid the salaries of 17 police officers but they can’t be let go due to their employment contract. So where will the city look to save money?

The Mayor and City Administrator have submitted a plan to the City Council which they will review at a special City Council at 5:30 tonight at City Hall. The plan involves some reorganization and does eliminate 105 positions. The biggest losses are among the former Economic Development staff where a total of 42 positions are eliminated. The cut positions include some non- sworn police staff and four of the nine Neighborhood Service Coordinators. Public Works loses 23 positions and Parks & Recreation lose another nearly seven people.

City Council will make final budget decisions at their meeting next Tuesday night, January 31, at 5:30 pm.

Challenges for Non-Profits: Innovation & Competition

January's Nonprofit Roundtable featured a lively conversation on Social Enterprise. According to a recent article in "The Chronicle of Philanthropy," innovation and competition from social enterprises is one of the five challenges for the nonprofit world in 2012.

Social enterprise in this context takes on two forms: 1) private sector businesses that incorporate social action into their business model, such as the highly successful and very profitable Tom's Shoes that donates a pair of shoes per each purchased; and 2) community benefits organizations earning income from a service or product connected to their organization's mission.

Presenters Kimberly Scrafano from Goodwill Industries of the East Bay and Âna-Marie Jones of CARD - Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters, shared how their particular agencies utilized social enterprise as revenue sources. Goodwill earns significant income from sales at its thrift stores, where its constituents comprise a significant percentage of the workforce. Goodwill, as Scrafano noted, also has several contracts for cleaning/maintenance services.

CARD earns revenue in a very different but equally organic way--through keynote speaker's fees that Jones receives from engagements at a number of national conferences and events, particularly on disaster preparedness innovations and social media for emergency management. As she noted, "the deeper we went into the niche of what we do, the greater our strength."

New Chamber member Cerebral Palsy Center for the Bay Area's Marketing Director Kris Viers shared her organization's developing social enterprise -- CP Professional Document Services, which provides high quality, custom digital imaging to both private sector and community benefits organizations of all sizes.

The presentations sparked a lively conversation on ways that community benefits organizations can organically utilize their strengths as revenue-sources, rather than relying only on donations -- from creating and selling products, to providing services, to even renting space. Each participating organization left with more than one idea on how to strengthen and improve itself and its business in the community.

Each month, the Nonprofit Roundtable seeks to engage community benefits organizations and private sector members of the Chamber and their friends in similar lively conversations. The Roundtable meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 2:30-4:30 pm in the Chamber boardroom.

-Jerry Metzker
Development & Marketing Manager, Biotech Partners
Co-Chair, Oakland Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Rountable

Port of Oakland RFP for Network Security Project

From time to time, the Chamber is made aware of local business opportunities and projects relevant to our members and other community based organizations. See below for the most recent opportunity spotlight:

Request for Proposals (RFP) for Port of Oakland Network Security Project Design and Implementation

The Port of Oakland is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants for the Port of Oakland Network Security Project Design and Implementation services. The scope of this project entails the design and implementation of redundant LAN/WAN infrastructure, firewall infrastructure, web content filtering, IPS, and NAC solution that meets the Port’s data, voice, and security needs for the next 5 to 10 years.

The Port has posted this Request for Proposals (RFP) in digital format on a hosting website that can be accessed via the ‘Current RFP's/RFQ's: Port of Oakland Engineering Department’ link at the following URL: http://portofoakland.com/business/rfpsrfqs.asp. Proposing consultants should carefully review the requirements of this RFP to ensure that they meet all of the stated requirements.

A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled as follows:

10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012

First Floor Exhibit Room

Port of Oakland Building

530 Water Street

Oakland, California

Proposal Due Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Proposal Due Time: 3:00 p.m.

City of Oakland issues nearly 2,500 layoff notices

Layoff notices were issued to 1,464 full time City employees and more than 1,000 part time City employees today. The city has nearly 5,100 employees total. Layoffs will not impact sworn police officers or fire firefighters. Both groups are protected from job cuts by their contracts. The cutbacks result from the elimination of the Oakland Redevelopment Agency (RDA) which is required by state law to cease operation by February 1st, only two weeks from today.

 The City uses RDA money to pay for nearly 160 employees. That includes using RDA funds to pay half the salary of the Mayor and all Council Members. So when the RDA money goes away in two weeks the City has to adjust its budget. But that does not mean just because a position is currently funded with RDA money the person in that job will lose their job.

The decision of what salaries to cut and what jobs to eliminate will be decided by City Administrator Deanna Santana in consultation with Mayor Jean Quan and the City Council. The plan is expected to be presented to the City Council by next Monday, January 23. The Council has scheduled special meetings on Wednesday January 25^th and Tuesday January 31^st to decide where the cuts should be made.

Transbay Joint Powers Authority has Committee Openings

Do you want to get involved? Consider sitting on a city commission or committee. For example, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) – is looking for members.

Check it out below:

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) is soliciting applications from Bay Area residents interested in serving on the TJPA Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). To ensure continuity in the TJPA CAC membership, each year approximately one half of the member’s terms will expire and the TJPA will consider applicants to fill those seats.

Click Here for copies of the announcement. Applications are due by February 17, 2012, and are to be submitted to the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, 201 Mission Street, Suite 2100, San Francisco, CA 94105 or via e-mail to TJPACAC@transbaycenter.org. Applications are also available on the TJPA website at http://transbaycenter.org/uploads/2009/10/CAC_Announcement_2012.pdf

Invitation to Bid for Port of Oakland Sanitation Sewer Cleaning

From time to time, the Chamber is made aware of local business opportunities and projects relevant to our members and other community based organizations. See below for the most recent opportunity spotlight:

Invitation to Bid for

Furnishing Labor, Materials and Equipment for Inspecting and Cleaning Port of Oakland Sanitary Sewers for the Period Commencing February 1, 2012 and Ending June 30, 2013, 2014, or 2015, Oakland, California

A Pre-Bid Meeting is scheduled as follows:

9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Port of Oakland

Board Room, 2^nd Floor, Port of Oakland Building

530 Water Street

Oakland, California

Bid Due Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Bid Due Time: 2:00 p.m.

Bidders may obtain the Bidding Documents (Project Manual) for this project on line at the Port of Oakland website at http://portofoakland.com/business/bidnotic.asp on or after Monday, December 19, 2011. Detailed instructions on downloading the Bidding Documents are available at the following web address: http://portofoakland.com/pdf/bidDownloadInstructions.pdf. Any Addenda modifying the Project Manual will be posted at the same location.

Help the City of Oakland wrap up Redevelopment

The Oakland City Council voted unanimously yesterday to become the Successor Agency for the Oakland Redevelopment Agency (RDA). The RDA is required by statute to terminate all operations by February 1, 2012. As the Successor Agency the City will have the responsibility of paying off the debts of the RDA and selling its assets.

The same law that ended redevelopment agency’s in California also created a seven person Oversight Board to monitor how the debts, assets and obligations of the RDA’s are closed out. The Oversight Board for the Oakland RDA will review the actions the City of Oakland takes as the Successor Agency to the Oakland RDA. The seven members are appointed by the following officials:

County Board of Supervisors – 2 members

Mayor - 2 members (one a former RDA employee)

County Superintendent of Education – 1 member

Chancellor of CA Community Colleges – 1 member

Largest special district taxing agency – 1 member

The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce would like to recommend to these officials qualified people to serve on the Oversight Board. Please let us know if you would be interested in serving.

Bill Gates to Give 1,000 Scholarships to Low Income Minority Students

Community Opportunity

Attention Chamber Members, see below for a great opportunity. Please encourage your clients, constituents or anyone else who may be interested to apply by Wednesday January 11, 2012.

---

BILL GATES ANNOUNCES 2012 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME MINORITY STUDENTS

Bill Gates' Millennium Scholarship Program (GMS) will select 1,000 talented students next year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. Scholars will also be provided with personal and professional development through their leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career. The program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established to provide outstanding low income minority students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any area of interest. To date, the program has given scholarships to more than 15,000 students. Continuing scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following disciplines: Education, Engineering, Library Science, Mathematics, Public Health or Science. To apply, visit http://www.gmsp.org/ The deadline for submitting an application is Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Redevelopment To End: What comes Next?

Oakland’s Redevelopment Agency (RDA) must be abolished by February 1, 2012. The City of Oakland currently pays well over one hundred of its employees using RDA funds. The RDA is also used to develop real estate and fund affordable housing. How will the City perform these functions starting in February? A special meeting has been called for tomorrow at 4 pm in the City Council Chamber to begin figuring that out.

What to do this weekend in Oakland!

This weekend in Oakland includes Exhibits, Concerts, and Sporting Events!

Oakland Art Murmur is TONIGHT in downtown Oakland. For dinner choices, the Oakland Chamber recommeds Pican Restuarant, newly opened Faz Restuarant, and Old Oakland's B Restaurant,!

Oakland's very own Tower of Power will also be performing all weekend at Yoshi's to a sold out crowd!

The Golden State Warriors will be taking on the Utah Jazz at Oracle Arena. For more information on all these events, please see Visit Oakland's Calendar of Events below:

	Friday January 06 (4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.) Disneys Phineas and Ferb Live! Film/Theater Kids Phineas, Ferb, and the whole tri-state area gang embark on a bold escape jumping out from behind your TV and onto the stage in a live action adventure - right in your hometown! Venue: The Paramount Theatre Website: http://www.paramounttheatre.com
	Friday January 06 - January 08 Tower of Power Music For over 40 years, Oakland band Tower of Power has been creating their own kind of soul music. Venue: Yoshi's Jazz Club Oakland Website: http://yoshis.com/oakland/
	Friday January 06 - February 18 Between Wind and Water Art/Exhibits Beili Liu solo exhibition featuring site-specific installations and process drawings. Also featuring jewelry by Angela O'Keefe on February 4. Venue: Vessel Gallery Website: http://www.vessel-gallery.com/
	Saturday January 07 (7:30 p.m.) Warriors vs. Utah Sport Watch the Warriors take on Utah. Venue: ORACLE Arena Website: http://www.nba.com/warriors/schedule/
	Saturday January 07 (8:00 p.m.) Jarrett Cherner Trio Music New York based pianist and composer Jarrett Cherner returns to his Bay Area home for an evening of inspired jazz with his acclaimed trio. With Jeff Denson, bass and Hamir Atwal, drums. Venue: Piedmont Piano Company Website: http://www.piedmontpiano.com/
	Saturday January 07 (8:00 p.m.) The Uncomfortable Zones fo Fun Music Film/Theater Frank Moore, a world-known shaman performance artist, will conduct improvised passions of musicians, actors, dancers and audience members. Bring your passions and musical instruments and your sense of adventure and humor. Venue: Temescal Art Center Website: http://sf.funcheap.com/uncomfortable-zones-fun-oakland-3/
	Sunday January 08 (4:00 p.m.) Wesla Whitfield & Mike Greensill Music Wesla and Mike along with the wonderful Carla Kaufman on bass will mine the endless treasures of the Great American Songbook Venue: Piedmont Piano Company Website: http://www.piedmontpiano.com/

These events don't interest you? Then check out Visit Oakland's Top 100 Things to do in Oakland!

Start the New Year off Right. Join the Chamber!

Joining the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is a great way to gain new business prospects, be an active part of the Oakland Business Community and learn about new ways to advertise your business. You can attract more local business and have resources available as a part of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. It's also a great way to make connections, meet new business people and become informed about the activities going on in and throughout the Oakland Business Community.

Port of Oakland Business Opportunity

From time to time, the Chamber is made aware of local business opportunities and projects relevant to our members and other community based organizations. See below for the most recent opportunity spotlight:

The Port of Oakland has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Airport Public Parking Facilities Operations and Management at the Oakland Airport (OAK); Airport Shuttle Bus Fleet Operations and Management Services at OAK; Airline Terminal Curbside Management and Ground Transportation Coordination and Dispatching Services at OAK and a Request for Bids (RFB) for Airport Shuttle Bus Fleet Maintenance Services.

A MANDATORY Pre-Proposal Conference for the three RFPs will be held as follows:

10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
In-Transit Lounge
Oakland International Airport (Terminal 1 - 2nd Floor)
Oakland, California

A MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference for the RFB will be held as follows:

2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012In-Transit Lounge
Oakland International Airport (Terminal 1 - 2nd Floor)
Oakland, California

The Port has posted the Request for Proposals and Bids (RFP/RFB) in digital format on a hosting website that can be accessed via the ‘Current RFPs/RFQs/Procurements/Other Business Interests: All Other Port Departments’ link at the following URL:http://portofoakland.com/business/rfpsrfqs.asp. Proposing parties should carefully review the requirements of the RFPs/RFB to ensure that they meet all of the stated requirements.

Good Luck!