Telephone: (253) 845-6755


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Professional Development

Leadership Institute

The Puyallup/Sumner Chamber Leadership Institute is an intentional strategy for developing high quality volunteer leaders for civic, charitable, and governmental organizations in the Puyallup/Sumner area. As part of a network of local business and civic leaders, participants will have an opportunity to develop collaborative and ethical leadership skills. The Puyallup/Sumner Leadership Institute is designed to get results. At the end of the program, participants are expected to become engaged with community organizations in leadership roles.

You can also view the brochure and fill out the application.

Retreat — September 19, 2008

This mandatory full day session including dinner, kick starts the Institute by giving the class the opportunity to get to know each other and gain insight into their own leadership style and the program schedule for the eight upcoming monthly sessions. The retreat session will offer a focus on servant leadership, plus in-depth assessment about the individuals' leadership style. This session will set the base for learning over the next nine months of the Leadership Institute.

Economic Development — October 17, 2008

Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Offenbecher Commercial.
This session will examine Puyallup’s and Sumner’s past in order to learn about the future. Perspectives on community issues will be discussed. Participants will explore current economic problems and challenges and will see business projects, which offer innovative solutions to these challenges. This session is designed to provide insight into the business profile of Puyallup and Sumner, and to review the role of business, industry and employment in our community.

City/County Government — November 21, 2008

The objective of the day is to provide knowledge of local government's responsibilities, funding, leadership, politics, limited resources and citizens' opportunities in government. Participants learn how our local government is financed and how those funds are used to support our community. The intent of this session is to inform participants about the governmental process and explore opportunities for community participation.

Human Services — December 19, 2008

Presentations will cover the human service needs in Puyallup and Sumner. Information is included about services available to meet the needs of all citizens in our community; the elderly, handicapped, homeless and poor. The intent of this session is to heighten the awareness of area human service offerings, while stressing the role of community involvement in the process.

Diversity — January 16, 2009

During this session, participants will learn about the many facets of diversity and how to more effectively foster diversity in our communities. Additional topics will also cover the areas of working with tribal governments and learning from others’ perspectives. At the end of the session, the participants will have enhances skills for working in an increasingly diverse world.

Media Relations — February 20, 2009

This portion of the program covers the role of the media and how you as a community leader can be effective with the local media. Participants will learn key steps for good media relations, how news stories are developed, the importance of advertising and how to prepare to handle media in the case of emergencies. At the end of this session the participant will have a better understanding of the local media, their role in the community and proper steps for sound media relations.

Boardsmanship/Fundraising — March 20, 2009

This session will feature boardsmanship and fundraising responsibilities including grants, contracts and sponsorships related to financing projects and events. Ethical and fiduciary responsibilities will be discussed. Participants will learn what key questions to ask to help determine their amount of involvement in various groups, boards and commissions. Roles of officers and skills needed to chair a Board will be included.

Quality of Life — April 17, 2009

The intent of this session is to feature the quality of life in the Puyallup and Sumner areas. Included will be presentations on area developments, future plans for projects to enhance the area's quality of life and discussion of what the area has to offer (outdoor recreation, the arts and cultural opportunities). The session will heighten the participant's awareness of the abundant offering of activities that make up Puyallup and Sumner’s great quality of life. Education systems and care of the environment as tools to ensure long-term quality of life will be addressed.

Final Session & Graduation — May 15, 2009

The future opportunities and challenges of the Puyallup and Sumner region will be presented and the class will be invited to become involved in the leadership of our community. Participants will receive their graduation certificates during a ceremony at the Puyallup / Sumner Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Online Learning Center

Pierce College and the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber have teamed up to offer Chamber members an Online Learning Center

The Online Learning Center is a practical, yet affordable web-based solution that delivers convenient access and easy to understand online courses to members. Participants enjoy the freedom of choosing and completing self-paced courses with a computer and internet access.

  • Problem Solving
  • Employee Appraisals
  • Business Writing Skills
  • Communication Essentials
  • Dealing With Difficult People
  • Decision Making
  • Diversity Insights
  • Managing Conflict
  • Running Effective Meetings
  • Negotiation
  • A Chilly Climate: Preventing Harassment in the Workplace
  • New Supervisor - The First Six Months
  • Communication Essentials for Managers
  • Delegation: Setting Work Priorities and Monitoring
  • Legal Issues for Managers and Supervisors
  • Change Management
  • Hiring and Firing

For further information or to register for a course, please call (253) 845-6755.

Coffee, Doughnuts & New Colleagues

Chamber and community members are invited to stop by any Thursday morning for coffee and doughnuts between 9:00 - 10:00. With no agenda, no fee, lots of participants and yummy treats - this is a great networking opportunity.





Chamber Sponsors

Coldwell Banker Frontier Bank Good Samaritan Hospital Nationwide Rainier Pacific Bank