US Chamber of Connection

"Seattle is not alone in its need for more social connection, Hurst said, citing a loneliness epidemic across America that can be linked to changes in habits brought on by the internet, social media, political division, the pandemic and remote work. To combat this, the Chamber of Connection has attracted a number of “welcome committee” members across a variety of Seattle companies and institutions, including Microsoft, Amazon, the University of Washington, Seattle University, the Seattle Mariners, and Seattle Kraken and more. “The goal is to have a committee that represents all the different newcomer populations,” Hurst said. “Part of the challenge is people in the arts need to meet people in tech who need to meet people in medicine. This is where innovation and magic happens, and where friendships that are going to change the city and country are going to happen.”" Read the full article on GeekWire: https://lnkd.in/gmifGhGM

“For many years I followed a no-new-friends ethos, one that became cemented in popular culture with the 2013 release of the track “No New Friends” by DJ Khaled, featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. The logic holds that only established friendships are true and trusted, because they have endured, and since they have endured, there is no space or utility for new friends.” Read Charles M. Blow’s full article: https://lnkd.in/ddVfNZtP

Having a third place is one of our 6 Points of Connection. We created the 6 Points as a clear and actionable checklist for individuals and leaders to define and strengthen social bonds. Grounded in extensive research across fields like psychology, healthcare, sociology, and urban planning, these six points address the core elements of social connection: safety, emotional bonding, bridging social divides, and civic engagement. See all 6 Points of Connection: https://lnkd.in/g_e_rKSN

Meet David Pellerin, founding member of the Seattle Welcome Committee. David recently semi-retired after an incredible career at Amazon Web Services (AWS). He now has a lot more time to enjoy all that Seattle has to offer and to help newcomers who move here to live, work, and play. Here is David's advice for newcomers to the Puget Sound. 1. How have you built connection and community in Seattle? My most important connections have been made outside of work, through my personal interests which over the years have included sailing and boatbuilding, hiking and climbing, writing, aviation, home and garden design, and more. I also benefit from being married to someone who has her own personal passions (music and ceramic arts, political activism) and her own network of interesting people who have become an important part of my network. 2. What do you do to help newcomers to Seattle? I love to show visitors and newcomers the hidden sides of Seattle and the surrounding areas, providing a bit of the history of this place and why it might have evolved to be what it is: highly innovative, constantly reinventing itself, but at the same time filled with introspection. Seattle, it seems, has long suffered from imposter syndrome; it is a city with a perpetual identity crisis. To paraphrase the author Jonathan Raban, Seattle is a civil place, but is not overly friendly. It takes work to create and maintain true friendships here. 3. What is one secret to building connection for newcomers? Make time to get out of your work-circle, and to meet people who come from very different backgrounds. Sign up for classes to learn something completely new - ballroom dancing, poetry writing, improv comedy, ceramic arts, rock climbing, sailing or kayaking. Do anything that will get you out of your usual community and give you new perspectives. Does everyone you know play golf or tennis? Be the weird one who takes up orienteering. Join a volunteer group for something you care about - there are many to choose from. Or pick up a sign and be part of a protest; just get out there and do something new and different. 🐻 🤗

Meet Brian Howe, a founding member of the Seattle Welcome Committee. In fact, he recruited most of the members of the team! Brian is a super connector in the social impact community in town. If you want to start something to help make the world a better place, Brian is your man. The change-maker whisperer. Here are his tips for building connection in Seattle: 1) How have you built connection in Seattle?  Deep connections emerge through intentional relationships. While I've explored formal communities, my most meaningful bonds come from individuals who consistently invest in nurturing small, intimate friend groups without forced agendas. 2) What communities are you part of in Seattle?  I've cycled through Seattle's community landscapes—neighborhood crews, university circles, startup ecosystems. My most meaningful connections emerge from a broader tribe of change-makers, united by a shared belief that meaning comes from genuine contribution. 3) What is one secret for newcomers about building connection in Seattle?  Curiosity is your superpower. Most people want connection but are waiting for someone else to break the ice. Just show up, be genuinely interested. 🐻 🤗

Newcomer to Seattle or know one of the 60k people who moved here in the last year? Registration is now open for the first three Seattle Welcome Days at Town Hall Seattle. **Who should attend?** - Your neighbor who just moved to town. - That new employee who moved for the job (and their partner). - The student who came to Seattle for college. - The refugee who needed a new place to call home. - The recent retiree who dreamed of living in the PNW. **Why should newcomers attend?** - Meet other amazing newcomers with shared interests. - Work with a volunteer life coach / facilitator to design their best life in Seattle. - Learn about amazing opportunities for play and connection. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/e4uWHtNv 🐻 🤗

Meet Jen Haller, a founding member of the Seattle Welcome Committee. As a partner and the Chief of Staff at Ascend, Jen is a super connector in the start-up community in Seattle and a champion of female entrepreneurs and technologists. Here is her advice for newcomers to Seattle, especially for those looking to break into the start-up scene. 1. How have you built connection here? The core of my job is building community in Seattle for the start-up/VC world. I get to meet thousands of founders and investors every year and it's an unmatched joy being able to help folks connect with the people and resources that unlock growth. 2) Why is connection so critical to the success of entrepreneurs in Seattle? A frequent (and often justified) critique of the startup and VC world is it's designed to maintain privilege through a reliance on "warm introductions." I believe there's a valuable opportunity to promote diversity by serving as a connector, helping founders and emerging VC managers network, form relationships, and support one another so those warm intros become easier. 3) What secret would you share with newcomers about connecting with people in Seattle? Focus on what you enjoy. I think volunteering is a great way to meet others who care about the cause, and many of your fellow volunteers are also looking for connection. If you are a start-up founder, there are multiple events every night in Seattle, my current favorite resources are the Seattle Startup Digest and 9Zero. I'm happy to share a larger list of start-up event resources, just email me (jen at ascend dot vc). 🐻 🤗 #startup #venture

Meet Beth Knox, a founding member of the Seattle Welcome Committee and the head of the Seattle Sports Commission. Like so many newcomers, she moved here after college to build a life and make an impact in the community. Today she impacts the lives of nearly everyone in the region. Not bad for someone not from Seattle. 💪 Beth is working with fellow Seattle Welcome Committee members, Ali Daniels and Katherine Cheng, to engage the professional sports teams in the city in embracing newcomers. She is also leading the effort to help newcomers connect with recreational sports - one of the best ways to build connection in Seattle. Here is her advice for our 60,000 newcomers per year, including all the amazing professional athletes and their families who move here every year? 1) How have you built friendships in Seattle?  Many of my friendships started off as work colleagues. Meeting them at a sporting event or for happy hour after a board meeting is a good way to connect over shared interests. Some of my longest standing friendships started as co-workers in our early 20’s. While we only worked together for 5 years, it was a formative experience that built a strong bond.   2) Why are sports (professional and amateur) so important to building connection?  Let me count the ways! Spectator sports bring a built-in community of people around a shared experience that creates a sense of belonging. Combined with the excitement of competition and shared triumphs and challenges, sports provide a platform for people to connect through shared passion and purpose, regardless of background or differences. Playing on a sports team builds trust, teaches communication and the gratification of accomplishing shared goals. 3) What is one secret for newcomers about building friendships in Seattle?  I connect with a lot of military personnel who move from city to city. The advice I give them, as well as other newcomers, is to check out Underdog Sports Leagues, a laidback sports program for everyday people. It’s the best way to meet new people while having fun. Seattle Storm Seattle Reign FC Seattle Sounders FC Seattle Mariners Seattle Kraken Seattle Seahawks 🐻 🤗

This is that moment when YOU decide to do something that truly makes a difference - while being stretched and meeting amazing people. We are recruiting for two exciting volunteer roles in Seattle: 1) Welcome Facilitators to help newcomers to Seattle envision the lives they want to build here and set them on a path to making it happen. 2) Neighborhood Leaders to show up once a month at a bar/cafe/venue in their neighborhood so newcomers know there will be a friendly face and venture out to be in the community. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gyUNXDHV #volunteer #jobs #socialconnection #careerdevelopment

Meet Dana Guy, founding Seattle Welcome Committee member and the head of PEPS. PEPS provides facilitated peer support for over 5,000 new parents across the region each year. PEPS is one of the core inspirations for the US Chamber of Connection - creating peer support and connection during important life transitions - new parents and newcomers. We are working together to support new parents moving to the area as well as newcomers who start or grow their families. Here is Dana's advice for newcomers including new parents moving to Seattle. 1) How have you built friends and community here? I am such a strong believer in the power of social connection that I try to build community and connection everywhere I go. Fostering a supportive community can help reduce stress and I feel that every time I'm in community. I have an amazing group of moms who I met when I had my first baby, friends from neighborhoods I've lived in and folks I have met at places where I work out over the years. I have an incredible community of fellow Nonprofit Executive Directors - we meet once month for lunch where we share ideas and resources and talk about the hard stuff that's happening. Building community takes intention and cultivation - you have to put yourself out there, make time for relationship building and being with people. And I realize that may sound like a lot of work, but it's important - relationships and connection improve our overall well-being. 2) How can parents of young kids build community? There are organizations like PEPS and Families of Color Seattle (FOCS) that offer programs that make it easy for new parents to connect and build community. There are also lots of places where you can meet other parents but you have to put a little more work in to build connection - introduce yourself when you see other parents in your neighborhood, at childcare centers, parks, schools, sports teams, classes and more. 3) What is a secret for newcomers about building connection here? Prioritize building community and connection - parenting (and pretty much anything we do) is best done with the support of others. Newcomers or not, it's important to be curious when building connection. Ask people you're meeting open-ended questions like "what's on your mind today?" If you want to go deeper, say "tell me more". Model being open yourself by sharing not just what's going well but what you are struggling with. Finding groups or people that share similar interests is always a good place to start. Understand that building relationship takes time, but is the best time you can spend on yourself! 🐻 🤗