OVERVIEW
The Jefferson County Connectivity Summit is a groundbreaking civic engagement event designed to strengthen the connections in our community and increase our effectiveness at working together. Formerly known as the Connectivity Fair and the Job and Trades Fair, we have taken 2 of our most effective community events and combined them into a full and incredible weekend of events.
Taking place March 7-9 at Chimacum High School, the three day event will commence on Friday with a Youth Opportunity Fair and Youth-Voice Symposium for all Jefferson County High School Students. Day two convenes a Connectivity Tabling Fair of 100+ community organizations and government agencies. Layered into the fair will be exciting rapid networking games, collaborative projects, and an afternoon of Ignite Talks! and Open Space Sessions where participants set the agenda! Saturday will wrap-up with Long Story Short, a storytelling party at Finn River. On Sunday we ask “Who do we need to become as a community to meet this moment?”. Through presentations and workshops we will explore how we can come together as a community to prepare ourselves for climate resilience. Sunday will wrap-up with a free community meal hosted by Chef Arran Stark and the team at Jefferson Healthcare!
FRIDAY, MARCH 7
Open to High School aged youth and Participating Organizations Only
A day dedicated to connecting high school youth with opportunities and amplifying their voices in shaping the future of Jefferson County
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES FAIR
A comprehensive showcase of:
- Jobs and internships
- Education and training paths
- Support services
- Enrichment programs
- Community service
- Summer activities
ENAGAGE JC PLANNING WORKSHOPS
Interactive 20-minute sessions with Engage JC—a coalition of community organizations focused on grassroots participation in Jefferson County's comprehensive planning. Students will directly influence policies that shape our region's future.
YOUTH SYMPOSIUM
"Unfiltered: Young Voices, Real Experiences"
An honest dialogue with young adults from Jefferson County. Through candid discussions, film and group conversations, they'll share what it really takes to make a life and living here. We'll explore their experiences growing up in Jefferson County, how they found and use support systems, and the wins they've celebrated along the way.
SATURDAY, MARCH 8
CONNECTIONS CAFE
10AM - 3:30PM
Gather, chat, and connect.
OPENING CEREMONY
10:30AM
Welcome from County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhower
JUMP START CONNECTIVITY
10:35AM - 10:50AM
A fast-paced, 15-minute session to meet new people, exchange ideas, and kickstart deeper connections for the weekend.
Don’t miss it.
CONNECTIVITY TABLING FAIR
10AM - 1PM
Meet over 100 nonprofits, businesses, and agencies working to make a difference. Learn how to get involved, join collaborative projects, and take part in rapid networking to share ideas and build connections.
CHIMACUM FOOD TRUCK
BOX LUNCH • 12PM - 1PM
Box Lunches Provided by the Chimacum Food Truck. Register to reserve your lunch today. Menu includes:
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BLT – maplewood smoked bacon, roma tomato, organic greens with basil aioli
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The Green Supreme - avocado, sprouts, sliced cucumber, cheese, hummus spread
Each with the following sides:
Fresh fruit, housemade cookie, and a housemade snack bar
IGNITE TALKS!
SATURDAY • MARCH 8 • 1PM - 1:50PM
Housing for Workforce
Brent Butler
Learn about eight pre-approved housing designs that are cost-effective, easy to build, and tailored for both the County and City—offering a streamlined path to more affordable housing.
The Compassion Project
Clerk, Coach, and Concierge
Greg Brotherton
Exploring a framework for AI in the public sector—how artificial intelligence can assist government services.
Becca Mauer
An introduction to the Alternative Enforcement Program, which integrates compassion and social determinants of health into code compliance
Emily Calkins
With sewer infrastructure coming to Port Hadlock and Irondale, what does this mean for the community? How can we shape its future while honoring its past?
Reimagining the Future of Irondale
Scott Freeman
Discover how the first-of-its-kind timber co-op is developing a 12.2-acre local wood processing and retail center near Port Townsend—supporting sustainable forestry and high-quality architectural wood.
Introducing the Jefferson Timber Cooperative (JTC)
The Importance of School-Based Health Centers (SBHC)
Dr. Melinda Bower
SBHCs provide on-campus healthcare, ensuring students get the care they need while staying in school. Learn how they support preventive care, early intervention, and student success.
OPEN SPACE SESSIONS
SATURDAY • MARCH 8 • 1:50PM - 3:20PM
You shape the agenda. Have a topic, question, or idea? Write it down, announce it, and host a discussion. Others will join the conversations that interest them. Sessions are flexible—move between groups as needed.
HOW TO PREPARE:
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Think of a challenge, idea, or topic you’d like to explore.
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Be ready to introduce it briefly—no expertise needed, just curiosity.
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Bring questions, insights, or materials to enrich the discussion.
HOW TO SIGN UP:
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Find the Open Space Sessions Kiosk (Chimacum Gym, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
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Create a poster with your session’s name and description.
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Get your meeting space assigned by the Spark Sessions Coordinator.
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Give a 30-second pitch for your session at 1:50 after the Ignite Talks
Open Space Sessions are guided by the idea that the right people will show up, everything unfolds as it should, and sessions begin and end naturally.
CONCURRENT WITH OPEN SESSIONS
2:10PM
CONNECTIVITY PROJECT FILM SCREENING
Local filmmaker Rose Madrone will show the film Connectivity Project which examines how each of our actions make a difference in our interconnected world. This film is one of the original inspirations behind the Connectivity Summit!
SATURDAY • MARCH 8 • 5PM - 8PM
LONG STORY SHORT
Join us at Finnriver from 5PM - 8PM to enjoy delicious cider, local food and live music at Chimacum’s fantastic and family friendly community hearth! The heart of this gathering features ‘Long Story Short’ , an unforgettable selection of short, personal stories curated on the theme of “unexpected connections,” and shared by various storytellers in under 10 minutes to our live audience.
Hear and cheer on our brave storytellers from 6 - 7 pm in the Hay Barn. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!
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SUNDAY, MARCH 9
PLENARY & WORKSHOPS
SUNDAY • MARCH 9 • 1PM - 5PM
ROSALEE WALZ
CHEMAKUM ELDER AND HISTORYTELLER
1PM
Rosalee Walz, a Chemakum elder, historian, and storyteller, is passionate about weaving Chemakum history into the broader story of the Olympic Peninsula. She has served on the Seattle Indian Health Board, worked in human resources and development, and been an executive coach and writer. With degrees from the University of Washington and Antioch University, she applies her M.A. in Whole Systems Design to her work in community history and resilience.
JEFFERSON COUNTY CLIMATE CONTEXT
1:30PM
Kate Dean - Deputy Director of Policy for the Department of Natural Resources
Josh Peters - Director Jefferson County Community Development
What does climate change mean to Jefferson County? What is the Climate Change Element of the Comprehensive Plan? What could a climate resilient Jefferson County look like?
WORKSHOPS
SUNDAY • MARCH 9 • 2PM - 3:30PM
The Practice of Listening
– Leslie Roberts
How can we access our extensive collective experience and the wisdom that exists in our community? This workshop is an exercise in thorough listening.
Community Climate Resilience
– Lara Gaasland-Tatro
What would you do in the face of extreme heat and wildfire smoke? This hands-on session will simulate a climate emergency, guiding small groups through response planning for personal, family, and community resilience. With an experienced facilitator, you’ll explore ways to support one another and strengthen local preparedness.
Climate Justice Conversation
– Cendre Hunt & Tonia Burkett
Join members of ENGAGE JC for a facilitated conversation about the intersection of Climate Change and Community Organizing , Equity and Justice.
Food Sovereignty & Environmental Restoration
– Michael Pilarski
What role do local food systems and land management play in climate solutions? This workshop will introduce agroforestry, wetland cropping systems, and wildcrafting, exploring how we can build self-reliance, restore biodiversity, and create sustainable food sources in Jefferson County.
Grounding in Climate Awareness
– Cameron Jones & Crystie Kisler
Join ENGAGE JC facilitators for a mindful walk through Chimacum Park, connecting with the land and considering how we can stay open-hearted and responsive to climate change’s impacts while strengthening our relationship with the natural world.
Shaping Stories, Strengthening Community
– Zhaleh Almaee
A picture is worth a thousand words. This experiential workshop draws on Image Theatre to share stories and responses to climate change in dynamic and connective ways. No theatre experience needed, all bodies and abilities welcome.
Your Voice, Your Power: How to Be Heard by Local Leaders
– Amy Howard
Want to influence local decisions or even run for office? This session will provide practical strategies for engaging with the government, making your voice heard, and navigating local democracy. Through discussion, interactive exercises, and Q&A, you’ll leave with actionable insights on civic participation.
Awaken the Human, Change the World
– Becky Nunn
Can climate action start with personal transformation? Becky Nunn, a creative entrepreneur, has spent decades exploring self-discovery modalities to foster strong relationships in her business. In this session, she’ll share techniques for personal growth that can support collective action and change.
THE BIG FEED
SUNDAY • MARCH 9 • 4PM - 5PM
We’ll close the weekend with a free community meal—a time to celebrate, reflect, and strengthen the connections we’ve built. Enjoy Northwest Chowder, fresh bread, and salad prepared by Chef Arron Stark, sponsored by Jefferson Healthcare.
Let’s break bread and build a more resilient, connected community—together.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
