March Chamber University classes focus on culture, communication and best practices
March Chamber University classes focus on culture, communication and best practices
The Chamber continues to bring members relevant, educational programs in March. Join us for “Cultural Intelligence(CQ): Why every business needs it!” with author and cultural communicator David Livermore on March 19, and a panel of local experts discussing Cultural Competency on March 30.
Cultural Intelligence (CQ): Why every business needs it!
Hear author and cultural communicator David Livermore as he helps individuals and organizations understand the relevance of CQ (cultural intelligence quotient) to work and life, and offers practical steps toward enhancing your CQ.
Date | Friday, March 19
Time | 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Location | Watermark Country Club, 5500 Cascade Rd. SE
Cost | $30/members, $45/future members, continental breakfast included
Cultural Competency: An Expert Panel
Panelists from Cascade Engineering, InclusionWorks and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation will share best practices, what they are doing to support cultural communication in their workplace and the community.
Date | Tuesday, March 30
Time | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Location | Grand Rapids Community Foundation, 185 Oakes St SW
Cost | $20/members, $35/future members, continental breakfast included
For details and to register for these classes, visit www.grandrapids.org/chamber-university. Or call the RSVP hotline 616.771.0303.
Back to top
Volunteer for the Chamber’s Membership Committee!
Have you been thinking about joining a Chamber committee? Now is the time! We are recruiting volunteers for the Chamber’s Membership Committee. Bring your ideas to the table! This committee will focus on all aspects of membership including:
• Development
• Retention
• New members
• Referrals
• Benefits
• Services
• Communications
Please contact Linda Zizos for additional information at 616.771.0349 or zizosl@grandrapids.org.
Back to top
Share your expertise as a Chamber U presenter this summer?
Visit www.grandrapids.org/chamber-university for the Request for Proposal to present a Chamber University class this summer – deadline is March 12. Questions about the Chamber University can be directed to Bridget Meyers at meyersb@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0342.
Chamber University is underwritten by Huntington Bank. Other levels of sponsorship are available. To see how your company can get involved contact Leslee Fritz at fritzl@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0357.
Back to top
Join MAP and Get Connected!
Can you relate to the stress and feelings of isolation faced when arriving to a new community? Do you want to expand your network of diverse professionals? If you've answered yes to either of these questions, you may be interested in joining the Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP).
MAP is a membership organization that exists to create a strong network of professionals of all races to welcome and celebrate diversity within the community. A membership fee of $50 provides networking opportunities, member-only informative and social events, complimentary and discounted tickets to Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and community events, and opportunities to volunteer.
To join MAP and to view upcoming MAP membership activities, including "Let’s Dine!" on March 16 at San Chez Bistro and "MAP Connects" on March 31 at the Peninsular Club, visit www.grandrapids.org/multiracial-association-of-professionals-map.
Questions about MAP can be directed to Sonya Hughes at hughess@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0321.
Back to top
ImPACt 2010: Pro-business, Pro-Michigan
Back to top
ATHENA Scholarship Applications available, due May 3
2010 Marks the 10th Year of the ATHENA Scholarship program in Grand Rapids! Over the past ten years the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has been thrilled to award more than $30,000 in scholarships to women over 30 who are working toward their college degree.
These scholarships are unique in that they can be used for whatever helps a women achieve her academic goals, whether that’s tuition and books or childcare and transportation expenses. If you know an area woman over 30 who may benefit from this scholarship, encourage her to visit her college or university’s financial aid office for an application or visit www.grandrapids.org/athena-award-program to download an application. Deadline to apply is May 3, 2010.
Back to top
Travel to Tuscany with the Chamber: Info session on April 13
Say “Arrivederci!” to Grand Rapids and travel to Tuscany for a 10-day Tour in November! The trip includes round-trip air fare from Grand Rapids, all hotel stays, 13 meals, stops in Rome, Assisi, Florence, Siena and more, and is $2999/person. You can learn all about this great trip online or at a Discover
Tuscany information session:
Date | Tuesday, April 13
Time | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Location | Grand Rapids Chamber, 111 Pearl St. NW
Cost | No cost for this information session!
RSVP to attend by calling 616.771.0300 or e-mailing Kathy Nelson at nelsonk@grandrapids.org.
Back to top
Attend your next Chamber event for free!
Do you know of an organization that is missing out on the great benefits associated with a Chamber membership? What about your favorite restaurant, accountant, banker, attorney, dentist, retail shop, car wash, or salon? For each new member you refer that joins the Chamber, you will receive a $50.00 credit toward any of our programs or events throughout 2010.
Visit www.grandrapids.org/referral to complete your referral form and start earning credits today. We look forward to welcoming all of your referrals into the Chamber!
Back to top
March is full of Programming to help YOU…
Click here for the Chamber’s March events calendar and don’t miss the programs that will help you and your business connect, grow & succeed!
Back to top
Apply Today for Leadership Grand Rapids
Are you an established or emerging leader in Grand Rapids? Leaders in our community are invited to apply for the 2011 class of Leadership Grand Rapids (LGR), offered through the Chamber’s Center for Community Leadership (CCL).
Leadership Grand Rapids is a nine-month community leadership program. 35 applicants will be selected to participate in the monthly sessions, with each meeting focused on a different sector of the community, including healthcare, education and sustainability. The class participates in activities, interacts with panels and takes tours to better understand the many challenges and opportunities our community faces, and the role they can play in our future success.
The 2011 LGR class will begin meeting in September 2010, and will graduate from the program in May 2011. The selected participants will be diverse in experience, sector, age and ethnicity, but will all share a dedication to making Grand Rapids a better place through their leadership roles.
Applications are available online at www.cclgr.org or by calling 616.771.0334, and are due to CCL on Friday, May 7, 2010.
Back to top
I-196 is closing, but downtown is still open for business
As you know, I-196 will be closed to through-traffic on April 12, 2010. However, downtown access will be maintained throughout the project, via College and Fuller Avenues for westbound I-196, and Ottawa and College Avenues for eastbound I-196.
The Downtown Alliance and the Chamber have met with MDOT to encourage communications that focus on the positive message – that the downtown is open and easily accessible. We encourage you to do the same whenever talking to customers or the media.
MDOT has established several methods of communications during the project, including the following:
Back to top