BizWord February 2011
From
the desk of Laura Crawford
 The
Journey is Part of the Reward
On Wednesday we celebrate business excellence at our
Chamber Choice celebration. The category of philanthropic contribution is
one of the recognized categories and I can’t help but be proud and thankful we
are a Chamber that can include such a celebration as part of a business
recognition luncheon.
Making it easy for you to show how much you care about your community, the
Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is proud to introduce
Chamber Cares. Visit the page, click on any of the Not-for-Profit logos and
you’ll find a variety of specific needs, some may surprise you – this whole
contribution idea may be easier than you thought.
Please
forward the link to your employees, groups of neighbors or students and ask
them to select an organization that matches personal passions and values, with
the abilities they are able to contribute, to assist those in need. Many in our
community already offer their time, talents and money to further missions of
not-for-profit organizations. My hope is that those same leaders will encourage
their employees, children and neighbors to do the same.
Participation in any kind of contribution program is an exciting way to get
everyone in your business involved, it creates pride, team-building and
loyalty. The commitment may be long or short term. The ways to assist are
numerous: paid time off for a volunteer day; board participation, helping with
an event or one-day fundraising effort, in-kind talent sharing or pulling out
your checkbook.
I
hope you will follow the past winners of the Chamber Choice winners in the
philanthropic category, along with the one that will be announced on Wednesday,
by participating in our newest program
Chamber Cares. Please keep in mind our other NFP programs including
Commerce In Kind (just send descriptions of no longer needed office furniture or
equipment and we’ll notify the NFP’s interested to contact you to pick it up)
and our
Volunteer Connection.
Keep in mind Albert Einstein’s words, “Setting
an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.”
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N.E.W. Launches!
Out with the old and in with N.E.W.
 The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce &
Industry is proud to announce the launch of the newly rebranded Women’s Business
Council as the
Network of Executive Women (N.E.W.).
This new program advocates for the professional women of the Downers Grove Area
Chamber through professional development and business connection opportunities.
The former Women’s Business Council has been a resource partner for women and
business professionals alike in the Downers Grove area. In order to improve the
services of which their members most benefited, the Steering Committee focused
on reorganization for 2011.
“As 2010 ended and the New Year approached we
took on the philosophy of “Out with the old and in with the
N.E.W. (Network of Executive Women).”
We are very excited about the excellent speakers we have retained as well as the
programs we have scheduled for 2011,”said Michelle Binks, Co-Chairman of the
Network of Executive Women and owner of HR Consulting Solutions.
Karen Encher
Skala, also Co-Chairman of N.E.W. and owner of KAREN SKALA WEALTH MANAGEMENT
said, “We look forward to everyone joining us at our
N.E.W. Launch Party in March. We hope
our innovative changes will amplify enthusiasm for a program that provides
professional resources to so many women in the Downers Grove area community.”
All are
invited to the official
N.E.W. Launch Party, sponsored by
Carlucci’s, on Thursday, March 24th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the
corner of I-355 and 1801 Butterfield Road in Downers Grove. The event will
feature appetizers, cash bar and plenty of business connection opportunities.
Event admission is $5 per attendee. To RSVP to this special event, please visit
downersgrove.org or call the Chamber at (630) 968-4050.
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Chamber Seeks BUY CHAMBER card
sponsor
The BUY CHAMBER program is catching on in a BIG WAY! With increased exposure to
the residents of DG, the
BUY CHAMBER discount cards are being picked up non-stop at our 7 community
locations. It is time to re-order the discount cards and the Chamber is looking
for two sponsors. BUY CHAMBER discount card sponsors will have their logo
featured on the back of over 3,000 cards. Only room for 1 more Sponsorship...act
fast! Cost is $250.
Tell me more!
Examples of front and back of BUY CHAMBER cards.
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Congratulations 2011
Chamber Choice Award Winners
Click here for photos from the event
The Downers Grove
Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is proud to announce the following winners
of the fourth annual Chamber Choice Awards presented by Advocate Good Samaritan
Hospital. With heartwarming thanks, Jim Russ of Downers Grove National Bank
accepted the award for overall Business Excellence on Wednesday, February 9th at
the DoubleTree Guest Suites & Conference Center in Downers Grove. He thanked
his staff, Chamber and community for all their continual support.
Jan Kopis of Re/Max
Enterprises was recognized for Lifetime Achievement and Danny Glover of
Skuddlebutt’s and Party People Rental was honored for Young Business
Professional. Mike DellaMaria of SHRED DOC and Community High School District 99
was the recipient of the Chamber Choice Award’s newest addition, Educator of the
Year. Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence took home the award for Community
Contribution by a Not for Profit and both Perma Seal Basement Systems Inc. and
Sara Lee Corporation accepted the award for Philanthropic Community
Contribution. In Business Excellence, Retail category, Downers Grove National
Bank took the honor, Community Bank of Downers Grove won in the Service
category, and D3 Financial Counselors won in the Professional category.
“Now in its fourth year, the Chamber Choice Awards again resulted
in a wealth of high quality applicants. We consider all Chamber Members winners;
and it’s always a delight to celebrate success. These businesses and
not-for-profit organizations are what really make this Village so special,”
stated Laura Crawford, President & CEO.
The Chamber thanks the following sponsors: Advocate Good
Samaritan Hospital, Magnetrol International, and Sara Lee Corporation.
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Members in the
News!
Congratulations to the following Members:
-
Congratulations to Barb
and Bob Kelly of Robert Kelly Studio for receiving the Community Spirit
Award from Mayor Broda of Lisle at his State of the Village address.
-
Congratulations to Susan Rippenger received special award
from Send Out Cards!
Click here to see her special recognition!
-
Matthies Builders received 2 2010 ICON Award of Excellence Gold Awards from
the Northern Illinois Home Builders Association. Gold Award for New Home
$500,001 to $750,000. Gold Award for New Home $751,000 to $1,000,000
-
Congratulations to Out-U-Go! for being
named Runner-Up for the 2010 Chicagoland Tails Magazine Reader's Choice
Award for Best Dog Walking/Sitter Service in the entire Chicagoland area!
-
Wolf Financial Group is pleased to
announce that Steven R. Martin, CFP, has joined their organization as Vice
President, Wolf Financial Management LLC.
-
Congrats to Roger Schmith of West
Suburban Community Pantry on being "Someone you should know!" Check it out
here:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/14/people-you-should-know-pantry-volunteers/
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Thank You Members!
The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce &
Industry would like to Thank the following members for their generosity and
support:
Thank you to the DG Park District for hosting the first session
of the new Attainable Futures program.
Thank you to Tivoli Bowl for
hosting the Board of Directors Retreat.
Thank you to Events by Tommy
R's for sponsoring the Business BEFORE Hours breakfast.
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