My Summer Working at the Chamber August 27, 2008
Posted by megan in Summer Internships.1 comment so far
Desiree, with fellow intern Andrew Goodwin, at the Chamber’s Reception area.
My name is Desiree Ray. I attend Frankford High School. In September 2008, I will be entering my senior year. I’m so excited about my last year of school. I want to go in with an even more positive and determined attitude, and thanks to my Work Ready summer internship experience, I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
I have been a WorkReady intern for two years now. Last year my internship took place at Educational Data Systems, Inc. This year it was with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and I loved every minute of it. I felt so useful at my job. I know it’s an internship but believe it or not, I was treated like a regular employee. I was given an ID tag (smile) that meant a lot to me. Also I have my own desk, computer, and a company e-mail. Some of the tasks I do for the Chamber are research members and their status, scheduling of meetings, data entry, event planning, filing, invoices, and other little odd jobs around the office for people. I share a office with Ms. Arnette and Ms. Pat. They are so funny. I can’t stop laughing when I’m in the office with them.
It shouldn’t be a secret that WorkReady is doing a great job helping kids better themselves. I feel like I have the potential to do a lot of positive things and thanks to Work Ready I already have. They gave me the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Philadelphia and one thing’s for sure: it was on exciting experience that I will never forget. I was given the chance to meet the Mayor because of all the positive work I did with WorkReady and Philadelphia Youth Network in the past. They saw that I was a young adult who wanted something out of life and wanted to encourage me to continue doing positive things, so they gave me something I would call a chance of a lifetime, and I met the Mayor. When I met the mayor I was nervous, but not for the reason we were there. We were there to encourage the mayor to call businesses and ask them to offer more jobs for young high school students. I thought that him taking time out for us to say what we had to say was great and I respect him a lot more for that.
To learn more about the Chamber’s summer internship program, click here.
Promoting Business Diversity August 21, 2008
Posted by megan in Events, Professional Development.add a comment
The Chamber is pleased to partner in presenting the 2008 Business Diversity Works Conference on Wednesday, September 3 in Hershey, PA. This conference was created to help women and minority-owned businesses gain the skills needed to competitively bid and successfully complete significant contracts with larger corporations. At the same time, the conference helps create more diversity within these corporations, resulting in increasing the economic growth and development throughout the region.
The Business Diversity Works Conference is in its fourth year, but the first time that its reach has extended statewide.
This year’s conference will be focused on the marketing aspect of business diversity, including such topics as:
- Generational Diversity
- Marketing to Women
- Developing a Solid Marketing Plan for Global Success
- The Hispanic Market
Click here for more information or to register.
My Degree Now Makes College Degrees Accessible to Philadelphians August 20, 2008
Posted by megan in Michael Nutter, Photos, Public Policy.add a comment
Photo by Mark C. Psoras
Earlier this month, the Community College of Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter, our President & CEO Mark Schweiker, and representatives from other local businesses met at the Chamber’s offices to announce a new educational initiative that will enable Philadelphians to earn college degrees without incurring debt.
Here are photos from the press conference.
For more information on My Degree Now, click here.
Networking Provides a Welcome Midday Break August 18, 2008
Posted by megan in Events, Member Submitted, Networking, Photos.add a comment
Submitted by Gerry Furgione, PhillyCarShare
The perfect recipe to cure the summer doldrums…. a Chamber of Commerce midday networking event was held August 13 at the Chamber offices. While it may seem that Philadelphia comes to a complete halt in August for us sales and marketing types, the Chamber came up with the right prescription for renewed networking activities and a shot in the arm for this month’s prospecting agenda. It provided a good opportunity for me personally to ditch the golf shirt, put on a suit and tie, and get back in the game.
The turnout at Wednesday’s networking event was many and varied. The room was packed with representatives from new companies as well as veteran Chamber members. I don’t know how they do it, but the Chamber continues to excel in signing up new businesses and attracting quality business people to sell out their events. They seem to always have a good mix of industries and size of businesses.
Philly Launches Green Office Pledge August 15, 2008
Posted by megan in Go green, Public Policy.add a comment
A coalition of nine Philadelphia organizations, including the Chamber, has introduced the first Green Office Pledge in America, giving every business a simple, easy checklist to put their environmental consciousness into immediate action.
The goal is simple: to have every business owner in Philadelphia go to www.greenofficepledge.org, sign the pledge, and make a commitment to start going green. Additionally, the pledge identifies thirty easy tips for business to implement environmentally friendly changes, along with a list of resources for information and assistance.
You can make a difference! Click here to download the pledge.
Business Savvy: How Your Employees Health Predicts the Health of Your Business August 13, 2008
Posted by megan in Business Savvy, Member Submitted.add a comment
Do you have an expert opinion concerning prominent business issues? If so, write a Business Savvy article for GtrPhilaBiz and share your wisdom with the regional business community. Simply chose a specific issue that affects business and present your solution. Email it to us here.
How Your Employees Health Predicts the Health of Your Business
Submitted by: Ali M. Shapiro, Founder, Pyour nutrition
Woody Allen said, “80% of life is showing up.” If you want to succeed in business however, this can’t be true for your employees. Today’s global marketplace demands more; yet businesses in the United States are pooling from a population with decreasing productivity and health. Of the U.S. workforce:
- 60% are overweight
- 60% are at risk for diabetes, cancer and heart disease
- 145 million people are living with chronic diseases
So what do Woody Allen and “showing up” have to do with your company?
YPN and Variety, the Children’s Charity, Root for the Phils August 7, 2008
Posted by megan in Photos, YPN.1 comment so far
Submitted by Mai-Linh Hoang, SilverFlame Communications
On Tuesday evening, volunteers were out in full force to take kids to the ball game. Variety, the children’s charity, held it’s third annual Variety Night at the Phillies, hosted by Young Variety and the Young Professionals Network. Nearly 60 YPN members volunteered with Young Variety and in addition, there were volunteers from CVS and Tierney Agency. The night started out with sensitivity training for all volunteers. It gave us an opportunity to learn about the good works of Variety and also to hear directly from a parent of a disabled child. She stressed the important and significance of Variety in their lives and how Variety gave her son a true learning opportunity. We then met the kids at their bus and took them inside the ballpark. It was wonderful to see their excitement, and for many, this was their first Phillies game.
This event marked the first volunteer opportunity for YPN members of the 2008-2009 season. Last month, YPN awarded its first Volunteer of the Year Award for the most engaged YPN volunteer for the past year. The next YPN volunteer event will be on October 18th for Philly Cares Day at McClure Elementary.
Click here to view more photos from the game.
Be sure to attend YPN’s kickoff event on September 17th at the Hard Rock Café and hear Mark Schweiker, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, speak about upcoming Chamber initiatives and how YPN members can get involved.
For more information about YPN and the upcoming volunteer event, please email ypn@greaterphilachamber.com.
