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Chamber Advantage
October 13th, 2024
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Membership Month is off to an EXCITING Start!
We’re thrilled to announce that Membership Month is already in full swing, and it’s been nothing short of fantastic! We kicked things off with two incredible community events—Brews & Banter and Elders & Elixirs—and both were a huge hit! The turnout was amazing, and everyone had an absolute blast.
A big thank you to our Board Members, dedicated staff, and wonderful Member Ambassadors for sharing their stories and thoughts on what makes The Chamber such a special place to belong.
But we’re just getting started! Our next event, Coffee & Chit Chat, is coming up this Wednesday from 10 AM to 12 PM at Spilt Milk. We’d love for you to join us and bring a friend or neighbor along. It’s the perfect chance to introduce them to the Community Contributor Membership—a great option for commuters and retirees who want to stay connected and contribute to our vibrant community.
Let’s keep the energy going. We can’t wait to see you there!
Lou Anne Johannesson
Programming and Membership Director
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Join the Chamber anytime in October and you will receive:
- Three free months of membership; You will not receive a renewal invoice until January 2026
- Discounted Membership; Check out the awesome deals we have going on for new AND existing members this month!
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Join us for a frightful night of fun and competition at the OPRF Chamber's Halloween Trivia Night, where your participation directly supports local non-profits. Non-profits that register a team receive a free Chamber membership! Enjoy dinner, a drink ticket, trivia, and a live auction.
Don't have a team? No worries—register solo, and we'll match you with a group. By attending, you help fund non-profit memberships, allowing them to thrive in our community.
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Plus, you'll have the chance to win prizes, including $125 in local gift cards for trivia winners and $25 gift cards for the best costumes.
Come dressed in your Halloween best and make it a night to remember! 🎃
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Disability Employment Awareness Month | |
This October will mark the first year the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce is celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month with a lineup of organizations who work with individuals with disabilities, joining us at chamber events. | | |
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We’re excited to highlight the importance of hiring individuals with disabilities and how it strengthens both businesses and our community.
We hope you can join us in one of our scheduled events to engage with the organizations empowering individuals with disabilities.
On Oct. 24 at 12:15 PM on Zoom, you’ll have the chance to hear from local Warriors during our Accessibility and Community Panel Discussion. In collaboration with the Oak Park Community Mental Health Board, River Forest Township, and Opportunity Knocks, this session will illuminate the existing challenges faced by customers and employees with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Help us foster a more inclusive and diverse community this October!
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We've Planned Your Week!
Here are some events we have coming up over the next week so you can register now and receive a reminder right before the event!
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Wednesday Oct 16,
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Coffee & Chit Chat with The Chamber
Join us at Spilt Milk for a casual gathering where community members and business owners can connect over a complimentary cup of coffee and engage in meaningful conversation. This event is part of the rollout of our new strategic plan, "Thriving Together".
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Thursday Oct 17,
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Chamber 102
Perfect for new members and those who need a refresher, this fast-paced seminar will review all of your member benefits to maximize your marketing advantage.
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Thursday Oct 17,
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX): Stand Out & Speed Networking
Join the OPRF Chamber’s FLEX group (formerly Young Professionals) for our Stand Out & Speed Networking event at Kribi Coffee! At this event we will be talking about being the youngest person in the room at work and how to own it!
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Thursday Oct 18,
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Join us for a Chamber sit-down luncheon! A business lunch in a casual setting, with small group networking. Come enjoy the food while you connect and get to know Chamber members.
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Message from Darien Marion-Burton, Executive Director of the
OPRF Chamber of Commerce
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As per our By-Laws, as a 501(c)6 membership-based organization, please accept this as notification of the official slate for the 2025 Board of Directors and Officers.
Instructions for presenting alternate candidates are described below following the slate for each.
The slates as presented to the Board of Directors at our regular monthly meeting on October 1, 2024 are as follows:
1. The Nominating Committee Presented the following slate of Officers for 2025:
- President - Rob Guenthner (Kettlestrings Tavern)
- Vice President - Esther Grachan (Grachan Agency)
- Secretary - Aracelis Sanchez (Dominican University)
- Treasurer - Andy Kaczkowski (WestPoint Financial Group)
The slate above was presented by the Nominating Committee to the Board of Directors at its regularly scheduled October 1 Board Meeting, as per the By-Laws of the organization. At the December Board Meeting, the President will call for additional nominations from sitting Board members present at the meeting. If there are none, those so nominated will become the new officers for 2025. If additional names are offered, a secret, written ballot by the current Directors will determine the new officers.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call or email me directly.
Thank you for continuing to support your Chamber and all that we do for the community!
Warm Regards,
Darien Marion-Burton
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The Source | OPRF Chamber
The Source is your go-to resource for expert advice and tailored guidance—all at no cost to you.
Don’t tackle the challenges of your business journey alone. Get the support and expertise you need from The Source today, completely free!
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Like to plan ahead? Plan Your Month!
Here are some events we have coming up over the next month so you can register now and receive a reminder right before the event.
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Wednesday Oct 23,
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for Prints & Pours, a collaborative event brought to you by LuckyPrints, Allies for Community Business, Make City, and The Chamber. This free community event is open to all, offering a fun and engaging evening
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Thursday Oct 24,
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Join us for an insightful event in collaboration with the Oak Park Community Mental Health Board, River Forest Township, Opportunity Knocks, and The Chamber. Learn about the challenges faced by customers and employees alike.
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Saturday Oct 26,
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Join us in celebrating the new Kiddie Academy location in Oak Park with a ribbon cutting and great networking opportunities! Come explore this exciting new daycare resource dedicated to caring for and educating children.
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Friday Nov 8,
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Julie Thompson, Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner
Founder of B.O.S.S.: Back Office Service Solutions
It's never too early to get ready for tax season! Join us to learn about what you can do now to set yourself up for success when the deadline arrives.
Your accountant will thank you for attending this session!
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Tuesday Nov 12,
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Our November Business After Hours (BAH) will be hosted by the Oak Park - River Forest Museum! We hope you can join us for our first BAH in this fascinating setting! Join us for networking, food, raffles, friends, and simply a lovely evening in excellent company.
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Food Vendors, we need your help to make the 8th Annual Bite Nite 2025, the most delicious event of the year!
Warm up a crowd this winter by serving unforgettable culinary delights and/or drinks. We'll take care of the rest! The Nineteenth Century Club's historic ballroom will be filled with live music and hungry guests!
We're carefully picking over 30 local eateries, caterers, and food brands for ONE NIGHT ONLY to treat food enthusiasts to an array of savory bites and sweet treats.
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Ready to take on the challenge to serve your specialties to locals?
Sign up today!
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Sign up to be part of our Frosty Affair Holiday Market! We'll have festive shopping featuring a delightful array of local retailers showcasing their unique products and services for sale. Don't miss out on being part of where shopping becomes a magical experience for all! | | |
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The Illinois Secretary of State and NASS are seeking young Illinoisans ages 18-25 who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a strong commitment to civic engagement with the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award!
They're now accepting applications and we invite you to share this opportunity using the award information and application here: Illinois Secretary of State John Lewis Award (ilsos.gov)
The deadline to apply for the JLYLA is Monday, November 11, 2024.
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