|
As we bid adieu to Halloween and welcome the season of gratitude and harvest, we're excited to usher in sweater weather. In this edition, we have some exciting news to kick-start your autumn. We're thrilled to announce we will begin conducting Business Sector Focus Groups, which are geared towards fostering collaboration and preparing for a successful 2024. This initiative is your chance to connect with industry peers, share insights, and shape the future together.
As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to start planning for what lies ahead. Our team has been hard at work developing our vision and goals for 2024, and we can't wait to reveal our strategy. Your active participation is essential to our collective success, so we encourage you to get connected, share your insights, and embark on this journey towards a prosperous future. Stay tuned for upcoming events, webinars, and focus group sessions to stay informed and engaged.
Thank you for being a part of our community, and together, let's make the most of this beautiful season and prepare for a bright future.
|  | |
Darien Marion-Burton
Executive Director
OPRF Chamber of Commerce
| |
|
Message from Darien Marion-Burton, Executive Director of the
OPRF Chamber of Commerce
As per our By-Laws, as a 501(c)6 membership-based organization, please accept this as notification of the official slate for the 2024 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 November 1, 2023 are as follows:
1. The Nominating Committee Presented the following slate of Officers for 2024:
- 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 17 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 2024. If additional names are offered, a secret, written ballot by the current Directors will determine the new officers.
2. The Nominating Committee has presented the following slate of candidates to fill three-year terms:
- Shana Taveras (Blackout Baking Co)
- Rev. Adonna Reid (First United Methodist Church of Oak Park)
- Matthew Johnston (Fulton Grace)
- Maia Stern (Stern Glass Works)
- Dan Mahoney (Insperity)
If you wish to submit an alternative nominee for one of these five open positions, you may do so by submitting the name of your candidate along with the genuine signatures of representatives from 25 members in good standing to the Executive Director at the Chamber Office no later than November 25, 2023. If no additional candidates are presented, the nominating process will be declared closed and the slate as presented will be declared elected at the Chamber’s regular monthly Board meeting on December 5, 2023. However, if a valid petition shall present additional candidates, an Election Committee will be appointed at the December 5, 2023 Board Meeting to oversee an election process in December, which will present ballots to all members in good standing via email.
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
| |
RISE OF THE ROBOTS:
How artificial intelligence is driving innovation and transforming society.
| |
Join us on a journey through the landscape of Artificial Intelligence, exploring its impact on businesses of all sizes. The launch of ChatGPT democratized AI technology, igniting an ongoing AI race. We invite you to our 8th annual Econo mic Symposium to discuss how AI can elevate productivity across organizations, demystify its workings, and tackle the question on everyone's mind: will the robots take over? | | |
|
|
You do not want to miss one of our Breakout Presenters at this year's Economic Symposium:
Dr. Hassan Zamir is an accomplished associate professor and the Director of the Informatics program at the School of Information Studies at Dominican University in Illinois. He holds a PhD in Information Science from the University of South Carolina and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in his field. Dr. Zamir's research interests are focused on social media and misinformation. In addition to his research, he teaches a variety of subjects including data science, artificial intelligence, health informatics, web designing, and cybersecurity.
| |
|
For those who've already purchased tickets, we're thrilled to confirm your automatic registration for this reimagined event. And if you bought a table, you now have ten front row seated tickets for the keynote!
We regret any inconvenience caused by the date change, but are confident this shift will result in an event that's more vibrant, insightful, and impactful.
Anticipate riveting discussions, enlightening insights, and opportunities to network with like-minded professionals at the OPRF Chamber Economic Symposium on November 15th, 2023.
| |
|
Plan Your Week!
What is coming up this week?
We know you are busy. To help make it easier and help you to join us at as many things as you would like, we have gathered our events for this week.
We look forward to seeing you there!
|
| |
|
|
Friday Nov 10, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM -
Women in Business Meeting
We know you have so much life and business experience and there are many places in our community who would love to learn from you! Come along and learn about how you could be a fabulous mentor to others in the area.
We'll share ideas on:
- What makes a good mentor?
- Is mentorship right for you and your business?
- Where are the mentor opportunities in our community?
- Should you mentoring work be part of your business marketing? If so then how?
| | |
|
|
Friday Nov 10, 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM -
Ribbon Cutting at Novy Hair Boutique
This week we'll be celebrating Novy Hair Boutique, now open in Oak Park! We'll be celebrating this new business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come meet the owners and discover all the products and services they offer!
Novy Hair Boutique is a full-service hair salon offering cut, color, and styling services and products in a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.
| |
|
Plan Your Month!
Like to plan ahead?
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.
Come join us for these wonderful networking opportunities and continue to grow your business!
| | |
|
|
Tuesday Nov 14, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM -
Business After Hours - Val's halla Records
Welcome New Members! Join us at our quarterly New Member Breakfast to introduce yourself and tell us about your business. This is an ideal opportunity to meet fellow new members, Chamber staff and Board leadership. You will also learn about your benefits, hear how you can get involved and get answers to your questions. We are meeting this month at Oak Park's legacy record store, Val's halla Records.
| | |
|
|
Friday Nov 17, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM -
Sit-Down Chamber Lunch at Papaspiros!
Join us for a Chamber sit-down luncheon! A business lunch in a casual setting, with a little group networking. Come enjoy the food while you connect and get to know Chamber members.
Where Are We Eating This Month?
Papaspiros, Oak Park's iconic Greek restaurant! We'll get to meet the owner and get to know other local business people at Papaspiros - a classic Oak Park destination!
| | |
|
|
Tuesday Nov 28, 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM -
Ribbon Cutting at The Children's School
Come celebrate with us! Ribbon cuttings provide an opportunity to welcome and connect with a new business, network with other attendees, and celebrate our growing business community. Connecting business to business, and business to community. This week we'll be at The Children's School at their new location, celebrating this new home for the school, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity!
| | |
|
|
Thursday Nov 30, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM -
New Member Breakfast November 2023
Welcome New Members! Join us at our quarterly New Member Breakfast to introduce yourself and tell us about your business. This is an ideal opportunity to meet fellow new members, Chamber staff and Board leadership. You will also learn about your benefits, hear how you can get involved and get answers to your questions.
| | |
|
|
Thursday Nov 30, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM -
CarefulPeach Boutique STOP&SHOP
Member Sale Day
Drop by CarefulPeach Boutique during regular business hours on November 30:
- Meet the owners of this luxury boutique.
- Receive 15% off your purchase all day (during normal open hours).
- Just tell them that you are a member of the OPRF Chamber of Commerce. We guarantee they will take care of you!
| |
The Oak Park Department of Public Health is Offering Free Opioid Overdose Trainings to Businesses | |
Overdose victims are more likely to survive if the people around them know how to spot an overdose and act quickly to save them. That's why the Department of Public Health is offering free trainings for the employees of Oak Park businesses. | |
|
Are you interested?
Click this link and fill out the form to let us know and help us plan trainings around employees’ schedules.
Businesses that participate in the training can be listed on our website as having received overdose training and supplies.
Questions
More information about the Oak Park Opioid Overdose Project can be found on the project webpage.
Contact the Village of Oak Park Department of Public Health at [email protected] or 708-358-5480.
| |
This eBlast was sent out by the OPRF Chamber of Commerce on behalf of a member in good standing as a member benefit. For information about the event described please contact the host. For information about joining the Chamber, click our website below.
STAY CONNECTED TO THE OPRF CHAMBER
| | | | |
