December 18th, 2022

From the Chamber's Board of Directors and all of the staff - we hope everyone has a lovely and restful holiday season. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are all so lucky to have you!

Gift a Membership!

Did you know that you can support a member in need this year?

As many of you know, it is time again to renew your membership with the OPRF Chamber of Commerce. There are still some businesses who are struggling, and may not be able to afford their membership. What better way to support your community than to help those businesses to continue to stay connected with the Chamber?

Plan your Week!

What is coming up this week?

Join us this week for our last two events before our holiday break. Please take time over the holidays to sit back and enjoy your friends and family. We will see you again in the new year!

Monday December 19, 5:00 - 6:30pm - BIPOC Affinity Group Holiday Party

Celebrate the holidays with our BIPOC affinity group! We will be gathering at Styles 4 Kidz for some relaxed togetherness to just enjoy the season together. Come connect with Black, Latinx, Asian-American, Indigenous peers from the OPRF business and nonprofit community! 

Monday December 19, 12:15 - 12:45pm - Meditation Mondays at CrossFunction Flexible Workspace

Join us for our Chamber program aimed at taking care of you, our small business community. Welcome to our monthly Meditation Mondays! All it takes is half an hour (that's only 30 mins!) for us to help you put your to-do list aside, empty your head of all the chatter and truly look after yourself.

Tuesday January 10, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Business After Hours at Hit It! Fitness

Our January BAH will be hosted by Hit It! Fitness in Elmwood Park. Owner Constance Contursi welcomes us into this high-energy space, and invites you to think about your fitness and wellness goals for the new year!

Hit It! Fitness is a woman-owned gym offering everything from group classes to private personal training, Power Plate Vibration Technology training, boxing training, nutrition consulting and personal meal plans, and Latin dance.

Friday January 13, 9:00 - 10:30am - Women in Business at The Sheridan at River Forest

Stay tuned for the details, but make sure to get this event on your calendar! The 2023 Women in Business programs are going to be so epic, mere words cannot describe them. Disclaimer: yes, we really are this much fun. We look forward to you joining us. See you soon! 

Tuesday January 17, 9:00 - 10:30am - Professional Development at The Carleton

During this event, you will learn how you can help the Assessor's Office be more accurate by providing more detailed information about your property or business by submitting a Real Property Income and Expense (RPIE) form. Meet with Assessor Fritz Kaegi to learn tips to ensure an accurate assessment and ask questions you may have about this process.

Wednesday January 18, 2:00 - 3:00pm - Chamber 101 via Zoom

In this seminar we will go over all of your digital benefits that come with your membership, including:

- how to significantly increase your SEO

- how to leverage your Member Profile to boost traffic to your own website

- how to track your Member Profile statistics

- how to be sure that your website is linked to your membership

This event is perfect for new members, or those who need a refresher!

Wednesday January 18, 5:30 - 7:00pm - Health & Wellness Affinity Group Meet Up at Kettlestrings Grove

Join us at Kettlestrings Grove for our first get together of the year!

We will be asking you what the Health & Wellness industry needs from the Chamber all while enjoying signature mocktails. Help us best support you over the 2023 year and beyond all while growing and strengthening your healthcare network!

Thursday January 19, 9:30 - 11:00am - #chamberLOVE Call Campaign at Grachen Agency

Love the OPRF Chamber and eager to share your story? Looking for ways to connect with potential referrals and likeminded people? Join us at Grachen Agency for our quarterly Membership Call Campaign!

Everyone is welcome to join us, you do not need to be on the Board or Staff to attend, nor do you need to be there the whole time.

Want to help us plan this fabulous event?

We will have an initial meeting on Jan 4th at 10am on Zoom.

Come along to our organizing committee meeting, learn about the event and sign up to help us get this event over the line!

Get to know your Board!

Want to learn more about your Board of Directors?

Each month we will be featuring a different Board Member (or two). These features will tell you who they are, what they do, and some fun facts about them. This month we are featuring one Board Member, our Board President, Darien Marion-Burton.

Name: Darien Marion-Burton

Place of Business: D.M. Burton

What does he do?

I make businesses look more appealing to potential customers mostly through social media management, Web Design, and Consulting. However, our robust team has a magnitude of creative capacities that allow us to be the creative jackknife of your business. 

What does he do for fun?

Make fun of Rob Guenthner for not inviting me places and drink Old Fashioneds at his bar. 

Why does he love the Chamber?

It gives me community when I need it the most. 

Advocacy Committee Update

What is the Chamber doing for you?

Every month, the Executive Director, Liz Holt, along with the Advocacy Committee, Sam Yousif, Rob Guenthner, Carly Grant and other Chamber Board Members are working tirelessly to make sure that your voice is heard. Check out some of the accomplishments so far this month!