We are privileged to present this year's Top 10 list of concerns facing businesses in 2022. This list was compiled by our Chamber Board of Directors as a summary of what keeps our business owners up at night.
We know running a business is hard these days and we are committed to ensuring that our local business owners have a voice to the community. This list does just that—a summary of the many aspects of running a business, retaining and paying staff and what it takes to just "keep the doors open." Dialogue and sharing of ideas is a critical component to helping navigate these challenging times. Reach out to us at any time and let us know what you think. We want to hear from you!
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Board President
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Executive Director
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Friday February 18 , 12-12:30pm - Inter-Chamber Takeout Stakeout at Madison Park Kitchen
Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at Madison Park Kitchen in Forest Park! In this event, we convene at a designated restaurant to pick up our takeout lunch choices, and get to see each other for a bit while we're at it in a socially-distanced meetup. Like our Tuesday Tasting lunch series from which this springs, lunch is a flat $16 including tax and tip.
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Wednesday February 23 , 6-7:30pm - Young Professionals' Escape Room Night
Join our Young Professionals for a fun evening, striving together to solve puzzles to make our way out of the escape rooms at Escape Factor!
There are several rooms to choose from, so when we know how many we are, we'll form teams - if you've already done a room or two there, you'll be able to request a different room to keep it fresh.
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Monday February 28 , 5-6:30pm - BIPOC Affinity Group at Styles 4 Kids
Close out this Black History Month with our inaugural BIPOC Business Owner affinity group meeting!
We will be hosting an informal meet and greet on Monday, February 28th at Styles 4 Kids. Come connect with Latinx, Asian-American, indigenous and Black peers from the OPRF business and nonprofit community!
During this event, we will do introductions, talk about what type of programming and resources are needed, and discuss meeting frequency and goals for the group. Food and Beverage will be provided.
Come join us to make connections with great folks, and to take your place at the table in shaping the future of this new group!
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Thursday March 3 , 1-2pm - Nonprofit Affinity Group Virtual Meetup
Come join the Chamber's nonprofit affinity group for our monthly gathering. This month: guest expert Jerry "Hutch" Hutchinson, principal of local design firm Hutchinson, on "When to do a branding refresh, and considerations in doing so."
Coming to you via Zoom Meeting! You can connect via video link on your computer using the link we'll send you, or call in via your phone.
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Friday March 4 , 12-12:30pm - Takeout Stakeout at Kettlestrings Tavern
Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at the esteemed Kettlestrings Tavern! In this event, we convene at a designated restaurant to pick up our takeout lunch choices, and get to see each other for a bit while we're at it in a socially-distanced meetup. Like our Tuesday Tasting lunch series from which this springs, lunch is a flat $16 including tax and tip; a range of menu choices are listed on the website.
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Office of Minority Economic Empowerment:
Overview of Financial Resources for Minority Small Businesses
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Is access to capital important to you in your business? The OMEE Business Development Managers invite you to an open online conversation for all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses as well as all marginalized communities such as Arab, LGBTQIA+, etc.) regarding FINANCIAL RESOURCES. We will provide you with the latest updates on federal and state programs, share information about other resources, and answer any questions you may have.
Want more information about Professional Development, check out the website! We are adding more events as they become available.
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Member Benefits Series
New to the Chamber?
Meet other new Chamber members, staff and Board Members!
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Welcome New Members! Join us at our New Member Breakfast to tell us all about your business, to meet Chamber staff and board leadership, learn about all of your benefits, and find opportunities to get involved. Board members and staff are on hand to meet new members and answer any questions! |
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Take a Break with Us
We know that owning or working in a business has been particularly hard this past year and we are guessing that you could use some TLC!
Join us as we launch our NEW 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.
Who will lead the meditation?
We are thrilled to partner with the Kadampa Meditation Center in Oak Park to bring you this monthly meditation. The fabulous Kelsang Chogo will lead the meditation and talk you through every step. You don't need to do anything but show up and breath!
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After a "small" Covid hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that the OPRF Chamber's Annual Health & Wellness Fair is scheduled for May 15, 2022!
This is an amazing event, but we need your help to make it happen! Come along to our organizing committee meeting, learn about the event and sign up to help us get this over the line!
We will be meeting next at 1pm on February 23rd at FFC Oak Park.
If you are considering joining the planning committee, please make sure to register!
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With over 440 other local businesses, we would love to help you survive these trying times, grow your business and get you more connected into the community.
Our Chamber is all about Community - plain and simple. And this Community knows that "a rising tide floats all boats"...and right now our boats need some float!
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The Village of Oak Park has contracted with BerryDunn to conduct a study of the Oak Park Police Department and its operations. We are soliciting direct input from various sources, including police department and Village staff, the community at large, elected officials, and from community and professional stakeholders like you. A website has been created for this project using Social Pinpoint that can be accessed via this link: (Village of Oak Park Community Portal). The Social Pinpoint site contains opportunities for input, a schedule of events, and various project information.
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This newsletter is made possible in part from a grant from the
Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation.
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Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce
143 S Oak Park Avenue
708.613.0550
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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
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