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The Chambergram is sponsored by: |
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Networking @ Noon:
Retail Industry Insights
Thursday, February 18th | Noon - 1:15 p.m.
Join the Chamber and Gary Ferguson from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, as well as Jan Rhodes Norman from Local First Ithaca, to discuss the state of our retail industry sector in Tompkins County. Retailers have been among the hardest hit industries throughout the pandemic and related economic fallout, but we'll invite some area retailers who've experienced success to lead our networking breakout sessions on the following topics:
- Technology & digital solutions
- Customer satisfaction, safety, accessibility
- Collaboration & partnerships that evolved during the last year to help businesses be successful
It's more important than ever to support local small businesses - especially in the retail sector - join us to explore why that is, and what you can to to help. Thanks to our series sponsors - Hilton Garden Inn, Bailey Place, Sciarabba Walker, and Sheldrake Point!
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Jordan Herson has officially joined the Tompkins Chamber & Visit Ithaca team full time in the role of Marketing & Communications Specialist. Jordan has been with the organization for a year, starting in February 2020 as an intern, and quickly becoming a part time team member focusing on communications, social media, and website updates. In her new full time role, Jordan will support both the Chamber and CVB with integrated marketing across multiple platforms, content creation, and continue her work coordinating Member of the Week, as well as supporting the Live in Ithaca Initiative. Email Jordan
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Many Chamber businesses and organizations are asking what they can do to respond to systemic racism, workplace inequities, and exclusionary cultures in the current moment. To support Members' desire to build greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their respective workplaces, a group of experienced facilitators and consultants will be conducting a six-part webinar series, led by Dr. Paula Ioanide of Rise to Equity, in partnership with the Chamber. This series is presented by Cayuga Health System, with additional support from Community Foundation in Tompkins County and Tompkins Financial.
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training Series, Session 1
Systemic Racism in Tompkins County
Thursday, February 25th | 9 - 11 a.m. SESSION FULL, Wait List Only
The first training will focus on Systemic Racism in Tompkins County. The concept of systemic or institutional racism and poverty is made tangible to workshop participants through an interactive workshop focused on housing and residential segregation in Tompkins County. Participants walk away with a personalized understanding of systemic racism that can be used to launch discussions about social responsibilities and remedies. Session 1 presented by Dr. Paula Ioanide of Rise to Equity.
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training Series, Session 2
Trauma-Informed, Mindful Leadership During Pandemics:
The Challenge for C-Suite and HR in Visionary Organizations
Wednesday, March 17th | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Research supports that using a trauma-informed lens to support new and existing pathways to inclusion, mindful equity, and cultural competency is imperative, as we contemplate "pandemic upon pandemic" for our workforce and by extension, those neighbors, families, and communities impacted in the lives of our employees, teams, contractors, and vendors. Through an agreed-upon set of principles, values, and respectful dialogue around where our experiences both converge and diverge, this interactive workshop allows participants to develop a mindful trauma-informed framework for building inclusive, bias-free teams while recognizing the value of developing a growth (rather than fixed) mindset for equity that reduces stress, increases engagement, and sparks both creativity and innovation. Presented by: Michelle Courtney Berry, Courtney Consulting Enterprises, LLC
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training Series, Session 3
Tips for Interrupting Bias, Bigotry, Stereotypes and Negative Assumptions at Work
Wednesday, March 31st | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Bigoted comments, jokes, negative assumptions and stereotypes are challenging because they can provoke our emotions and make us reactive, scared, confused, uncertain, judgmental, and less able to access our intelligence and good thinking. This workshop will offer participants a number of tips, useful questions and boundary-setting statements that can help you to intervene or respond calmly in the presence of others. There will be time to brainstorm possible interventions and responses to examples for which people would like strategies. Presented by: Laura Branca, TFC Associates.
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A flexible, innovative, modified version of the Leadership Cortland & Leadership Tompkins programs for 2021
Each month, Community Leaders from Cortland and Tompkins counties will pick a topic and tell us their LEMONADE story. Participants will get to ask questions & learn about leadership in action. Each month will also have a mini-leadership lesson.
Sessions will be virtual until it is safe to resume meeting in-person. The first program will include the mayors of both Ithaca & Cortland!
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Save the Date & Register Early!
Wednesday, March 24th | 9am - Noon
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The Tompkins Chamber and Ithaca Area Economic Development look forward to hosting you for a virtual economic summit, celebrating our resiliency and community efforts to navigate 2020 together, offering breakout sessions highlighting key challenges and opportunities, and sharing inspiration for our economic recovery in the years ahead. |
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Thanks to our sponsors and partners!
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Please Take Our 2021 Member Survey
The Tompkins Chamber Staff and Board of Directors seek your input regarding which services and programs you found most useful in the last year, which will support you moving forward, and how the Chamber can mobilize our members and resources to support our community's economic recovery goals. Additionally, as we look towards scheduling more hybrid or in-person events as the year progresses, we want to understand what the majority of our members are most comfortable with.
We look forward to hearing from you! Please try to take this survey no later than February 19th.
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Healthy Workforce Network On-the-Job Training Grant
This funding is intended to support people in recovery receiving educational and training supports, new job opportunities, and maintaining a recovery friendly employer base in Tompkins County and regionally.
Under this contract, training grants with a maximum payout of $2,000 will be available to businesses that are hiring a new employee or promoting an existing employee, and providing the training needed to be successful in their new role. The training grant will be used to provide the employee with the additional training needed in order to fulfill the job responsibilities.
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Interested in Discussing Partnerships with the Chamber for 2021?
We'd love to talk with you about our annual work program, opportunities for sponsorships and underwriting, and strategize how the Chamber can help you meet your business goals in 2021. Thanks to all of our members who have met with us thus far - we're excited to collaborate on our 2021 programming & member services!
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Member Updates & Events, Development News
We provide a weekly roundup of member news. To have something included, email Jennifer.
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United Way at 98% of Goal
Because of generous donors like you,
THEY HAVE REACHED 98% of their $1.5M Community Campaign goal. Can you help close the gap?
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Community Foundation's Commitment to You: Recent Actions for Co-Creating a More Just Community
Your Community Foundation has recently made three financial decisions to advance social justice and support our community in a time of continued great need. We welcome your input and constructive criticism. We will have additional announcements about further actions in the coming months.
1-Due to continuing pandemic and social justice needs and to our success in our 2020 investments we have increased the spendable rate, the percentage of endowed funds available for grantmaking, in 2021 from 4% to an unprecedented 5%.
2-We are re-allocating $5.6 million of assets into our ESG/SRI (Environment, Sustainability, Governance/Socially Responsible Investments) pool, more than doubling that portfolio and representing 43% of total Foundation assets.
3-Our recently adopted FY21 budget includes a 300% increase to $10,000 for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice improvements of Foundation programs and operations.
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Local, Regional, State & Federal Funding Updates |
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Now Open to More Businesses, Including:
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*50* or fewer FTE employees with a maximum of $5 million in revenue
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Did not receive a PPP loan(s) of MORE THAN $500,000.
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Did not receive an EIDL loan of more than $150,000.
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SBA Save Our Stages
Area lenders are accepting PPP loan applications.
As always, check first with your existing financial institution. More information is available at the links below:
PPP Forgiveness Information
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources |
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Tompkins Chamber and CVB Property at East Shore Drive for Sale
Tompkins Chamber & CVB have announced that our property at East Shore Drive is listed for sale, after much consideration and decades of being headquartered at this iconic facility. We're excited to see what will come next for our organization, and for 904 E. Shore Drive. Click below for the listing information!
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February Meeting Schedule
Admin & Finance/Executive
Committee
Tuesday, February 16 | 8 - 9 a.m.
Special Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, February 16 | 9 a.m.
Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, February 24 | 8 - 9:30 a.m.
All meetings require advance registration & will be virtual until further notice. Register with Carly Hansen at chansen@tompkinschamber.org.
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Our team is here to help.
Note: Our East Shore Drive office is staffed most weekdays from 9-5 for pick up or delivery, and our entire team is available by appointment. Please call 607-273-7080 during normal business hours if you need to visit us.
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