LETTER FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT
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After three weeks on the job as the Interim President and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce I thought I would share some of my initial impressions.
First, we are very fortunate to have engaged members. You participate in chamber events and are involved in a variety of ways to build stronger communities. A special thanks to the members of the board of directors of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, the Bloomington Chamber and the Northeast Minneapolis Chamber for all of the extra time and effort you devote to representing the interests of all of our members. Thank you all for creating jobs and taking good care of your employees and the communities you serve. Your efforts are a significant reason our region is the best place to live and work in our nation. The Chamber exists for your benefit and we could not do what we do without your involvement and continued support. Thank you for your continued investment in your Chamber.
I also want to thank our Chamber staff for their hard work on your behalf. We have a talented and energetic team of employees who work hard each day to provide value for your membership investment in the Chamber. As I am getting to know our team better, I am extremely impressed and thankful for their dedication to the work of the Chamber. They are a collaborative group who are accomplished multi-taskers, always stepping up to meet the need and get the job done. I am honored to work with them.
I am also extremely impressed with the breadth and the quality of our programs. Our events are well attended and have a nice mix of regulars who are building strong business and personal relationships and I have observed first-hand the warm welcome regular attendees extend to new members or first time attendees. If you haven't attended a Chamber program event or program recently, check out our upcoming events, we would love to see you. If you have an idea for a topic you would like to see us address, let us know. Attendance at Chamber programs and events is one of the best ways to receive maximum value from your Chamber membership.
Your Chamber is also hard at work on your behalf In the public policy arena, addressing important state and regional issues such as transportation and transit at the state capitol and addressing local issues such as the earned sick leave proposal at Minneapolis City Hall. Your input and involvement strengthens our advocacy, providing real life examples of the ways public policy proposals can help or hinder your business.
As we head into the final month on the legislative session in May we will continue to push for action on our transportation and transit priorities. We will keep you updated through May on the status of legislative proposals of interest to the Chamber.
We are also meeting with Minneapolis City officials on the sick leave recommendations of the Workplace Regulations Partnership Group that are of greatest concern to business. City staff are working on a proposed ordinance to be unveiled on May 25th, and we'll be actively involved in the debate as the proposed ordinance is considered by the Minneapolis City Council. You can learn more and find ways to get involved in this discussion by visiting our
Workplace Fairness Coalition website at
workforcefairnesscoalition.com.
Finally, our Minnesota Twins Welcome Home Luncheon last Friday was a great success, and along with the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce we presented Twins President Dave St. Peter and the Twins Community Fund a check for $10,000 prior to the game last Friday. I would like to think the positive energy at the welcome luncheon helped propel the Twins to a sweep of the Angels last weekend. Win Twins!
Enjoy the arrival of spring weather!
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John Stanoch
Interim President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
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Integrity Painting
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Stutsman & Associates
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Featured Job Opportunities!
- Carhartt - Mall of America | Retail Sales Associate | Apply
- Century Link | Sr. Enterprise Inside Sales - B2B | Apply
- Marco | Cisco Data Engineer and/or Cisco Voice Engineer with Data Experience | Apply
- Marco | Network Specialist | Apply
- WNAV Audio Visual | Administrative & Office Work | Apply
To learn more about these positions, please visit the
Employment Opportunities section on the Chamber's website.
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Friday, April 22 is "Finisher Shirt Friday"
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed Friday, April 22 "Finisher Shirt Friday" at the request of Twin Cities In Motion (TCM), organizers of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.
To participate, Twin Cities In Motion invites runners to:
- Wear their favorite finisher shirts on Friday to celebrate and inspire
- Share photos via social media, tagging TCM onFacebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag #FinisherShirtFriday
- Share inspiring finisher stories using the hashtag #Myfinisherstory
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Hennepin County Medical Center/Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement between the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation and the Hennepin Healthcare System to create a new dental clinic funded by a $4.6 million grant from the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. In recognition of the leadership grant, the clinic will be named the Delta Dental Oral Health Center at HCMC. The oral health center will be located in the new $220.8 million clinic and specialty building, which will consolidate HCMC's existing downtown clinics in one state of the art, six-story facility. Also, Ford W. Bell, DVM has been named vice president of philanthropy/community relations of Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and president of the Hennepin Health Foundation. Dr. Bell has been serving as interim president of the foundation since August. Under his interim leadership, the foundation hosted its most successful fundraising gala ever this past December, both in attendance and funds raised.
World's Most Ethical Companies
Ethisphere Institute's 10th annual list of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" includes Target Corporation, which has made the list 9 out of the 10 past years. This year's list also includes U.S. Bancorp and Thrivent Financial. The list does not rank - but grades companies on governance, corporate citizenship and ethics & compliance.
The Aliveness Project
Amy Marie Moser is the organization's new Executive Director as of April 4, 2016. Moser comes to The Aliveness Project from St. Paul Pubic Schools Community Education where she was a Community Programs Manager. Her previous work includes fund development, library management and HIV policy as the Planning and Policy Analyst for the MN Department of Human Services HIV/AIDS Division.
Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership - Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy and City of Minneapolis
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership a 2016 Climate Leadership Award winner in the Innovative Partnerships category for addressing climate change. The EPA, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry held the fifth annual Climate Leadership Awards. The Innovative Partnerships certificate recognizes organizations working collaboratively on leading-edge climate initiatives. This first-of-its-kind City-utility partnership, the Clean Energy Partnership began in 2015 and has the City of Minneapolis, Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy collaborating in new ways to help Minneapolis achieve clean energy goals in the City's 2013 Climate Action Plan and Energy Vision for 2040. The utilities are using the partnership to help customers achieve their energy conservation goals.
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Minnesota Keystone Program recognizes, supports and promotes corporate giving by recognizing companies that give back at least 2% of their pre-tax earnings to the community. Qualifying companies have an operating presence in Minnesota and donate at least 2 percent of their pre-tax earnings through cash contributions, in-kind donations, or employee volunteerism.
Minnesota Keystone program is turning 40 this year and to celebrate we are running a monthly feature on Keystone member companies.
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This Month's Featured Member is
Fredrikson & Byron P.A.
Fredrikson & Byron has been a Minnesota Keystone member since 1989.
In 2010, they were recognized as an honored company.
Why does your company value charitable giving?
As a profession, lawyers play a crucial role in providing much-needed pro bono legal services to low-income individuals and qualifying nonprofits and small businesses. We consider the opportunity to do so paramount to our core values as lawyers are uniquely situated to be able to provide these services.
How has your program changed since you first joined Minnesota Keystone in 1989?
How has it stayed the same?
We formalized our pro bono program in 1992, joined the Pro Bono Institute's (formerly the American Bar Association's) Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge by committing a minimum of 3% of our billable work to pro bono. We hired a dedicated person to grow and expand the pro bono program in 1997. Additionally, we have taken an integrated approach to our giving, including coordinating pro bono, our Foundation giving and our community service programs to better serve our communities. The firm has expanded opportunities to engage all of our employees, through pro bono projects for lawyers; community service work for everyone, including staff; encouraging and helping our employees to find board positions on deserving nonprofits; and by aligning our Foundation dollars with our engagement opportunities.
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Why does your company continue to be a member of Minnesota Keystone?
Fredrikson & Byron has long recognized the value of being an active, engaged member of our communities in which our employees live and work. The Minnesota Keystone program exemplifies and supports those same values - that by giving back, our communities are stronger and more vibrant, and provide better opportunities for everyone.
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Tell us about a meaningful partnership you have formed with a charitable organization.
We have a long history of combining our pro bono work with community economic development. We formed a partnership with Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) in 1998 to serve low-income entrepreneurs with legal advice and assistance. Through that partnership, we have assisted more than 400 small businesses with entity formation, contracts, commercial leases, etc. Additionally, we support NDC through direct donations through our Foundation, and have a lawyer serving on NDC's board of directors. Through this partnership, we have been witness to the significant growth and changes along our inner-city business corridors, including Lake Street, University Ave., and now West Broadway in north Minneapolis. We helped launch many successful businesses by providing small amounts of legal services that provided a foundation on which to grow.
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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Downtown Minneapolis Ribbon Cutting:
North Memorial, Orthology and Walgreens
Thursday, May 5, 2016 | 10:30 a.m. (Skyway Celebration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Gaviidae Skyway in front of North Memorial, Orthology, and Walgreens
651 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Please RSVP to Brent at
[email protected] if you plan to attend.
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 The Social Lights
Thursday, May 5, 2016 | 4 p.m.
610 9th St., SE, Ste. 101
Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.thesocial-lights.com
Please RSVP to Brent at
[email protected] if you plan to attend.
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 Loring Social
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 | 3 to 5 p.m.
1629 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
www.damicocatering.com
Please RSVP to Brent at
[email protected] if you plan to attend.
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American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Downtown Minneapolis Skyway
Mark your Calendar: Thursday, April 28
Each luminaria is personalized with a name, photo, message, or drawing in memory or in support of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer. These bags will be illuminated and displayed during the Happy Hour For Hope ceremony on April 28th.
Click here to visit the
Team Page or contact Cheri Gengler at
[email protected].
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 Join the fight against cancer at the second annual Downtown Minneapolis Relay For Life in the skyway on Thursday, April 28, 2016. You can support the fight against cancer by creating a team or being an individual participant in relay. This is a great opportunity to do some team-building while fundraising for the American Cancer Society's lifesaving mission.
Participants are invited to join the Kickoff Breakfast hosted by Thrivent Financial at Windows on Minnesota, followed by the Executive leadership lap. Teams and participants are then encouraged to take laps throughout the day at their convenience. After the event, join fellow participants for a drink and appetizer during a Happy Hour For Hope at Cambria Gallery.
To register as a participant or create a team please visit relayforlife.org/downtownminneapolismn. If you have any questions please contact Jessica Hoffman at [email protected]
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 Leadership Twin Cities now accepting applications for 2016-2017 Class
Leadership Twin Cities is a nine-month series that informs people about the critical issues facing our community. Its focus is to inform and inspire future leaders - and challenge them to make a difference.
Participants in Leadership Twin Cities
- Get behind the scenes access to museums, hospitals and government agencies.
- Create new business connections from a cross-section of the community.
- Hear from renowned speakers and community leaders, such as mayors, policy-makers and CEOs.
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Northeast Networking Night:
Voyager Student Scholarship Fundraiser at Stanley's
Stanley's Northeast Bar Room
2500 University Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418 |
View Map
Help send a student to college while enjoying a complimentary drink and appetizers! In May, the Northeast Minneapolis Chamber will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships to a male and female student currently in Edison High School's Voyager Program. The total admission fee for this month's networking event will go directly to the newly established
Todd Klingel Voyager Student Scholarship Fund. Join us for networking while backing a worthy cause.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor:
Union Bank & Trust
Thank you to our series sponsor:
CenterPoint Energy
Thank you to our event sponsor:
Stanley's Northeast Bar Room
Cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the event for a refund.
All no shows will be billed. Substitutes are accepted.
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Unable to Attend the Northeast Networking Night?
Join us for the Edison High School Voyager Student Scholarship Fundraiser!
The Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and Stanley's Northeast Bar Room invite the Northeast Minneapolis community to join them in supporting students at Thomas Edison High School at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on April 27th. All funds raised will go to the Todd Klingel Voyager Scholarship fund which will award a $1,000 scholarship to one male and one female student from the 2016 Voyager class to help fund their secondary education opportunities.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
5 to 8:30 p.m.
$15 Donation
Includes a plate of spaghetti, salad and bread!
Proceeds from the night's meal will benefit the scholarship fund!
There will also be bingo at 6,7 & 8 p.m.
Stanley's Northeast Bar Room
2500 University Ave. N.E. | Minneapolis, MN 55418
Questions call: 612.370.9131
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Want to start saving on business supplies with your chamber membership?
 As a chamber member, your company is eligible for special savings, aggressive pricing and other great benefits from Office Depot, including the special offer below.
This month we're highlighting the spring cleaning items you get the deepest discounts on for being a member of our program. Click here for a cleaning checklist and take advantage of special savings.
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Chamber Referral Program
Do you know of a business that would benefit from membership?
Click on the link below and provide the business name and contact. When your referral joins the Chamber you will receive a $50 gift certificate to the member restaurant of your choice.
*There is no limit to the number of referrals you can submit. The more referrals you provide, the more gift certificates you receive!
Here is how it works:
- Contact the business you are referring and let them know that you have submitted them as a potential new member
- Complete the online referral form
- Chamber staff will contact your referral about membership and mention your name
Sharing how your Minneapolis Regional Chamber membership has helped your business can make a big difference!
Contact Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 today!
Enhanced Listing Opportunity
Click here for details.
Did you know that over 31,000 people visit the Chamber's website every month? And that for as a little as $150 you can show off your company to thousands of potential clients? The Chamber now offers Enhanced Listings in our Online Membership Directory. Your company is immediately bumped to the top of your category in search results and includes a YouTube video, a photo gallery, 1,600 character description, 20 additional keywords and much more!
You can check out the Minneapolis Regional Chamber's Enhanced Listing by clicking here and compare it with your listing in our online directory.
Contact Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 today!
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Good Morning Minneapolis:
Health Care Downtown - Economics, Employment and Expansion
 Friday, April 29
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Mayo Clinic Square
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Xcel Energy
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Twin Cities Young Professionals (TCYP) Summit 2016
Friday, April 29
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Minneapolis Marriott Southwest
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DRIVE Social: May Networking at Mia
Thursday, May 5
5 to 6:30 p.m. / Minneapolis Institute of Art - Mia
Thank you to our series sponsors: RBC Wealth Management and Xcel Energy
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Meet the Chamber! Bloomington
Tuesday, May 10
7:45 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
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Let's Connect! at Mugshots Coffee Company
Thursday, May 12
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Mugshots Coffee Company
Thank you to our event sponsor: Mugshots Coffee Company
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Critical Issues Forum:
7 Factors - Working Together to Create a More Competitive MSP
Friday, May 13
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. / Radisson Blu - Minneapolis
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Target
Thank you to our series sponsors: Comcast, Greater MSP, Mortenson Construction and Xcel Energy
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