Notes from the President's Desk
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Last week the Chamber traveled to Macon to take part in the Georgia Chamber's Congressional Luncheon. This annual luncheon brought together over 1,500 business leaders, state and federal elected officials, and community representatives. Brunswick and the Golden Isles were well represented at the event, with an impressive seven tables filled with local business and community representatives. The congressional luncheon is just one way you can get involved in networking with local business leaders across the state, and I encourage members to attend future events such as this.
Always remember that the Chamber is an advocate for YOU. We are constantly working on your behalf to support our local business community, sometimes behind the scenes and sometimes at the forefront. Let us know what issues are important to you. As always, my door is open.
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M.H. "Woody" Woodside
President
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Business Education Series Kicks Off Sept. 11
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September is National Preparedness Month, as well as historically one of the busiest months of hurricane season, and the Chamber's 2018-19 Business Education Series kicks off with an important discussion on
Hurricane Preparedness
, presented by Jay Wiggins, Director of Glynn County's Emergency Management Agency & Homeland Security. Jay will speak on the changes in Georgia's re-entry process, how to best achieve business continuity, and how individuals can be better prepared in advance of a disaster. You don't want to miss this BES session!
Hurricane Preparedness
Tuesday, September 11
8:30-9:30 AM
Chamber Offices
$5 Members / $10 Non-Members
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2018 General Election Candidate Forum
Set for Tuesday, Sept. 25
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The Chamber and the Golden Isles Association of Realtors invite you to attend the 2018 Candidates Forum for General Election on Tuesday, September 25 in the Brunswick High School Auditorium. Doors will open at 5:00 PM. The General Election will be held on November 6, and this is the first time a post-primary forum will be held. All of the 16 candidates have graciously accepted the invitation to participate.
The schedule for the forum is as follows:
5:30 PM -
Candidates for Board of Education
:
Eaddy Sams (R) & Sharon Robinson (D), District 2; Henry Yeargan (R) & Regina Johnson (D), District 4; Mike Hulsey (R) & Markisha Butler (D), District 1 At Large
6:30 PM - Candidates for Glynn County Commission:
Wayne Neal (R) & Barbara Baisden (D), District 3; David O'Quinn & Julian "Puddy" Smith (D), District 1 At Large
7:30 PM - Candidates for Georgia General Assembly:
William Ligon, Jr. (R) & Jerrold Dagen (D), State Senate District 3; Jeff Jones (R) & Cedric King (D), State House District 167; Don Hogan (R) & Julie Jordan (D), State House District 179
Members of the Chamber and GIAR, as well as the public, are invited to attend this important program to meet and become better informed with the candidates and issues as we approach the November 6 voting day.
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Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon
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The Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce made an impressive appearance at the annual Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon in Macon, with seven tables of attendees traveling from the Golden Isles. Gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams (D) and Brian Kemp (R) each
spoke to the attendees for about 20 minutes sharing their visions of Georgia's economic future. As well, our own Woody Woodside was recognized from the podium.
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Workforce Development Summit Announced
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The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GAPEE) invites you to attend a Regional Summit on
Improving the Education and Workforce Pipeline
in Georgia. This regional forum will allow you to see and hear new region-specific data, new analyses and new strategies for strengthening our workforce pipeline. You will have the chance to prioritize and plan for what’s needed to mobilize our community to work together toward improving chances for our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to build a strong workforce and stronger community.
Consider these Georgia statistics…
- Employer job openings have grown over 150% since 2010.
- Meanwhile, we rank 34th among states for unemployment.
- By 2025 – just 7 more years! – 60% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, yet…
- Only 47.9% of our young adults have a college degree.
What does this mean for our kids, our families, our community, and your business?
Improving the Education and Workforce Pipeline
October 9, 2018
8:30 – 10:30 AM
Elizabeth Correll Teen Center
4226 Coral Park Drive, Brunswick
Breakfast will be provided.
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GICCA Receives Highest Recognition
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Each year the Lt. Governor’s Business and Education Summit recognizes the successes of Georgia’s College and Career Academies for their continued investment in our students and unrivaled commitment to building a better Georgia through workforce development. An award is annually given to the College and Career Academy that exhibits these qualities. We are proud that Golden Isles College and Career Academy is Georgia's 2018 College and Career Academy of the Year! Lt. Gov. Cagle stated, "Golden Isles is a great example of how our communities are innovating with industry to prepare the next generation of Georgians for success in high-demand careers. I congratulate CEO Rick Townsend and Glynn County’s leaders – and I look forward to celebrating their success for many years to come."
As well, GICCA is excited to announce that Rich’s Foundation has donated $20,000 to help with the expansion of GICCA's culinary lab, to give more students the opportunity to use the culinary lab and explore and prepare for possible careers in the culinary industry. The expanded culinary lab is currently in the design phase, and GICCA will be meeting with industry partners to expand the size of its kitchen and to update the lab to meet current industry standards for culinary. GICCA is excited about its
future in creating a 21st century workforce for Glynn County.
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I'm a Chamber Member. Now What?
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Article Three in a Six-Article Series
Have you recently joined the Chamber? Maybe you're overwhelmed by the number of benefits. How do you go about exploring the components of chamber membership that are most beneficial to you and your business? What if there are things you could benefit from that you know nothing about? Or maybe you're wondering when you're going to see your first new customer...any minute, right? Over the next six MemberNets, we will explore different aspects of the chamber and ways you can maximize your chamber membership, in excerpts from an article by chamber expert Christina R. Green.
Ways the Chamber Can Help You Get More Customers & Increase Reach:
If your goal in joining the Chamber is more customers, here are some activities and things you can do right now.
- Go to the next Chamber event. Get to know people. Don't go there to sell. Go there to see how you can be of service to them. Bring business cards.
- Keep your online membership listing up-to-date and let staff know of changes.
- Talk to a staff member and find out how they can help you get your name out there.
- Be a part of member-to-member discount programs.
- Host a networking event at your place of business or be a co-host.
- Add "likes" and comments to the Chamber's social media posts. Share posts.
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Member Benefits Clinic - Sept. 26
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How can you get even more out of your Chamber membership? Come to the next Member Benefits Clinic and find out! Not just for new Chamber members, this one-hour informative clinic includes:
- Updating your Chamber website business profile to get the most out social media advertising
- Learning how to Post Events, News Releases, Job Openings, RFPs, Public Hot Deals and Member-to-Member Discounts
- Utilizing our Chamber App from your cell phone
- Showing you ways to get even more involved in our community
- and MORE!
Member Benefits Clinic
Wednesday, September 26
8:30 AM
FREE for all members
Bring your laptop -- Bring your cellphone -- All members are encouraged to attend --
Send someone from your business -- FREE to attend!
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Marshes of Glynn Libraries'
Turning the Page Campaign
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The Marshes of Glynn Libraries' Brunswick Library is getting a much-needed facelift to modernize its interior, as well as updating its collection and programming. Over the next year, the library will undergo extensive renovation, with completion in the summer of 2019. The $3.5M renovation of the library will offer several naming opportunities for individual and corporate donors. The attached information below (in red) shows the revised layout of the library and lists the naming opportunities in detail.
While the MOGL Brunswick Library Renovation Project construction aspect is primarily utilizing funds from a State capital grant and local County match, the necessary improvements to print, digital and programming resources must also be funded. The need for these funds must be privately raised, which has given rise to the
Turning the Page campaign
.
This campaign is a collaborative effort of the Board of Trustees of MOGL and the Friends of the Brunswick Library, and the community's support is greatly needed in raising the necessary $250,000. Donors can choose for their investment to be directed toward Early Childhood Literacy, Lifelong Learning & Community Enrichment, Engaging Spaces & Essential Technologies, or where the need is greatest. More detailed information, as well as a donor form, are in the attached information below. Please consider donating!
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Download the Chamber App!
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You've asked for it! The Chamber is proud to provide you with
MemberPlus
, a FREE mobile app that will allow our members to:
- Access your Member Information Center
- View member listings
- View upcoming events
- Post status updates
- Update your profile information
- Register, pay for and check into events
- Post and view job openings, Member-to-Member deals, Hot Deals to the Public
- And MORE!
The
MembersPlus
app
is free to download and available for iOS and Google Play devices.
For questions or more information, contact Kate Reeves, 265-0620. Note that we will be reviewing the app capabilities at our upcoming Member Benefits Clinic on September 26.
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Annual Golf Tournament Update
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The Chamber is gearing up for the 33rd Annual Golf Tournament at Sanctuary Golf Club on Friday, September 21. Presented by Liberty Roll-offs and Recycling, this year's event looks to have more excitement and prizes than ever before!
Click here
for a complete list of sponsors.
Opportunities to participate are still available!
Contact Debbie Banks
with interest in sponsoring, and
contact Catherine Boyne
with interest in volunteering at the tournament. We still need people to help out...and it's a wonderful way to interact with the golfers, so please join us!
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Upcoming Ribbon Cutting - Please Join Us!
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Local Brew Coffee Makers
Wednesday, September 12
11:30 AM
26 Market Street, SSI
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September Business After Hours
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Who says business can't be fun??
Mark your calendars to come to September's
Business After Hours!
Marsh's Edge
136 Marsh's Edge Lane, SSI
Thursday, September 27
5:30 - 7:30 PM
$7 members | $10 non-members
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WELCOME New Chamber Members!
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Click on the names,
right
, to learn more about our newest Chamber members and welcome them.
As well, we give a huge THANK YOU to all our member renewals! We appreciate your continued support of the Chamber.
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September Community Highlights
and Announcements
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Shrimp & Grits Festival
, Sept. 14-16 |
Details
Glynn Visual Arts
Calendar
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Details
Golden Isles Arts & Humanities
Calendar |
Details
View our
online Community Calendar
for events during the month of September. There's so much to see and do in the Golden Isles over Labor Day and beyond!
Details
CONGRATULATIONS to Trena Smith
of Servicemaster Restoration & Clean by A1 for being named July's Ambassador of the Month!
At the Lt. Governor's Annual Business and Education Summit,
Business Partner of the Year is awarded to a company or business that actively engages with an academy to create innovative educational opportunities designed to unleash students’ full potential while building a better workforce.
Georgia Power
was named 2018 Business Partner of the Year.
Georgia Power is actively involved in 20 College and Career Academy governing boards and business partnerships. This innovative company has sought to develop skilled employees, taking a leading role in ensuring a robust and dynamic workforce is employed across the state of Georgia. Congratulations, and thank you for your support of education, Georgia Power!
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Need some inspiration in your professional or personal life? Take a moment to view the below articles from entrepreneur.com and hello-sunshine.com.
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101 Time Management Tips to Boost Productivity Every Day
For most of us, time management and staying productive is a daily struggle. Sometimes that's not the end of the world. But, if you don't address this sooner then later,...
Read more
www.entrepreneur.com
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Ava DuVernay Gives Career Advice
Renowned director Ava DuVernay discusses how she found her own path towards success, and talks with Reese Witherspoon about what makes someone the best candidate...
Read more
www.youtube.com
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Ameris Bank
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices -
Hodnett Cooper Real Estate
Georgia Power
Gulfstream Aerospace
Hurt, Norton & Associates
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iHeart Media
McGinty-Gordon & Associates
Peachtree Pest Control
South Coast Bank & Trust
SunTrust Bank
The Brunswick News
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STAKEHOLDER:
AT&T
Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin
PrimeSouth Bank
Rich Products
Seaboard Construction
Sea Island
Synovus Bank
United Community Bank
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EXECUTIVE:
AdvantaClean of Brunswick
Allgood Pest Solutions
BrandMortgage
Edward Jones-Jeff Jones Advisor
First Coast Benefits Solutions
First Glynn Bank
GEM Cars
Henshaw Companies
The Salvation Army Brunswick
Turner & Associates
White Electrical Construction
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