MEMBER NEWSLETTER
November 2020
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Greetings!
Thank you for continuing to support the Chamber with your paid memberships. Since March when COVID hit, the Village and the Chamber came up with a plan to work together to support all businesses in financial need with a Chamber Membership for the balance of 2020. The Chamber's operating budget comes from 1) membership dues, and 2) events. With no revenue generating events in 2020, we ask you to please pay your membership promptly for the Chamber to continue. We do have a monthly auto payment form option available here for your assistance. You can pay by signing in using your log-in, invoices for 2021 are being mailed or email finance@glenellynchamber.com for questions.
A few Chamber house keeping notes:
- The Chamber will be available by phone and email during standard office hours, but the new in-person office hours, until COVID positivity rates get better are: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-4pm.
- We will not be hosting our annual Holiday Luncheon in 2020. Our next all member Virtual meeting will be the Installation of the Board of Directors on January 12th with an update from the Village of Glen Ellyn.
Please read this entire email as it has NEW information regarding grants, state COVID news, FREE Chamber marketing which has deadlines for eligibility, and much more.
The Chamber will transition to pivot and promote your business as the guidelines change. Please let us know if you have updated your practices to keep the community informed.
The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to be a resource during this difficult time. Please forward new ideas. Let us know how we can help you. We are all in this together and together we are stronger.
Stay Safe,
Dawn Smith
Glen Ellyn Chamber Executive Director
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Get YOUR BUSINESS INVOLVED
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Holiday Window Decorating - Decorate now! Judged on Wednesday, November 25
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Spreading Holiday Cheer - Register by November 20
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Non-Profit Connection "Sponsorship Best Practices" - (Virtual FREE) November 18
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Virtual Holiday Walk & Tree Lighting Ceremony - (Virtual) November 27
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Promote Shop Local: Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday
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Glen Ellyn Community Awards Voting - Opens November 30
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Favorite Holiday Gift & Holiday Cocktail/Mocktail - Submit for virtual campaign
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Holiday Window Decorating Contest
2020 Window Theme: Tree of Hope.
Decorate your windows for the Holidays! Windows will be Judged and awarded ribbons on Wednesday, November 25. A marketing campaign will start on Friday, November 27. If you are not in the CBD, to notify us your windows are decorated please contact jaclyn@glenellynchamber.com
The categories:
- Best Overall
- Best Interpretation of Theme
- Best Representation of Business
- Best Children's Theme
- 3 X Honorable Mention
Take pictures of your windows and share on social media!
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Spreading Holiday Cheer
To promote shopping local
Presented by the Village of Glen Ellyn,
The Downtown Alliance and
The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce
Attention all Glen Ellyn restaurants, retailers and salons: you are invited to participate in the Spreading Holiday Cheer program funded by the Village of Glen Ellyn.
How it works:
1 . Each Glen Ellyn Storefront (Retail, Restaurant, Salon) must register themselves to be a part of the program by Friday noon, November 20th. There is no cost to the storefront and no extensions. Link: HERE
2. All materials will be dropped off at your storefront by December 1st. This will include:
- 4 x $25 gift checks (made out to your storefront) with envelope
- Raffle entry forms
- Raffle label/instructions
3. December 1 through December 14, guests will enter their name at the participating storefronts for the chance to win a $25 gift check. No purchase is necessary, as we are giving away money, and we do not have a gaming license. We suggest you ask your customers and prospective customers to fill out an entry form when in the store, if making a purchase via phone or on-line. You are able to keep the contact info for marketing purposes.
4. On December 15th, each store will draw the four winners and contact them to pick up their $25 gift check for a return shopping or dining experience. Gift Checks expire in 6 months. We prefer if you can #GEHolidayCheer pictures on your social media and video the drawing. The Chamber, Alliance & Village will search and share.
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Melissa Lagowski
Founder/CEO/Queen Bee
Melissa created Big Buzz Idea Group in November 2004 so Chicagoland nonprofits would have an honest outsourcing partner to bring their largest projects to life.
With 26 years of corporate and nonprofit experience, she has launched and executed large fundraisers, conceived several innovative and lucrative new programs, coordinated a variety of dinners/awards functions and organized numerous conferences/workshops. Her largest project to date is Ribfest Chicago, where she is responsible for every facet of the event including festival promotion, sponsorship development, entertainment booking and vendor management. Having begun with 5,000 attendees, the event now draws 70,000 people annually and was featured on Food Network’s “Eating America” with Anthony Anderson (2014).
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Glen Ellyn Non-Profit Connection
Virtual Meeting- TOPIC:
"Sponsorship Best Practices"
Presenter: Melissa M. Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group
The Glen Ellyn Non-Profit Connection is a resource to connect non-profits through networking and education. Non-Profits have similar issues and struggles. Together we can make each other stronger.
At these meetings, each organization will:
- Introduce themselves, their organization and share upcoming news, events and services. We will also discuss any struggles at our round-table at the meeting.
- A 30-minute Professional Speaker will be provided on an issue directed specifically to help non-profits.
- A Round Table of Discussion & Best Practices will follow as we will discuss the topics of struggles listed previously. There will be years of experience and people with many talents. Together we can support each other, foster and collaborate ideas and improve our community.
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Wednesday, November 18
10:00AM - 11:30 AM
Free to All Non-Profit Chamber Members
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. A link to join will be emailed prior the meeting.
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Virtual Holiday Walk & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Unfortunately, we will not be able to see the tree lit in person, but we are excited that the tradition will live on with Santa himself, coming down from the North Pole to light up the tree in a VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING. All will be able to see the video through a YouTube link provided by the collaboration of the Chamber, the Village and the Glen Ellyn Public Library.
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November 27, 2020
6:00pm
Virtual (Youtube Link)
Please note: This video will be pre-recorded and published on November 27
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Shop Local - Shop Glen Ellyn
The Chamber will market your campaigns for the following days. Please share your SHOP DAYS on the SHOP GLEN ELLYN Facebook page and the Chamber will share as well. GIVING TUESDAY will have an E-blast to the community.
- Black Friday - November 27
- Shop Small Saturday - November 28
- Cyber Monday - November 30
- Giving Tuesday - December 1
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The Glen Ellyn Community Awards - Voting Opens November 30 |
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The Glen Ellyn Community Awards is a time when all those who live and work in Glen Ellyn are able to recognize the amazing individuals and businesses. Awards, press and recognition is highly visible throughout the Village.
Place the logo to the left on your social media, newsletters, website and marketing for your patrons to VOTE for YOUR organization in the appropriate category with a hyperlink to the our webpage: www.GlenEllynChamber.com/Awards
The voting opens November 30 – January 24.
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The categories are:
Business (Popular vote - Use icon)
- Non-Profit of the Year
- Restaurant of the Year
- Retail of the Year
- Service Industry Business of the Year
Education
- D41 Educator of the Year
- D87 Educator of the Year
- D89 Educator of the Year
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Civic
- Firefighter of the Year
- Library Employee of the Year
- Park District Volunteer of the Year
- Police Officer of the Year
- Village Employee of the Year
Service
- Stuart S. Stone, Citizen of the Year
- Paul Herwaldt, Senior Citizen of the Year
- Youth of the Year
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Favorite Holiday Gift & Holiday Cocktail/Mocktail Promotion
The Neighbors of Glen Ellyn Magazine had reserved for FREE a space for a print Ad for Retailer's favorite gifts and Restaurant's favorite Cocktail/Mocktail. The print deadline has past. However the Chamber will also E-blast this to the community when the magazine drops in December. If you have not submitted your picture in time to the Neighbors of Glen Ellyn Magazine, and would like to be included in the e-marketing, Please submit by to DawnSmith@GlenEllynChamber.com Please see: Restaurant info & Retail Info.
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More Chamber Member Marketing... |
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Glen Ellyn 2021 Community Guide
Check Your Business Listing
The Glen Ellyn Community Guide is currently in production to be mailed the beginning of January to all residents and businesses.
All paid 2020 and 2021 Glen Ellyn Chamber Members are included in the directory. If you are not sure if you are paid, login with your user name/password or call the office.
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Over The Holidays we Sell A LOT of Chamber Checks! - $60K annually!
Attention Chamber Members - Are you participating in our Gift Check program?
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This program is included in your Chamber membership. The Chamber sells approximately $60K in gift checks annually. The Chamber does not receive any money from this program and it is a FREE service to our paid members.
Gift Checks come in the following denominations $10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $50. With limited office hours, Gift Checks are "pre-ordered" by phone or email and we will arrange a pick up time/date. Gift Checks are not available at the Glen Ellyn Public Library until further notice.
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Glen Ellyn Welcome Bags NOW A FREE SERVICE to ALL Chamber Members |
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The Glen Ellyn Chamber welcomes new residents to the community! All new residents (approx. 500) of Glen Ellyn receive a Welcome Bag. Chamber Members are able to distribute marketing materials and items in these bags. It is a great way to tell new residents about your business and service!
The Glen Ellyn Chamber provides the reusable shopping bag which includes a welcome letter, map, a Glen Ellyn Community Guide and useful items, coupons, directories and brochures that offer residents information and savings, supplied by participating Glen Ellyn Chamber members. Welcome bags are distributed at the Cashier Desk at the Village Civic Center and at the Chamber office. Contact the office to place your marketing materials in the Welcome Bag. To Submit your materials in the Welcome bag, Complete FORM.
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*NEW - Today, November 17th at 4:00 pm, the DuPage County Board will take action to authorize an additional $2.5 million in funding for DUPAGE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS GRANT RELIEF PROGRAM FOR RESTAURANTS AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. If approved by the County Board, restaurants and food service establishments in DuPage County who have less than $4 million in annual gross revenue and meet the criteria and qualifications outlined below, will be eligible to apply for COVID-19 relief funds up to $15,000 to cover business and operational expenses. We are writing to provide you with notice of this action due to the quick turnaround time of this new phase and the overwhelming response we anticipate. If approved by the County Board today, the portal to accept applications will open on Wednesday, November 18th at 8 a.m. and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis here. Based on sheer number of applicants during the last phase of this program, funding capacity will be reached within hours of opening.
*NEW ComEd - The Small Business Assistance Program provides eligible ComEd small business customers, whose service has not been disconnected, with a one-time grant equal to 30% of their total ComEd balance (up to $1,000) that will be applied to the past due balance and the remaining balance can be spread over a payment plan of up to six months here.
*New Northeast Region - Update as of November 16, 2020 - As we are in constant change, please see the attached for the most recent information from the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity office here
IDCEO Business Interruption Grant Program
The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs. Learn more about the program and apply here.
Illinois Restaurant Association Restaurant Employee Relief Grant
The Illinois Restaurant Association has just opened the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, a program of the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF). This fund provides one-time grants of $500 to support restaurant employees facing an unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19. Grants will help to cover basic living expenses such as rent, food and utilities. This fund allows IRAEF to give back to the employees at the heart of the restaurant community. https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/page/ReliefFundApplication
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Open House Scheduled for Glen Ellyn Comprehensive Plan
In July 2018, the Village hired Houseal Lavigne Associates to assist in drafting a New Comprehensive Plan. The previous Comprehensive Plan was completed in 2001. The Village Board is committed to updating the plan through a public engagement process. The public will have the opportunity to view a full draft of the Comprehensive Plan in-peron and remote:
An open house meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2020. The open house will be held in the second floor gymnasium of the Civic Center from 5 - 7 p.m. As the number of people in the room will be limited, a Signup Genius is available here for those interested in attending. Social distancing and masks will be required.
An additional remote open house will take place via Zoom on Thursday, November 19 from 6-7 p.m. Zoom participation details and information will be available soon on the Comprehensive Plan website.
Following the open house meetings, additional opportunities for public participation in the Comprehensive Planning process will take place at three public hearings before the Plan Commission as well as a Village Board workshop and a regular Village Board meeting. The first of three public hearings is expected to take place on Thursday, December 10.
Consider signing-up via Notify Me to receive notifications on the Village’s website. Notify me allows you to receive updates (via email or text) on the comprehensive plan
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Downtown Valet Parking Offered on Weekends
The Village will be offering seasonal valet parking, available in the downtown beginning Saturday, November 14. This free valet parking service is available to all visitors of the downtown. Hours, which are subject to change, will include Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Access to the valet parking will be located on Main Street, with two locations:
- North of the tracks on the west side of the street (mid-block)
- South of the tracks on the east side of the street (mid-block)
Be sure to look for the yellow valet stands and take advantage of this free program to shop local and support the many boutiques and small businesses in Glen Ellyn.
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Glen Ellyn COVID-19 Grant
Approved expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 through December 1, 2020, are eligible to receive COVID-19 Support Grant funds in an amount not to exceed $5,000, as determined by the Village Board. All grants will be reviewed on a first come first served basis and the program will close on December 1, 2020 or when all funds for the program are dispersed, whichever comes first. Applications for this grant must be received by the Village by December 1, 2020. The application and additional information can be found on the Village's website, www.glenellyn.org.
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Membership Committee
This committee welcomes and mentors our newest members, helping them to take advantage of the many benefits offered by the Chamber. Not surprisingly, we often find that our newer members are the very ones who enjoy participating in this role. This committee meets the fourth Thursday every monthly.
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Thursday, November 19
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Free to All Chamber Members
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. A link to join will be emailed prior the meeting.
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Glen Ellyn Business Leaders' Forum |
The Glen Ellyn Business Leaders' Forum is comprised of non-competing businesses that provide products and services to businesses and consumers. Because each member represents a different industry we have industry specific expertise we openly share with the group. We want to share what we know so that we each become better business owners, and in turn can provide guidance to our clients and customers with relevant referrals.
Members collaborate to form effective referral partnerships for the markets they serve in Glen Ellyn and Chicago's Western Suburbs.
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Friday, December 11
7:30 - 8:30 am
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. Link will be sent to all current members and those interested prior to meeting date. For more information click link or contact :
John Hughes, VP Business Banking
Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust
(630) 469-3000 (work)
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On Tuesday November 10 the Chamber held our virtual monthly meeting with Speaker Ute Westphal, Director and Program Manager, Illinois Small Business Development Center. The topic discuss was Changes to Stay. For more information and to contact Westphal: Download Powerpoint Here. Thank you Ute and the Small Business Development Center for all your impartmant and helpful resources.
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The Glen Ellyn Chamber is dedicated to be a resource during this difficult time. This is a very crucial time for our small business owners. We have began the following programs:
*Attention Chamber Members: Check your business listing and fill out the form below to provide business updates. If you have any questions email jaclyn@glenellynchamer.com.
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Participate in our GLEN ELLYN DINE AT HOME |
Curbside Pickup / Delivery / Carryout / Drive Through / Outdoor Dining |
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Participate in our KEEP SHOPPING LOCAL program |
Curbside Pickup / Online / Shipping / In Store |
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Glen Ellyn Essential Services |
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Volunteers are needed across the state. If you are an able-bodied volunteer and are willing to volunteer, please visit DuPage County’s Volunteer Portal, Giving DuPage, that links volunteers with non-profit organizations within DuPage. If you are Non-Profit not associated with Giving DuPage and would like more information, please contact the Chamber Office.
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Glen Ellyn Business Resource During COVID-19 |
The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to be a resource during this difficult time. Please click the link to view:
- Emails shared with Glen Ellyn Chamber members regarding COVID-19 on their website
- COVID19 Links to Village, County & State.
- Additional ways to help in the pandemic.
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THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS
Without your paid memberships we are unable to provide services to strengthen the Glen Ellyn Businesses and community
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Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce
810 N. Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630.469.0907
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