Greetings WSBCC Members !!!
I am touching base with another "Message from the Vice President" to keep you engaged with your Winston Salem Black Chamber of Commerce (WSBCC). First, let me apologize for an oversight on my part in the last communication from me. I failed to mention the New Members Orientation that Donna Jones hosted on 6/226/2019 at her State Farm offices. Our Membership Chair Valerie Benton Smith did an excellent job in articulating some of the benefits of being a WSBCC member.
Since my last communication we (the leadership team) have been busy moving some crucial initiatives forward. Among those are:
the development of a comprehensive business plan that will be a compass to guide our organization for the next 1-3 years
strengthening our partnerships with others in the "EcoSystem" here in the Triad (check out our partners tab on the website to find out who some of them are)
continuing to develop our relationship with the US Black Chamber of Commerce (our President Randon Pender attended the annual conference in Maryland last month and came back with crucial information and networking opportunities)
a review of our current By-Laws in building our infrastructure (new committees, new Board members)
Announcing an opportunity for new Board members (4) to be reviewed at our Members only meeting tomorrow 9/10/2019 at Hickory Tavern from 6:30p-8:00p (thanks to Cynthia Jeffries, Mo Redd & George Redd who agreed to be on the Nominating Committee)
A proactive approach to increasing awareness of our new website and the new benefits that come with being a paid member
Working on a retreat for current and new Board members that will include orientation and re-orientation for existing Board members
All that being mentioned, we still want to hear more from YOU about how we can better meet your needs and expectations when it comes to what you need to be successful as a business person !!!
We realize that "one size does not fit all". However, we also know that there are some fundamental needs that we all have such as
funding opportunities
grant opportunities
training opportunities
networking opportunities
discount opportunities
resource opportunities (human and material)
marketing opportunities
counseling opportunities
All of the above mentioned needs are part of the benefits that are mentioned on the website and currently being implemented. I encourage you to take advantage of them as a paid member.
We realize that you probably can't make every monthly meeting (the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30p at the Enterprise Center on MLK Jr. Drive), but we hope that you will put the meeting on your calendar and be willing to be more involved in helping us all achieve "the next level" that we all are seeking in our entrepreneurial pursuits !!!
I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow evening at our Members Only meeting at Hickory Tavern from 6:30p-8:00p. (Thanks to Gloria Hairston and Andrew Lindsey for working the logistics out). Please confirm with Gloria (or me) if you will be attending so we have a good headcount for the meal that the WSBCC is coordinating. Thanks for your continued support. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. We appreciate you !!!
Calvin
PS-Many thanks to the Top Teens who volunteered to assist the WSBCC at last weekend's Union Station Grand Re-Opening. They did an outstanding job !!!
Calvin F. Patterson
Chairman-CEO
Earnest Harvest LLC
PO Box 17134
Winston Salem, NC 27116
336-813-5073