YOUR Membership at Work
While things can slow down for many organizations over the summer months, YOUR Chamber charged full-steam ahead in our efforts to champion business growth and business prosperity.
Along with the return of the annual Leadership Summit, the 3rd quarter included important Public Policy updates on the State of Union County, the announcement of the inaugural Women in Business Honorees, and partnering with local organizations for the first ever Monroe Latin Fest.
Read on to see your membership at work.
CATALYZE BUSINESS GROWTH
Doug Griffiths Returned for the Leadership Summit
More than 100 elected officials, business and community leaders attended the 2024 Leadership Summit. Community strategist Doug Griffiths, CEO of 13 Ways, Inc. shared on Collaboration, Community, and the Future of OUR community. The Summit included a morning keynote, lunch, and an afternoon workshop with tabletop discussions for attendees to share ways to apply the information Doug Shared.
AM Power Networking Connects and Informs Professionals
In June, and September, we took the AM Power Networking program on the road. The Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport hosted our June session, which included a tour of the airport. Attendees had the opportunity to build network of professional connections, referral sources and customers while learning about the economic benefits of the airport for our community.
The September session was sponsored by the Town of Waxhaw at the Duncan McDonald House. Rotating the location of these events allows people from around the county to make connections that are vital to growing businesses. 
New Program Offers Discounted HR Services to Chamber Members
One way YOUR Chamber helps champion business growth and prosperity is by offering affinity programs that give special discounts to Chamber members. This summer, we added a new one to address a challenge many businesses, especially small businesses face: adequate HR support on a budget.
In partnership with the Catapult Employers Association, the Union County Chamber is excited to introduce HR Support Now—an exclusive program for our members offering unlimited HR advice for a full year for just $1200!
CELEBRATING DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Chamber Partners with Wow Supermarket for 2024 Latin Fest
In June, YOUR Chamber partnered with Wow Supermarket, the City of Monroe, the Union County Community Arts Council, and Rodriguez Produce for the Inaugural Monroe Latin Fest. More than 5,000 people attended the event in downtown Monroe on Sunday, June 30.
There were musical acts throughout the day, along with food trucks from a variety of Latin cultures, as well as bounce houses and kids’ activities.
Inaugural Women in Business Honorees Announced
August saw the announcement of the first Women In Business Awards from YOUR Union County Chamber. There are 2 categories: the Women to Watch and Women of Influence. Dozens of nominations were evaluated by an independent committee who chose 3 honorees in each category.
The recipients will be honored at the Women in Business Awards Luncheon October 9, 2024.
PUBLIC POLICY EFFORTS
State of Union County
Union County Manager Brian Matthews shared an update on the County at the September Public Policy Luncheon. He gave an overview of the county’s $578.16 million operating budget.
The County also recently updated its Water/Sewer Master Plan, and Matthews updated attendees on details. He also highlighted efforts to grow the business community. Matthews wrapped up giving attendees an outline of the process for property revaluation that is coming next year.
Infrastructure Series Features Broadband
One of the pillars of our Legislative Agenda states, “The Chamber supports policies, programs, and initiatives that provide adequate, cost-effective public and private infrastructure essential for business development, growth, and prosperity throughout Union County.” Access to reliable, high-speed broadband is critical for business and community development.
This summer, we picked up our Infrastructure blog series with 2 installments on Broadband in Union County, focusing on the challenges, and the work the County and State leaders have done and is continuing to do to expand connectivity.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Middle School Speakers Bureau Training
The 2024-2025 school year will see an expansion of the Middle School Speakers bureau to 4 Union County Public Schools: East Union Middle, Parkwood Middle, Porter Ridge Middle and Sun Valley Middle.
This project of the Workforce Development Task Force sends speakers into schools to ‘take over’ the classroom for a day to teach students about career opportunities in manufacturing, trades, and other local industries.
In September, over 30 speakers attended training at the Chamber. CTE director Brian Davis with UCPS and his CTE team are crucial partners in this important work, and helped coordinate the training along with Chamber members Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, Union Power, and Alliance for Children.
Emerging Leaders Workshop
A strong workforce is made up of people who are dedicated in their professional lives, as well as to improving their community. A thriving community benefits all. One arm of our workforce development, the Emerging Leaders Program, equips future influential decision-makers in Union County with comprehensive professional and personal skills, engaged civic knowledge, and active community service.
To help members become more engaged in community service, we hosted “Volunteer Opportunities to Build a Thriving Community,” a workshop for Emerging Leaders.
Representatives from nonprofits that address the top challenges facing our community shared about their work, and attendees had time to visit nonprofit booths to learn how they can become more involved.
BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL CAPCITY
Annual Chamber Member Survey
In August, YOUR Chamber sent out the 2024 Annual Member Survey. We are focused on continuous improvement, and this survey, and the ones sent after every event, are vital to those efforts. The team is still processing the results, and we will have more details to share in the future. In the interim, we can share a few highlights.
YOUR Chamber received an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
We also asked members to share the top challenges facing their business today. According to your feedback, the top three challenges are:
1. Workforce Challenges
2. The Economy
3. Marketing/Generating Awareness
Thank you to the Chamber members who took the survey. If you weren’t able to, we would still love to hear your feedback. Please feel free to call (704-289-4567) or email your Chamber (info@unioncountycoc.com) at any time with comments, suggestions, or thoughts.
Staff Professional Development
Union County Chamber teammates spent time over the summer in professional development programs. Director of Communications and Special Projects Jessica Rielly completed her 3rd year of the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) by the US Chamber of Commerce.
IOM is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals. Jessica will graduate next year, earning the prestigious IOM Certification.
The program allows YOUR Chamber to serve members and our community better through leadership, advocacy, and economic development.
Speaking of economic development, Business Development Manager Phillip Faust attended a North Carolina Chamber Roundtable in August to learn more about the work, priorities, and focus of the organization for NC businesses. 
THE WORK CONTINUES
It is YOUR partnership and YOUR investment that makes all of this work to champion business growth and business prosperity throughout Union County possible.
