The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s volunteer committees and task forces offer Members the opportunity to contribute directly to the work of GRCA and to interact with fellow GRCA Members who share common interests. Committee participation is a great way for Members to network, share ideas and further the Chamber’s objectives for Greater Reading’s businesses through its promotion, support and advocacy initiatives.
Business & Community Advocacy Council
GRCA members/investors are invited to participate on the Business & Community Advocacy Council that meets monthly to gain insight on policies/issues impacting our businesses and community.
The council discusses and implements ways to educate, promote and advocate to build a healthy, competitive economy to move the Greater Reading/Berks County region forward. Within the Council there are opportunities to be engaged in Special Issues Task forces along with community and alliance partners. These Issues Task Forces are established each year based on priority pro-business policy agenda to help direct our dialogue with elected officials on issues of importance to business and our community.
Members add their expertise and are engaged as needed to help identify and provide insight on key focus issues related to:
- Benefits & HR Issues
- Workforce Development & Talent Pipeline
- Budgets, Spending & Taxes
- Business & Community Development
- Infrastructure, Transportation & Energy Resource
Additionally, there are opportunities to be engaged at special events and meetings with our Federal, State and Regional Chambers, Manufacturing, and Sustainable Communities Coalitions initiatives.
Staff Contact: Ellen Albright – Director of Workforce Development, 610-898-7776
Commerce Quarterly Editorial Focus Group
Commerce Quarterly is GRCA’s signature publication and is distributed quarterly (seasonally). The focus group meets once or twice quarterly and requires the time and effort from all our volunteers to brainstorm relevant topics for the business community, write the articles and/or find community members who would like to offer articles. Each committee member has a background in writing, editing and/or the passion to find others in the community who have those skills.
Staff Contact: Leah Fassnacht, Director of Communications & Marketing, 610-898-7780
Family Business Alliance
Council – 4 times per year / normally 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
The Family Business Alliance Council is collectively (and predominantly) made up of sponsors of the Family Business Alliance who want to see community family businesses succeed. The Council is tasked with brainstorming new ideas and speakers for the next programming year, helping to oversee Peer Group sessions and offering connections in the community to build the alliance, its free membership and reach more family businesses.
Peer Groups (Fee Required)
Facilitated by professionals in their field, the FBA Peer Discussion Group Program is a great way to gather with peers, share common problems and experiences, and to learn how to deal with unique situations facing a family business. Only one participant per group from each industry segment is allowed in order to avoid competitive concerns. To promote camaraderie and trust, enrollment is designed for a designated individual (not meant for a company to send different people at different times). Enrollment in a group is limited to Chamber members.
Staff Contact for both FBA Council and Peer Groups: Deb Heffner, Business Outreach Director, 610-898-7791
Greater Reading Business Resource Partners (12 total)
Our local companies are supported to the highest degree possible. With this group, we ensure the various Business Resource Partners in Greater Reading are aware of all the resources which are available to help start-up and existing businesses.
This group meets quarterly. During the meetings: 2 Partners would each have 10 minutes to provide a deeper dive into their offerings (we would start with the new additions to the group). The other 10 Partners would each have 2 minutes to provide highlights of new offerings, programs, events.
The number of referrals made to each Business Resource Partner and the resulting outcomes are reported on at the end of year meeting.
Staff Contact: Jobany Bedoya, Small Business & Latino Outreach Coordinator, 610-898-7769, or Deb Heffner, Business Outreach Director, 610-898-7791
Latino Business Committee
The committee helps guide program, policies and strategies for business support services provided through the GRCA to Latino small businesses and entrepreneurs. The committee helps the GRCA establish and maintain positive relationships throughout the Latino business community and serve as GRCA ambassadors.
Committee members are representatives from Latino small businesses (less than 25 employees) or service providers to the Latino business community.
Quarterly meetings focus on interactive and supportive discussions to share insight, practical knowledge, and counsel on challenges of Latino small businesses. Committee members may be asked to volunteer their time and subject-matter expertise as a Professional Resource Partner for GRCA – connecting with small businesses seeking professional expertise. The Committee will review results from the business assessment ScoreCard and business visits conducted by the Small Business & Latino Outreach Coordinator to determine how to best support specific identified challenges and needs of the Latino business community.
Staff Contact for both Small Business and Latino Business Committees: Jobany Bedoya, Small Business & Latino Outreach Coordinator, 610-898-7769
Small Business Committee
The committee will help guide program, policies and strategies for small business support services provided through the GRCA. Committee members are representatives from the small business community (less than 25 employees).
Quarterly meetings will focus on interactive and supportive discussions to share insight, practical knowledge, and counsel on challenges of small businesses. Committee members may be asked to volunteer their time and subject-matter expertise as a Professional Resource Partner for GRCA – connecting with small businesses seeking professional expertise. Committee members will review results from the business assessment ScoreCard and business visits. They will help determine how to best support specific identified challenges and needs of the small business community.
Women2Women
Women2Women, a special program of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, encourages women to create connections, gain knowledge, open doors and build strategic alliances, and much more. Our goal is to develop more women leaders in Berks County by providing a forum where women from diverse backgrounds can learn, share ideas and mentor each other.
Lean In Circles (Fee Required)
Women2Women’s Lean In Circles are comprised of 12 to 14 women coming together to learn, grow and support each other in an atmosphere of confidentiality and trust. Each Lean In Circle is led by a skilled facilitator. Monthly sessions alternate between education meetings and exploration meetings.
Three Circles run each year starting in October and ending in June, with a senior circle offering business owners and business executives their own Circle. Applications are accepted at all times for the following year. Learn more about Lean In Circles on the Women2Women website here.
Workforce & Mentoring Volunteers
Mentors are continually needed for various programs connecting business and students for career exploration and improved understanding of workplace expectations.
Staff Contact: Ellen Albright – Director of Workforce Development, 610-898-7776
