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: Katherine Hetherington Cunfer, Director of Government and Community Relations, 610-898-7773
Commerce Quarterly Editorial
Commerce Quarterly is GRCA’s signature publication and is distributed quarterly (seasonally). If you would like to be featured in Commerce Quarterly, please send a one to two sentence story idea to the contact below.
Staff Contact: Leah Fassnacht, Director of Communications & Marketing, 610-898-7780
Family Business Alliance
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: Rachael Romig, Executive Director of Events and Special Programs, 610.898.7775
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 Talent + Workforce, 610-898-7776
