“Do well by doing good.” That was the key message delivered during the most recent CHQ Chamber Business Builder Workshop on Corporate Citizenship and Engagement. John Felton, CEO of Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union pointed out that’s the driving motivation behind his entire business model.

“We work with a lot of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families throughout Chautauqua County. We focus on financial literacy and often help people get the loans they need even if they don’t have an outstanding credit history,” Felton noted. “For example, we recognize transportation can be a huge barrier in Chautauqua County to getting a job and staying employed, so we assist with vehicle loans whenever we can to make sure people can get to work, to the grocery store, to medical appointments, and get their kids to school.”

Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union also sponsors a wide variety of community organizations and projects that benefit the community. “It’s also important to us to put our name on programs that make a difference,” Felton noted. “When you do that, you are recognized as an organization that benefits the community. I always ask, ‘how are you going to use our logo in connection with this?’ when I’m approached about a sponsorship.”

Katie Castro, Director of Advancement for United Ways of Chautauqua County, pointed out there are ways both employers and employees can get involved in community projects. United Way organizes volunteer Days of Caring for employee groups, Impact Tours for leadership development among employees, supports the 211 information and referral service phone line, and more.

While company United Way campaigns may seem routine to some, Castro also said they are more impactful when employee groups get involved. United Way supports 48 programs at 34 local human service agencies throughout Chautauqua County.

As the owner of a small business, John Raymond of Honest John’s in Jamestown shrugged off his important contributions saying, “The Credit Union and United Way are doing great work. All I do is give away a few pizzas.” That’s not entirely accurate. Honest John’s has been donating pizza to a broad range of local organizations from sports teams to High School Bowl to Babe Ruth Baseball, and numerous others for decades.

“When we give away a little gift certificate for good sportsmanship to a midget football player, we know their whole family is going to come in for a meal. It’s a small thing we can do to recognize a kid for a job well done, and it also boosts our business at the same time. Sometimes that’s the first time they come to our restaurant, and then they come back,” Raymond added.

With two dozen representatives from local businesses and nonprofits in the workshop, the questions ranged from how to develop partnerships to how to get more involved in a variety of ways. It was meaningful to see real connections being made. That’s a crucial part of our mission at the CHQ Chamber where we build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. Watching all of that unfold during a single event through the question-and-answer session demonstrated to us the power of creating opportunities for businesspeople to come together.

The next CHQ Chamber Business Builder Workshop will be held in June and will be focused on Presentation Matters. This event will highlight the importance of visual marketing both on social media and inside and outside your place of business. This workshop will take place from 1-3pm, June 25 at Lake Shore Center for the Arts, Westfield and is sponsored by AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, Observer, and The Post-Journal. It is free to all businesspeople and registration is open now through the online calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

Business After Hours at the Athenaeum Hotel

The next CHQ Chamber Business After Hours will be held Wednesday, April 30 at the grand Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution. You can enjoy this beautiful setting along with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar from 5-6:30pm.

All local businesspeople are welcome. CHQ Chamber Business After Hours events are free for two people from each Chamber member organization. The price is just $10 for non-members or anyone above the two-person limit. Registration is appreciated for our planning purposes but is not required. Registering in advance gets you on our “Who’s Who in the Room” list. Registration is open now through our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

Business After Hours at the Athenaeum Hotel is sponsored by the Athenaeum Hotel, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Marina, Kinetic Business, M&T Bank, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, Observer, and The Post-Journal.

The CHQ Chamber Helps with Ribbon Cuttings

Wherever you’re opening a business in Chautauqua County, the CHQ Chamber is ready to help. We like to make sure each business gets off on the right foot, with all the attention they want right from the start. Our staff will help you schedule your event, invite local elected officials and the media, and will live stream these events on Facebook. We arrive with our BIG scissors, and our staff will emcee the event, so all you have to do is be ready to talk a little about your new business and show it off.

If you have ironed out all the details and have all your operating permits in place, please remember to schedule a ribbon cutting too so that you can begin promoting your new business right away. We ask each business to fill out our online form at www.chqchamber.org/ribbon-cuttings at least a couple of weeks in advance of your prospective date. That will give us time to confirm the date that works and invite the dignitaries on your behalf.

We look forward to working with you!