Dear Chamber Supporters,
This week, the weather displayed one of the most significant one-day temperature changes in recent history, going from 73° in the peak of the afternoon to 20° by 9-10pm that same day. If you’ve been experiencing allergy-like symptoms, changes like this might be the cause! The saying “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes” is a pretty good representation of what we all experienced―going from a short-sleeved polo to a winter jacket all in the same day! At least our wardrobes are all getting used thoroughly. Life in the Midwest is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you'll get.
Trivia Night with the Law
Saturday night the Ottawa Police Foundation dressed up The Bottle House for a fun evening of trivia. Sherri and I were able to show some appreciation to our Chamber Ambassador Committee by having them join our table for the evening (pictures here). What they didn’t know was that we really invited them because the Chamber has historically finished last place in this friendly competition. So we called in the reinforcements! I’m happy to share that our group exceeded expectations and did not get last… we got third to last! Quite the upgrade and now a precedent has been set. With our newfound momentum, next year's goal: cracking the single-digit ranks. With 17 teams in attendance, I hope this fun night was also a way to raise some funds that will support the annual DARE camp that the Police Foundation choreographs. Cheers to having a blast while supporting a great cause.
Empowering Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs
The first annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) took place yesterday on Ottawa University’s campus (pictures here). An initiative orchestrated by the Franklin County E-Community under the guidance of FCDC’s Paul Bean. The programs purpose is to foster, spotlight, and reward the entrepreneurial spirit that exists within our community's youth. Though it’s helpful to have teacher support, it’s not mandatory that the students be sponsored by a teacher or class, just that they live/attend school in Franklin County. With those parameters in place, we had seven amazingly bright groups take part in this inaugural year. This included an array of unique businesses, including one that sold eggs, a dog groomer, a potential storage unit business, one who did woodworking, athletic energy bars, a prospective powerlifting gym, and a possible new bar and grill (pictures here of each business).
Along with the “trade show” portion of the event that entailed explaining their business to those in attendance, students were also tasked with crafting pre-event business summaries and delivering concise presentations to a panel of judges and onlookers. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. These middle/high schoolers were all incredibly smart and courageous to step out of their comfort zone as they did―it’s safe to say they all have bright futures.
In the end, it was an event where all were able to get firsthand experience, advice, and compliments on their respective ideas/businesses. I imagine the aspect that trumps all of that previously mentioned was the prize money! First place prize was able to walk away with $1,000 (first place here), second place $750 (second place here), and third place $500 (third place here). Unbeknownst to them, those who did not place but participated also received $100 cash. The Trade Show allowed those who came to view a chance to cast a vote, with Fallon Dog Grooming ending with the most votes, awarding her an extra $100! Our first-place business, Wuertz Eggs, will be able to take his business to the state competition for bigger prizes on an even larger scale.
For those who don’t graduate, each group will have the opportunity to compete again next year. Hopefully, these prizes will be serious incentives for next year’s YEC and these numbers can possibly even double. It’s important to mention the support that is needed for each of these individuals to take this step, whether a teacher, parent or mentor. Whoever brought each student― it took someone. I encourage you to think about how you’re “that someone” in the lives of the youth in your proverbial circle. Here's to nurturing the next generation of business leaders in our community!
Foundations for Strong Families
Chamber members were able to gather just south of the river for a Chamber Coffee hosted by the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) of Ottawa (pictures here). Crissy Stumbo and her team represent an organization that has serviced the Kansas area for over a hundred and thirty years. They are now physically present in our community with office space and a dedicated team, starting last fall and being fully operational this past December. This base camp now provides a vital hub for their four employees to service six counties in Kansas, targeting their efforts toward children and parents. KCSL works to prevent childhood abuse and neglect, offers family support, improves school readiness, and provides parent and community education. These services are designed to help children and parents develop the skills necessary to be successful in their homes, schools, and workplaces. Central to their vision is the belief that nurturing healthy parent-child relationships forms the foundation of a strong family―ultimately creating stronger communities.
This work is done by providing services to expecting parents all the way to when those kids turn five. There are no income guidelines for families, but KCSL assesses applying parents on their needs and ensures whether it’s their organization or another, they get the attention needed to be supported. These resources look like training, mentoring, and physical items that help young parents. This is made possible with the funding they receive from the State, private sector giving, and through community engagement in the locations they serve. The organization’s model is set up to become self-supportive over time, creating a network of folks who lean on each other and can share resources to make being a parent easier. As an individual who looks to extend our family, being a parent can sometimes sound frightening. Resources like these help mitigate some of those fears. Regardless of one’s support systems, it’s reassuring to know that there are individuals who want to see families succeed and will be on the front lines, coming to your home to be that support. If you know a new or soon-to-be parent, I encourage you to pass them on to the Kansas Children's Service League so they can help create a strong foundation for their family (flyer here).
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Makayla and I have lots of plans this weekend, including visiting the Plaza Theatre tonight for a movie date (showings here), I have the chance to speak at a Ottawa Lion's club gathering in the morning, a brew event in Lawrence tomorrow evening, and Sunday I plan on listening in to the program hosted by the Franklin County Historical Society on the Carnegie Libraries of Kansas (more info). A full weekend of fun ahead! See you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000