Diversity In Business Update & Bilingual Services Survey

Diversity in Business Update
In 2008, the Chamber established Diversity In Business (DIB), an initiative focused on building a more inclusive and integrated business community. The DIB committee established a mission of increasing business ownership for women and minority entrepreneurs. This grassroots effort has been highly successful. The following are just a few of its accomplishments:

• Brought leaders from various community sectors to the table to participate in monthly dialogue on how to advance DIB's mission
  
• Held the first DIB conference, engaging more than 100 new and prospective entrepreneurs


• Collaborated with local resources - SCORE, SBDC, RAEDI, etc., to create a local toolkit for new/prospective entrepreneurs.

Bilingual Services Survey & Next Steps
Heading into 2009, the DIB committee determined that its best impact is in targeted efforts with various community sectors. A primary effort will be with the Hispanic community and local Hispanic business owners.

One of the barriers noted that must be overcome is language. In order to better understand which of our current members provide bilingual services, we ask that you respond to the link below by Friday, March 27th.

Please be ready to share what bilingual services your organization provides and to what target populations. Click here to take the survey.

Next Steps
The DIB committee will hold focus groups with business owners and leaders in targeted sectors to better determine how to engage and support them best. The committee will look to share the resources collected from your feedback in our outreach efforts.

Thank you for your active involvement and investment in the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce! We look forward to your feedback.

14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. We Have a Dream Breakfast

The Rochester Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Rochester Branch of the NAACP invite you to the 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We Have a Dream Breakfast. This year's keynote address will be given by Ahmad Siddiqui, owner of Sana's Gifts and The UPS Store in Rochester.

Monday, Jan. 19, 2009
7 - 9 a.m.
Kahler Grand Hotel (Heritage Hall)
Cost: $25/person; $200/table of 8
Register

About Ahmad Siddiqui
Ahmad Siddiqui was born in India and was raised in Pakistan. He has two undergraduate degrees and a master's degree in finance. Prior to settling down in Rochester in 2006, Siddiqui spent 40 yars working in the hospitality industry. His career has taken him to many parts of the world, including Netherlands Antilles, Holland, the Bahamas, the Maldives, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Thank you to our sponsors, who through their support, are bringing this event to our community: Minnesota Energy, Think Mutual Bank, Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Community & Technical College, Post-Bulletin, IBM and Wells Fargo Bank.

Payment Options:
You may pay by check (payable to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce Foundation) or by credit card.

Diversity Dialogue of Southern Minnesota

The Extension Youth Work Institute Presents Diversity Dialogues - Color of Fear

This free, 3-hour workshop provides an informal, facilitated conversation about diversity issues in youth work as a part of Diversity Dialogues-Color of Fear. Youth workers and all others interested in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of differences are invited. The Color of Fear is the award-winning documentary about eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African American descent who spend a weekend together talking about racism.

Facilitators: Margo Herman, Youth Work Institute and Kay Hocker, Diversity Council - Rochester.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: University of Minnesota Rochester; South Broadway, Room 417

To Register, click here or call 612-624-1999.

Beverages & cookies will be provided. Please bring a lunch.

Co-sponsored by:
· University of Minnesota Rochester
· Diversity Dialogue of Southern Minnesota
· Diversity Council – Rochester
· University of Minnesota Youth Work Institute