Brainstorming Resources

Northeast Berks Chamber goals to be area’s main enterprise useful resource

From networking occasions to workshops, the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce strives to be the first enterprise useful resource.

“By advocating financial and cultural improvement with the targets of selling enterprise and group progress and by supporting the Chamber stakeholders by way of companies, training, and strategic alliances,” Northeast Berks Chamber Government Director Treva Florence stated the Chamber helps native companies.

In September 2019, the Chamber celebrated its thirtieth anniversary of incorporation. Initially established because the Kutztown Space Chamber of Commerce in 1989, its service space of the East Penn Valley included 5 boroughs and eight townships. In 2007, the Chamber re-incorporated because the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce.

“The Chamber was based in 1989 by 25 enterprise homeowners and professionals within the Northeast Berks County space and has been serving its members since. The Chamber has a presence in Northeast Berks County and surrounding areas in addition to attain in different counties,” stated Florence.

At the moment, members signify areas inside Northeast Berks, Western Lehigh and different elements of Berks County.

The Chamber’s mission is to advocate for financial and cultural improvement with the targets of selling enterprise and group progress, supporting stakeholders by way of companies, training and strategic alliances. Its main objective of the Chamber is membership progress and retention, aiming to realize a membership of 140 by the tip of 2022, 150 by the tip of 2023 and 160 by the tip of 2024.

“The Chamber at the moment has roughly 140 members. With having as many as 275 members previously, we’ve got seen a drop in membership since COVID. This has been due principally to companies having to shut their doorways or being compelled into early retirement,” stated Florence.

The Chamber consists of huge and small enterprise homeowners, establishments of studying, monetary establishments, medical doctors, dentists, attorneys, engineers, retailer, wholesalers, telecommunications firms, people, social service organizations, and civic organizations.

Florence defined that the Chamber gives its members quite a few advantages, together with, however not restricted to, networking, advertising, sponsorship alternatives, ribbon cuttings and open homes, member pricing for chamber occasions, instructional seminars, month-to-month subscription to the Berks County Residing journal, and an inventory within the NBCC annual listing in addition to many others.

“We hope that our member advantages assist our members develop their companies, by increasing their community and attain and providing an extra sense of credibility,” stated Florence.

The Northeast Berks Chamber hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting for new Chamber member T-Mobile in Hamburg in August. (Submitted photo)
The Northeast Berks Chamber hosted a grand opening and ribbon reducing for brand new Chamber member T-Cellular in Hamburg in August. (Submitted photograph)

Current Chamber occasions included a grand opening and ribbon reducing for brand new member T-Cellular in Hamburg in August, the ninth Annual Chamber Day on the Studying Fightin Phils in August, a wine and cheese soiree at Stony Run Vineyard in September, and the Annual Chamber Picnic in October.

Members even have a possibility to be featured on the Northeast Berks Chamber podcast — The Voices of the Chamber — with Kutztown College Radio.

Sen. Judy Schwank speaking at a monthly chamber member breakfast. (Submitted photo)
Sen. Judy Schwank speaks at a month-to-month chamber member breakfast. (Submitted photograph)

Month-to-month chamber member breakfasts are held on the third Friday of the month starting at 7:45 a.m. with the venue and audio system introduced about one month previous to the occasion. The November breakfast on Nov. 18 will function the Chamber’s non-profit members CONCERN Skilled Companies, Gray Muzzle Manor, Buddy Inc. Group Companies, Protected Berks, Clare of Assisi Home and Casa of Berks. Members may even have the chance to satisfy a necessity by deciding on an merchandise from the Giving Tree.

Change in management

Florence was employed as the brand new govt director in 2021.

“Moving into the function of govt director for the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce has been an exquisite expertise. Having the ability to join with our members and leaders of the group has been enlightening and rewarding. The nonprofit sector is a brand new expertise for me and I’m wanting ahead to continued progress and studying,” stated Florence.

A Florida native, Florence most just lately served as the executive and hiring supervisor for the U.S. Census Bureau in Studying after beforehand working as an administrator in secondary training.

Northeast Berks Chamber Executive Director Treva Florence
Northeast Berks Chamber Government Director Treva Florence

She was drawn to nonprofit work, nonetheless, particularly throughout her time with the Census, and needed to be ready the place she will make a distinction.

“I’m used to working with the group and I needed to have the ability to take my administration expertise into the nonprofit sector and do one thing that may be a little bit larger than myself,” Florence instructed the Studying Eagle in November 2021. “The chamber provides me that sense of feeling like I’m doing one thing for different folks and serving to to learn the group and members.”

Florence additionally mentioned how she would measure success in her new function.

“It’s not all about me,” she stated final 12 months. “It’s concerning the chamber, so success will likely be persevering with to develop that membership and interact with the group to additional financial progress of all of our companies.”

“We’re seeking to assist our members and companies to determine methods to nonetheless achieve success and adapt to alter going down with on a regular basis life.”

Along with a change in management, the Chamber supplied applications to assist its members amid the pandemic.

In July 2020, NBCC hosted two Synergies & Options focus teams to evaluate firsthand what NBCC can do to assist. The outcomes of those periods have been great. The members who attended the periods freely shared program concepts and matters most vital to their companies. The full of life dialog addressed methods to deal with challenges within the present surroundings and share useful concepts that will profit others.

With a 12 months beneath her belt, Florence continues to see its affect in 2022.

“COVID has impacted our group and our members tremendously, and I imagine we’re nonetheless seeing these struggles nonetheless current,” stated Florence. “The chamber is continually brainstorming on methods to assist our members with the problems they could be going through.”

Board of Administrators

The 2022 Board of Administrators consists of board president Barbara Coffin, vp Hope Pearson, secretary Sue Bernhard, treasurer John Scott, 2nd vp Sherry Christman, board members James Sher, Mark Crossley, Edward Richmond, Barry Endy, Merra Lee Moffitt, Carrie Whitmoyer, particular occasions and fundraising committee chair Sean Wyandt, program chair Andy Marker, and web site administration and advertising workforce chief Alyse Mitten.

The Chamber Nominating Committee introduced the nominees for the 2023 Board of Administrators: Chaydeanne Kleinfelter, Brandywine Heights Space College District, nominee; Jim Reece, govt director of Buddy Inc. Group Companies, nominee; Sue Bernhard, Realty One Group Unique, re-election for a second three-year time period; Sherry Christman, Elite Enterprise Options LLC, re-election for a second three-year time period; and Barbara Coffin, Rating Mentors Berks and Schuylkill, re-election for a second three-year time period.

Further candidates for administrators will be nominated by petition bearing the real signatures of no less than 5 certified members of the Northeast Berks Chamber. Petitions, in writing, have to be filed with and obtained by Chamber Government Director Treva Florence on or earlier than Nov. 16. The manager director’s dedication of the legality of the petition will likely be remaining.

Election of administrators will likely be performed by a poll that will likely be despatched out by Nov. 24, which is no less than 15 days previous to the Dec. 9 board assembly.

The Nominating Committee contains chair Barry Endy, Fraser Superior Info Methods; Barbara Coffin, Rating Mentors Berks and Schuylkill; Chamber govt director Treva Florence; Alyse Mitten, Interlace Communications Inc.; and Mark Crossley, Sherline Harm Legislation.

Upcoming Occasions

Nov. 18: November Member Breakfast will likely be held at Lyons Social Membership, 110 Park Ave., Lyons, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. This system options non-profit members and the Giving Tree Undertaking. Collaborating non-profit organizations embody CONCERN Skilled Companies, Gray Muzzle Manor, Buddy Inc. Group Companies, Protected Berks, Clare of Assisi Home and Casa of Berks. Members may even have the chance to satisfy a necessity by deciding on an merchandise from the Giving Tree. Value for members and member visitors is $25 and for non-members $50. Reservations are required and will be made by telephone at 610-683-8860; fax 610-683-8544 or by on-line registration.

Dec. 1: The Northeast Berks Chamber Vacation Celebration will likely be a mixer with the Tri County Chamber held from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Boyertown Museum of Historic Automobiles at 85 South Walnut St. in Boyertown.

Dec. 16: The December Member Breakfast will likely be held at kTown Corridor, a coworking area within the former Kutztown City Corridor Constructing at 277 Truthful St.

Jan. 20: The Financial Forecast will likely be offered by the Federal Reserve Financial institution of Philadelphia at Kutztown College.

Jan. 31: The Cyber Safety Lunch N Be taught will likely be offered by Fraser Superior Info Methods at Fraser.

The Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce is situated at 110 West Primary Avenue, Kutztown. For extra data on the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce, name 610-683-8860 or e mail information@northeastberkschamber.com. For extra data and newest bulletins, go to https://northeastberkschamber.com or comply with the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce Fb web page.

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