Search Results for: FLEX

MEET OUR BOARD: Megan Sternagel

August 31, 2023 in category Chamber Blog tags board, Chamber board, FLEX, meet our board, Megan Sternagel, northwest bank, Office Manager, venango chamber and 0 comments.

Megan Sternagel is the Office Manager at Northwest Bank in Oil City, and she joined the Venango Chamber Board in 2023.

Megan is from Austintown, Ohio, but she now resides in Titusville.

At Northwest, Megan is the office manager and a small business lender. She says her favorite part of her position is the variety, “assisting clients from basic financial wellness, where they may be just starting their first checking account, to establishing their first business, and everything in between.”

Megan’s hobbies include enjoying the outdoors, hiking, fishing, and wildlife photography. She also loves to read and spend time with her family and pets!

Megan is also very active in FLEX and serves on the board for Friends of Drake Well, and as the Button Chair for the Oil Heritage Festival.

When asked why she decided to serve on the Chamber board, Megan said: “I am excited to be part of the Chamber board and to support what the Chamber is trying to accomplish within our community. I’m happy to be part of a group that may be diverse but has a common goal of making sure our community and local businesses are top priority.”

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s August 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP 101

August 28, 2023 in category Chamber Blog tags Chamber Logo, Chamber Membership 101, chamber of commerce, community, Credibility, Increase Credibility, local, Membership, membership 101, venango, venango chamber, website and 0 comments.

Increase Credibility: Add the Chamber Logo to Your Website

Did you know, as members you can add the Chamber logo to your website?

According to a research study by an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, The Schapiro Group, consumers are 80% more likely to buy goods and services from and 49% more likely to think favorably of a business who is a member of a local chamber of commerce.

When you add the Chamber logo to your website, not only does it increase your credibility, it also shows you strongly support our community! Potential customers can see that you’re connected with the Venango Area, and you support the Chamber’s programs focused on creating a better future for the region: Be Here, FLEX, Leadership Venango, and VenangoREADY/ForestREADY.

So be sure to add the Chamber logo to your website and link it to our website today! Let’s make a stronger connection and start building an even better business network for the Venango Area community together.

Contact us at the Chamber if you need help adding our logo!

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s August 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

Celebrating Interns and Our Local Community

August 18, 2023 in category Chamber Blog tags career, community, FLEX, intern, internship, Laura Ordaz, local, Matthew McMillen, young professionals and 0 comments.

Internships are much more than a stepping stone toward a future career; they hold immense value in shaping lives, fostering growth, and enriching community. FLEX highlights internships in our community because of the profound impact these opportunities can have on young professionals.

Matthew McMillen’s experience at Komatsu exemplifies how internships can open doors to a world of opportunities beyond work and education. “The culture within includes support, collaboration, and friendships that extend well beyond the workplace. The town of Franklin has felt like home from the locally owned small businesses, limitless outdoor activities, and ambitious personalities of community leaders. I have no doubt this will be a life-changing experience for future employees as well,” said Matthew.

PennDOT also offers diverse opportunities for students to gain valuable experience across various disciplines.

One such program, the High School Intern (HIS) Program, enables vocational technology students to coop during the school year and work full-time in the summer, fostering valuable skills and potential career paths.

Internships play a pivotal role in our local community, serving as catalysts for the growth and development of aspiring young professionals. Matthew’s testimony illustrates how these experiences can transform lives, leading to a deeper appreciation of the community, its culture, and values. As the importance of internships continues to grow, let us celebrate their impact and recognize them as vital pillars in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

FLEX is devoted to connecting young professionals with the local community. They hosted an internship appreciation luncheon on August 4 at Komatsu Mining, located at 120 Liberty Street, Franklin.

The intern appreciation luncheon creates an opportunity for interns to network with local professionals and leaders; exploring the region’s offerings. FLEX presents invaluable opportunities for interns to engage with the community, discover local initiatives like the Be Here campaign, and appreciate all our region has to offer.

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) August 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.

FYI Newsletter – August 2023

July 31, 2023 in category Chamber Blog, FYI Newsletter Page tags FLEX, flex fyi, flex young professionals, future leaders and entrepreneurs exchange, fyi newsletter, young professionals and 0 comments.

For young professionals, by young professionals. This monthly newsletter is published by Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals group of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce.

Click here or the image below for a PDF of the FYI.

Find articles from the FLEX FYI on the Chamber’s blog.

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP 101: Employee Engagement: Connecting to the Community

July 26, 2023 in category Chamber Blog tags ambassador, be here, chamber membership, Chamber Membership 101, community, Connecting, Connecting to the community, Employee Engagement, employees, events, FLEX, Leadership Venango, local, local clubs, local economy, local service groups, Networking, region, volunteer, workforce and 0 comments.

Connecting employees to the community is an important part of helping them feel rooted and at home in the region. It also helps with employee retention, as improving quality of life can be a major draw for the current workforce. The Chamber has several outlets that prioritize attracting and retaining young professionals, leaders, and community champions.

Here are some key ideas for connecting and rooting your employees to the community:

• Request a presentation on the Be Here initiative or hold a Be Here ambassador training at your business.

• Encourage young professionals at your organization to attend FLEX events to expand their personal and professional network and their skillset.

• Send your employees to Leadership Venango class to prepare leaders for a better future.

• Volunteer as a staff to get to know different facets of the community.

• Share information on how to join local service groups or clubs.

By creating networks between businesses, organizations, and individuals, everyone benefits from increased collaboration while strengthening the local economy. Through these and other similar connections, your employees can build relationships and gain a better understanding of what makes our community unique and why they should continue to Be Here!

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s July 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.