Last Week's Meeting
Some say that the third time is the charm. That’s certainly true in the case of Mike McGiffin, as he announced his new position as director of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber Foundation. His appearance at the club meeting of July 21 was his third in various roles. Mike is happy to be back in the Youngstown area after spending some time in Pittsburgh at Allegheny Intermediate Unit as project manager, guiding their multi-million “OnRamp to Remote Learning Initiative”, the education agency’s response to the challenges and constraints which COVID-19 placed on their 42 school districts.
Mike opened by borrowing a phrase from Barb Ewing, executive director of the Youngstown Business Incubator, about the community impact of the work they do. She refers to it as “lying to people about what you can accomplish, then making the lies come true”. Tongue in cheek, he was referring to dreaming big, then making those dreams happen for the betterment of our community.
The Regional Chamber is a 501C6 organization, organized to promote business but not generate a profit. Since it is not self-sustaining, the Chamber Foundation was formed to raise the funds needed to support members, the community, and local non-profits. The Regional Chamber Foundation consists of three funds: the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Foundation, the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce Education, Civic and Cultural Foundation, and the general foundation fund.
Mike welcomes and is looking forward to the challenge of leading the efforts of the Regional Chamber Foundation and through those efforts, having an impact on the community he serves.
President Josh Prest, at right, presented round badges to new members who have fulfilled all of their membership requirements. From left are Gerri Jenkins, Luke Politsky, Dionne Dowdy, Trina Williams and Adam Lee with President Josh.
Next Week's Meeting
Rotary Beerfest Re-Cap and City Summer Camp Picnic
