Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber Hosts Non-Profit Showcase

Nonprofits serve a very important role in our community. Annually, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) shows its commitment to volunteerism by giving its non-profit members the opportunity to “showcase” their organizations and communicate their role in our business community at its Membership Picnic.

“We welcome all non-profit organizations to our Chamber. Not only do they do great things in our community, they are also an integral part of our economy,” said Marilyn Balcombe, GGCC President/CEO.

The event, held at and sponsored by Smokey Glen Farm Barbequers, Inc. in Gaithersburg, had 18 non-profit organizations in attendance, they included:

·         Bethesda Soccer Club

·         Casey Health Institute

·         College Tracks

·         CQI Associates

·         Family Services, Inc.

·         Future Link

·         Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland

·         Hospice Caring, Inc.

·         Liberty’s Promise

·         Mercy Health Clinic

·         Metropolitan Ballet Theatre and Academy

·         Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection/Solid Waste Services

·         Montgomery County DOT –  Commuter Services

·         Montgomery Village Foundation, Inc.

·         Rebuilding Together Montgomery County

·         Rotary Club of Gaithersburg

·         Story Tapestries, Inc.

·         TLC – The Treatment & Learning Centers

It was a fantastic evening and showed attendees that whether you work for a non-profit or support one, these groups do matter, and do retain an important part in all of our lives.

The GGCC has a non-profit cluster, which is a network of non-profits, foundations and business partners dedicated to supporting GGCC’s non-profit members by becoming a resource to each other, a voice for the community and by raising the awareness of the important role and work of our non-profit community. This program provides our non-profit members a monthly opportunity to gather and share best practices, discuss common concerns and find ways to partner so that each group increases the value of their unique offering while creating a stronger and more effective local community.

The Non-Profit Cluster will be hosting a Non-Profit Forum on October 31^st on “Volunteerism – Recruitment / Retention / Empowerment”. Further details to follow. Please visit the events calendar at www.ggchamber.org for details.

The GGCC is active in providing business-to-business networking opportunities throughout the year: a collective voice in local, regional, and state legislative affairs, professional development opportunities and other services that enhance the business environment. #GGCCevents @GGCCNEWS

About Laura Rowles

Laura authors the blog Your Success is Our Business on MyMCMedia. Laura is the Director of Events & Marketing for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce - a member-based organization of businesses that have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic, commercial and industrial progress in our communities. The area's economic well-being is a result of the caliber of work that is done by the Chamber. The Chamber has a major impact on business, income and future growth of the area. My position at the Chamber - Director of Events & Marketing - affords me the opportunity to plan quality events for our Members and market the Chamber is a variety of avenues. At the GGCC, we typically have around 30 events each year including: breakfasts, lunches, after-five's, ribbon cuttings and special events. The consensus is we have high quality events with good energy. In 2012, we had over 2,040 people visit our events. Most our events are free to Members so securing sponsorships for all events. Additionally, I am responsible for planning networking, overseeing the budget and marketing of all events in order to make them successful. Lastly, I coordinate all marketing and communication efforts of the GGCC including weekly email blasts, its quarterly newsletter, all social media platforms, media relations and community outreach.

View all posts by Laura Rowles