A Message from Chamber President Dennis Goldstrand:

Chamber has a variety 

of ways to help businesses

MAY 2009  - Throughout my term, I have highlighted the various programs and committees of our Chamber in my articles. This month I will focus on Small Business Council, Stockton Chamber Apprenticeship Program and Leadership Stockton.

The Small Business Council (SBC) acts as an advocate for small business members within the Chamber and the community, delivering educational programs targeted to small and medium sized business needs. They also sponsor special forums and seminars on topics of interest. Members of the SBC identify emerging issues which affect small businesses. They often act as leaders in directing the Chamber’s many resources to solve a small business related problem.

The SBC also recognizes business professionals at its Annual Business Awards and Showcase & Tradeshow Mixer during Small Business Week, the first week of June. Business Manager, Employee and Small Business Person, as well as the Green Team San Joaquin’s P3 Stewardship Awards, are given to outstanding members of our community. For further information on the SBC and its programs, please contact Frank Ferral, Program & Public Policy Director at 547-2763 or our chairperson, Blaine Bibb.

Stockton Chamber Apprenticeship Program (SCAP) was created in 2000 to provide employment opportunities to CalWORKs clients in San Joaquin County. It is a partnership with San Joaquin County Human Services Agency and San Joaquin County WorkNet. It provides for CalWORKS recipients to enter the workforce by participating in an apprenticeship program, with the goal of full-time employment. The apprenticeship period for each CalWORKs client is typically less than two weeks and provides participating employers with an extended interview period to evaluate them as potential employees.

In addition to apprenticeship opportunities, some employers may directly hire candidates and the SCAP Coordinator will work in collaboration with case managers to identify clients that may be appropriate for these positions. A recent business survey indicated that most employee turnover occurs within two weeks of employment, hence the apprenticeship period mirrors that timeframe.

SCAP offers an employer the opportunity to provide tangible non-paid work experience to CalWORKs clients. Only those businesses that furnish good faith commitments to hire the apprentice that meets their requirements are eligible to participate in SCAP. It is a win-win situation for both the business and the CalWORKs clients.

As a new addition to the SCAP program, the Chamber will provide part-time (20-31 hours) apprenticeship/direct hire job opportunities to those CalWORKs clients who do not need full time employment and are attending Delta College. For further information about the SCAP Program, please visit www.scapworks.com or call Mikki Gilbert, SCAP Coordinator at 547-2770. Our co-chairs are Fran Aguilera and Robin Sanborn.

Leadership Stockton Founded in 1981, Leadership Stockton is California’s oldest adult community leadership program. It is designed to inspire a new generation of men and women to assume leadership roles in our community. It challenges and prepares individuals from diverse backgrounds to become influential in our region’s future and make their involvement more effective. Each class develops and fosters friendships that will benefit their professional and volunteer careers, promotes active involvement in a wide range of civic and community affairs, and facilitates the exchange of viewpoints and varied experiences, thereby expanding communication among the most active and involved members of the community.

Leadership Stockton is an 11-month program dedicated to providing participants with an understanding of our region’s history, diversity, justice system, politics, government, economy, education, human services and health care. Participants are also involved in addressing the needs of our community through a class service project. The program year consists of one full day a month (August-June) with an overnight retreat in September. The year ends in June with an evening graduation.

 A representative group of approximately 26 participants are selected annually. Area businesses, public and private agencies, civic groups and other organizations are asked to identify and sponsor individuals with leadership potential for the Leadership Stockton program. The deadline to apply for the 2009-2010 class is June 19th. For more information on Leadership Stockton or to apply, visit www.leadershipstockton.com or contact Timm Quinn, Leadership Stockton/Special Event Coordinator at 547-2960. Our chairperson is Steve Barney.

I personally thank our chairs for their leadership of these valuable Chamber programs: Blaine Bibb, Fran Aguilera, Robin Sanborn and Steve Barney. And my appreciation, as always, is extended to our great staff who coordinate these programs: Frank Ferral, Mikki Gilbert and Timm Quinn.