7 minute read
Upcoming Events
Government Affairs Council September 14 | 10:30 am
Join us to hear about what issues our business community are facing. Elected officials and their staff will give updates from federal, state and local offices. This is a great opportunity to hear what advocacy the Chamber is doing for you and also to find out how you can bring the issues you care about for us to assist you with. Our massive grassroots alliance is comprised of organizations locally and throughout the country who help strengthen our advocacy efforts and ensure our advocacy efforst are successful.
Email hello@scvchamber.com to find out how to attend or submit an issue you are facing.
Non-Profit Council Lunch - Meet the leaders of BFF, SCV’s Newest Charity
September 14 | 12:30 pm
Meet the leaders of the BFF, SCV’s newest charity.
The BFF seeks out and provides immediate support to those in a crisis or hardship situations, and who struggle to find assistance elsewhere. The BFF is positioned to act quickly to provide support in the case of a fire, a natural disaster or serious illness. The BFF will provide financial aid and other resources to move individuals through hardship and move forward. When disaster strikes, the BFF will be there!
The BFF is working with COC’s Culinary Institute to provide cooking essentials such as smocks, knives, and shoes so that underserved students in the program. The BFF is filling in the gap where other funding sources don’t qualify. Similar support initiatives with seniors, veterans, foster youth, and women are under development.
Join us for a discussion about how the BFF can fill in gaps for individuals in need who are served by SCV charities.
We will also discuss the latest nonprofit news in SCV and new resources from the SCV Chamber.
Lunch will be provided thanks to the SCVEDC.
Our Latino Business Alliance invites you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, with our annual celebration, where we gather to network and honor the achievements of Hispanic businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Every year, from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating our Latino community’s history, heritage, and contributions. Hispanic Americans have been integral to the prosperity of the U.S. and the Santa Clarita Valley. The Hispanic-American community has left an indelible mark on U.S. culture and economy.
If you are interested in sponsorsing, please email hello@scvchamber.com.
Oak Tree Golf Classic October 9 | 8:00 am
Join us for our annual golf tournament as we head to The Oaks Club at Valencia. Join local business professionals and elected officials for a day on the course for some “friendly” competition. Awards will be handed out to the top three as well as last place!
Start practicing your swing for the chance to hit a hole-in-one and win a brand new Mercedes Benz!
4th Annual Healthcare Forum - Mental Health October 13 | 8:00 am
Our annual Healthcare Forum is back in person!
This year we will be addressing mental health, including the financial burdens borne by businesses dealing with workforce mental health challenges, and a panel discussion on how best to support employees dealing with mental health issues.
The working breakfast will be held at Top Shelf at The Cube. Everyone is encouraghed to attend and learn more on this important topic.
Business After Hours Mixer at MB2 Entertainment October 19 | 5:30 pm
Our October mixer is at MB2 Entertainment. MB2 is an entertainment park with 7 acres of indoor and outdoor space boasting a plethora of attractions including bowling, arcade games, laser tag, axe throwing, a golf simulator, mini golf, bumper boats and go karts; a full-service restaurant. Join professionals from across the Santa Clarita Valley for networking, food and drinks! Get back into the mix and meet new faces as well as catch up with old connections.
To find out more information about these events or any other upcoming programming and to register go to: www.SCVChamber.com/Events
LEADERS
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“In starting a business, you have to get out and talk to people. I was doing doorto-door [subscription] sales, which was the last thing I ever thought I would do.” Leaving her comfort levels paved the way for Hicks to take advantage of opportunities that never would have arisen otherwise.
“Don’t miss out on opportunities that come your way,” she said. “Put yourself in a position to have those opportunities; know when one is facing you, and take it.”
Fight For a Mindset of Equality as Reality
A study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that in 2020, women earned 84% of what men earned based on an analysis of the median hourly wage for both part-time and fulltime work. Similarly, a 2020 U.S. Census Bureau study on full-time wage data found that women earned 83% of what men earned.
Many women have felt the effects of the gender gap during their careers, whether through a pay dispute, a lost promotion or snide comments from coworkers. Even if your work environment champions equality, it’s not uncommon to encounter people who have faced some kind of discrimination, subtle or not, because of their gender.
Even though we’re faced with the reality of gender inequality on the news, on social media and through personal experience, one expert says women should remain steadfast and optimistic.
Paula Stephenson, director of marketing at Smoke’s Poutinerie, says if women want to be viewed as equal in the workplace, they must stand their ground and demand the respect they deserve — and it starts by behaving as if the gap has been closed.
“I have noticed that if you act like there’s equality in the workplace, then there will be,” Stephenson said.
That’s not to say people should pretend inequality doesn’t exist. Acknowledging the need for change is essential, but our actions and attitudes in the workplace are critical. Encourage yourself and others, and don’t let perceived detriments rule the day.
Emily He, former chief marketing officer at Saba Software and now corporate vice president of business applications marketing at Microsoft, discovered that women are driven more by intrinsic motivations about work than by what their jobs or employers demand from them.
“In contrast to men, who tend to be career-centric and want to maximize their financial return from work, women view work more holistically, as a component of their overall life plan,” he said.
“Therefore, they’re more likely to approach their careers in a self-reflective way and value factors such as meaning, purpose, connection with co-workers and work-life integration.”
Positive workplace culture shifts, including improved employee retention and better cooperation, can occur when women bring these intrinsic strengths to their teams and businesses. Most important, the next generation of leaders of all genders can move forward with enlightened perspectives.
As people work toward gender equality in their workplaces, the gender gap will close over time. Companies have a better chance of thriving when they incorporate various leadership styles, including what’s seen as traditionally feminine or masculine.
“The big challenge is to keep our perspectives top of mind in conversations at the corporate level — and also among family and friends — so the mindset shift can happen,” Attuy said. “Be resilient that change will come.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Women can help others set goals and attain them, emphasize teamwork and invest time in training, mentoring and personal development.
“Being a working mom in the corporate world is a daily challenge,” said Mayra Attuy, a marketing executive. Despite the struggle to find a positive work-life balance, she considers her proudest professional moment to be when she returned from maternity leave. She believes her simultaneous personal and career success has made her a stronger marketer.
Women Should Embrace Their Natural Leadership Styles
For women entering the workforce, Attuy recommended leading by example while being open, supportive and collaborative. Look for, bond with and become a mentor and role model for other women. Advancements such as the #MeToo movement have ignited discussions, but there are still many barriers to overcome.
While every individual is different, attributes typically assigned to women can be significant differentiators as leadership qualities in the workplace. Women can help others set goals and attain them, emphasize teamwork, and invest time in training, mentoring and personal development.
