We’re teaming up with community partners all over Northeastern Pennsylvania to bring you a closer look at what makes our amazing counties, cities, towns and villages so unique. Keep your eye on this space for regular contributions from local organizations, visitors’ bureaus, tourism boards, chambers and so much more.
Check Out What’s Going On With Our Chamber Councils
Keep an eye out for awesome Chamber events this June.
The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce wants to keep you updated each month with everything that their volunteer councils have planned this year, including featured upcoming events, community programs, and business community features!
Their Councils include the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, Women’s Council, Young Professionals Council, Nonprofit Council, Government Affairs Council, and Ambassadors Council!
Upcoming Council Event Spotlight – Regional Young Professionals Let it Fly for the Y Cornhole Tournament!
Join us for the Inaugural “Let it Fly for the Y” Cornhole Tournament on June 23rd at Montage Mountain in partnership with NEPA Cornhole! Proceeds from this event will benefit the Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA’s children’s programming.
This is a double elimination tournament featuring three (3) divisions to accommodate all skill levels. Bring your own partner, each team is guaranteed at least two games.
A cash prize will be given to the 1st ($250) & 2nd ($150) place finishers in the “Competitive” division, as well as additional prizes for the top two finishers in the other two divisions! Divisions include:
Backyard/Supporter: Inviting novice to lower-skilled players to come and have some fun and try the great sport of cornhole while supporting a great cause
Intermediate: Better than the backyard, social player looking to compete and throw some bags
Competitive: Higher skilled teams looking to take home the glory and a cash prize!
Get more information and register for this event HERE!
Community Opportunities – Community Spotlights
Meet this month’s Young Professionals Network Small Business Highlight: Dr. Jessica Rothchild, Scranton City Council Member!
In 2019, Jessica was elected to a four-year term on Scranton’s City Council. It is an at-large position on a five member council. As the first out LGBTQ person to serve in this office, Jessica had the privilege of introducing a conversion therapy ban, which was unanimously passed by my peers. She is also currently the only woman on the council. In addition, she is Chair of the Committee for Community Development and Vice Chair of the Committee for Public Safety.
Connect with Jessica on social media or via email at jrothchild@scrantonpa.gov
Meet this month’s Young Professionals Network Small Business Highlight: Ms. Melissa M. Rivers, 3rd Vice President of the Wilkes-Barre PA #2306 NAACP Branch and owner of NEPA MR Lounge!
Melissa is the Owner of NEPA MR Lounge, a Southern food, “Soulfood” restaurant & bar that serves some of the best Soulfood cuisine in the area. She is also the 3rd Vice President of the Wilkes Barre NAACP, through which she and the organization continue to battle against discrimination on race, equality when crimes are committed amongst races, and equal economic status.
You can find NEPA MR Lounge at 127 West Main St., Plymouth PA 18651. Their hour of operation are Thursday-Saturday 4pm-2am, Sunday 11am-6pm. You can also follow them on social media.
Find out more about Melissa here, and learn more about the Wilkes-Barre PA #2306 NAACP Branch here.
Get Involved in Community Initiatives: DEI Champion Certification
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Certification was established in 2022 with the goal of connecting individuals to learn and participate in some of the DEI efforts happening in the Wyoming Valley, and is a regional effort with our Chamber partners. The certificate includes three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) with each level building on comprehension and understanding of DEI. Hours towards each certificate level can start being accumulated on January 1, 2022 and expire within three years. Please read below about each what each level entails!
This level is granted to those who have gone through 75 hours of DEI workshops, educational opportunities, and events. The bronze level certification will be awarded to those who demonstrate a commitment to learning about DEI in the multitude of opportunities the Wyoming Valley has to offer. Each participant is asked to keep a record of hours completed and any supporting documentation to show attendance. After hours have been completed, you can submit an application for the certification.
This level is granted to those who have gone through 75 hours of DEI workshops, educational opportunities, and events, as well as 25 hours of volunteer hours with a DEI organization. The silver level certification will be awarded to those who demonstrate not only a commitment to learning about DEI, but also taking that knowledge to support those communities within the Wyoming Valley. Each participant is asked to keep a record of hours completed and any supporting documentation to show attendance. After hours have been completed, you can submit an application for the certification.
This is our highest level of certification and is granted to those who have gone through 75 hours of DEI workshops, educational opportunities, and events, 25 hours of volunteer hours with a DEI organization, as well as a project presentation to our DEI Champion Certification Review Committee on a project the individual has done within the Wyoming Valley to improve DEI within the Wyoming Valley. The gold-level certification will be awarded to those who demonstrate a commitment to learning about DEI, using the knowledge to support those communities within the Wyoming Valley, and actively trying to improve DEI within the Wyoming Valley. Each participant is asked to keep a record of hours completed and any supporting documentation to show attendance. After hours have been completed, you can submit an application for the certification.
Click here for more information.
