When: 
Thursday, May 4, 2023

Where: 
Cultural Activities Center
3011 N. Third Street
Temple, TX 76501

About: 
The Governor's Small Business Summit aims to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs reach new heights by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow a business. This event offers a variety of sessions bringing together local, state and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics. It's also an opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who will share timely, relevant and actionable advice on a multitude of small business subjects. 

Panel Topics: 
•    Finance & Funding
•    Workforce Development
•    Cybersecurity
•    Marketing & E-Commerce Essentials
 
Speakers for the various panels include Jason Collier, Executive Vice President with Extraco Banks; Karen Poe, Human Resource Manager for Reynolds Consumer Products; Jeremey Wilson; Deputy CISO/Texas Cybersecurity Coordinator with the Texas Department of Information Resources; H.B. Macey, Owner of Perry Office Plus; and many more! 
​
Register today:  
https://gov.texas.gov/business/event/the-governors-small-business-summit-temple

The Temple Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is excited to announce that the Leadership Temple program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2024.

Leadership Temple is a professional development and education program that surveys the inner workings of Temple and Central Texas helping both current and emerging leaders understand the dynamics of the community and the role leadership plays in its long-term success.

​The 9-month program has class sessions once a month, and topics covered include City, County, and State Government; Fort Hood; Economic Development; and Social Services. The program facilitates opportunities for dialogue among participants and current community, business, and non-profit leaders. It also encourages participants to engage in activities that contribute to the growth and betterment of the community.

Further details about the program, including the application, are available at www.templechamber.com/leadershiptemple. The application deadline is Friday, June 16, 2023.

Launched in 2002 by MENTOR The National Mentoring Partnership (www.mentoring.org) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Mentoring Month is about driving systemic change to make mentoring an integral component of youth and workforce development efforts.

Becoming a mentor can lead to unlimited opportunities:  mentees can find a source of support from someone invested in their success; mentorships create long-lasting relationships; mentors impart positive values and instill a commitment to learning and betterment. Having a good mentor while you are developing your professional skills is a priceless gift, and all it takes is a little of your time.

It is no secret that time is a valuable thing, and just a little bit of time spent giving advice or spreading your expertise to someone who needs it can make a huge impact. The beginning of a new year is a great time to get involved in a mentoring program either by volunteering your skills to a community organization or taking on a mentee within your own business.

Getting involved in mentoring within your business or organization has been proven to help increase business profitability and longevity. Employees are one of the business’ greatest assets. As a leader, making yourself available to mentor your team can be a worthwhile investment in your business. Here are a few of the benefits of employee mentorship:

1. Employee Loyalty and Retention:  creating an employee-based mentoring program shows your employees that you are invested in their growth and success. A study from Kent State University shows that employees who have been mentored by organization leaders tend to stay at their companies longer.
   
   
2. Develop Stronger Leaders:  spending time mentoring employees prepares them to be the future leaders of your company.
   
   
3. Create Organizational Balance:  working one-on-one with your employees gives you time to realize their strengths. This can help you better delegate your day-to-day workload into their capable hands while also demonstrating trust.

Businesses that invest in mentorship programs for the community also provide an invaluable resource for future leaders. According to The National Mentoring Partnership, young adults who have been mentored showed increased motivation to participate in team sports and extracurriculars, held a leadership position in a club or at school, showed increased motivation to get a college degree, and volunteered in the community at higher rates.
 
The survey also identified that one in three young people are without a mentor. Businesses can fill this need by volunteering to join local community mentorship programs. Here are a few local mentorship programs through Temple Chamber Members that business leaders can connect with:
           

1. Temple ISD Wildcat Mentors:  www.TISD.org/WildcatMentors
   
   
2. The 411 House:  the411house.org/help/#mentor 
   
   
3. The Un-Included Club:  www.unincluded.org/get_involved

 
Mentoring someone within your business or in the community can have a long-lasting impact. A powerful tool that takes only a little of your time to strengthen our community.