PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2023
LEMONADE DAY GREATER VANCOUVER ANNOUNCES ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION AS NEW MAIN SQUEEZE & PRESENTING SPONSOR
OnPoint Community Credit Union’s contribution supports today’s youth in becoming the business and community leaders of tomorrow.
Vancouver, WA - Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver is proud to announce its new Main Squeeze & Presenting Sponsor, OnPoint Community Credit Union. OnPoint’s contribution supports the program’s mission to empower youth to become future entrepreneurs, providing thousands of kids in Southwest Washington with real-world experience starting, owning, and operating their own businesses. Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver recently evolved its curriculum by launching the My Lemonade Day App, a free digital experience that takes kids through the entrepreneurial journey. Participants learn how to create budgets, set profit-making goals, serve customers, repay investors, and give back to the community.
The program culminates with a showcase of the kids’ businesses featuring homemade or homegrown products. It takes place on Lemonade Day at the Junior Market (co-located with the Vancouver Farmers Market), which will be held in June 2023. Young entrepreneurs earned $25,000 at the June 2022 event. The profits—after contributions to a charity of choice—went directly into the pockets of 200 young chief executive officers from across the region.
“Helping young people start and operate their own businesses instills valuable life skills that will allow them to lead financially sustainable lives,” said Amy Reeves, Vice President, Southwest Washington Area Manager at OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Lemonade Day and OnPoint share a common purpose of building strong communities through financial education. We are honored to build on our partnership and look forward to engaging more local leaders of tomorrow.”
Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver is brought to the community by the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC). Thanks to program investors like OnPoint Community Credit Union, this program has been made completely free to use.
“The Greater Vancouver Chamber is excited to expand on our partnership with OnPoint and continue awakening the entrepreneurial spirit in our region’s youth through this amazing educational program. It is inspiring to learn about OnPoint’s commitment to education and how they help our kids to be tomorrow’s leaders,” commented Janet Kenefsky, VP Operations for the Chamber, and City Director of Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver.
OnPoint Community Credit Union has served Southwest Washington and Oregon since 1932. Formerly known as Portland Teachers Credit Union, the financial institution was created by 16 schoolteachers who came together to build a safe place to save their money and provide low-cost loans to other teachers and their families. Ninety years later, OnPoint remains committed to serving communities across Southwest Washington and Oregon. This year, the locally-owned credit union is expected to donate over $2.2 million dollars to local non-profit organizations.
“We are confident that children will be the ultimate beneficiaries from this partnership and have the unique opportunity of learning directly from the experts how to apply for local micro-loans, open a bank account, learn healthy saving habits, and more,” added Kenefsky.
The My Lemonade Day App is a community-wide digital experience with an option for workbooks designed to teach children how to start, own, and operate their own businesses. After creating their business plan, these young entrepreneurs, between 6-16 years old, are ready to host their very own booth and sell their handmade or homegrown products at the Junior Market.
Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver invites young entrepreneurs to start their business journey today and sign up to be part of next year’s Junior Market, to be held Saturday, June 3rd, between 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Parents, mentors, teachers and youth leaders are encouraged to register participants online at VancouverUSA.com/Annual-Events/Lemonade-Day/.
Anyone can be involved in My Lemonade Day. These young entrepreneurs need mentors, investors, business partners, locations, volunteers, and customers. For more information about My Lemonade Day & Junior Market and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Chamber at YourChamber@VancouverUSA.com or go to VancouverUSA.com/Annual-Events/Lemonade-Day/.
My Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver is proud partners with: Main Squeeze Investor OnPoint Community Credit Union; Fresh Squeezed Investor, Chick-Fil-A; Lemon Drop Investor, Keller Foundation; Pucker Pal Investors, Burgerville, Freight Trac Services LLC, and Waste Connections, Inc; Simply the Zest Investors, Salsbury & Co., Columbia Credit Union, Mackenzie, and US Bank; Spoonful of Sugar Investor, Allen Gabriel MD; Sponsor a Class, CalPortland, HAPO Community Credit Union, and Port of Vancouver USA; and Junior Market Bag Sponsor, Grassa.
About Lemonade Day
Since 2007, more than one million kids have participated in Lemonade Day in 31 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and six U.S. military bases, plus Canada and Bermuda. This entrepreneurship program teaches leadership and business skills by encouraging children to launch a lemonade business in their community. The organization inspires young people with a desire to learn business skills and financial literacy to set up their lemonade stand where they can apply customer service skills, collaborate with business owners and investors and experience real-world business owner challenges. More than half (62%) of Lemonade Day participants live in underserved, low- to moderate-income communities. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com/Annual-Events/Lemonade-Day/.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
About OnPoint Community Credit Union
Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 500,000 members and with assets of $9.1 billion. OnPoint membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 800-527-3932.
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Media Assets
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10cDHCrYQEFFgMCqa9u5ZE6wO0c4UY9Mu?usp=sharing
Official Event Link
https://www.vancouverusa.com/annual-events/lemonade-day/
My Lemonade Day Participant App, iOs
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my-lemonade-day/id1465714143
My Lemonade Day Mentors App, iOs
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lemonade-day-mentors/id1326900393
My Lemonade Day App, Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.lemonadeday.mylemonadeday&hl=en_US&gl=US
Lemonade Day Video:
https://youtu.be/Y1P6Gb0PJ14
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2023
GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER LAUNCHES NATIONAL CIVICS BEE
This competition will give middle school students the opportunity to become better informed about American democracy and test their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.
Vancouver, WA- The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) proudly announces the launch of the 2023 National Civics Bee, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and supported by Career Connect Southwest – ESD 112, the competition will inspire middle school age youth in the southwest Washington region to become better informed about local, federal and state governments, a knowledge-set that can give employees a leg up in the job market.
All local 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are invited to participate in the first round of the contest, consisting of a short 500-word essay competition. The essay will give the students the chance to identify an opportunity or problem in their community and share their thoughts and ideas on how to solve it. The submission period will be from Saturday, January 14, to Friday, February 24, 2023.
After a panel of judges, formed by business and community leaders, review the essay submissions, the top 20 students will be selected to move on to the final round of the local competition: a live quiz event to test their civics knowledge. The finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including $500 cash for the first-place student, $250 for the second place, and $125 for the third place.
“We believe at the Greater Vancouver Chamber that building community takes all of us! When children learn about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, they become more aware of the impact that businesses and government policies have on their communities. This understanding can lead to more informed and active consumers, which can help to create a more stable and prosperous economy. Our business community relies on active professionals to make for a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and our region’s continued prosperity depends on both,” said Janet Kenefsky, Vice President of Operations for the Chamber.
The live quiz event will take place in mid-April 2023, hosted by Washington State University Vancouver. The top three winners from southwest Washington will advance to the state competition to be held in Vancouver, Washington in May 2023.
The Greater Vancouver Chamber encourages middle school students, parents, mentors, teachers and nonprofit organizations working with kids to visit VancouverUSA.com/Nationalcivicsbee/ for more information on the essay topic, competition rules and prices, and for students to submit essays.
Business leaders interested in sponsoring this event, can email the Greater Vancouver Chamber at yourchamber@vancouverusa.com.
About the National Civics Bee
The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. In the first round of the contest, local middle school students will participate in an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists to participate in our local competition: a live quiz event testing civics knowledge. The top three students from each local competition will advance to the state competition.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
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Media Assets:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OpxiJQtfd4KVQoVcI4ezPHBFOrASZa05?usp=sharing
Official Event Link:
Essay Submission Website:
https://my.reviewr.com/civicsbee/site/CivicsBee/WA/GreaterVancouverChamber
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2023
GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER APPOINTS AMY TANSKA AS BUSINESS & WORKFORCE EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Vancouver, WA- The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) is pleased to announce the return of former team member Amy Tanska to the Chamber to assume the position of Business & Workforce Education Director. In this new role, Tanska will be responsible for developing and overseeing the expansion of the Washington Workforce Portal, designed to meet the workforce gaps by assisting local employers to fill and/or create internship, apprenticeship and job shadowing opportunities, providing students with real-world work-based learning opportunities.
Tanska, who worked at GVC as a Member Relations Manager from 2017 to 2021, brings back to the Chamber over 20 years of experience in education, community connectivity, business development, public administration, and marketing. In addition to her background in business partnerships and development, she has a passion for supporting local nonprofit organizations and connecting area professionals with community resources. Tanska holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Washington State University.
As the GVC’s Business & Workforce Education Director, Tanska on behalf of the Chamber will help the business community to develop a local talent pipeline for future part-time and full-time employees as a liaison between the business community and local higher education institutions. In partnership with Washington State University Vancouver, Clark College, Educational Service District 112 (ESD112), Workforce SW Washington, and the Association of Washington Business Institute’s Workforce Portal, Tanska will facilitate the development of this internship program, intended to expand opportunities for students from all backgrounds who are pursuing post-secondary education and work opportunities.
“The Greater Vancouver Chamber is spearheading the Washington Workforce Portal in southwest Washington, and we are thrilled to welcome Amy back to help advance this program. Amy rejoined us at a crucial time when attracting and retaining local talent is a challenge for businesses; but we know that her professional experience, community involvement and relationship-building skills will help the Chamber and local businesses to develop the workforce pipeline and opportunities needed,” said GVC President & CEO John McDonagh.
For more information about the Workforce Portal or to post internship and mentorship opportunities at no cost, visit: VancouverUSA.com/Workforce-Education-Portal/
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
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Media Assets:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RM8M9fMofWZBYXzYZO_oeopkpF_0zkJm
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2023
GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR 2023 IRIS AWARDS
The Iris Awards will be presented in observation of International Women’s Day on March 8.
Vancouver, WA - The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) announced that it is accepting nominations for the 2023 Iris Awards, an annual recognition to honor the lasting and far-reaching contributions of women in southwest Washington and beyond. The recipients of this honor will be revealed on Wednesday, March 8, during an award ceremony following the GVC’s Women Who Mean Business Virtual Symposium.
Since 1985, the southwest Washington community has been recognizing and celebrating women of achievement for their outstanding dedication and contributions in the region. Each year, community members nominate female leaders throughout the Greater Vancouver region who represent exceptional leadership, philanthropy, and public service. What is known today as the Iris Awards were established in 2012. From 1985 through 2010, award recipients were honored as "Women of Achievement”.
Following in the tradition, the Iris Awards will be presented in observation of International Women’s Day on March 8. Anyone may submit an online nomination at https://bit.ly/3QmGPiJ. Nominations must be received by February 10th, 2023. A list of past award honorees can be found at VancouverUSA.com/Annual-Events/Past-Iris-Awards-Honorees/
“The Greater Vancouver Chamber is proud to host the 36th year of recognizing the incredible successes of women throughout the southwest Washington region. These awards are a great opportunity to continue empowering our female leaders, while we learn from their inspiring stories and achievements. We encourage the community to join us in nominating extraordinary women who have truly worked to stand out in their commitment to going above and beyond,” said Chamber President & CEO John McDonagh.
This year’s Iris awards are sponsored by LSW Architects, Riverview Bank, Key Bank, Legacy Health, and OnPoint Community Credit Union.
For more information about the Iris Awards, sponsorship opportunities, and to purchase award ceremony tickets, visit VancouverUSA.com/WomenInLeadership.
About the Iris Awards
Wanting to recognize women of achievement in Southwest Washington who exemplified leadership, philanthropy and community service was the inspiration for what is today the Iris Awards. This recognition program was launched in 1985 as Women of Achievement. For 38 years, the southwest Washington community has nominated outstanding women for recognition. The Iris Award was held to commemorate National Women’s History Month, to recognize International Women’s Day, and to honor volunteer efforts and community leadership of women in Clark County.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
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Media Assets:
2023 Iris Awards - Google Drive
Official Program Link:
Women in Leadership