Help Your Colleagues, Yourself Soar— Donate to the W.A.C.E. Foundation Auction

The 2019 W.A.C.E. annual conference is quickly approaching and with it comes the Foundation Auction, which is designed to raise funds in support of scholarships and conference programs.

December is traditionally a time when we think about giving and I’d like to ask all of our chambers to include the Foundation Auction in your giving plans.

Chambers of all sizes are part of W.A.C.E., and we join the organization because, as I put it, W.A.C.E. is the chamber industry lifeline. Attending the annual conference is always a highlight of the year and an opportunity to re-stock our chamber toolboxes to ensure we are delivering on the brand promise of being a Catalyst, Convener, and Champion in the communities we serve.

Unfortunately, some chambers need a bit of financial assistance in order to attend. This is where the foundation scholarships can be an additional lifeline in supporting the attendance of chamber staff who are achieving and want to soar to new heights in their local organizations.

The funds raised further sponsor conference program speakers, which benefits all attendees in increasing knowledge to continue fulfilling their chamber mission statements. This is that great giving situation where we invest in others as well as ourselves by contributing to the auction.

As we plan for the auction, I also want to take a moment to give a big shout out to the Emerging Leaders Council. This year they have joined the effort and will be taking the lead on the auction, for which the Foundation Board is very grateful.

Also, new to the scholarship program last year was the requirement that all awardees throughout the year assist in some manner prior to or during the auction. Be prepared to hear from someone among these groups as we nudge everyone to contribute. And, let’s not forget to support the auction as it happens by purchasing.

Good luck as you put your creativity to work and come up with your auction item ideas. There is a donation form enclosed in this Insider issue or you can email full details to derek@atascaderochamber.org.

The deadline is January 25, 2019, but we do appreciate early submissions.

On behalf of the Foundation Board, thank you for your assistance in soaring to new chamber heights!

Donnette Silva Carter, IOM, is president of the W.A.C.E. Foundation and CEO of the Tulare (CA) Chamber.