Starting (s) and Advanced (a) Track
Research tells us that at least 1 in 4 people have a disability, however, people with disabilities are often overlooked and under-supported, even at organizations with stated diversity, equity and inclusion priorities. In collaboration with Cayuga Health, the Chamber is delighted to invite members to engage in this conversation where we will expand our view of disability inclusion as a necessary practice and explore the ways we can effective and intentionally welcome, employ and serve people with disabilities at our organizations.
Presenters:
Erin Sember-Chase, MA, is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Learning Consultant with Cornell University's Department of Inclusion and Belonging. With over 20 years professional, and a lifetime of personal, disability experience to draw from, she encourages examining disability access and inclusion in all areas of life through a social justice and inclusion lens. Her professional roles have included working in University student disability services, assisting on federally funded disability and employment grant projects, serving in a variety of DEI leadership and collaborative roles on and off campus including co-chairing the Cornell University Disability Employee Resource Group for over 12 years, and co-designing and teaching the first ever Introduction to Disability Students course at Cornell. She had designed and facilitated numerous training, presentations and lectures at the campus, local and national levels, for a variety of audiences including educators, local government entities, college students, student providers, businesses, nonprofits and employers. She has actively engaged and consulted on my diversity, equity and disability access and inclusion efforts at Cornell and within the Ithaca community.
Herb Alexander, Chief Diversity Officer at Cayuga Health System.
Herb Alexander is a visionary leader with a passion for workforce development and health equity. He is the Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer for Cayuga Health System and began his tenure in August 2021. Prior to joining the Cayuga Health team, Herb worked in higher education for a Rochester based university. During his time in higher education, Herb servedas a Chief Diversity Officer and was charged with shaping organizational strategy, creating programming and developing educational offerings for faculty and staff. Prior to that role, Herb was an Associate Dean of Students, in which he oversaw the Health & Counseling Center, led the organizations COVID testing strategy and many other student related initiatives. Herb also has a passion for youth and community development. He served as a NCAA Head Assistant Men’s basketball coach for seven years and cherished the opportunity to develop young men on and off the court.
Learn about our entire DEI Series below!
The goal of this educational workshop series is to help empower employees, leaders and stakeholders to be more inclusive to create impact and change.
We’ve invited an array of excellent, experienced facilitators to host the workshops throughout this series. The series will feature activities, workshops and learning opportunities on the topics outlined on our website. To aid Chamber Members' desire to build greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their respective workplaces, a group of experienced facilitators and consultants will be conducting six webinars each month from January to June.
There are six workshops in total. Where you’re at in your journey of DEI exploration will be helpful in determining which workshops to attend.
- Workshops geared towards those who are just starting (labeled s) their journey of learning and understanding how to begin cultivating diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) workplaces
- Workshops geared toward those are consider themselves advanced (labeled a) in understanding DEI and want an opportunity to continue learning and take a dive deeper into specific topics.
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Recurring Events
Business After Hours
Business After Hours is our premier networking event where you can connect with dozens of Chamber members, community leaders, and potential clients. Network with professionals across the region to exchange contact details, discuss current industry trends, and generate sales leads in an informal setting.
Networking at Noon
Each month, members enjoy lunch with Chamber members while meeting new people, expanding their networking, and learning more about our diverse base of businesses and organizations in Tompkins County. Our goal is to enhance opportunities for our members to share what’s new and exciting in their workplace, discover new customers, and create meaningful connections that lead to lasting business relationships.
Community Conversations
Tompkins Chamber hosts community-specific conversations throughout the county, offering a space for businesses and leaders in our smaller municipalities to convene for hyper-local networking, conversation, mentorship, and advocacy. These events will serve as a forum for the Chamber to engage businesses who rarely attend Ithaca-based events and allow us to better understand and support the unique needs of each community.
L.E.A.R.N.
The L.E.A.R.N. professional development series is designed to give Chamber members access to tools and resources that will help them grow and strengthen their businesses. The series is made up of workshops relevant to the themes of Leadership, Equity, Action, Resilience, and Navigation.
Participants in this series enjoy the following benefits:
- Access to qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced presenters
- Clearly defined course objectives
- Relevant and timely topics
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training Series
To aid Chamber Members’ desire to cultivate diverse, equitable, and Inclusive (DEI) workplaces, a group of experienced facilitators are partnering with the Tompkins Chamber to host a webinar series. The series has the added benefit of introducing Chamber members to local consultants and facilitators who can assist their respective businesses and organizations to develop strategic DEI plans, conduct follow up workplace trainings, and assist in recruitment/retention strategies for a diverse workforce.
Roundtable Series
Roundtables are free & for Chamber Members only.
Women in Business Roundtable
Open to all women and those who identify as female from within the Chamber’s membership base, this group includes small business owners, nonprofit leaders, managers, and women in all types of roles discussing work-life balance, gender in the workplace, and more through facilitated discussion and activities, or open sharing.
Small Business Roundtable
All Small Businesses with less than 50 employees from within the Chamber’s membership are welcome to join our Small Business Roundtable discussions. A mix of topic based and speaker facilitated discussions are blended with general roundtable sharing, mentorship, and brainstorming to result in connections and deliver information to keep moving area small businesses forward.
CEO Roundtable
CEO level discussion including leaders from the area’s largest employers and institutions, as well as area nonprofit executive directors, meet quarterly to provide important updates and discuss key community and economic concerns.
Featured Annual Events
Economic Summit
The Tompkins Chamber presents key local issues impacting local businesses and developers, policy issues impacting the business community, and local insights from participants in a national economic outlook survey. Partnering with Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED), the event includes important updates about our economy, workforce, upcoming projects, and strategies to move forward and achieve a sustainable economic recovery.
Annual Dinner & Awards
One of the premier business community events of the year, the Annual Meeting highlights the Chamber community and previews the goals and initiatives for the coming year. Come and celebrate the success of our business community and economic development with hundreds of local leaders and elected officials! Join us as we raise a glass to the companies, not-for-profits, and volunteers who partner with us to help our community thrive.
Golf Tournament
This day on the green combines top-notch golf with valuable networking and advertising opportunities. Held at one of the County’s finest and professionally-rated golf courses. Staggered start golf tournament with several prizes, including skins. Lunch and beverages provided.
Great Big Chamber Auction
See and be seen by the region’s top business executives and small business owners. The Great Big Chamber Thank You & Auction holds tremendous value to our sponsors, donors, and attendees as it is one of our most highly publicized and attended events. The Great Big Chamber Auction portion helps underwrite the events and programs that support our Chamber members. Traditional silent and live auction, networking, and nonprofit recognition awards.