Eau Claire Chamber joins national Equality of Opportunity Initiative

Thursday, June 25: Virtual online event
12:30-2:30 p.m. Central Time
Click here for full details and to register

The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering in a national initiative with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to address inequality of opportunity, an extension of the work of its local Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. 

 "Recent events around the country reinforce what we know: Inequality and violence tears apart communities and we must do better," notes the Chamber in a statement released today and signed by President & CEO Dave Minor.

"The Eau Claire Area Chamber values diversity and practices inclusion within our membership. For the continued advancement of these efforts, we champion equal access and equity of opportunity through the intentional inclusion of all. Further, we encourage and provide leadership and resources to our membership of chamber professionals and the community.  However, it will take leadership at every level – national, state, local, community, and citizen – to move forward in an inclusive and productive way."

Click here to read the full statement

In announcing the national effort, US Chamber President Suzanne Clark said her organization “believes that the moral case for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is indisputable, and there’s overwhelming evidence that greater diversity benefits the American economy, businesses, communities and employees."

"We know what a job means to a family and to a community," Clark continued. "We will leverage our expertise and relationships to help develop solutions that will enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in our economic system." she said. “We are proud to partner with the Eau Claire Chamber on this initiative and help develop a robust plan of action.” 

The national initiative gives the Chamber an opportunity to enhance and extend the efforts of its Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, which was formed in 2016 and is chaired by Wes Escondo of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Wisconsin. Its goal is to share information and learn best practices about diversity, inclusion and minority business development to improve our workforce. It works to leverage members’ combined experience and knowledge to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion programs and practices throughout professions; provide business members with access to information, individuals and ideas that will help them build more economically and socially inclusive organizations; and to become a forum to discuss new diversity and inclusion ideas and initiatives.

June 25 National Town Hall (12:30-2:30 p.m. Central Time) The Eau Claire Chamber will join the U.S. Chamber’s national town hall event on June 25 where business and community leaders will discuss concrete actions that can be taken by government and the private sector to address inequality through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and criminal justice reform.
Click here for details and to register.

More information:
A message to the business community and those we serve (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
426 Chambers and Associations Join U.S. Chamber’s Equality of Opportunity Initiative (US Chamber of Commerce)
U.S. Chamber Launches National Initiative to Address Inequality of Opportunity (US Chamber of Commerce)

Posted by Scott Rogers, Governmental Affairs & Workforce Director
​rogers@eauclairechamber.org