Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois Labor Day Ducky Derby goes swimmingly

At Gem PR & Media we’re always keen to give back.

We are proud to be involved in a number of non-profit organizations in Springfield, Illinois. As well as developing communication strategies for charities, providing sponsorships, and coverage through our free online lifestyle magazine, Eighteen21, we sit on boards and volunteer at fundraisers in the city. This week is a particularly busy one for the team with Monday's Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois inaugural Labor Day Ducky Derby fundraiser at Knights Action Park, Thursday's 6th annual Illinois Women in Leadership Women’s Symposium, and the inaugural Junk In Your Trunk For A Cause fundraiser for Compass for Kids, which takes place on Saturday, September 9 at Marine Bank on Robbins Road from 8am to 1pm.

If you're organizing a fundraiser or need support, getting the word out about your cause, get in touch with us by emailing hello@gemprmedia.com.

Here are a few photos from yesterday's Labor Day Ducky Derby!

The importance of networking

A few months ago I wrote a blog about networking groups and provided ideas for bringing the energy back. In the past nine months, life has been pretty hectic with the arrival of our daughter (and the real CEO of Gem PR & Media) Olivia. This has meant that at times we have had to miss out on networking opportunities as, although Gem PR & Media is a priority, family comes first. I know many of you will agree. 

Networking is extremely important when you’re developing a client base from scratch. Even several years after launching your new venture, you need to get out there and meet business owners and entrepreneurs. Through networking, you have the opportunity to spread your message, tell people about what you do, how and why, and build relationships and contacts. So, last week I decided to make an effort to attend, in a single day (not an unusual activity pre-Miss Olivia), our Central Illinois Networking Group meeting, a Springfield BNI chapter, and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce after hours event. 

I’ve always loved networking. After years of acting classes from an early age, I don’t generally fear walking into a room of people I don’t know. But, it’s been a while since I did that. So, I put on my lippy and heels and headed on up to the 14th floor of the Crowne Plaza. 

I was one of the first there. I walked on over to the viewing area where a few people had gathered to observe Springfield from a height and struck up a conversation with a young girl from AT&T. In her early 20s, I was reminded of my early networking years – being the newbie in the room (or on the rooftop) and how just one person that came across to say ‘hello’ helped my confidence. We chatted for a while until a connection I had met at the lunchtime meeting came across to say ‘hi’ and joined us in conversation. This gave me the opportunity to further develop the professional relationship I had begun to nurture earlier that day. Adding another person to your conversation also helps it progress and change direction, which is helpful if you’re struggling for topics, after the initial introduction.
I think the biggest takeaway from networking all these years is to make sure you don’t just talk about yourself, but listen to and engage with the person you are meeting. 

I stayed at the after-hours event for a while, handed out a few business cards, and then left feeling pretty satisfied. The heels came off and flip-flops went on as soon as I got in the car of course. 
The following morning I took out the collection of business cards I’d gathered and began writing follow-up emails – thanking the BNI chapter for having me, reminding them about Eighteen21.com and Junk In Your Trunk For A Cause, and mentioning I’d hope to see them again soon. Another thing I came to realize while developing our business is the importance of follow-up. Never forget to follow-up with a new connection. I admire those who do it over the phone. I usually send an email. 

Now, I didn’t do this – although I thought about and wish I had, why not take a selfie with your new connections too. Post on your social media business profiles and tag your new ‘friends’ in. This will also encourage them to like and engage with your online platforms. But don’t worry if you forget, you’ll do it next time. 

It’s never too late to network – or get back to it. If you’ve lost the enthusiasm, or haven’t simply had the time to do so, throw yourself in when you get your next chance. It’s a bit like riding a bike – once you get back on you’ll remember how. If time is an issue I recommend picking one day out of the week and devoting that day to networking. It’s hard to concentrate when you get back to the office because often you need to follow-up on the emails, calls etc. that you’ve missed. So know that it’s ok because tomorrow you’ll get time at your desk. Make those networking moments count. Don’t forget to take business cards, always follow-up, and get the next event in your calendar. 

Practicing what we preach – Junk In Your Trunk For A Cause in Springfield

I talk regularly about the need for businesses, as well as individuals, to give back to the community. Often, my advice is to piggyback on an established event, which you can also ‘make your own.’ But sometimes it’s worth taking the leap and creating something out of the ordinary in the hope that it will raise funds for a cause you are passionate about, align with your values, and attract a healthy crowd.

 

 Not long ago, my friend, Cheri Plummer and I were talking about ways in which we could raise money for causes we believe in and have fun at the same time. We came up with the idea of organizing a Junk In Your Trunk event on Saturday, September 9th between 8am and 1pm where vendors are invited to sell their wares, with a focus on garage sale items, from their trunks. We approached Marine Bank 3120 Robbins Road and asked if we could use the parking lot– and they kindly said yes. We already knew we wanted to raise money (and awareness) for Compass for Kids, and so Junk In Your Trunk For A Cause was born.

Of course, once we’d planned the details, I got to creating a Facebook page, we’re working on a press release, Cheri will be posting onto all of the ‘for sale’ Facebook pages and we’re asking our nearest and dearest to help spread the word.

Compass for Kids, previously a program that existed at the Family Service Center launched as an independent non-profit last year. It is responsible for three major programs, which support at-risk children and families in Springfield School District 186. These include an after-school program with snacks, an evidence-based social-emotional curriculum lesson, academic time, life skills classes, and a healthy family-style dinner. Second, Camp Compass, a free summer program designed to improve reading and math skills and prevent learning loss over the summer months. And last, the backpack feeding program, a partnership between Compass, HSHS St. John's Hospital, and the Central Illinois Foodbank, which sends two breakfasts, two lunches, two snacks, and two dinners home with the children for the weekend.

Having been raised on a considerably affluent island in the British Channel, I feel it is my responsibility to give back, I know it is our duty as a business to support the efforts of others, and most of all I want to create a better place to live for our children. At Gem PR & Media we are constantly working towards projects that give back whether that’s through articles in Eighteen21.com, monetary contributions, or the time we give by sitting on boards, committees, and getting stuck in.

If you are interested in booking a spot at the inaugural Junk In Your Trunk For A Cause event here are the details: Parking lot spaces are available for people to bring their 'garage sale items'* to be sold out of their trunk. Each space is priced at $15 and spaces are limited to 30 sellers. Those who wish to reserve a space should send their check to Cheri Plummer at Lee O'Keefe Insurance Agency, Inc., 2501 Chatham Rd Ste. 100, Springfield IL 62704 by August 25th (please make the check out to Compass for Kids). Sellers are invited to set up from 7am and the car lot must be cleared by 2pm. Entry to the fundraiser will cost $3 per person (Kids 12 and under are free) or the donation of two non-perishable food items for the Compass for Kids food program.  

For more information visit Facebook.com/JunkInYourTrunkForACause or email Gemma Long at Gemma@GemPRMedia.com or Cheri Powers Plummer at CPlummer@LeeOKeefe.com. 

*Only items permitted by law can be sold. No guns, car seats, or baby cribs etc.