Looking Forward in 2007:  Our Collaboration with the YMCA
Source: Springfield Spirit, January 2007

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's Character Education program is in its second year and currently has 676 business and professional organizations as partners.

Beginning in 2007, the Chamber will be working with the Ozarks Regional YMCA in a collaborative effort to facilitate more growth and continued success.  The YMCA has a long history locally, as well as nationally, of providing character building services for youth and families, which makes it uniquely positioned to enhance the Chamber’s Character Education program.

The YMCA will provide training and innovative ways for businesses to include the character words in the workplace through a tiered involvement program where businesses can decide the level of participation.

This collaboration will also provide more opportunities to enhance the youth focus due to the many activities already provided through the YMCA.  “Collaborating with the YMCA is a great opportunity to build on the success that the Chamber has created with the Character Ed initiative.  They will bring new resources, new excitement and plenty of creativity that will keep this effort growing far into the future,” said Bill Bryan of Merrill Lynch and chairman of the Character Ed sub-committee.  

While the Chamber will still be very much a part of the Charcter Ed initiative, the YMCA will be the main point of contact following the transition.