Photos from February's Networking Event at Coastline Federal Credit Union
A big thank you to Coastline for their generous $2,500 donation!
Visit our website for the entire photo gallery for this event!
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If you want to keep up with the FCHCC, sign up to receive our monthly eNewsletter below!
If you're interested in how the FCHCC does business, download our Members Guide.
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President's Message - Betzy Santiago
 Ernest Hemingway taught us "when
people talk, listen completely (because) most people never listen." This year the FCHCC is improving our listening and communication skills.
February was a great beginning to our year. Our thanks to Coastline Federal Credit Union for hosting our February Mixer and to our speakers Rebecca Perez and Alida Lupari for our financial update. We would also like to thank Citi, the Small Business Administration, and all our speakers for hosting our first "Coffee and Learn" from which we learned about six local resources that can help you to grow your business.
In March, the census will be sending a short questionnaire so please be aware. It will influence the federal funding for our community. Also, It will determine the number of seats for Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Be counted and make a difference! For more information visit: http://2010.census.gov/.
Other recent and exciting changes:
- Website: In February, we launched our new website. It features a more user-friendly platform for us to communicate with each other - showcasing photos, videos, job postings, and general information you need to know.
- eNewsletter: The FCHCC newsletter has also taken a bit of a different view. We're working on improving the content as well as celebrating your successes.
- Social Networking: Engaging in social media has expanded the way we conduct business. Our Facebook and LinkedIn accounts are full of information that may not be found in any of our other means of communications. This is also another way for you to interact and keep up with us - post your comments and make this your site!
Take advantage of the opportunities and let's work together to make this a great year.
Board Member's Message - Nelson Estepa
 It gives me great pleasure to introduce myself as one of your 2010 FCHCC Board Members. I was born in New York City, New York and grew up in Puerto Rico. After many succesful years of marriage, my lovely wife Gloria remains my sweetheart.
Early in life, I joined the US Armed Forces. Intially as s a foot solider, I retired after 27 years of military service as a lieutenant colonel. Subsequently, I also retired from the US Civil Service with the Department of Veterans Affairs after 30 years of combined service.
We relocated to Orange Park, Florida in 2001. In 2005, I was invited to attend one of the FCHCC Professional Networking Events. My initial experience was so appealing that I decided to join. In 2006, I was nominated as a director at large. FCHCC has provided me with an extraordinary opportunity to meet and unite hands in common purpose with many amazing people of the Hispanic business community of Jacksonville, Florida.
Membership is a fundamental aspect of any organization. I am proud to be serving alongside the professional group of individuals who compose our membership committee. As we begin our 2010 journey, I would like to encourage you to remain or become involved with FCHCC and refer prospect members to our membership committee.
You can send email to: nestepa@fchcc.com or Zsuzsanna P. Rivera. It is an exciting time to be part of FCHCC.
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Membership Spotlight - Idania Lizano,
Coastline Federal Credit Union
 I was born and raised partly in Varadero, Cuba. We arrived in Key West, Florida back in 1980, and my family settled in Marathon. While leaving part of my family behind, I feel blessed by having the opportunity to accomplish my dreams in this country and help others accomplish their dreams too. I've lived in Jacksonville since 2005, and have two wonderful daughters who are
currently attending universities in South Florida.
I started in legal, banking and finance at age 21. In 2003, I was very fortunate to open my own mortgage company, where I have helped many families acquire their affordable dream home.
In 2008, I was recruited by Coastline Federal Credit Union as their business development officer. Coastline was established in 1936 and continues to be safe and sound. To support the increasing diversity of Jacksonville, Coastline has added a bilingual staff and is in the process of developing a multicultural initiative to accommodate the changing needs of our community.
It's an honor to be the co-chairman of the 2010 Achieving the Dream Scholarship event, where I can help to give young adults a jump-start on their college education. I invite and encourage the participation of everyone in the community in the FCHCC. Together, we can make a difference.
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 March 2010 Calendar of Events
FCHCC Multicultural Business Growth and Networking Event
Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Location: Prudential Insurance
Address: 701 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207
Time: 6 - 8 PM
More Information: Parking is across the street on San Marco Blvd. next to the JTA Skyway (Dowtown Monerail). There's no guarantee that there will be enough slots for everyone as this is overflow and guest parking. Please try to arrive early to ensure parking. There's also parking over at River City Brewing company that is shared with the MOSH. FCHCC members free, non-members $5 at the door! Look for your upcoming meeting invite to register to attend!
For Members Only: Chamber Chats
This month's Chamber Chats will be held March 26 at Fontana Restaurant.
Don't miss an opportunity to come meet and network with other
Jacksonville Latino small business owners and professionals! Networking
is the best way to grow your business so don't forget to bring plenty
of business cards! Don't forget to RSVP when you get the invite!
Chamber Chats is a
program held throughout the year designed to help you get better acquainted and share referrals.
If you'd like to know more about how about Chamber Chats, click here.
Visit our website calendar for future meeting dates.
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Welcome New and Renewing Members
The FCHCC is proud to announce our new and renewing members for March!
New Members:
Moises Rivera
Member Renewals:
Adam Deli
Jacksonville Job Corps Center
North Florida Transportation Planning Organization
Spanish Cultural Society of N FL., Inc.
We could not be where we are without our members so thank you so much for your partnership.
If you'd like to become a member, please visit our website for more information!
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Awards and Accomplishments
Stephen C. Strum, VP Retail Sales and Delivery for Coastline Federal Credit Union was asked by WCWJ-TV Channel 17 (CW Affiliate) in Jacksonville to participate in an educational program called "College Bound." The section highlights advertisers and also contains an online education center which serves as a resource for education advice, degrees, grants and student loans.
Brunet-García Multicultural Advertising & PR brought home seven ADDY® Awards from this year's American Advertising Federation's (AAF) ADDY competition - one of the industry's most coveted awards and widely accepted as a stamp of creative excellence. Check out their artwork from the winning campaigns on SlideShare.
Congratulations to Stephen and Brunet-García! Way to go!
Also for our members, share your story with us so that we can celebrate with you! Send to fchcc@fchcc.com.
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Committee Happenings! Our members play an integral role in this organization. Enhance your experience and get involved.
Programs: Multicultural Mixer Event: March 16, 2010, hosted by Prudential (See "March 2010 Calendar of Events" above for more details.)
Chamber Chats: March 26, 2010 (See "For Members Only" above for more details.)
Membership: The membership committee is working on updating your contact information. Thank you for completing your member information forms.
Education/Scholarship: The Achieving the Dream Scholarship event planning has already begun. Soon you will see the new application on the website as well as sponsorship packages. Thanks for your support.
Communications/PR: Thanks to Brunet-García and Aliera Peterson, we now have a student advertising firm lead by Jasmine Sebastian and Kate Omalley Shoaf that is helping us with all our advertising/ communication needs. We've had our first meeting and have quite a bit in store for this year.
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Become an FCHCC Trustee
The
FCHCC recognizes the leadership and support of these leading
organizations, which are also our trustees.
As an FCHCC trustee, you'll receive many member benefits in addition to the following:
Official membership certificate issued for annual membership -
Business listed in Chamber's website directory -
Access to electronic "Job Opportunities" listings -
Committee participation in Chamber events -
Educational business opportunities -
Opportunity to be recognized as a member during events -
Sponsorship opportunities
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Opportunity to distribute promotional materials
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Electronic news updates and event notifications -
Access to post business events in electronic event calendar
Learn more about this important program and about all the trustee-level benefits.
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Daylight Savings Time Is Near
 Don't forget to "spring forward" your clocks as Sunday, March 14 is the beginning of daylight savings time!
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Current Job Opportunities
Position: Inside Sales Representative
Employer: Crowley Liner Services, Inc.
Position: Inside Sales Representative, Jax, FL
Position: Administrator/Developer Business Applications, Jax, FL
Position: Filenet Technical Architect, Jax, FL
Position: Engineer, Logistics, Jax, FL
Position: Buyer, Jax, FL
Employer: Crowley Maritime
For more details about these positions and to apply, please visit our website here. |
Join Our Fan Base on Facebook
Keep up with the latest news about the FCHCC on Facebook!
Click here to become a fan today!
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FCHCC Accepts Credit Card Payments for New Memberships and Renewals
You can now pay to join FCHCC or renew your membership with any of these credit cards.
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The First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC) strives to establish and encourage better business practices among Hispanic-owned and operated businesses in northeast Florida and south Georgia. All business professionals, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic, are welcome to become involved with our Chamber. The FCHCC also strives to foster understanding of Hispanic heritage through educational endeavors, business opportunities and social interaction.
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To learn more about the FCHCC, please visit us on the web at www.fchcc.com. Or send us e-mail at: fchcc@fchcc.com.
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