Mentor Appreciation Ceremonies

On June 10 and 11th, we had the wonderful opportunity to recognize all of our Chamber Mentors at the School Board and the Chamber's Friday at the Beach Event.
This year several of our Chamber members have worked together to create our Education Partnership Committee. One of their main objectives was to create a mentoring program with the Bay County School System. As they met, Superintendent Bill Husfelt, their vision became very clear. To start a classroom mentoring program that would empower high school students to see new possibilities for the future.

These mentors have been working at one of the following High Schools:

· Bozeman,

· Mosley,

· Rutherford,

· Rosenwald and

· Bay High School



Each Mentor works with a specific classroom of students, meeting with them once or twice a month throughout the school year. The activities of the mentors vary, depending on the classroom and the teacher. Some of our mentors:

· discussion sessions, to learn more about each other.

· provided educational moments geared towards to their work experience.

· provided teambuilding and trust exercises.

· provided activities related to Success principles.



Most importantly, they were there giving students their undivided attention and support!

We would like to recognize these business leaders and their companies for their dedication, effort and time given to this program.



Ron Sharpe- United Way of Northwest Florida

Carol Brown- Gulf World Marine Park

Erica Spivey- Children’s Home Society

Cheryl Taylor- Gulf Coast Community College

Dr. Carrie Baker- Gulf Coast Community College



Special Thanks to Lori Wolverton from Troy University for her help in coordinating mentors at Rutherford High School.



If you would be interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Skip Alford at the Chamber. 850-235-1159

Committee Monthly Meeting- May 27

Our Beach Chamber Educational Partnership Committee met this week to work on our goals and objectives.

The Chamber is planning several huge fundraising events this year that will help us raise money for our Scholarship Fund. We will have a Golf Tournament- October 15, 2010 (Friday) Hombre Golf Course and a Poker Tournament- August 19, 2010 (Thursday) Ebro Racetrack. Love to see everyone there!
We will also start conducting a 50/50 raffle at the F.A.T.B. Monthly Events.

We will be recognizing our Mentors at two special events this month. June 11th at 7:30- (Marriot) Our mentors and their Companies will be recognized at this FATB meeting. School Board Mentor Wrap Up Meeting- June 10th at Nelson Building@10:00- Please be there for this special event.

Snakes, Dogs and Magazine Cover Shots!

Snakes, Dogs and Magazine Cover Shots!


Snakes, dogs and magazine cover shots! What do these three things possible have in common? They happen to be the conversation starters that got students talking about their personal lives and experiences. Three special Beach Chamber members confidently entered several of Bay County’s schools this week, to meet with the classroom of students they have been mentoring each month. As they open the door to the classrooms, the students were poised and eagerly waiting to see what was in store for the next 30 minutes of class. Eager, maybe, for the reprieve from academic studies, but underneath the conversation starters, these mentors were skillfully weaving in learning lesson that will remain with each student for a lifetime.


This month’s “Focus on the Future” Mentors are:
Erica Spivey, Associate Development Director for Children’s Home Society, mentors Coach Sharon Gilson’s reading class at Bay High School.
Ron Sharpe, Regional Resource Development Director for United Way, mentors Mrs. Ausec class at Mosley High School.
Carol Brown, Education Program Coordinator for Gulf World, mentors Mr. Cantwell and Ms. Prevost, ASPIRE classes at Bozeman School.

If you are interested in mentoring a class of students, contact Lisa Adams, Beach Chamber’s Education Committee Chairperson (email to: www.thrivecoach@gmail.com)