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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2016-02-17, Page 22 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Summer Youth Programs available in Huron County The Huron Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) is hosting an information ses- sion on their youth program- ing opportunities from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday March 1, 2016, at the Huron Business Centre in Seaforth. The Summer Company and Starter Company pro- grams have been around for years, but the Make Your Pitch video competition is relatively new. Those interested are asked to come to the information session and bring their ques- tions! To register, or for more details, contact infohbc@ smallbusinesshuron.ca. With summer jobs for youth few and far between, young entrepreneurs from Huron County between the ages of 15 to 29, have the opportunity to take matters into their own hands and operate their own busi- nesses this summer. The students receive financial assistance from the Summer Company, a pro- vincial youth -entrepreneur- ship program funded by the Ministry of Economic Devel- opment, Employment & Infrastructure. Currently in its 16th year, the Summer Company pro- gram aims to inspire more young people to choose entrepreneurship as a career and to equip them with the tools they need to succeed. "It has been an exciting program to work with through the years," said Ali- son Lobb, Business Consult- ant at the Huron Small Busi- ness Enterprise Centre in Seaforth. "Seeing the young people grow in their experi- ence is rewarding and sev- eral of our graduates have gone on to run successful full-time businesses." Designed for students aged 15-29 who will be returning to school in the fall, this program provides for up to $1,500 toward start- up costs and, upon success- ful completion of the pro- gram requirements, the student is eligible for an additional award of $1,500. Each student must submit a comprehensive business plan with their online appli- cation, and participate in an interview process. Training and mentorship is provided during the sum- mer by a volunteer group of Community Mentors, along with Alison Lobb, Business Consultant for the County of Huron and Donna Taylor, Summer Company Assis- tant. These individuals work with the young entrepre- neurs regularly during the summer, assisting with the management side of operat- ing a business. The students also partici- pate in a series of business training workshops. Contact the Huron Business Centre for further information (519-527-0305). The ministry will provide another youth opportunity program this year, entitled "Young Entrepreneurs, Make Your Pitch". High school students are encour- aged to present a business idea in a two -minute video pitch. Videos are judged through online public vot- ing (40%) and expert judges' scores (60%). Online video submissions close on March 23, and 20 finalists will receive a trip to Toronto to pitch live at the annual award-winning Dis- covery Conference in May. Visit www.makeyourpitch. ca for further details. Students fundraising for volunteer trip to Ecuador Submitted A total of 12 students and two teachers will be going on a volunteer service learning trip to the village of Quito in Ecuador, South America in July 2016 from F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. The trip is organized through Through Me to We and Free the Children, and the students will do work that will help the people of the village become more self-sufficient. Also upcoming is a 'Friends and Family Entertain for Ecuador' event Feb. 26, 2016 at Hawk Theatre in Lucknow at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided with a homemade baking sale as a fundraiser. Huron Small Business celebrating women entrepreneurs March 10 Join the Huron Small Busi- ness Enterprise Centre on March 10 for an evening cel- ebrating women entrepre- neurs in Huron County. Alison Lobb, Business Consultant, noted that both women and men are wel- comed to this International Women's Day networking event from 5:30-9 p.m., at the White Carnation Banquet Hall in Holmesville. This is an opportunity to recognize the contributions made by business women, with a special focus on those who participated in the Self Employment Benefit (SEB) Program. The SEB program ran for over 20 years, from 1993 to 2016, with over 280 graduates. The program, sponsored by both Federal and Ontario Ministries through the years, was coordinated by Carol Leeming, staff with the Plan- ning & Development Depart- ment of Huron County. Partic- ipants received training and financial support (from the Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities and Employ- ment Ontario) during their business start-up phase, along with regular mentorship. International Women's Day is celebrated during March, and the theme for 2016 is "pledge for parity" - in partic- ular, gender parity. World- wide, women continue to contribute to social, eco- nomic, cultural and political achievement. We can each pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly - whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gen- der -balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own Purple Grove WI meets for February Mary Anne Kukoly Purple Grove Women's Institute The February meeting of the Purple Grove Women's Institute was held in the social room of the Ripley Sports Complex. Deanna Scott our Vice President brought the meet- ing to order for our mem- bers and guests. Our hostess Cheryl Bridge had the room set up so nicely. Joyce Far- rell read the Scripture. Our roll call - a travel trip- gave us some interesting ideas. Our guests including the fel- lows responded well. A thank you was read from the Women's House for our recent donation. Fran will send a note of encourage- ment to the Phillipi family spheres of influence and com- mit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. Our evening will start at 5:30 sharp with networking and a light meal. The accom- plishments of the SEB pro- gram through the years will be the focus of a brief presen- tation by Carol Leeming, Coordinator. Then an hour of "speed networking" will fol- low, giving each person an opportunity to find out more about a minimum of four people in the room. Follow- ing the presentation of door prizes, there will be an opportunity for several as they are dealing with cancer. Our Convener Diane Clif- ford introduced Fran Far- rell. Fran showed a power point presentation of their trip last year to Australia and New Zealand. It was participants to share what they have learned about their fellow business people. This event is open to both men and women - since we know that men want to rec- ognize the accomplishments of local women as well. You do not need to be (or have been) a business owner. We all want to recognize the achievements of local women. Cost for the evening and dinner is $30 and we encourage you to register early, as space may be lim- ited. All SEB participants are invited and we hope you will make an effort to join us. The especially interesting to hear about the farming aspects of their cultures. Fran's commentary was very informative. They were so pleased to meet up with folks from our area that are now residing in New invitation is also going out to the various SEB advisors through the years. Pre -registration is required, so call 519-527- 0305. Cheques ($30, which includes HST) should be made out to the County of Huron. The first twenty SEB gradu- ates or mentors (men or women) to register will have their registration fee spon- sored, so call promptly. Join us to recognize the accomplishments of Huron women in business, and enjoy an evening of networking. Zealand. Diane thanked Fran on behalf of everyone present for all the great pic- tures. Deanna and Largaret McInnes and others pro- vided a yummy lunch. Lots of fun and fellowship was shared over the food.