Career(s) Shared:

Nonprofit Organization Management, Business Ownership, Public Relations, Accounting, Marketing, Communications, Urban Planning

Time Needed: 3 Hours

Things We May Do:

Are you interested in business and community development? Dale works with the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce. This organization provides educational programs and current business-related information and research for its members, promotes networking among members within the greater Washtenaw and Southeastern Michigan area, and is often a forum for members to take a stand on an economic development issue or urban planning concern in the area. Chamber members are very diverse, ranging from small companies, to large corporations, to community organizations, to nonprofit groups.

When you come to work with Dale, you will be able to gain first-hand experiences about the variety of marketing and public relations aspects of the Chamber. You will learn about membership goals, services, and problems being addressed to better serve members. You may sit in on a staff meeting, visit a member's company, or join Dale at a luncheon or service club group where he is making a presentation about the Chamber. You will learn about the positions the Chamber is taking on downtown development, education and training for jobs of the future, strip malls and urban sprawl, and parking and road infrastructure as our area continues to grow, creating more affordable housing in the city, and problems related to the homeless. You may help Dale analyze member surveys, refine a member letter, conceptualize a brochure design and contents, or begin planning a member breakfast program or forum. You may also work with him on his budget—looking at projected expenses and line items and actual expenditures, and preparing monthly or quarterly reports.

Plan on going to lunch with Dale. Here you will have the chance to ask more questions, seek some clarification on what you saw and experienced, and gain some insights on lunch networking!

Prerequisites

Notice required to arrange: At least two weeks

Age level: 16 through Adult

Interests: Business, Public Relations, Urban and Economic Development

Previous Classes/Knowledge: None required. General business courses helpful.

Public Transportation Access: AATA stop outside of the building (Edison Center on the corner of William and Main Streets)

To Arrange for Shadowing