The Marion Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to our Monthly Membership Luncheon on November 9th, 2021 at the Pavilion starting at noon. This luncheon will be a HYBRID luncheon and include a ZOOM component for those who cannot attend in person. Lunch menu is: Baked Potato / Chili Bar, dessert and iced tea / lemonade to drink.
 
 

PROGRAM: Hiring Solutions and the Veterans Outreach Program - Patrick Sarenesn, Local Veteran Employment Representative - VA Medical Center The Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program provides federal funding, through a formula grant, to 54 State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) to hire dedicated staff to provide individualized career and training-related services to veterans and eligible persons with significant barriers to employment and to assist employers fill their workforce needs with job-seeking veterans. Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) conduct outreach to employers in engaging in advocacy efforts that assist veterans and their spouses in finding gainful employment. The relationships cultivated with hiring executives not only serve to increase employment opportunities, but also promote the virtues of hiring a veteran candidate. In addition, the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) promotes the hiring of our disabled veterans. DVOP specialists provide intensive services to meet the employment needs of disabled veterans and other eligible veterans, with the maximum emphasis directed toward serving those who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, including homeless veterans, and veterans with identified barriers to employment. About our Speaker, Patrick Sarenesn, in his own words: My father was in the Marine Corps for 20 years and retired in 1977. So my first several years we moved around a lot due to his changing duty stations. After he retired we moved to a small farm in Gorham IL where I spent my time helping raise pigs and cattle and picking up hay.  In the year after High School I attended college at both John A. Logan and SIU Carbondale and also worked at Tuck Tape in Carbondale. I worked my way up from pushing broom to an office job there in 6 months and was then laid off. I moved to Evanston IL with my grandparents in 1985 and painted houses for a while and it was then that I was inspired to join the military. I went to see the USMC recruiter one day and luckily he wasn’t there. The Army recruiters saw me though, and they did a good job of answering my questions and getting me a high tech job. I spent nearly a year in training and my last 3 years were spent in Germany. After the Army I have worked several varied occupations from coal mining to retail to financial services. In 2003 I was hired by the Illinois Department of Employment Security where I have remained. I worked on the unemployment insurance side for 10 years and then was fortunate enough to join the Business Services Team and the Veterans Outreach Program. I was a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) for almost 8 years working with veterans who have significant barriers to employment. This past February I took the position of Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and have enjoyed working with the business community to be able to continue serving veterans. EVENT AGENDA: Welcome from Chamber Leadership & Invocation Luncheon Speaker Presentation Luncheon Program Quick update from the Chamber Committees Member Network and Updates

This month's luncheon sponsor is Interstate Tire Service. Interstate Tire Company is the place for all your tire and automotive needs.  We are an authorized dealer of Michelin, Hercules, Cooper, Yokohama, BF Goodrich, Bridgestone and McLaren tracks and tires.

With the latest COVID Mitigations, we request social distancing for our in-person attendees and to wear a mask when arriving and when not seated at your table.  Thank you for your support!