National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Announces Four Main Programs
Wed. April 2, 2003 12:00 AM
Washington, DC -
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) made public today the focus of its four main programs. “We have worked very hard and listened to businesses and groups all around the country. We feel the chamber’s four anchor programs will give prospective members the benefits they want and deserve from a membership organization,” said NGLCC co-founder Chance Mitchell. “These programs represent the NGLCC’s one year journey from the drawing table to becoming the gay & lesbian community’s only national organization expressly dedicated to the gay & lesbian business community and increasing the economic opportunities of our membership,” said co-founder Justin Nelson.
The following four bullets represent the NGLCC’s main programs currently under development:
THE DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT AND PROCUREMENT PROGRAM
To ensure that gay & lesbian owned businesses have increased opportunities for procurement contracts with Corporate America, the NGLCC has established the Diversity Development and Procurement Program (DDPP). Working with corporations and their diversity supplier managers, the NGLCC will serve as the only certifying organization of gay & lesbian owned businesses for the purposes of procurement contract opportunities. The NGLCC and the DDPP will be the main bridge between Corporate America and gay & lesbian owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
THE FINANCIAL SERVICES PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
The NGLCC Financial Services Partnership Program (FSPP) was designed to give NGLCC members access to needed capital to start or grow their businesses. The NGLCC and its financial corporate partners recognize the strength and importance of a diverse business community and are committed to cultivating resources to ensure that NGLCC members are able to meet their financial growth needs.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
General membership benefits comprise the third component of the NGLCC. From business and service discounts, including group purchasing power for health and business insurance, to regional conferences and seminars, a quarterly magazine, public and private sector advocacy, and nation-wide networking opportunities, the NGLCC is working to provide businesses with the tools they need to continue to grow and be successful.
WORKPLACE DIVERSITY AND OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE
The NGLCC is dedicated to helping rid the workplace of discrimination based on sexual orientation and increasing opportunities for gays & lesbians in the workplace, including the availability of domestic partnership benefits. Working with those organizations that have led the way in the non-discrimination arena, the NGLCC is dedicated to collaborating as a part of a community-wide coalition and looks forward to joining the chorus of other organizations in combating these injustices head-on. The NGLCC is committed to fostering a safe and mutually beneficial environment for gays & lesbians in the workplace. By facilitating business transactions among members and corporate partners, offering education and assistance, working in coalition with other state, local and national groups, and providing a venue to seek legal advice, the Chamber will serve as a facilitator in the quest for work place equality and opportunity. Additionally, the NGLCC will aggressively support legislation at the federal, state and local levels banning discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation.
The NGLCC has teamed with several corporate diversity suppliers, financial services corporations, foundations and interested businesses and organizations to facilitate the development and implementation of these programs.
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is committed to forming a broad-based coalition, representative of the various interests of gay & lesbian owned businesses, gay & lesbian friendly businesses, professionals, and students of business for the purpose of promoting economic growth and prosperity, through public and private sector advocacy, to advance the common business interests and opportunities of its members
The following four bullets represent the NGLCC’s main programs currently under development:
THE DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT AND PROCUREMENT PROGRAM
To ensure that gay & lesbian owned businesses have increased opportunities for procurement contracts with Corporate America, the NGLCC has established the Diversity Development and Procurement Program (DDPP). Working with corporations and their diversity supplier managers, the NGLCC will serve as the only certifying organization of gay & lesbian owned businesses for the purposes of procurement contract opportunities. The NGLCC and the DDPP will be the main bridge between Corporate America and gay & lesbian owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
THE FINANCIAL SERVICES PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
The NGLCC Financial Services Partnership Program (FSPP) was designed to give NGLCC members access to needed capital to start or grow their businesses. The NGLCC and its financial corporate partners recognize the strength and importance of a diverse business community and are committed to cultivating resources to ensure that NGLCC members are able to meet their financial growth needs.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
General membership benefits comprise the third component of the NGLCC. From business and service discounts, including group purchasing power for health and business insurance, to regional conferences and seminars, a quarterly magazine, public and private sector advocacy, and nation-wide networking opportunities, the NGLCC is working to provide businesses with the tools they need to continue to grow and be successful.
WORKPLACE DIVERSITY AND OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE
The NGLCC is dedicated to helping rid the workplace of discrimination based on sexual orientation and increasing opportunities for gays & lesbians in the workplace, including the availability of domestic partnership benefits. Working with those organizations that have led the way in the non-discrimination arena, the NGLCC is dedicated to collaborating as a part of a community-wide coalition and looks forward to joining the chorus of other organizations in combating these injustices head-on. The NGLCC is committed to fostering a safe and mutually beneficial environment for gays & lesbians in the workplace. By facilitating business transactions among members and corporate partners, offering education and assistance, working in coalition with other state, local and national groups, and providing a venue to seek legal advice, the Chamber will serve as a facilitator in the quest for work place equality and opportunity. Additionally, the NGLCC will aggressively support legislation at the federal, state and local levels banning discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation.
The NGLCC has teamed with several corporate diversity suppliers, financial services corporations, foundations and interested businesses and organizations to facilitate the development and implementation of these programs.
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is committed to forming a broad-based coalition, representative of the various interests of gay & lesbian owned businesses, gay & lesbian friendly businesses, professionals, and students of business for the purpose of promoting economic growth and prosperity, through public and private sector advocacy, to advance the common business interests and opportunities of its members