Saturday, July 08, 2006
News
United Way director chosen as new Chamber head
RENITA MIKOLAJCZYK
By ART BUKOWSKI Argus-Press Staff Writer
A familiar face has been hired as the new president of the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Board Chairperson John Hagel announced Friday that Shiawassee United Way Executive Director Renita Mikolajczyk has been chosen to head the organization.
Mikolajczyk, who has been with United Way for three years, will begin at the Chamber Aug. 21. The last permanent president was Joe Borgstrom, who left the position in April to work at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
“We're very excited. She brings to our organization a skill set that will help lead us in a new direction,” Hagel said. “Her past experience both at the United Way and at other leadership positions during her career made her a very attractive candidate for this position.”
Mikolajczyk, 52, has held a variety of positions in her career. She began working at a small grocery store chain in her hometown of Toledo, Ohio, before spending 21 years as an administrator at the Capital Council of the Girl Scouts of America. She also has experience as quality-control manager at an ice cream factory in New York state.
“My life has been a little sporadic, I can tell you that,” she said with a smile.
Mikolajczyk is excited to begin her new position.
“The bottom line is that the board has set their goals for the next two to four years, with an emphasis on membership services, recruitment and retention, as well as economic development,” she said.
She explained that her duties will immediately include analysis of the chamber's services to its members and promoting the values of chamber membership, among other things.
“It's about listening to the members, hearing what they want and need, and making sure to give it to them,” she said.
Mikolajczyk is confident about her abilities to head the Chamber.
“My membership and recruitment skills are certainly very good,” she said. “The Girl Scouts is the best run non-profit association in the United States of America. They have their ducks in a row - I was trained well.
“In a nutshell, I learned my work ethic from my parents and grandparents, I learned my customer service skills at the grocery store and I honed my membership services, recruitment leadership and management skills at the Girl Scouts and United Way.”
She has a few ideas for the county's economic development as well.
“In my reading about economic development, rural areas are the hardest areas to improve...and those rural communities that are successful are those that have looked at niche services like ethanol or biodiesel,” she said. “The main key is that we are all at the table working for the same goal, and it's going to take all of us working together in collaboration to be successful.”
Although it will be hard to leave the United Way, Mikolajczyk hopes her actions at the Chamber will have a direct positive impact on that organization.
“United Way gets its support from individuals and businesses,” she said. “If I can be a catalyst to move the community forward in terms of job creation, I not only help the community, I also help the United Way.”
Chamber Board Chairperson John Hagel announced Friday that Shiawassee United Way Executive Director Renita Mikolajczyk has been chosen to head the organization.
Mikolajczyk, who has been with United Way for three years, will begin at the Chamber Aug. 21. The last permanent president was Joe Borgstrom, who left the position in April to work at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
“We're very excited. She brings to our organization a skill set that will help lead us in a new direction,” Hagel said. “Her past experience both at the United Way and at other leadership positions during her career made her a very attractive candidate for this position.”
Mikolajczyk, 52, has held a variety of positions in her career. She began working at a small grocery store chain in her hometown of Toledo, Ohio, before spending 21 years as an administrator at the Capital Council of the Girl Scouts of America. She also has experience as quality-control manager at an ice cream factory in New York state.
“My life has been a little sporadic, I can tell you that,” she said with a smile.
Mikolajczyk is excited to begin her new position.
“The bottom line is that the board has set their goals for the next two to four years, with an emphasis on membership services, recruitment and retention, as well as economic development,” she said.
She explained that her duties will immediately include analysis of the chamber's services to its members and promoting the values of chamber membership, among other things.
“It's about listening to the members, hearing what they want and need, and making sure to give it to them,” she said.
Mikolajczyk is confident about her abilities to head the Chamber.
“My membership and recruitment skills are certainly very good,” she said. “The Girl Scouts is the best run non-profit association in the United States of America. They have their ducks in a row - I was trained well.
“In a nutshell, I learned my work ethic from my parents and grandparents, I learned my customer service skills at the grocery store and I honed my membership services, recruitment leadership and management skills at the Girl Scouts and United Way.”
She has a few ideas for the county's economic development as well.
“In my reading about economic development, rural areas are the hardest areas to improve...and those rural communities that are successful are those that have looked at niche services like ethanol or biodiesel,” she said. “The main key is that we are all at the table working for the same goal, and it's going to take all of us working together in collaboration to be successful.”
Although it will be hard to leave the United Way, Mikolajczyk hopes her actions at the Chamber will have a direct positive impact on that organization.
“United Way gets its support from individuals and businesses,” she said. “If I can be a catalyst to move the community forward in terms of job creation, I not only help the community, I also help the United Way.”