Indiana Chamber of Commerce

The Indiana Chamber and the Indiana Department of Education hosted the first-ever state Civics Bee on Friday at the Indiana Statehouse, where middle school students in grades 6 to 8 participated in live quiz rounds to test their civics knowledge and gave presentations on issues facing their communities in front of a panel of judges. The event is part of the National Civics Bee organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. At the conclusion of the Indiana Civics Bee, Ellie Fost from Richmond Friends School in Wayne County was declared the winner. Her talk centered on the importance of mental health – something she said she’s learned firsthand. Fost received $1,000 and has the opportunity to go to the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. on November 12. Fiona Steuer, representing Willowcreek Middle School in Portage, won second place and $500 with a spirited speech on equal pay for women, noting the disparity in her own community. Doing away with the corporate tax to spur economic growth was the topic championed by Hunter Reed, representing Delta Middle School in Muncie. He took home third place and $250. All top three finishers were eighth graders when their Indiana Civics Bee journey began earlier this year with initial contests held in partnership with local chambers across the state. Those events produced the nearly 20 participants who competed for the state title. The goal of this 2024 National Civics Bee is to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. That aim is one the Indiana Chamber shares for Hoosiers, including it in its latest long-range visioning plan for the state, Indiana Prosperity 2035, as noted by president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders in her opening remarks at the state Civics Bee. She adds, “The Indiana Chamber believes this event can be part of inspiring a new generation. We want to spread the message to all young Hoosiers that it’s cool and rewarding to be involved in your community and make a difference in that way." The three judges for the state Civics Bee were: Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education; Charles Dunlap, president and CEO of the Indiana Bar Foundation; and Charles Hyde, president and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The Indiana Bar Foundation, Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP (Indianapolis-based law firm) and Indiana University Center on Representative Government sponsored the Indiana Civics Bee.

Our Safety Leadership Principles program (Sept. 19-20) is approaching! Improve your skills and be a champion for safety with this essential training. Highlights: - Worksite analysis - Overview and implementation of OSHA’s guidelines - Benchmark and learn from top safety cultures - How to have effective safety committees - Learn how to grow your employee safety commitment - Sharpen your training skills: new techniques - How chronic stress leads to burnout - How to effectively use KPIs Presented by Top Trainer Bobbi K. Samples of The Safety Firm. Register: https://lnkd.in/eDJpCRe

POWERING INNOVATION: Students at Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering are now harnessing solar power into heat. Read about the process in BizVoice®: https://lnkd.in/g-Cj2eKT

📢 ATTENTION MANUFACTURERS! Registration is now open for our fourth annual Coolest Thing Made in Indiana contest! This year, we're excited to partner with the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC). Read our press release for more: https://lnkd.in/gqgJ5jnK Entries due Oct. 18. #coolestthingIN

Our VP Adam H. Berry shares his editorial, "Welcoming Tech With Open Arms Fosters a Strong Indiana": https://lnkd.in/gUym6i49 #tech #indiana

ICYMI

New episode alert! Join host Nathan Feltman as he sits down with Jefferson Shreve, successful entrepreneur and the Republican nominee for Indiana's 6th congressional district. Shreve reflects on his journey, from founding Storage Express in 1993 to selling it to Extra Space Storage, Inc. in 2022. He also shares how his educational background has equipped him for his run for Congress. Get the inside scoop on why he stepped into politics, what he learned from serving on the Indianapolis City County Council, the challenges he faced in the mayoral race, and what’s driving his current campaign for Congress. You don’t want to miss this! Listen now at https://lnkd.in/eVGXmqe4.

The 2024 Indiana Wellness Summit is coming up in less than a month. We are excited to see so many of you there! Check out some of the feedback we've received from previous and returning attendees. Don't miss this fabulous opportunity to improve the well-being of our workplaces and communities. Connect and collaborate with health and wellness professionals to hear best practices, connect to Indiana wellness resources and access data to help make your organization well. There is still time to register! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gXax3Dr

Many public policy professionals are eyeing the 2025 Indiana General Assembly for what is setting up to be a pivotal session regarding funding and corresponding mechanisms to support Indiana’s road infrastructure. Read about what's likely to be discussed and potential solutions in BizVoice®: https://lnkd.in/dA3D5kFX #inlegis #infrastructure

Our staff book club just completed the crime novel and #1 NY Times bestseller "All Good People Here" by Iocal author Ashley Flowers. Flowers is also CEO of our member audiochuck, a popular media company that produces and distributes true crime, investigative and entertainment podcasts. #bookclub #truecrime #novels #podcasts