COAL TOWNSHIP - The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce honored members' employees with a staff appreciation luncheon at Brewser's SportsGrille Tuesday.
Guest motivational speaker Kenny Altenbach, of Kenny A. Enterprises, Danville, said each employee is an important part of running a business.
"Managers, without your guidance, leadership, support and pursuit of excellence tapping into the abilities of your employees, today's celebration is not possible," Altenbach said.
Altenbach shared a story about a group of people and animals who tried to pull a large turnip out of the ground with no success, until a tiny mouse assisted them.
"After telling that story, I ask you, do you have any mice in your organization? If so, never underestimate them. Even the quiet, unnoticed person can be a major contributor to a team's success," the speaker said.
Altehbach said a good way for managers, or team leaders as he called them, to motivate employees is through mentoring.
"Mentoring builds trust, builds rapport, and most of all, builds confidence in employees to accept greater responsibilities," he said.
He admired the employees and told them the managers who brought them today know Tuesday's luncheon is not enough to show their appreciation for all their work.
"They (the managers) know their success depends on yours," Altenbach told the employees.
He encouraged everyone to challenge themselves to be more knowledgeable than the day before, and to figure out how to gain even more knowledge tomorrow.
Tuesday's luncheon was sponsored by Pennsylvania Chamber Insurance, which provides consulting services on health care and other insurance to chamber of commerce members statewide.
PCI's Strategic Partner Executive Melissa Dawson spoke about the company and its services.
Chamber news
Upcoming events include the annual awards dinner on Thursday, April 25, at the Knights of Columbus, Shamokin, which is sponsored by Service Electric Cablevision. Floral sponsors are Tara and Chris Venna.
The annual Chamber Career Symposium will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center, Coal Township, and will be sponsored by McCann School of Business.
Entries and sponsors are needed for BVRCC's golf tournament, set for Friday, May 3, at Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and a 1 p.m. shotgun start.