Chamber leadership class donates 250 backpacks
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce said that its 2018 Leadership Albuquerque class will present to the state’s Children Youth and Families Department a donation of more than 250 filled backpacks for children entering the foster system. The backpacks, targeted for children ages 18 and under, are filled with a variety of age-appropriate items and are given to children taken into CYFD’s custody. The foster child backpack program is one of the initiatives under CYFD’s “Pull Together” program—a community engagement effort that calls on New Mexicans to join the fight in improving the quality of life for every child and making our state the best place to be a kid.
Leadership Albuquerque, a flagship program of the Chamber now in its 34th year, brings 40 local executives together each year. Program participants spend 10 months learning from subject matter experts, including CEOs, Cabinet secretaries, elected officials and other senior level executives, about the most important issues facing the community. CYFD Secretary Monique Jacobson was among the first speakers to present to the class at its opening retreat late last year.
“Our Leadership Albuquerque class was truly moved by Secretary Jacobson’s remarks to the class back in September,” said Justin Reiter, a business banker with Bank of Albuquerque and the Leadership Albuquerque class member who took the lead role in driving the class’s collection effort. “She inspired us to take action with a community service project to collect over 250 back packs and supplies that will, hopefully, help make
the transition a little easier for these young people coming in. I am certainly grateful for the opportunity to lead the group in this effort, and proud of the result.”
In addition to the backpacks, class members also donated several gift cards, which will be used to purchase books for a library that will be informally called the Leadership Albuquerque library. Children will be able to select a book from the library to keep for themselves.
“This is exactly the type of community involvement we would expect to see from the emerging leaders who participate in this class,” said Mike Canfield, chairman of the Leadership program for the Chamber. “It’s important for us as a community to do what we can to help our youngest citizens through some very trying situations. It’s our hope that the teddy bear, coloring book or blanket they receive in the backpack gives them comfort and something to call their own and lets them know that there are people out there who care about them.”
PNM foundation donates $200,000
PNM Resources Foundation is giving $200,000 over the next two years to the Geomatics Program in College of Engineering at New Mexico State University. The gift will support collaboration between New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Professional Surveyors, to increase demand in the profession, and enhance the education of those currently in the industry.
The average age of a surveyor in the U.S. is 58 years old, and New Mexico Professional Surveyors is hoping to reignite interest in the profession through a partnership with New Mexico State University. The curriculum will be revamped and expand its reach into other markets by providing online education and also provide valuable education opportunities for people already working as surveyors who desire continuing education for their career. The intended result will be an increase in demand for surveyors in the next five to 10 years.
“Collaboration is so key in our communities here in New Mexico,” said Becky Teague, PNM vice president for external affairs. “We were really inspired by the collaborative atmosphere and passion for the surveying industry between NMPS and NMSU.”
In honor of PNM turning 100 years old, PNM Resources and its shareholders made a sizable contribution to the PNMR Foundation, totaling $1 million over two years. Five organizations in New Mexico are beneficiaries of these funds, including New Mexico Professional Surveyors, all of which have a focus on furthering education and economic development in our state.
Fidelity employees help two nonprofits
Fifteen employees from Fidelity Investments in Albuquerque have helped two nonprofit organizations solve some of their human resources challenges within five hours. These employees’ service is valued at $18,000.
The Boys and Girls Club of Central New Mexico tapped into these employees’ skills and experience to help create a 90-day plan for new hires that extends beyond their initial orientation. This will help educate new employees – a majority of whom are parttime – about the nonprofit’s processes and culture.
For the National Dance Institute New Mexico, employees collaborated to assess NDI’s performance review system — from its process and accompanying tools, to employee engagement. The team’s suggestions will help improve the process to make performance reviews more efficient for managers and employees, and to ensure the goals documented are revisited and incorporated into staff activities throughout the year.
These efforts were part of Fidelity Investments’ global Tech Impact Week, March 5-13, when more than 600 employees donated more than 4,900 hours of service valued at nearly $600,000 to over 75 nonprofits around the world. Fidelity’s dedication to innovation and technology goes beyond the office walls and into the community.