Feb 28, 2018

A Chance to Be Heard By Tim Hodson

Would you like to have a say in how our industry is represented in Washington, D.C.? Would you like a chance to talk directly to the people who are making the policy decisions that influence your business?

If you would like to be heard in Washington, then you should make plans to attend the Society of American Florists 38^th Annual Congressional Action Days (CAD) that will take place March 12 and 13, in Washington, D.C.

SAF has confirmed that this year CAD will include a special opportunity for participants to speak candidly with some of the top advisors at the White House.

SAF has organized an exclusive Administration briefing in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex. During Congressional Action Days, participants will have an opportunity to share personal stories and ask questions to the people most influential to the president.

In 2016, about 80 industry professionals participated in a White House Briefing with the Obama administration where, for more than two-and-a-half hours, they addressed trade, immigration, agriculture, workplace and working family issues, and criminal justice reform.

“The briefing was a unique opportunity and added real value to CAD,” said Brad Denham of Arizona Family Florist in Phoenix, who appreciated the additional occasion to advocate for issues important to his business and marveled at the four-part security check that preceded the meeting. “It put into perspective how many layers are involved and how complex running the government can be,” he said. “It set the tone for the serious side of the job.”

If you have not done so yet, now is time to make plans to join SAF for the 38th Annual Congressional Action Days. Click here to register.

— Tim

Walmart’s Commitment to Vets Continues to Grow

Since launching its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in 2013, Walmart has hired more than 194,000 veterans and promoted more than 28,000 to roles of greater responsibility. The commitment guarantees a job offer to any eligible, honorably discharged U.S. veteran who has separated from active duty since 2013. Walmart is now more than three-quarters of the way to reaching its goal to hire 250,000 veterans by 2020. In addition to hiring veterans, Walmart is reinforcing its support to veteran business owners or those considering an entrepreneurial endeavor. The company is co-sponsoring Veteran EDGE, a first-of-its-kind conference and training event dedicated to veteran-owned businesses and the network that supports them.

Lowe’s Works to Create Skilled Trades Workforce

On Feb. 22, Lowe’s launched Track to the Trades, a new workforce development initiative that provides career alternatives and financial support for employees to pursue a skilled trade. The program will be supported in partnership with Guild Education, an adult education company. The initiative comes at a time when the skilled trade industry is experiencing a rapidly declining workforce. To address this critical trade skills gap while providing employees with a variety of career paths and economic opportunity, Lowe’s is offering employees: upfront tuition funding for trade skill certification; academic coaching and support; and placement opportunities for full-time pre-apprenticeships in Lowe’s nationwide contractor network or continued growth with Lowe’s.

Meijer Awards More Than $500,000 in Scholarships to Employees, Family Members

The Fred & Lena Meijer Scholarship Fund, a competitive scholarship fund for Meijer employees and their children, awarded $547,000 last year in scholarships — a record amount since its creation in 1975. In 2017, four $10,000 scholarships and 169 $3,000 scholarships were awarded. “Continued education and lifelong learning were always important to our dad,” said Meijer board member Doug Meijer. “My brothers and I echo his beliefs and are pleased to continue providing this scholarship opportunity for Meijer team members and their children.” The scholarship fund is a private scholarship fund that was established at the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Community Foundation in 1975.