I want to talk about the importance of education, giving back and how proud I am of our Chamber. Prior to her recent retirement, my mom worked tirelessly for a worldwide charitable foundation that had one sole purpose, education. Their generic concept was, “give a man a fish and he eats for a day, but teach him to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.” I am so fortunate to have parents who raised me to not only give back with meaning and purpose but extended me the opportunities of world class education and the impact of it within our community.
I am so proud to say that our Miami Beach Chamber Board of Governors not only understand this concept but embrace it. Approximately ten years ago, our Chamber leadership had the vision of hosting great events to make our mission a reality with the creation of our very own foundation with the purpose of raising funds to support education here within our vibrant community. Ten years later, our Education Foundation continues to raise funds to support the International Baccalaureate program and other dynamic programs here within the Miami Beach public school system.
This past week, along with our past chairman Aaron Perry and long-time executive board member, Michael Goldberg, I delivered a $10,000 check to the city from our Chamber’s Education Foundation to continue our support of enhancing local education here in Miami Beach. I can’t tell you how great it is to be part of such “feel good” moments like this. Our Chamber is living out its mission each day and I am proud to be part of a meaningful and caring Chamber of Commerce. To date, our Education Foundation has raised and contributed nearly $100,000 to the city.
I am thankful and proud of our entire Board of Governors for their continued support and effort towards living out our mission each day. Each board member brings forward incredible energy and dynamic foresight that enables our Chamber to accomplish its goals, improve programming and give back to the community. I encourage you to come to an event, meet our board members and experience the power of membership.
At your service,
Alan A. Lips
