NETWORKING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PHILANTHROPY CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Year One Agenda Executive Summary It was this nations 35th president, John F. Kennedy, who first submitted to the nation that a rising tide lifts all boats. And, indeed, it appears the rising has, in the city of New Orleans, arrived. All around us, the signs are imminent, from the click clack of the new street car line along Basin Street to the new bike lanes extending down Esplanade. Companies such as Lids and Carnival Cruise line are investing in New Orleans and its people again, bringing jobs and opportunity to the city and its residents. Formerly desolate areas that were left deserted after Katrina left our fair city in ruins are now being revitalized, such as the Mid-City Market on Carrolton and the Gentilly Woods Market on Chef Menteur. Our housing market outpaces the nation, with areas such as Carrollton, Uptown and the Garden District incapable of keeping up with real estate demand. Our film industry is third in the nation, behind only Los Angeles and New York. Around the nation, our great city is finally receiving the recognition it deserves as a Mecca for innovation that is leading the nation in economic recovery. The National Journal wrote in April of how New Orleans pulled off an economic miracle by becoming a magnet for businesses and startups. Time Magazine asserted in March, 2012 that a new culture of entrepreneurship is taking root in the Crescent City. The Daily Beast recently ranked our city the number two most aspirational city in the nation as a magnet of opportunity. Even overseas, foreign nations are looking to New Orleans as a model for building entrepreneurship. All of this is especially remarkable in light of the astonishing fact that, only a few years ago, pundits were pondering aloud the absurd question is New Orleans even worth rebuilding? Leading the citys economic recovery are its young entrepreneurs, working diligently from coffee shops and incubators, creating fresh, new and innovative approaches to the citys problems and creating wealth for the citys residents. Still, despite their investments in the local economy and collective wealth, young professionals in the city have faced considerable obstacles in translating those investments to economic, social and political strength. Many local, non-profit and government boards often lack under 40 representation, and many civic organizations are audibly silent on hotbed political issues that effect the lives of young entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. The Greater New Orleans Junior Chamber of Commerce exists for precisely these reasons. Young people engaged in private enterprise need and deserve a voice; the GNO Junior Chamber seeks to be that voice. My vision for the GNO Junior Chamber of Commerce consists of six main areas. My commitment is to build the GNO Junior Chamber and help it succeed as an organization.

Respectfully submitted,

Samuel Cook, III, MLS, ABD Chairman of the Board (Acting) Greater New Orleans Junior Chamber of Commerce

NETWORKING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PHILANTHROPY CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Civil Liberties/Civil Rights Protecting and preserving the civil liberties of all New Orleans residents is an imperative in order to promote the economic and social welfare of the city. As Chairperson, I seek to: Partner with organizations that work to inform the public about civil liberties; Lobby local and state officials to reduce sentences for non-violent crimes and to implement meaningful criminal justice reforms; Work with local business owners to develop and implement corporate responsibility plans that extend employment opportunities for ex-offenders.

Economic Freedom/Jobs/Competitive Workforce Jobs, economic freedom and creating a competitive workforce are at the core of the Greater New Orleans Junior Chamber of Commerce mission. As Chairperson, I seek to: Develop strategic partnerships with organizations that work to promote entrepreneurship and small business ownership, especially among women, Latinos, LGBT persons and African-Americans; Conceptualize and implement programs to teach financial literacy; Create Cultural Economy Program to assist local artists and those engaged in the cultural arts with business plan development, marketing and growth, branding, social media, etc.; Lobby for legislation on the local and state level that maintains sensible tax rates and ensures New Orleans workers keep more of their earnings.

Infrastructure/Transportation A strong transportation system and sound infrastructure are hallmarks of a 21st century city. Good roads, sound bridges and high speed rail are among the characteristics of a strong economy. As Chairperson, I seek to: Partner with organizations that work to improve local infrastructure and promote improved public transportation; Lobby local, state and federal officials for infrastructure improvements and sensible investments in roads, bridges and public transportation;

Civic Engagement With so much at stake politically, socially and economically, engaging in the civic process is essential for young New Orleanians. As Chairperson, I seek to: Create a non-partisan GOTV and voter registration program to improve civic participation among New Orleans residents ages 18-40; Host candidate forums for various public offices, elections and campaigns; Create issues campaigns for public awareness and to influence legislation; Create and host, in accordance with Junior Chamber International, a debate squad to discuss issues relative to young people in New Orleans; Strengthen relationships with local and state elected officials to improve access for members of the local business community.

NETWORKING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PHILANTHROPY CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Diversity, Gender Equity and Inclusion Diversity, gender equity and inclusion are essential in todays business environment. As Chairman, I seek to: Identify, recruit and promote the leadership of women, LGBT persons, Latinos, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics within the GNO Junior Chamber executive board; Work with promote LGBT-friendly safe space accommodations among private businesses and to ensure that companies and non-profits are LGBT-friendly; Work to create low-cost or free diversity training for small businesses and their employees; Create a Diversity, Gender Equity and Inclusion Scorecard for area businesses, which rates their commitment to gender pay equity, fair hiring practices, LGBT friendliness, etc. Advocate for sensible immigration reform as integral to supporting a strong local workforce.

Collaboration and Goodwill Collaboration, goodwill and increasing capacity for organizations across the city are important in building strong networks of young professionals. As Chairman, I seek to: Promote a culture of voluntarism within the GNO Junior Chamber of Commerce by partnering with local nonprofit organizations to support their programs and initiatives; Request that each member of the GNO Junior Chamber of Commerce complete fifty (50) hours of community service during their term in office; Encourage partnership and collaboration with other organizations with similar missions and serving similar demographics. Provide support to organizations who work to promote entrepreneurship, small business development, economic and community development, poverty reduction, workforce development, civil liberties and tax reform.