When Rebecca Guardiola highlights some of her work as Community President at Waterstone Bank in Greenfield, Wisconsin, she could just as easily be referencing the efforts she puts forth for the Greater Greenfield Community Chamber. That’s why Chamber President Tracy Champagne thought Rebecca was a “perfect fit” as a GGCC Board Member and an Events Committee Co-Chair.
“We walk the walk in terms of business involvement in the community,” says Rebecca of Waterstone Bank, where, she adds, she has the freedom “to see what we need in the community and then make it happen.” Rebecca describes Waterstone as a “small community bank, but we have all of the services of a big bank with the flexibility of a small organization. I think that is really important. We can be nimble in our decision making because we do not have that huge structure behind us. When I work with business clients, I am their one touch point. My clients have my direct line.”
The GGCC, Rebecca says, “is in a growth phase with lots of opportunities to help businesses increase their visibility and reach to other members and the community at large.” She is eager to help Chamber members realize all that potential. To do that, she’d like to help connect, for example, non-profits, civic groups, and city government entities with “synergistic partners” in the GGCC in ways “that could be beneficial to both of them.” Added value and an expanded outreach are two advantages of such partnerships.
As an example, Rebecca cites the work the GGCC is doing now with the Cold Spring Salvation Army. (Tracy later explained that Rebecca reached out to GGCC members to see who would be willing to ring bells for The Salvation Army at the Pick ‘N Save on 76th and Layton. Rebecca then organized their available time slots with The Salvation Army and she rang a bell herself. In addition, Rebecca and fellow Events Committee Co-Chair Anh Hang volunteered last summer to tend The Salvation Army’s garden.)
Rebecca’s personal life also aligns with her passion for community and bridge-building. Living in Greendale with a child in its school system and a husband serving as President of the Greendale Chamber of Commerce, “I would say I probably do tend toward some of the family-focused causes in our area,” Rebecca comments. “As a family, we’re always involved with something in the community. We’re always going to different events or working at different events. It’s cool to know that we can have that behind-the-scenes impact. It helps me feel connected,” she added. For instance, due to her teenager, Rebecca’s family got involved with a 2-year partnership with the Greenfield High School Marching Band.
As stated by other GGCC Board members but still significant with every telling, Rebecca believes that “When it comes to chamber involvement, you do get what you put in.” She encourages anyone interested in getting involved with the GGCC to contact her or any other Board member. “We do have a lot of opportunities that we do not have enough manpower for,” she says. So, with room for passionate people like Rebecca to make a difference, she and the rest of our Board would love to connect you with the right project or two that’ll make your heart sing!
Contact the GGCC at contact@greatergreenfield.org . Follow Rebecca on LinkedIn.
Senior Writer
E-mail | by Kimberly Hand
Have as much fun with your business as I do with mine. You’ll find it easier to do once you let me take good care of your writing.