Women’s Power Lunch: Holiday Cheer – The New Bedford Light

Report on the One SouthCoast Women’s Power Lunch Initiative

Executive Summary

The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce is facilitating a “Women’s Power Lunch” event at Candela Cucina. This initiative is designed to foster professional networking and community among local businesswomen, directly supporting several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event includes a structured program, a prix fixe menu, and opportunities for professional engagement. A significant logistical update involves a change in the event date to December 5.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The event fundamentally supports SDG 5 by providing a dedicated platform to empower women in the professional sphere. It aims to enhance women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in economic life.

• Fosters a network for female professionals to build alliances.
• Encourages the exchange of business knowledge and opportunities among women.
• Creates visibility for women in the local business community.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By promoting professional networking, the initiative contributes to SDG 8. The connections made at this event can lead to new business partnerships, career opportunities, and mentorship, thereby fostering sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and productive employment for women in the SouthCoast region.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

This event serves as a model for SDG 17, representing a partnership between a local business organization (One SouthCoast Chamber) and its members. It strengthens the means of implementation and revitalizes the local partnership for sustainable development by creating a collaborative environment for achieving shared economic and social objectives.

Event Agenda and Logistics

Scheduled Program

The agenda is structured to maximize engagement and networking opportunities in alignment with its developmental goals.

1. Program Commencement with Participant Introductions
2. Structured Group Activity
3. Dedicated Professional Networking Session
4. Prize Drawing (participants may contribute business cards)

Venue and Catering

• Location: Candela Cucina
• Menu: A prix fixe menu will be provided.
• Shared Appetizers: Whipped Ricotta, Margherita Pizza, Zucchini Fries.
• Entrée Selections: Eggplant Parm, Rigatoni Bolognese, Chicken Caesar Salad, Shrimp con Limone, or Chicken Parm.

Participation and Registration

• Attendance Fee: Complimentary for members of the chamber.

Official Communication and Updates

Notice of Date Change

It is important to note a revision to the event schedule. The meeting date has been officially changed from December 12 to December 5. All previously confirmed registrations have been automatically transferred to the new date.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article discusses a “Women’s Power Lunch,” an event specifically created to provide a professional platform for women. By fostering networking and community among women in business, it directly supports the goal of empowering women and promoting their role in the economic sphere.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The event is organized by the “One SouthCoast” chamber of commerce and is designed to facilitate professional connections. Activities such as networking and a business card drawing are aimed at promoting local businesses and entrepreneurship, which are key components of sustainable economic growth.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.

     The “Women’s Power Lunch” directly addresses this target by creating a dedicated space for women to build professional networks, share experiences, and support one another. The networking and group activities mentioned in the article are mechanisms that facilitate women’s participation and can lead to enhanced opportunities for leadership roles within the local economy.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.

     As an event hosted by a chamber of commerce for its members, the lunch serves as a platform to support local entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises. The inclusion of “Networking time” and a “prize drawing” for business cards are explicit activities designed to promote business growth and foster a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

While the article does not mention official SDG indicators, it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets at a local level.

1. Implied Indicators for Target 5.5

   • Number of women attending professional development and networking events: The article focuses on event registration (“Anyone already registered remains on the list”), making attendance a primary, measurable outcome. This can serve as a proxy indicator for women’s active participation in economic life.

2. Implied Indicators for Target 8.3

   • Number of local businesses participating in chamber of commerce events: The article notes that attendance is free for “chamber members” and encourages guests to bring “business cards.” The number of attendees and business cards collected directly reflects the engagement of local enterprises in activities designed to support their growth.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newbedfordlight.org