Greetings from Return to Roots!
In this issue:
Social Media Popularity Continues to Grow, RTR aides the movement in SWVA
According to a recent article, “small businesses are embracing social networking as an affordable, easy and effective way to reduce marketing and operational costs.” While Facebook and Linked In are the first two social networks that probably come to mind, the Return to Roots program is also proud to offer some features of online networking.
We keep blogs of the events that are occurring within Southwest Virginia and would love to discuss some of the programs your company may be doing and how you help the community. We encourage people to share their opinions in the comments section.
We also do work within Facebook itself, our fan pages and groups dedicated to highlighting the region of Southwest Virginia as well as connecting with the people in the region and those that have left the region and are looking to return.
“More than a quarter of the companies began the practice [of using social networking] in the past year.” This figure isn’t just for the Commonwealth, but for the United States and Canada. With this many companies jumping on to social networking, why wouldn’t you want to give it a try?
Simply go to www.ReturntoRoots.org and post your career opportunities, as well as search for potential employees with specific skill sets in our job seeker database. This is your opportunity to build your workforce with experienced professionals who are not only seeking a new career, but longing for a new and better lifestyle. Post your jobs now and help Return to Roots’ registrants return to their roots—Virginia’s Great Southwest!
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Return to Roots Sponsorship Opportunities
Return to Roots will begin implementing a sponsorship program that provides regional employers the opportunity to sponsor either the Return to Roots website or newsletter. We will provide a variety of options and opportunities to display your graphics and information on our webpage, all of which will enable employers to further expand their outreach to job seekers all across the country.
Our sponsorship program is designed to further develop the exposure of employers in the Southwest region of Virginia by allowing employers to display their company to Return to Roots users in a variety of different ways, from homepage banners to feature articles in the job seekers' newsletter.
Information on sponsoring a logo, ad or feature article in the upcoming newsletter can be found below.
Click here to see a visual depiction of each service
E-Newsletter Sponsorships
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1 Month
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2
Months
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3
Months
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6
Months
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12
Months
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Holiday Issue
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Discount |
(0%) |
(5%) |
(10%) |
(15%) |
(20%) |
(+25%) |
Logo Placement
(120x120 pixel) |
$150 |
$285 |
$405 |
$765 |
$1440 |
$187 |
Large Sponsorship
(220x240 pixel) |
$345 |
$656 |
$932 |
$1761 |
$3315 |
$431 |
Small Sponsorship
(220x120 pixel) |
$215 |
$409 |
$580 |
$1225 |
$2064 |
$268 |
Descriptive Sponsorship w/ Logo
(120x120 pixel w/ 50 word description) |
$185
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$351
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$499
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$943
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$1776
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$231
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Banner
(468x60 pixel) |
$300 |
$570 |
$810 |
$1530 |
$2880 |
$375 |
Feature Article
(500 word article) |
$450 |
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E-Newsletter Sponsorship
(This E-Newsletter brought to you by) |
$660 |
$1254 |
$1782 |
$3366 |
$6336 |
$825 |
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A Message for All Current Registered Employers:
In the coming months Return to Roots will begin moving from being a grant sponsored to a self sustainable program. The implementation of this transformation will occur over the course of the next few months with the goal of adhering to the needs of our current and future customers. We at RTR want to emphasis that we will continue to uphold our mission of serving the communities, people and employers of Southwestern Virginia. We feel such goals can be more efficiently met if we further develop our services with your input and assistance. Will you help us by voluntarily participating in this brief 5 minute survey? Click here to access survey.
http://www.virginiaeconomicbridge.org/2survey/RTRSwVA_2009_Employer_Survey/
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Virginia’s Great Southwest
Are you or someone you know interested in returning to or living inVirginia’s Great Southwest? Be sure to visit www.swvaonline.org. This website provides information for locals, tourists, visitors and for newcomers relocating to Southwest Virginia.
Local Events of SWVA
Appalachian Trail: Garden Mountain, Chestnut Ridge, &
Brushy Mountain
Location: Bland County, Virginia
This saunter over Chestnut Ridge to Poor Valley and over
Lynn Camp and Brushy Mountains offers the kind of remote,
wild feeling for which the southern Appalachian Trail is
known. The American chestnut that gave the ridge its name no
longer survives, but there is still plenty to enjoy: the
lush farmland of Burkes Garden, a spring-fed pond for
cooling off, the stillness of the deep woods of Beartow...
To learn more, click
here.
Pandapas Fishing Pond
Locality: Montgomery County
Blacksburg Ranger District, USDA Forest Svc.
Jefferson Nat'l. Forest, 110 Southpark Dr.
Blacksburg,
VA 24060
Pandapas Pond is an 8-acre man-made pond on the edge of the
Eastern Continental Divide. It features warm-water fishing
and canoeing. A one-mile circuit trail goes around the pond,
and several other popular Jefferson Nat'l. Forest trails
connect to it.
To learn more, click
here.
Region: Blue Ridge Highlands
Locality: Floyd County
110A N. Locust Street
Floyd, VA 24091
Driving Directions
Oddfellas' relaxed atmosphere and fantastic whole foods make a remarkable venue
for live music. Specializing in "Appalachian Latino" cuisine, vegetarian dishes
and Floyd County raised beef, Oddfellas has something for everyone.
Average Cost: $10-$20
The Wizard of Oz
Location: Abingdon, VA
127 West Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24142
Various Dates and times throughout the month.
Dorothy's not in Kansas anymore as a twister hits her farm and carries her "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Join Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion as they go "Off to See the Wizard" in one of the most beloved family stories of all time!
Barter Theatre
Floyd Figures Art Group
Location: Sun Music Hall. 302 S. Locust Street Floyd, VA. 24091.
Floyd Figures Art Group is a non-instructional art group for adult artists. New artists and models welcome!
Contact: Rio Simone
(540) 745-4848
thesun@wintersuninc.net
Dirt Track Racing
Location: Wytheville, VA 24368
Contact: www.wytheraceway.com
Carter Family Fold
Hiltons, Virginia
Saturday, May 30th, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons,
Virginia, will present a concert of old time music by Bill Lowe and Cripple Creek.
Admission to the concert is $5 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free.
Saturday, June 6th, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia,
will present a concert by Willard Gayheart and the Grassy Hollow Bluegrass Band.
Adult admission to the concert is $5, $1 for children 6 to 11, and under age 6 free.
Château Morrisette Winery
www.thedogs.com
Floyd County
Chateau Morrisette, Inc.
287 Winery Road S.W.
Floyd, VA 24091
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains above the Rock Castle Gorge Wilderness Area, Chateau Morrisette produces some of Virginia's premier and most popular wines. Open seven days a week, year round, visitors are welcome to tour our unique timberframe winery, taste our wines and savor our innovative cuisine, while enjoying such seasonal events as our summer "Black Dog Concerts" and "Winemaker's Dinners" all in an elegant, old world atmosphere. Easily accessible from the Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, Roanoke, Martinsville and the southeast, Chateau Morrisette is both a relaxing and exciting experience for anyone who enjoys fine wine, good food and natural surroundings. Chateau Morrisette Winery, Milepost 171.5 Blue Ridge Parkway, Meadows of Dan.
Hours:
Opens: 10:00 AM
Closes: 5:00 PM
Blue Ridge PBS JobQuest
Join Blue Ridge PBS in a community service partnership addressing the employment challenges facing our citizens. JobQuest—a monthly one-hour program broadcast live from the Blue Ridge PBS studio– make job seekers aware of job openings in our region.
The program is a partnership with Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc., the Return to Roots program and other organizations and area business resources. Employment experts and local leaders are on hand to share their insights on the local job market. Human resource experts from the area are in the studio to take viewer calls and offer tips on the hiring process. JobQuest is a high-definition production of Blue Ridge PBS.
To learn more click here.
The next hour-long program will be aired on Tuesday, June 9th at 7:00 PM.
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A series of entrepreneurial business and management workshops are being held across Virginia to assist new business startups and existing small businesses!
These workshops are designed to provide information on available business resources and deliver practical, hands-on training covering key elements of business practice. Workshop segments will include information on how to start and operate a business, growing an existing business, marketing strategies, financing and available resources.
Upcoming Events
Starting Food Based Business in Virginia
Location: Russell County Government Center
137 Highland Drive
Lebanon, VA 24266
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Time:08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
SWVA Chapter of RMA “Women in Business" Workshop
Location: Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator
851 French Moore Jr. Blvd
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
Date: Friday, July 10, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
Bristol VA/TN Growing Sales Seminar
Location: Bristol, TN
King College Student Center
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
Scott County Entrepreneur Express Workshop
Location: Scott County Community Services Building
112 Beech Street
Gate City, VA
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
Bristol VA/TN Entrepreneur Express Workshop
Location: Bristol, TN
King College Student Center
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
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Reaching Higher in Southwest Virginia—Bridging the Gap Between Employer Needs and Adult Education June 12, 2009 9:00AM to 3:30PM
Highlights
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National, State and local experts on business & adult education
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Lunch & refreshments
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Local roundtable discussion time
Wytheville Meeting Center
Wytheville VA
540-633-6764
540-633-2502 (fax)
David Perdue is chair of the National Commission on Adult Literacy. He is the former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Dollar General Corporation. Perdue is currently establishing a retail business in India. Prior to joining Dollar General in 2003, Perdue led Pillowtex Corporation, producer and marketer of home textiles, as chairman and chief executive officer. Previously, he was the president and CEO of Reebok Brand. Prior to Reebok, Perdue was senior vice president of Haggar, Inc., responsible for all aspects of operations from planning through distribution. He gained additional international expertise while based in Hong Kong with Sara Lee Corporation as senior vice president of operations. Earlier in his career, Perdue spent 12 years in management consulting with Kurt Salmon Associates, an international management consulting firm. Keynote Speaker: David Perdue This event is being sponsored by the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board. With planning assistance from: Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program and New River Community College Secondary Programs
Send Registration Form by June 5, 2009
Marty Holliday
New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board
6580 Valley Center Drive,
Suite 119
Radford VA 24141
mholliday@nrvdc.org
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“JobQuest” Broadcasts Good News, Optimism
On May 5, for the first time, "JobQuest" was available in live streaming video at the Blue Ridge PBS web site, giving viewers another venue for watching the show online. Roanoke-based CBS affiliate WDBJ7, a "JobQuest" partner, has also been streaming program video on its web site. From a toll-free telephone line to an Internet chat room, the "JobQuest" team continues to look for ways to share valuable employment information and advice.
"We're finding our audience is technologically segmented," said James Baum, Blue Ridge PBS President and CEO. "At one end we have callers asking where they can find a computer and others who can no longer afford to pay for Internet access at home. Then we have people who spend most of the show in the chat room getting advice from our human resources volunteers. We want to reach all these people."
During the show, host Julie Newman took both TV and web viewers inside the Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, Va. to explore the wide range of opportunities and growing demand for workers in many healthcare professions. Nursing graduates, for example, can find high paying positions with a variety of employers across the region. For more information about the Jefferson College of Health Sciences, visit their website at www.jchs.edu/.
The most recent episode also highlighted 60 new job openings and expert advice on how to land one. Featured advice included tips for how to make a good first impression with a great cover letter.
For the June 9 episode, "JobQuest" will offer advice on using key words in resumes that will be screened by online job application programs. The next show will also feature more expert opinions on the regional employment scene, and provide valuable suggestions to help shorten the job search process.
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