The Blog and gsSCENE Heat UP

I will be the first to admit the gsSCENE blog needs to pick up it's feet and start blogging more! So as we roll into year of committees, projects, events etc. The blogging will get a makeover!

gsSCENE has been on somewhat of a summer break...but that break is about to end in a BIG way! We have some awesome new projects and events coming up. On July 30 alone applications for gsLEAD and gsSCENE Ambassadors are due. These are two GREAT ways to get involved with the organization AND get involved with the community. We have a the gsSCENE Summer Happy Hours at Market Common where gsSCENE members can enjoy a relaxed happy hour every Friday night at a different restaurant at Market Common followed by awesome live music by a variety of different local bands.

So now that gsSCENE has taken a little summer vacation, we are ready to get things moving again!

Your gsSCENE Membership Card

Hopefully you have your card and hopefully you have tried to use it at any of the participating vendors. And a bigger hopefully is that they took the card and recognized it to give you the discount. When gsSCENE first came out with the membership cards, some establishments weren't accepting them. The cards were new, staff weren't aware of them or maybe they just missed the staff meeting where they were covered. BUT as the year has progressed, the cards are getting more attention and they actually work! No one wants to be that person that tries to get a discount and gets turned down, so some might not even try, but even if your waiter or waitress don't know about it, have them ask and chances are the discount will be honored.

Keep checking out the web in the next few weeks to see the NEW venues participating in the membership cards. Let's just say not only does gsSCENE allow you to network with all kinds of young professionals, but we also help you stay on your budget!

But the Socials are Too Big!

Ok it's official, gsSCENE's socials are large. In fact some say too large. We want more socials. We want less socials. We want smaller socials. We want larger socials. We get it all the time and trust me gsSCENE TRIES to be everything to everybody. So we created something that we think might help some of the issues. Starting Feb. 4 as a new member (or an old one) you can come to our new member orientation. Why you ask? Well for one, we will have our new ambassadors there. These folks are there so that everyone will know SOMEONE at gsSCENE events, big or small. They will welcome members as they sign up for gsSCENE and introduce them to existing members in the group. gsSCENE feels this is a great way to not have people feeling the socials are too big and hard to meet people.

There are also several other options for those that don't even want to go to the large socials including Morning Rush, educational classes and new member orientation.

Morning Rush Continues!!

gsSCENE had been around for about 8 months and we started hearing that while people liked our big socials, they wanted something smaller. The events committee created a small networking committee and they created Morning Rush...Networking Breakfast. The object was simple...have gsSCENE members there, in a small group and force them to network. Well, it sounded a lot easier than it was.

If you have been to more than one Morning Rush, you might notice they have all been different. That's because gsSCENE has been trying out different techniques that allow everyone in the room to network with everyone, all the while not being TOO cheesy! Well whichever time gsSCENE members came, they must have enjoyed! gsSCENE always asks participants to complete a survey and the response was great!

Croissants Bistro and Bakery will continue to support gsSCENE and host the Morning Rush...Networking Breakfasts in 2010. In fact, we already have two dates set. Check out www.gsSCENE.com to see when they are and register soon, because space is limited!

Kicking off the New Year Right!

gsSCENE is kicking off 2010 with a community service project for Habitat for Humanity. On January 9, gsSCENE members and friends will be helping to give the Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Resale Store a face lift. With paint brushes in hand, (no prior painting experience required), gsSCENE looks forward to starting 2010 with a community service project.

Want to come? Register at www.gsSCENE.com

gsSCENE is Not Alone

This past week I was fortunate to attend the Next Generation Leadership Conference, previously known as the Young Professional Conference, in Cincinnati, OH. Over 250 young professionals gathered for the week to learn about new ideas for their young professional group, share stories and hear from some amazing speakers. One main things I learned was that gsSCENE is not alone in not only our accomplishments, but also in our struggles. Too many times I get the "gsSCENE is a social club" or "gsSCENE is just for singles who drink." The sad part is, gsSCENE does SO MUCH MORE than socialize! Just this past weekend gsSCENE participated in the 21st Annual Beach Sweep with over 26 participants. We have offered numerous professional development classes and are working on new initiatives for our members. At the conference I heard from several groups that had some awesome projects they did in their community. I walked away from the sessions geared up to come back to Myrtle Beach and take gsSCENE to the next level, AND make sure everyone knows about it!

Summer Time in the Grand Strand

There is one thing that is for sure, and that is during the summer there is ALWAYS something going on! Whether it be all the concert series, different fundraising events or restaurants having deals, finding something to do here is not a problem. Or is it?

Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the events going on. Not to mention during the summer people are taking vacations, day dreaming of vacations or just trying to make it through the work week. So what's an easy way to get the events out there? But of course, posting them on the gsSCENE bulletin area of the members only section.

If you are over an event, or just know of a cool event going on in the area, please take the time and share all the info with your fellow gsSCENE members. We all want to know what we can be doing after work and on the weekends, so please, share the event love!