Brooklyn's Progress
October/November 2006

BY KHADIJA BATUTA

The Communications and Government Affairs department at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce was pleased to welcome Jane Gogerman and Meredith Gringer as Communications Interns for the 2006 summer season, and is excited to present their work to you in Brooklyn’s Progress and on ibrooklyn.com.

Jane Gogerman, 19, came to the Chamber from SUNY Purchase where she will be entering her sophomore year this fall. Originally from Brooklyn, Jane currently lives in central New Jersey with her family.  She is focusing her studies on a career in journalism.

“The daily life of a reporter is anything but glamorous, but I love the rush of meeting new people, and seeing the news happen before my eyes,” explained Jane.  “In the future I see myself working for a newspaper, and writing my own column.”

To keep on track with these lofty goals, Jane interned at the Brooklyn Chamber this summer reporting on and assisting with such Chamber events as the press breakfast for the Brooklyn Labor Market Review on June 27, the Congressional Luncheon with Congressman Anthony Weiner on July 10, Building Brooklyn Awards on July 18, and the Golf and Tennis Classic on July 26.  In addition, she interned at Courier-Life Publications’ Bay News for which she attended award ceremonies, luncheons and congressional hearings.  While at Courier-Life, she also worked on stories and received helpful criticism from well-known senior reporter Steve Witt.

Jane’s work can be found in the August/September issue on the cover (Brooklyn Labor Market Review), as well as on page 18 (profile of Chamber Member Dev Murjani, Greg's Express Rubbish Removal).  Jane also worked with Director of Online Resources Khadija Batuta on Web site updates, particularly for brooklyneats.com, the Chamber’s virtual guide to Brooklyn’s restaurants and success stories for the home page at ibrooklyn.com.

More Member Successes Put on Record
Several Members have had the pleasure of meeting Meredith Gringer, 19, a Brooklyn native and Dartmouth College student.  Meredith has conducted several interviews for success stories on ibrooklyn.com as well as for Brooklyn’s Progress, such as her article in the August/September issue about new Chamber Members Darren Taylor and Jeffrey Sidnez of Boot Camp Fitness Brooklyn N.Y.C. on page 19, with several more on the way.  Meredith, who will be entering her sophomore year this fall, is studying American history and government but has an interest in and a talent for writing.

“Everyone at the Chamber has been great.  I’m really enjoying myself, and getting a lot of experience,” says Meredith.

Meredith’s experience at the Chamber has included assisting the Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs Leticia Theodore with the press breakfast for the Brooklyn Labor Market Review, handling photography duties at events such as the July Business After Hours at the Brooklyn Marriott, assisting at other Chamber events such as the Congressional Luncheon with Congressman Anthony Weiner and the Golf and Tennis Classic, as well as assisting with Web site work on brooklynease.com, the Chamber’s consumer-driven online guide to Brooklyn’s retailers, and ibrooklyn.com for which she is developing sections about the Chamber’s history and Brooklyn’s history.

Meredith was crafty enough to use her “connections” as daughter of Government Affairs Committee member Martin Gringer of Franklin, Gringer & Cohen to solicit his advice column for the August/September issue, “How To Hire Employees Who Won’t Sue You” on page 29, where her editing skills also came into play.

“The Chamber was extremely fortunate to have Meredith and Jane on board this summer,” says Leticia Theodore, Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs at the Chamber.  “These are two very smart young women who took advantage of their internships and made it work for them and for the Chamber.  Jane with her quiet steadfastness, Meredith with her quick wit and enthusiasm were a pleasure to work with.  I have no doubt they will both soar to amazing heights.”

Chamber Seeks Fall Interns
The Communications and Government Affairs department at the Chamber is seeking interns for the fall with strong writing skills and knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).  If you or someone you know is interested, please send via email a cover letter and resume to Khadija Batuta at kbatuta@brooklynchamber.com