A Wayne County Event with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
On Thursday, August 18, the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to facilitate a Statement of Support Drive in partnership with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) at the Wayne County Fair Event Center. This event brought in employers from all across Wayne County to show support for service members and to learn more about ESGR and the value that employers bring to the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units.
ESGR’s Mission
ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 3,600 volunteers and 54 committees. The Chamber partnered with some of these volunteers at Thursday’s Statement of Support event.
The Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military.
Signing the Statement
The first Statement of Support was signed on December 13, 1972, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense by the Chairman of the Board of General Motors. President Richard Nixon was the first President to sign a Statement of Support, and in 2005 every Federal Cabinet Secretary and all Federal agencies signed a Statement of Support to signify their continuing efforts to be model employers. Since its inception, hundreds of thousands of employers have signed Statements of Support, pledging their support to Guard and Reserve employees.
The Statement of Support is a symbolic pledge. It is not a legally binding statement. By signing a Statement of Support, a company provides a public statement demonstrating support for our nation’s service members. Displaying a Statement of Support in the company office, or online encourages fellow employees and partners to support our service members. Additionally, this signals to service members that your company is military-friendly, thereby encouraging service members to consider your company for employment.
It was exciting to witness 91 Wayne County Employers collectively signing their own Statements!
Keynote Speakers
Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Director, Ohio Department of Veterans Services and Maj. Gen. Steve Stivers, CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, spoke at the event about the importance of supportive employers to the Guard and Reserve, as well as the benefits that military employees bring to the workforce. Additionally, Mike Bamber, State Chair of the ESGR Ohio Committee, talked specifically about the importance of this program to Ohio.
A Special Award
The Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce was additionally honored to receive a Seven Seals Award from Ohio ESGR Awards Director Chaker Fidel and Ohio ESGR Employer Outreach Director, Ernie Stone. The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of a significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.
Wayne County is blessed to have unwavering support from employers that consistently give to non-profits, community initiatives, and local causes - all with the focus of making our community stronger and fostering positive growth. The Chamber is proud of our local business community and knows that the environment exists to support men and women of service through efforts that the ESGR is leading. It was an honor to assist in bridging the gap of understanding and engagement by connecting the local business community with ESGR through this signing ceremony that shows our support for their efforts and those that they represent.