2. COR Executive Committee 2015COR Executive Committee 2015
Over the past few years a changing spirit has evolved in Columbia. New industry has sparked new opportunities.
Success has brought energy and passion has ignited optimism. Columbia is developing itself as a world-class city
built on talent and inspiration. We are learning that the boundaries which separated work from community are fading.
Community leaders recognize that strengthening the social fabrics that connect us, inspires greater
development in their company and for their employees.
Established in 2005, Columbia Opportunity Resource has worked to serve as the thread that recruits, retains and
engages talent in the Greater Columbia area. In our annual report, you will see a brief snapshot of how COR is making
a difference through its pillars of Leadership, Service and Fun.
As we are proud of the accomplishments from years past,
we are striving for what’s next. COR's ambition and strength
comes from its members, partners and sponsors. If you are
not already a member, then we invite you to join us
at a COR service project, leadership luncheon or social
function. We encourage you to explore how to
find your place to make a difference.
Thanks to all who have supported COR over the past decade.
Best regards,
Laura Corder, SecretaryJeff Lawler, Past ChairChris Zimmer, Chair-ElectSarah Ford, Chair
3. Founded in 2005, COR began as a collaborative partnership between the City of Columbia and a group of
impassioned leaders looking to effect positive change by integrating young professionals into the civic and social
fabric of Columbia. Today, COR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects talented professionals in the
Columbia area to diverse and meaningful networks for Leadership, Service and Fun.
#TeamCOR
4. Leadership Table for Six at Capital City Club
Music Break Workshop at Tin Roof
Power Lunch at Columbia Chamber
5. Leadership Initiatives
CORrelate - COR’s Annual Meeting
COR’s annual event is a celebration of leadership, service, and fun attended by approximately 200 young professionals.
2015 was COR’s 10th year anniversary so we gathered to celebrate and inform the community of our accomplishments
over the past 10 years and invite them to join us in our mission of connecting and improving our region.
Power Lunch Series
In 2015, COR launched the first installment of its Power Lunch series, which features substantive leadership and
professional development workshops designed to help both emerging and established professionals hone skills essential
for career success. The workshop series is facilitated by guest speakers and will cover a myriad of relevant and timely
topics.
Table for Six Networking Dinners
COR’s Table For Six series of networking dinners are an opportunity to connect young professionals with either seasoned
or up-and-coming executives over a casual dinner. These informal mentoring sessions allow young professionals to begin
developing long-term mentoring relationships with executives that will ideally lead to myriad professional and personal
opportunities.
COR’s Action Teams
COR offers its members the chance to develop their professional and leadership skills by serving on our programs,
communications, membership, or volunteer Action Teams. COR’s Action Teams serve as an initial step toward board
service.
6. ServiceSpecial Olympics at Fort Jackson
Keep The Midlands Beautiful on Gervais
Time For Art at Capitol Center
7. Service Opportunities
Keep-the-Midlands-Beautiful Service Days
In 2015, COR began hosting four Keep-the-Midlands-Beautiful Service Days, a Columbia based Adopt-a-Highway program.
COR believes it’s important to give back to the community. So we adopted one of the main thoroughfares (Gervais Street
from Harden to Assembly) in Columbia to help clean up and beautify a very visible part of the city.
Time for Art
In the spring, COR collaborates with several other young professionals’organizations to host the Time for Art event in
Columbia. Time for Art, a unique silent art auction where guests bid volunteer hours instead of dollars, generates nearly
2,500 committed volunteer hours – a value of close to $55,000 going back into the community. Over 200 attendees have
the chance to bid on artwork by committing to volunteer a specific number of hours at local nonprofit organizations.
Midlands Gives
Each year, COR participates in Midlands Gives. Midlands Gives is a 24-hour online giving event that brings the region
together as one community, raising money and awareness for local nonprofits in 11 Midlands counties. In 2015, this event
raised an incredible $1.5 million to help 252 nonprofits.
Promoting Volunteerism
COR promotes volunteer opportunities upon request of nonprofit organizations. Each opportunity is posted on COR’s
blog, social channels, The Buzz, and in the“service picks”section of COR’s monthly newsletter. In addition to promoting
opportunities, COR partners with mulitiple organizations to fulfill volunteer needs for events such as Special Olympics
Summer Games at Fort Jackson, EngenuitySC’s Ignite, and the USC/Technology Incubator’s Start Up Weekend.
8. FunCOR’s 10th Anniversary at The Agape Center
ACTIVATE Networking Social at Jake’s
Music Break at Music Farm
9. Fun ProgrammingMusic Break
COR hosts a one-of-a-kind event called Music Break that is both a professional development workshop for local musicians
and a showcase of Columbia’s musical talent. The event’s aim is two-fold: (1) celebrate Columbia’s music scene; and (2)
educate local musicians about the resources available in Columbia to further their careers. Music Break is a well publicized
event that is open to the general public where musicians and music lovers can network and enjoy the performances of
local talent.
ACTIVATE
COR hosts a quarterly after hours networking event where professionals have the opportunity to find out more about COR,
connect with COR’s board and Action Team leaders, build their network, and find a way to become an engaged member of
COR and our community.
Holiday Party
COR’s annual holiday party is a celebration of COR, our members and our achievements. This year, we partnered with the
Leadership Columbia Alumni Association to celebrate the positive impacts that our organizations made within the
community.
The Buzz
Through our ongoing partnership with WXRY 99.3 FM, COR promotes approximately 900 opportunities for Leadership,
Service, and Fun each year. The Buzz airs hourly on WXRY and is posted weekly to COR’s blog in order to raise awareness of
community events and opportunities.
10. CORporate Support
A special thanks to our corporate members and sponsors. Without their support, we would not have the opportunity
to connect so many talented professionals. We strive to retain that talent here in Columbia and the Midlands.
11. COR Testimonials
Lee Bussell of Chernoff Newman
“Columbia has a growing sense of energy. A pounding heartbeat echoed by the enthusiasm of the
growing number of young professionals that have chosen our region as their home of choice.
You can feel their growing influence in creating a vibrant community that reflects their pride and
willingness to take a leadership role. COR members are making it happen.”
Whitney Williamsof EngenuitySC
"As a young, female professional, COR has allowed me to establish a network of peers to support
my career growth and it enables us to play a forward-facing, engaging role in a community where
so many wonderful things are happening. COR represents a collaboration of driven,
community-oriented young professionals aiming aiming to make an impact.”
Tameika Isaac Devine of Jabber & Isaac, PA & City of Columbia Councilwoman
"COR involves and inspires our young people to get involved while teaching the history of our
city and also appreciating that we do not need to dwell on the past, but move forward.
I am grateful to have COR as a part of the City of Columbia."
12. COR Analytics
LeadServeConnect
Our Service pillar devoted 2,131
service hours to the community.
The national value of a volunteer
hour is $22.55, so the total financial
value of our service efforts this year
totalled $48,054!
Our Fun pillar connected
over 500 individuals to celebrate
the Midlands region where we all
work, live and play! ACTIVATE was
one of the most highly attended
and successful programs this year.
Our Leadership pillar connected
over 425 talented professionals
for development workshops,
panel discussions, and networking.
The Power Lunch series was the best
new addition to COR programming.
COR’s diversity by the numbers also includes 24 industies. Our membership encompasses and reflects the talent
currently residing in the City of Columbia, Richland and Lexington counties among others.
57%female
43%male
20LIFETIME
MEMBERS
13. Social Engagement
We take great pride in our membership, fans, followers and volunteers. Here is COR’s social reach by the numbers.
2000 likes Posted 85 unique posts and 15 events on Facebook
800 members Posted 20 unique articles on LinkedIn
6000 followers Tweeted 571 tweets with 1183 likes on Twitter
625 followers Posted 44 pictures on Instagram
5475 subscribers Sent 30 emails to members and volunteers
14. Our Vision
Dear Community Partner,
Columbia Opportunity Resource is an integral group of talented professionals that continues to move the Midlands
forward. Moving to Columbia from Indiana in 2010, I attended college at the University of South Carolina. When I
graduated, staying in Columbia was not in my vision for my career or future. What I did not know was that I was about
discover a movement happening right here in Columbia. A talent magnet that offered to retain and engage my talent
here in the Midlands.
COR is comprised of one of the most diverse, talented and active groups of professionals in the Midlands. One thing
we all have in common is our determination to create a better future for ourselves, our community
and for its businesses and organizations. The energy and passion of the COR membership
continues to teach me what it means to be an engaged citizen and has shown me just how
much our region has to offer talented professionals. Without this opportunity, I would not
have stayed in Columbia and truly believe that this is an embodiment of what COR does
for our community. I encourage each of you to become involved and help us create
a better Midlands where we can all work, live, play.
Best regards,
Abigail J. Zeiler
Executive Director
Our Vision
Dear Community Partner,
Columbia Opportunity Resource is an integral group of talented professionals that continues to move the Midlands
forward. Moving to Columbia from Indiana in 2010, I attended college at the University of South Carolina. When I
graduated, staying in Columbia was not in my vision for my career or future. What I did not know was that I was about
discover a movement happening right here in Columbia. A talent magnet that offered to retain and engage my talent
here in the Midlands.
COR is comprised of one of the most diverse, talented and active groups of professionals in the Midlands. One thing
we all have in common is our determination to create a better future for ourselves, our community
and for its businesses and organizations. The energy and passion of the COR membership
continues to teach me what it means to be an engaged citizen and has shown me just how
much our region has to offer talented professionals. Without this opportunity, I would not
have stayed in Columbia and truly believe that this is an embodiment of what COR does
for our community. I encourage each of you to become involved and help us create
a better Midlands where we can all work, live, play.
Best regards,
Abigail J. Zeiler
Executive Director
15. Calendar of Events
We have a year full of events that can connect any professional in Columbia to our diverse and meaningful network.
January
26th - ACTIVATE networking social
February
2nd - USC Young Alumni networking
6th - Keep The Midlands Beautiful
17th - Emerging Columbia panel
20th - Race for the Place
March
16th - 11th Annual Meeting - CORrelate
19th - St. Pat’s in 5 Points Civic Row
24th - Power Lunch: Business of Beer
April
14th - Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
19th - Emerging Columbia
28th - Table for Six (Palladium Society)
May
3rd - Midlands Gives
14th - Keep The Midlands Beautiful
26th - Time for Art (Young Leaders Society
& USC Young Alumni)
June
8th - Power Lunch series
21st - ACTIVATE networking social
July
19th - Emerging Columbia series
August
9th - Power Lunch series
25th - 5th Annual Music Break
27th - Keep The Midlands Beautiful
September
13th - ACTIVATE networking social
21st - Emerging Columbia series
October
6th - Table for Six series
18th - Emerging Columbia series
November
8th - ACTIVATE networking social
12th - Keep The Midlands Beautiful
December
10th - Holiday Service Project
12th - Emerging Columbia series
January
See you in 2017! #TeamCOR
16. ourcor.org • @impactcolumbia • 803.851.5906
"Leadership is the capacity to translate
vision into reality." - Warren G. Bennis
