Alliance Junior Board at Gutwein Popcorn

The following meeting recaps have been provided by Junior Board marketing director Kingsley Kroft:

Gutwein Popcorn

Junior Board members visited Gutwein Popcorn in Francesville on Sept. 1.

Junior Board chair Frank Diaz Morales opened the meeting at the bank’s main office in Francesville and junior directors shared many laughs and smiles while socializing with one another, and eating some good pizza. After going over service hours, minutes, and finances, members concluded the meeting with a banking question and lots of conversation.

Walking into Gutwein Popcorn, Harvey Gutwein made the group feel very welcome. He began by talking about the generations of his family and how they impacted the popcorn business. Mr. Gutwein not only talked to the group very passionately about his business, but he gave a full tour of the company.

Junior Board members were able to walk around and see the filling and packaging of the popcorn and how the robots were programmed to put large bags of popcorn in a neat manner to be wrapped. After walking around and being “blown away” with how many seeds were in one building being examined, group walked outside to see the huge popcorn kernel bins. After walking through the company’s plants, group members were lucky enough to each receive a bag of popcorn that was absolutely delicious. They also received a couple bags of un-popped popcorn.

Alliance Bank Junior Board Directors were very lucky to have such an amazing guest speaker to show the process of making popcorn.

Business Etiquette with Janet Faker

During the month of October, Junior Board Members met with Janet Faker, a constituent services representative for U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski.

The meeting began with a visit Whistle Stop restaurant which served the students “with nothing but respect.” Prior to meeting with Ms. Faker, the Junior Board exchanged many conversations with the county groups who were preparing community service projects for the winter.

The group found Ms. Faker to be ”very passionate about a lot of communities and speaking.” She handed each board member a packet about business etiquette and told them how important this is, not only now, but especially later in life when dealing in interviews.

Not only did she go through every important concept, but she included the members. She had the students interact with one another which helped them learn and practice now. Her business and interview tips will be very well used when applying for a job, interviewing, or just giving a presentation in front of people.

Junior Board members were grateful for her helpful tips.

BioTown Ag

Alliance Bank Junior Board members met at BioTown Ag in Reynolds for its November meeting. They enjoyed “some of the best pork burgers they had ever had.” Junior Board chair Morales opened the meeting, and the group reviewed service hours and projects completed for the month. 

The guest speaker Chad Hoerr proved to be “passionate about the company and what they are known for and strive to be.” He not only shared everything about this company, and its success, but he related his personal background and ancestry. He was welcoming and made the students feel a part of his day by asking questions about them and their future plans. Although the group did not receive a full tour outside and around the plant, the speaker’s explanations and descriptions made the group feel as if they had. 

Alliance Bank 2021-22 Junior Board Members

 Alliance Bank created the Junior Board of Directors in 2015 as a means to develop leadership skills in local students while connecting them with businesses and service organizations in their communities. The Junior Board includes juniors and seniors from Twin Lakes, North White, Winamac and West Central high schools.

Alliance Bank is a locally-owned community bank, serving clients in Francesville, Monon, Monticello, Otterbein, Oxford, Rensselaer, Winamac and surrounding communities.