MEDA Chapter - Shenandoah Valley

Location: Harrisonburg, VA area

Chapter Chair: Randy Schweitzer
Chapter Contact: Patricia Eckard
Tel: 540-432-4150
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.meda.org/harrisonburg

View our chapter newsletter, Integration, online

Chapter Board Members:

• Randy Schweitzer, Chair
• Chad Hackman
• Beryl Jantzi
• Allon Lefever
• Glen Kauffman
• Aaron Yoder
• Heidi Boese
• Jim Leaman

Upcoming Events in 2012

May 17 Chapter Tour, 6 p.m.
Lantz Custom Woodworking with Doug Lantz
This year we are excited about touring Lantz Custom Woodworking located on Acorn drive in Harrisonburg, VA. For more information about LCW, please visit their website at Lantzwoodworking.com.

RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 540-432-4150 by May 14.

Christian Business Leaders (CBL) Breakfast

• This monthly meeting features time for networking and fellowship, as well as a short presentation by business leaders on issues of faith and values in the marketplace.
• Direct questions to Aaron Yoder at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"For me, MEDA's approach of helping the poorest of the economically active to have a better chance of success, is one of the best ways a business person can bring their talents to the challenges of social justice, and to help reduce poverty.  Globally, I have been so pleased to see the millions of persons touched and helped annually by MEDA.  Personally, I have enjoyed the opportunity to discuss ways to integrate my faith into my business, in discussion with other local MEDA members and at the annual MEDA convention."
   - Allon Lefever, entrepreneur, director of EMU MBA, and professor

"The Harrisonburg chapter of MEDA provides a fine opportunity to learn to know others in the Mennonite and Church of the Brethren community who are concerned about following Christ in business. The visits to local businesses, in varying stages of development stimulate discussion and learning from each other on how economic and ethical challenges are met.  The local chapter also provides information on the national and international activities of MEDA at the quarterly meetings."
  - Cal Redekop, retired professor, author, and business executive  

"Last year I had the opportunity of attending my first MEDA national convention, held in Toronto. Conventions are not my typical way of spending hard-earned vacation days and the cost was a consideration. I have been involved with MEDA at the local level for several years and as a family we have used the MEDA Store for Christmas gifts. But nothing gives a person the big picture, like the convention does. I came away from Toronto with an expanded view of what I was a part of. The contrast between the management of an organization like MEDA and other programs that one reads or hears about in the news was stark. I had a limited idea of how a person's dollars can be leveraged. The convention really allows a person to hear first hand about the many projects all over the world that are bringing about positive change in the lives of some many people. The most exciting part of the convention for me were the stories, told first hand, during the session entitled "MEDA Year in Review." Our North American culture is results oriented, so hearing about the various success stories in different parts of the world was really inspiring. I could list the various seminars that were available, the key note speakers, etc. but I would rather invite you to go to the MEDA website www.meda.org, click on Convention and explore the many possibilities. The convention this year is much closer, the key note speakers will deliver inspiring messages, you will have opportunity to meet many persons who share similar life experiences and I promise your horizons will be broadened."
  - Randy Schweitzer, Board Chair, Shenandoah Valley MEDA Chapter