Independents

RJO Foundation Launches 100+ Club

IndependentsAug 27, 2018

RJO Foundation Launches 100+ Club

The club is comprised of RJO members committed to supporting the foundation’s scholarships.

20180827_RJO-Club-NEW.jpg
The RJO Foundation launched the 100+ Club, in which members support the foundation through a financial commitment of $200 each year, at the Summer Buying Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minneapolis, Minn.—The RJO Foundation recently launched its 100+ Club, a group of RJO members committed to supporting the foundation’s scholarships.

To become part of the club, members make a financial commitment of $200 each year ($100 semi-annually), which goes toward scholarships and grants for RJO retail owners, vendor owners and their employees.

Donors are recognized with a 100+ Club membership window cling to display in their store, acknowledged on special signage at each RJO Buying Show and are given a recognition lapel pin to wear or place on show badges.

The club, debuted at the Summer Buying Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, currently has nearly 50 Pioneer Members.

“My husband and I joined the RJO 100+ Club because we wanted to make a difference in our industry,” Pioneer Member Kymberlee Setterberg said in a press release. “As fourth generation owners, we understand the importance and necessity of jeweler education. But more importantly, we understand continuing education takes time and money. Being able to provide a scholarship via the RJO Foundation will allow these individuals to focus on their education by taking away the stress of how to pay for these courses.”

RJO Foundation Executive Director Sarah Streb said the club allows them to “provide valuable resources to promote continued education and learning in the industry.”

Those interested in joining the RJO Foundation 100+ Club should email Connie Miller at connie@rjomembers.com or visit RJOMembers.com.

Fall scholarship applications are currently being accepted. Opportunities range from beginning coursework, like diamond and gem identification, to advanced work like diamond grading and stone setting, to business courses at local colleges or universities.

RJO members and vendors can apply here.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

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