| |
| March 2002 |  |
2002 Award Nominations Now Being AcceptedTo recognize the achievements and contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the region, the Metro South Chamber and Fleet Small Business Services invite you to participate in the selection process to name the 2002 Small Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.
Nominating someone is easy...
Criteria... Growth. The nominee should demonstrate growth in employees, revenues, and profitability. Innovation. The firm should demonstrate creativity and imagination in the development of its business or in its product or service. Social Responsibility. Nominees should reflect internal and external social responsibility. Nominations are due by Monday, March 18, 2002. Call the Chamber office at 508-586-0500 for a nomination form. Winners will be selected by the Chamber's Award Selection Committee and will be announced at a special Good Morning Metro South on May 22, 2002. This year, Jeff Butland, U.S. Small Business Administration's Regional Administrator, is our guest speaker.
Good News Chamber members are invited to send information for the Good News column to the Chamber office. Bridgewater Savings Bank recently named Richard F. Pratt as vice president and commercial credit officer. Pratt has served as vice president and consumer loan officer since joining Bridgewater Savings in 1991. In his new position, he will be responsible for commercial loan review and portfolio management. A Hanover resident, Pratt is a director and past president of Southeastern Massachusetts Credit Grantors. Bay Copy has named Paul Embree of Plymouth as an Account Executive. In this capacity, he will work with existing and new clients to assist in document solutions including copiers, document generation, and networking solutions. Baynes Electric Supply, headquartered in Brockton, is pleased to announce that Joseph Burke of Middleboro recently reached a 25 year milestone of employment. Mr. Burke is inside sales coordinator. Attire for Hire extends a very special thanks to Kilroy Brothers Moving and Storage for storing professional and business clothing for the non-profit organization over the past year. In 2001 the Brockton school system held a very successful clothing drive and received over 2,000 articles from teachers, administrators, and other employees. Kilroy Brothers assisted by providing ample storage space for the items until they could be moved to Attire for Hire's High Street location. Massachusetts artist Anne Heywood was recently honored as the first artist-in-residence for the Carillon Beach Institute in Panama City, Florida. The Carillon Institute invited Heywood to their program for the month of January to foster community interest in and understanding of the arts. While in residence, Heywood gave painting demonstrations and lectures, and donated a painting to the Institute's collection. On February 1, 2002, the Secretary of the Commonwealth granted a Service Mark to Colonial Maintenance Contractors, Inc. for "Rest Room Essentials." This new division offers economical rest room fixture cleaning to smaller facilities without a janitorial service. "Rest Room Essentials defines the scope of the job done by our technicians during normal business hours," said George Wm. Davey, president of Colonial Maintenance. " All fixtures are sanitized quickly, quietly, and completely without disruption of the business routine whether in an office, restaurant, or retail setting." Brockton Credit Union recently hired Steven Galavotti of Wareham as a Regional Loan Manager. In this position, he will be responsible for the origination of residential mortgages. Also, Brockton Credit Union's Board of Directors has named Harold "Bud" Terpeny as Home Banking Officer. Terpeny, who has been with the credit union for seven years, serves as Webmaster and Home Banking Product Manager. Dr. Andrea Papadopoulos, president and founder of Arista Associates, Inc., was selected to be among national presenters at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National 2001 Brownfield Conference for her work in cleaning up 21 contiguous Brownfield sites covering over 100 acres along the Taunton River Corridor and Taunton's historic Weir Village. Nancy Colarusso, president and CEO of Brockton Furnace and Duct Distributors, Inc. was recently chosen as one of the top 100 women business leaders in Massachusetts by the Commonwealth Institute and the Center for Women's Leadership of Babson College. Selected companies were ranked according to revenue, location, and industry type. Featured companies contributed $4.8 billion to the economy in the year 2000. Abington Savings Bank recently promoted Julie Jenkins to vice president and Marie DelGreco to consumer banking officer, respectively. Jenkins now manages the Operations Division for the bank. DelGreco now manages the sales and customer service Call Center. In addition, Abington Savings Bank has named Christine Dzioba as deposit operations manager. Based in the bank's main branch in Abington, Dzioba will provide supervision of all processes related to the servicing of deposit products. On Thursday, April 18, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., a breakfast panel discussion featuring Atlantic Canadian and Southeastern Massachusetts business people will take place at Bridgewater State College's Moakley Center. The panel is specifically designed for business people seeking to develop new markets in Canada. The panel draws on the actual experience of business people on both sides of the border. Small business owners, marketing managers, and economic development facilitators will find the discussion informative. A nominal registration fee will be charged. For more information, contact Dr. Anthony Cicerone, Director of BSC Canadian Studies Program, at 508-531-2421.
Government AffairsDean Harrison, Vice President, The Gatehouse Group, will be the featured speaker at the next Government Affairs Committee Meeting on Friday, March 8, 2002, at 7:45 a.m., at the Chamber's headquarters. Mr. Harrison will discuss Gatehouse's proposal for housing in downtown Brockton. The monthly Government Affairs meetings provide an opportunity for member businesses to discuss issues important to them with their elected officials. Join other Chamber members for this opportunity to interact with legislators and hear first hand what is in store for the business community on Beacon Hill. For further information on the Government Affairs Committee, call Roy Nascimento, Vice President-Public Affairs, at 508-586-0500 ext. 225 or e-mail roy@metrosouthchamber.com.
Thank You Renewing Members
Avon Greenhouse & Flower Shop
April is Open Enrollment for Health InsuranceApril 1, 2002 is Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment is for Metro South Chamber of Commerce members and their employees, with business in Massachusetts. This is the opportunity for members to enroll with Harvard Pilgrim and the time for subscribers to make changes to their group policy. Employers may continue with their current plan design or select a new plan option. Chamber members have until May 15, 2002, to make any plan changes. Harvard Pilgrim has changed the names of their current products and is pleased to introduce a new, cost effective HMO Best Buy 1000 plan. Harvard has also expanded their pharmacy network to include more than 40,000 pharmacy locations nationwide. In addition to HMO options, members may select a Point of Service (POS) where they can choose in-network and out-of-network providers. If you are self-employed or are a small business owner, this is a great opportunity for you to enroll with Harvard Pilgrim, a comprehensive and affordable health plan. If you are a Harvard Pilgrim Health Care subscriber and have questions about Open Enrollment, please contact Interlink Business Services (I.B.S.) Client Services Department at 1-800-487-4427 ext. 1820. In addition to Harvard Pilgrim, UnitedHealthcare of New England and Delta Dental Plan of Massachusetts are also available to Metro South Chamber members. For more information on the health and dental plans offered, please call I.B.S. at 1-800-487-4427 extension 1830.
College Students Gain Experience Working at the ChamberKerrie Blake and Beth Capasso are currently completing internships at the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. Blake and Capasso are also concluding undergraduate studies in Communications at Bridgewater State College and Stonehill College, respectively, and will graduate in May. Meeting the needs of our members, relating to the public, networking, and writing press releases are just some of the communications skills the students learned this past semester. In addition, they assisted the Chamber staff on legislative, membership, program, and general office administration. The Chamber provides several internship opportunities for students each year. For more information, contact Roy Nascimento at 508-586-0500 ext. 225.
Nominations for ATHENA Award Now Being AcceptedThe Metro South Chamber of Commerce and Bay State Gas Company are pleased to announce their joint sponsorship of the ATHENA Award. The ATHENA Award, created for the Chamber of Commerce in Lansing, Michigan in 1982, has expanded to over 350 cities in the United States, Russia and Canada. It is presented in the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture, symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient. The Metro South Chamber of Commerce believes in the values underlying the ATHENA Foundation's philosophy of incorporating the talents and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. The spirit of the ATHENA Program is captured in the following quotation from Plato: "What is honored in a country will be cultivated there." By honoring exceptional leaders, others will be encouraged to excel. On Wednesday, June 19, 2002, the Metro South Chamber will present the ATHENA Award to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in his/her business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in reaching their full leadership potential. To nominate an individual, please call Lisa Keene at 508-586-0500 ext. 231. An ATHENA Award nomination form will be mailed upon request. Nominations are due Monday, April 29, 2002.
A Taste of Metro South's
|
A Taste of Metro South Features Food and Fun for EveryoneMassasoit Conference Center - March 20, 2002 The Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Electric Company, The Enterprise, and WBET Radio AM 1460 will present the tenth annual A Taste of Metro South on Wednesday, March 20, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the Massasoit Conference Center, located on Crescent Street, Route 27, in Brockton. Taste will feature samples from Ashleigh's Coffee Cafe, Brockton Hospital, Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, The Carriage House, Catering by Linda, Christo's, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of N.E., Good Days Restaurant, The Grill, LaTouraine Coffee, MainSpring Coalition for the Homeless, Massasoit Community College, Montilio's, Old Country Buffet, Porticello's Ristorante, Southeastern Regional High School, and Stoughton Town Spa. Taste will host exhibits from Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., Brockton Hospital, Brockton Library Foundation, Brockton Rox, Brockton Symphony Orchestra, Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, The Charity Guild, The Children's Museum in Easton, The Enterprise, Fuller Museum of Art, Handi-Kids, Massachusetts Electric Company, Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Old Colony Elderly Services, Old Colony Hospice, Old Colony YMCA, South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corp., Striar JCC, and WBET Radio AM 1460. Taste will also provide continuous live music and entertainment from Andrea Bates, Brockton Symphony String Ensemble, East Bridgewater High School Jazz Band, The Event Connection, Massasoit Senior Singers, and Stir Fried (a capella.) Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will go to the MainSpring Coalition for the Homeless. You may purchase your tickets at Shaw's Supermarkets in Brockton, the Massasoit Conference Center or the Metro South Chamber. To purchase tickets by telephone or for additional information, call 508-586-0500 ext. 221.
March Calendar
April Calendar
May Calendar
Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber office or Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated.
Sales, Service, and Cyberspace Series for Small BusinessThe West Bridgewater Public Library, with support from a Small Business Improvement Mini-Grant through the Library Services and Technology Act from the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners, presents the following free business seminars: Wednesday, March 13, 2002, 5:00 to 6:45 p.m. "Low Cost Advertising to Drive Customers to You"
Instructor: Bruce E. Marquis, President, Marquis Business Services Wednesday, March 27, 2002, 5:00 to 6:45 p.m. "E-Commerce: Putting the Internet to Work for Your Business"
Instructor: William J. Lee, Computer Services Consultant All workshops held at the West Bridgewater Public Library. Refreshments will be served. Register Now. Space is limited. For more information and directions, please contact Sherry Pinter, reference librarian, or Beth Smith, library director, at the West Bridgewater Public Library, 80 Howard Street. Tel: 508-894-1255. E-mail: bsmith@sailsinc.org. Tuesday, March 5, 2002, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Cost: $25 "The Economy is Down, Business Doesn't Have to Be" Dianne Grzyb, owner, Cardinal Marketing, describes inexpensive ways to keep your company on your current and potential customer's map. Hear creative solutions to keep your company at the top of your customer's minds as they plan to carefully spend their disposable income. This information-packed presentation also includes useful tips on utilizing your slow time to polish your image, and how to create a marketing plan for the future. Tuesday, March 12, 2002, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Cost: $25 "Increase Your Marketing Effectiveness in an Economic Downturn" Dianne Grzyb presents 10 steps to increase your effectiveness when competing for a piece of the pie. This seminar will answer the following economic concerns:
To register, call Cheryl Berdnick, SBDC at 508-673-9783. Sponsored by: Metro South Business Assistance Center and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Please note: Both meetings are held at the Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC).
Business After Hours
|
