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Linda Faria Braun is Selected ATHENA Award RecipientThe Metro South Chamber of Commerce and Sovereign Bank were pleased to announce Linda Faria Braun from the Adult Learning Center the 2003 Metro South ATHENA Award recipient. The ATHENA Award was presented to Braun at the Chamber's Good Morning Metro South event on June 19. Braun began her career with the Adult Learning Center in 1972 as a Program/Planner/Instructor. The guest speaker was Shirley Singleton CEO and co-founder of Edgewater Technology. Ms. Singleton gave a dynamic presentation about her journey from East Bridgewater High School to Co-founder and CEO of Edgewater Technology. The ATHENA Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in reaching their full leadership potential. 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 a quotation from Plato, "What is honored in a country will be cultivated there." By honoring exceptional leaders, others will be encouraged to excel.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service Requests AssistanceThe U.S. Chamber continues to receive complaints about the Regional Chamber of Commerce. As previously reported, the U.S. Chamber is informed the "Regional Chamber of Commerce" calls local businesses, identifies itself as "your Chamber of Commerce" and verifies the businesses’ contact information. After calling a Regional Chamber of Commerce information number, the U.S. chamber was told that these calls originate from a telemarketing center in Canada. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service fraud inspector assigned to the Regional Chamber matter requests that any chamber member who receives an unsolicited invoice from the Regional Chamber send the original invoice and original envelope to Rose Papa, Postal Inspector, 10500 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21044-3509. Telephone at 410-715-7700. If you have questions or concerns about the Regional Chamber please notify the U.S. Chamber at chambers@uschamber.com and include name of character, contact, address, phone, and fax.
Good News Members are invited to send information for the Good News column to the Chamber office. Kimberly Fleischman of New Bedford was appointed Assistant Director of the Old Colony United Way. She works with Vice President and Campaign Director Chuck Callan to plan, organize and direct the annual fund-raising campaign. Fleischman previously was Community Impact Coordinator for United Way of Greater New Bedford, where she was responsible for grants administration and served as a liaison with member agencies. Fleischman has a master's degree in Education from Bank Street College in New York City and a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Denison College in Ohio. Brockton Hospital announced that it has received a three-year term of accreditation in mammography services from the American College of Radiology (ACR). The accreditation was awarded after a rigorous evaluation of Brockton Hospital's equipment, personnel, and practices. The ACR, a national organization based out of Reston, Virginia, awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of the highest practice standards after peer-review evaluation. For more information on mammography services available at Brockton Hospital please call 508-941-7979. Baynes Electric Supply, headquartered in Brockton, MA, is pleased to announce that Michael O’Neil of Scituate has joined the company as an outside sales manager. He joins Baynes from the law firm of Goodwin, Proctor where he practiced both Corporative and Trust & Estate Law. O’Neil graduated from Colby College in 1993 and Suffolk Law School in 2000. Baynes Electric Supply is a wholesale distributor of electrical supplies with locations in Brockton, Boston, New Bedford, Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard, Norwood and Wareham. James C. Lively, president and chief executive officer of Bridgewater Savings Bank, recently announced the promotion of George W. Devlin to assistant vice president/retail credit officer, responsible for the Bank's consumer credit management and review process. Devlin joined Bridgewater Savings in July 2001 as retail credit officer, with previous experience in similar positions at Scituate Federal Savings Bank, Citizens, and BankBoston. In addition, Penny L. Clark was promoted to accounting manager. In her new position, Clark's responsibilities will include managing the Bank's accounting activities and assisting with the preparation of internal and external reports. Also David Lincoln Phillips has joined the bank as Regional Lendin Managerg, responsible for the development and origination of residential real estate loans. Bridgewater Savings is a state-chartered bank with offices in Bridgewater, Lakeville, Raynham, and West Bridgewater. Deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF). The management of the Brockton Credit Union announced that it was honored to have received the prestigious "Five Star" rating for the 37th consecutive time from Bauer Financial Reports, a nationally recognized bank-research firm. "Five Stars" represents the highest rating awarded by Bauer, and it indicates that the credit union is one of the top performers in the financial services industry with high tangible federal regulatory capital. Bauer also recognized Brockton Credit Union for its profitability, sound investments and a low level of delinquent loans and repossessed assets. In addition Brockton Credit Union has appointed Karla E. Dennison of Brockton, as the Mortgage Systems Administrator. Ms. Dennison is responsible for supporting the technology needs of the Residential Lending Division. She has 14 years banking experience and is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts. With over one billion dollars in assets, Brockton Credit Union is the largest community-based credit union in New England. Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center is again on the leading edge of medical innovation in this region as one of the only hospitals in Massachusetts and throughout New England to use a revolutionary system for monitoring gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Medical Center recently acquired the Bravo pH Monitoring System to measure the level of pH and therefore the severity of GERD in the patient. In addition, Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center has joined an elite group of medical facilities in Massachusetts by earning accreditation for its commitment to a high level of patient care and quality testing in the diagnosis of vascular disease. The hospital's Vascular Laboratory is one of only 20 laboratories in Massachusetts accreditated by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). The Brockton Credit Union recently recognized ten local high school graduates by presenting them with scholarship checks. A presentation ceremony was held at the main office of the credit union on Legion Parkway in Brockton. Rigorous selection criteria for the $1,000 scholarships include pursuit of higher education at a four-year college, good character, academic achievement and a record of community service. This year's winners were: Jeffrey Iverson of Brockton High School, Joshua MacLeod of Abington High School, Vanessa Carney of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, and Jessica Cameron of Middleboro High School. Students of Oliver Ames High School shared the scholarship they were Justin Sowa, Matthew Ilacqua, Pamela Gentile and Karen Mann. James W. Blake, President and CEO of the credit union, applauded the students for their accomplishments and wished them success as they pursued their education. John E. "Jack" Doyle has been promoted to regional lending officer at Bridgewater Savings, responsible for the development and origination of residential real estate loans. The promotion was announced by James C. Lively, president and chief executive officer. Doyle joined Bridgewater Savings in December 1997 as a mortgage originator. He is a resident of Plympton and is married to the former Carolyn Reynolds, and has two daughters, Laurie Ann and Courtney. In addition robert C. Howard, Jr. of Norfolk has joined the Bank as vice president/commercial loan officer. Howard has 25 years’ experience in commercial lending focused on the needs of small-and mid-size businesses. Bridgewater Savings is a state-chartered bank with offices in Bridgewater, Lakeville, Raynham, and West Bridgewater. Deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF). The Southeastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation announced today that it has received $750,000 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for micro loans in southeastern Massachusetts. "This money enables SEED to continue making loans up to $35,000 to small businesses in their start up phase or those which are more mature but need a small loan," explained Maria Gooch-Smith SEED's executive director. "Often entrepreneurs start up their small businesses with funds from savings or home refinancing, but as the business starts operating, more cash is needed than originally projected - that's where SEED comes in," explained Gooch-Smith. SEED Corporation is a non-profit economic development organization offering a full range or financing programs providing loans up to $1.3 million to assist small businesses to grow and create jobs throughout the region. For more information on SEED and its programs, please call 508-822-1020 or visit SEED's website at www.seedcorp.com. During the month of July, visitors to the Fuller Museum of Art will have the opportunity to learn more about how the FMA impacts the lives of children in the greater Brockton area through its two outreach programs, Art ASIRE and the FMA Teen Docent program. The Art ASPIRE (After-School Programs Integrating Residencies and Education) program will showcase artwork from over 250 students in twenty-six Brockton after-school programs at the Fuller Museum of Art from June 28 through July 20. The program offers after-school facilities high quality art programming that puts children in direct contact with professional artists who are currently creating and showing their work in New England. The FMA Teen Docents will present the exhibition A Chair By Any Other Name. Inspired by the FMA's winter exhibition The Right Stuff: Contemporary Upholstered Furniture, the teens recycled old chairs into new, exciting works of art. The Teen Docent Program targets at-risk teenage girls for the purpose of building self-esteem and encouraging girls in Brockton to set career goals and avoid teen pregnancy. The teens nor only learn about art and making healthy choices, but they also mentor 5th grade girls on these issues. The appointment of Rohini Sakhuja, MD, as Chief of Clinical Pathology at New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center was recently announced by Lawrence S. Hotes, MD, Sinai Physician-in-Chief. In addition to her new Sinai post, she is the Chairman and Chief of the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, a position she has held since 1997. Dr. Sakhuja is board certified in clinical and anatomic pathology. Old Colony Hospice, of Stoughton, will offer a Bereavement Support Group, beginning in July. The group will meet for a seven-week period for 90 minutes. Pre-registration is necessary. To pre-register for the Bereavement Support Group, or obtain additional information and scheduling about these services, please phone Donna Rich, PhD, at 781-341-4145. Old Colony Hospice, non-profit accredited by CHAP, serves families in Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties. The health-care professional team includes certified hospice nurses, home health aides, social workers, spiritual counselors and bereavement counselors. For additional information on hospice care or volunteer opportunities, phone the Hospice office at 781-341-4145.
Welcome New InvestorsFour new investors have joined the Chamber's winning team. They are joining you, the business professional, who has invested in your company and the Metro South economy through Chamber membership.
Able Restoration, Inc.
Annette Builders, Construction
Beltone New England
MSAS Inc. To join the Chamber, call Frank Gillooly at 508-586-0500 ext. 229 or join online.
Brockton High School's Summer of Work and LearningStory by Meghan Abella-Bowen This summer marks the tenth year of Brockton High School's Summer of Work and Learning (SOWL) program. The program, which began in 1994 with five students working at Brockton Hospital, has grown to 200+ students working at over 60 worksites this summer. SOWL is coordinated by Communities and Schools for Career Success (CS2) in collaboration with the Brockton Area Private Industry Council. The five-week program is designed to help students make the connection between their academic experience and the professional world, by combining academic enrichment and project-based learning with work site experience. SOWL strives to improve students’ academic and employability skills while giving them real life experience in the workplace. The program organizes students into industry cluster teams made up of ten students and a team leader (Teacher). Students are given an opportunity to select an industry cluster, and then they are placed at work sites that give them an intensive look at the industry. Students work Monday through Friday at their worksite, where the employer emphasizes learning employability skills such as communication, time management, and problem solving. On Fridays, the students meet with their teams at the high school to work on projects relevant to their industry. Teams work together to create a presentation about a project they have worked on during the program. This year the industry cluster teams will include; health, banking, business, environmental education, office technology, law & government, and communication. Shailah Stewart, the SOWL Coordinator, explains that employer involvement in the program has been a key factor in the continued growth and success of the program. It is through employer support and dedication to the ideals of the program that we are able to offer our students such a wide variety of career options. Stewart concluded that without employer involvement programs like this would not be possible. "Participation in the SOWL and other student internship programs is a two-way street," explains Dave Echols, General Manger for the Brockton Rox. "Originally, our organization's reason to participate was selfish. As a small business we were interested in getting more staff to help us. At the same time we also wanted to make a difference in the community and we felt our company offered a unique experience that students could not find elsewhere in our area. Through the program we met a tremendous student who we hired for the summer. He was a terrific summer employee who we could rely on." Robert Berardi, Vice President for Crescent Credit Union, agrees with Echols. "Initially our company's reason to participate in the SOWL was to find part-time help. However, as time went by and I saw the quality and the enthusiasm of most of the students, I realized that we were doing more than just giving the student a job, we were having an impact on what the students learned." And like the Rox, Crescent Credit Union has also gone on to hire former SOWL students after the program is over. It is a win-win situation for everyone. For more information on School to Career activities, please contact Meghan Abella-Bowen at the Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board at 508-584-3234.
Thank You Renewing Members
3 Phase Elevator Corp. Our Chamber continues to grow stronger through referrals from our members. Please refer a member today. Call Frank Gillooly at 508-586-0500 ext. 229 or e-mail info@metrosouthchamber.com.
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Chamber Unveils New WebsiteThe Chamber's website has been enhanced with a great new look and new interactive features! The new website was developed to promote awareness of the Metro South region and meet the unique needs of a variety of audiences - not only member businesses, but community leaders, residents, businesses looking to relocate to the region, and visitors. The new site was made possible through web designer Joe Goldsberry of Media Concepts in Whitman (www.mc-internet.com). The user-friendly website, www.metrosouthchamber.com, contains a wealth of information about the region including community economic profiles, demographics, business statistics, a searchable business directory of Chamber members, and complete information about the Chamber and its business benefits. New features include secure online registration for programs and events, an online shopping cart, press page and chamber news to spotlight what's currently happening at the Chamber, as well as information for relocation and travel planning. Over twenty-five categories are listed on the new website under topics such as About the Region, Relocation Information, Employment, Sample Wages, Visitor and Travel Information, and Entertainment. Website visitors can explore Metro South golf courses, Massachusetts politics, dining, shopping, special events, and museums and cultural attractions. The site also contains a variety of links to valuable national and local business resources via the Internet. Members of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce receive a free listing on the online membership directory and a link to their website, allowing them to promote their business 24 hours a day on the Internet. In addition, the Chamber is incorporating a Human Resources page with useful tools for business executives and HR professionals on hiring, training, and retaining qualified and skilled workers and an HR hotline. To view this new and excellent web resource go to www.metrosouthchamber.com.
Chamber Day at the Rox 7/17On Thursday, July 17,2003 the Metro South Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Metro South's home team, the Brockton Rox at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton. Game time is 12:00 noon. This is a great opportunity to hold your company outing while experiencing a great baseball game and stadium. The Brockton Rox will play the Berkshire Blackbears. All members are invited and encouraged to participate in this event. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Food, drink, and a Rox souvenir baseball are included in this special price. To register call the Chamber at 508-586-0500 ext. 221 or go to www.metrosouthchamber.com.
July 2003
August 2003
September 2003
Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber office or Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated.
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