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| September 2002 |  |
Good Morning Metro South!September 19th at Holiday InnThe Metro South Chamber of Commerce is presenting the first Good Morning Metro South (GMMS) of the season on Wednesday, September 19, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., at the Holiday Inn - Metro South located in Brockton. The breakfast promises to be fast-paced, informational and educational. The featured speaker will be Thomas O'Rourke the newly appointed Executive Director for the Old Colony United Way. Mr. O'Rourke will share some information about himself and his role as Executrive Director. He will talk about The Old Colony United Way's campaign for this year. The event is being sponsored by the Rockland Trust Company, located in Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Rockland Trust is a century old, full service community-oriented bank with a strong commitment to customer service. Through their growing network of conveniently located branch offices, Rockland Trust delivers a full range of Retail and Commercial banking services, Trust & Estate Planning, and Investment and Employee Benefit Services. They have grown to become the largest commercial bank headquartered in our region of Southeastern Massachusetts. As always, the GMMS breakfast program is a great networking opportunity. Guests are encouraged to stay for informal networking immediately following the program. Pre-register by or calling 508-586-0500 ext. 221. The cost is $15 for members and $22 for non-members.
Good News Chamber members are invited to send information for the Good News column to the Chamber office. James C. Lively, president and chief executive officer of Bridgewater Savings Bank, announces the appointment of Gregory Yergatian as assistant vice president and retail investment officer. A professional financial planner, Yergatian will be closely involved with the Bridgewater Savings’ new Legasys program. Legasys is a unique approach to estate planning that effectively integrates the legal and financial aspects of wealth management. Bridgewater Savings is a state-chartered bank with offices in Bridgewater, Lakeville, Raynham and West Bridgewater. The pharmacy at Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center was presented an award for implementing an innovative computer-based program that has reduced the potential for adverse drug reactions. Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center is a member of Caritas Christi Health Care and teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine. The Children's Museum in Easton, in collaboration with the Oakes Ames Memorial Hall Music Series, will present John Sebastian in a special benefit concert on Friday, September 27 at 8:00 p.m. The concert will take place in the historic Oakes Ames Memorial Hall in North Easton Village. This special solo appearance will benefit the educational programs and exhibits of the Children's Museum in Easton. Tickets for this benefit concert start at $30 per person. To reserve tickets call The Children's Museum in Easton at (508) 230-3789. The Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board (BAWIB) is very pleased to announce that it has just relocated to new headquarters at 34 School Street, Brockton, MA. BAWIB joins several other non-profit, community-focused organizations in the building, most significantly the CareerWorks one-stop career center operated by the UMASS Donahue Institute under its charter with BAWIB. The 34 School Street location, formerly the Rockland Trust headquarters building, also houses the New England Institute for Law Enforcement Management and the Rapid Response team of the Commonwealth Corporation. Patricia L. Joy, RN , BS, of Middleboro, MA as been appointed Director of Admissions for New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Ms. Joy has over 25 years of nursing and business experience, including nursing positions at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Middleboro Pediatrics and St. Luke's Hospital in Middleboro. Ms. Joy earned her diploma in nursing from the Fall River Diploma School of Nursing and holds a bachelor of science degree in business management form Lesley College. She is a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and the Boston Regional Continuing Care Nurses (BRCCN). The Brockton Hospital Medical Staff recently established an annual fund of $10,000 to assist newly graduated nursing students who have chosen to work at Brockton Hospital. The funds will go directly toward offsetting the financial burden that each graduate will incur by preparing for state licensure. The Brockton Hospital School of Nursing (BHSN), a private institution of higher education, is an integral part of Brockton Hospital. Dr. Nancy Kleniewski has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bridgewater State College. She began her position on July 15. Dr. Kleniewski, as provost and vice president for academic affairs, will oversee all of the college's academic programs. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Emmanual College and holds a masters degree and doctorate in sociology from Temple University.
Report of the Nominating CommitteeThe Chamber Board of Directors, composed of a broad cross-section of Chamber members, is responsible for policy direction for the organization. For continuity, board terms are staggered over three years. The Chamber's Nominating Committee has prepared the following slate of candidates to fill terms expiring this year on the Board of Directors. Nominated to serve a three-year term in the Class of 2005 are Jack Conway, Conway Real Estate; Christine Karavites, UMASS Donahue Institute; Maria Martins, Cape Verdean Association; Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria, Bridgewater State College; David Orloff, Sharkansky & Company, CPA; Scott Sanborn, Sovereign Bank; Charles Wall, Massasoit Community College. Nominated to serve a two-year term in the Class of 2004 are Frederick Adami, Reed Adami & Kaiser; Walter Hurlihy, Bristol Investments; Reinald Ledoux, Brockton Area Transit Authority; John McGovern, Rodman & Rodman; Paula Peterson, The Children's Museum of Easton; James Troup, LeBaron Foundary. Nominated to serve a one-year term in the Class of 2003 are Greg Hart, Robert Ercolini & Company LLP, CPA; and John Vlaco, Brophy & Phillips Co. Inc. In accordance with the Chamber bylaws, additional names of Chamber members can be nominated by petition bearing the signatures of at least 30 member firms in good standing. Such petitions must be filed by September 13, 2002. If a legal petition is presented with additional candidates, the names of all candidates will be mailed to all active members. If no petition is filed, the nominations shall be closed and the nominated slate will be elected by the Board at their October meeting. New Board members will take office at the Chamber's Annual Meeting on November 13, 2002. All Board of Directors’ meetings are open to any Chamber member who wishes to attend.
Member Drive "Champions" Earn Top PrizesOn June 11-13, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership drive at the Chamber headquarters. Business professionals who are members and benefit from belonging to the chamber throughout the community helped to produce a successful drive. Volunteers were able to generate over 90 new members. Men and women were motivated by drive consultant Jim Cusano, who challenged volunteers. Three of the drive participants were awarded travel vouchers. Suzanne Fernandes of The Community Bank, Lees Yunits of McCluskey, Yunits & Buckley, PC and Kevin Brower from Brockton Credit Union won free travel for their successful efforts. The Chamber appreciates everyone who volunteered to help make the 2002 membership drive a success.
Business After Hours
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Legislative Reception
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| 4 | Ambassador Team Meeting | 8:00 am |
| 17 | BAC Workshop "How to Write a Winning Business Plan" | 8:30 to 11:30 am |
| 19 | Good Morning Metro South Sponsor: Location: Holiday Inn - Metro South | 7:30 to 9:00 am |
| 24 | BAC Workshop "Borrowing Money to Finance Your Business" | 8:30 to 11:30 am |
| 24 | Taste Committee Meeting | 3:30 pm |
| 26 | Business After Hours Holiday Inn- Metro South | 5:30 to 7:00 pm |
| 27 | Government Affairs Meeting | 7:45 am |
October Calendar
| 2 | Ambassador Team Meeting | 8:00 am |
| 3 | Legislative Reception Sponsor: New England Sinai Hospital and Stonehill College Location: Donahue Hall, Stonehill College | 5:30 to 8:00 pm |
| 8 | BAC Workshop "How to Develop & Maintain Cash Flow" | 8:30 to 11:30 am |
| 9 | Human Resource Management Council Holdiay Inn-Metro South | 8:00 am |
| 11 | Government Affairs Meeting | 7:45 am |
| 15 | Executive Committee Meeting | 4:00 pm |
| 17 | Business After Hours The Community Bank | 5:30 to 7:00 pm |
| 22 | BAC Workshop "Strategies For A Successful Marketing Campaign" | 8:30 to 11:30 am |
| 23 | Good Morning Metro South Sponsor: Spaces That Work Location: Holiday Inn - Metro South | 7:30 to 9:00 am |
| 30 | Board of Directors Meeting | 12:00 noon |
November Calendar
| 6 | Ambassador Meeting | 8:00 am |
| 8 | Government Affairs Meeting | 7:45 am |
| 13 | Annual Meeting Location: Ridder Country Club, Rte. 14, Whitman | 12:00 noon to 1:45 pm |
| 13 | Business-to-Business Expo Sponsor: First Federal Savings Bank Location: Ridder Country Club, Rte. 14, Whitman | 10:30 am to 3:30 pm |
Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber office or Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated.
"BAC" To Business Fall Workshops
"How to Write a Winning Business Plan"
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Time: 8:30-11:30 AM
Cost: $25/ per person
A business plan is an absolute necessity for any business. Only a well-conceived and well- packaged plan can win the necessary investment and support for your idea.
"Borrowing Money to Finance Your Business"
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Time: 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Cost: $25/per person
This program will be built around two themes: (1) analysis of the costs of doing business-from start-up expenses to unit costs of products, and (2) the factors on which commercial lenders base lending decisions.
"How to Develop & Maintain Cash Flow:
A Common Sense Approach"
Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2002
Time: 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Cost: $25/per person
This workshop provides some simple, basic techniques for day-to-day cash management, and some creative ways to improve your business’ cash resources.
"Strategies For A Successful Marketing Campaign"
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Time: 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Cost: $25/ per person
Successful marketing techniques are a proven way to increase sales. A plan cannot simply explain a concept, it must sell a prospective business as an attractive business opportuity, a good credit risk, or a valued vendor or a product or service.
To register for these workshops or for more information call the MSBDC at 508-673-9783. All workshops are held at the Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) located at 60 School Street, Brockton.
Government Affairs
Next Committee Meeting: Friday, September 27, 2002 at 7:45 a.m. Metro South Chamber Conference Room 1
The next Government Affairs Committee meeting will be held on Friday, September 27, 2002, at 7:45 a.m., at the Chamber's headquarters.
If you would like to attend or if you would like further information on the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee, please call Roy Nascimento, Vice President-Public Affairs, at 508-586-0500 ext. 225.
Special Regulatory Hearing
On September 17, 2002 SBA Ombudsman Michael Barrera will hold Regulatory Enforcement Fairness meeting where business owners will have the opportunity to voice their concerns about federal regulatory compliance practices. Results will be included in the national ombudsman's annual report to Congress along with findings and recommendations about the regulatory enforcement environment and its effect on small business. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Thomas P. O'Neill Federal Building on the first floor in the Auditorium. For more information, contact David Polatin at 617-565-5562 or david.polatin@sba.gov.
Candidate for Governor Mitt Romney Visits the Chamber
On Tuesday, August 27, Republican candidate for governor Mitt Romney along with his running mate Kerry Healy visited the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. Romney and Healy met with local business professionals within the community to discuss the Workforce of Tomorrow and many other issues facing businesses within the region. Healthcare costs, tax development incentives and urban issues dominated the agenda. Romney is the only Republican Candidate running for Governor.
Southeastern Massachusetts
Venture Forum ~ October 3
The Southeastern Mass Venture Forum will hold its next monthly meeting on October 3rd. The Forum's educational program brings together entrepreneurs and other individuals who may be interested in servicing and/or investing in growth companies.
This event will feature a talk by a successful entrepreneur, followed by a review of a growing business. Anastasios Simopoulos, President/ Senior Design Engineer for Beta Dyne, Inc. along with Harlan Batchelder, Vice President of Sales; will be presenting their business plan, which will then be critiqued by a panel of experts.
Beta Dyne, Inc., located in Bridgewater, MA, is a design-oriented electronics manufacturing company dedicated to providing the best of leading-edge technology for the telecommunication, computer, instrumentation and associated industries. The Company designs and manufactures function generators, ring generators, and DC/DC converters.
The October 3 program will run from 6:30 to 8:30 PM and will be held at the Moakley Center at Bridgewater State College. The Forum is managed by Bridgewater State College's Corporate & Professional Development office, part of Graduate & Continuing Education. The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is a co-sponsor of the venture forum.
The fee is $10, however Metro South Chamber of Commerce members can pay a reduced fee of $5 by pre-registering. To do so please contact Lisa Turner at (508) 531-2788 or visit the Forum website: www.semassventureforum.org.
Thank You Renewing Members
A & B Appliance Repair Company
Ace Surgical Supply Company
Ailano School of Cosmetology/Ultimate Designer
Arista Associates, Inc.
Back Bay Bagel
Best Western Carlton House
Stephanie A. Billingham, Psychotherapist
Briarwood Real Estate
City of Brockton
Brockton Area Association for Retarded Citizens
Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board
Brophy & Phillips Co., Inc.
Diana Bougioukos
Capital Lease Group, LTD
Capp's Auto Sales, Inc.
Cardinal Spellman High School
CASSI
CDM Electric Company, Inc.
Classic Designs, Inc.
Law Office of Janet B. Cole
Collins Crane & Rigging Services, Inc.
Commercial Screen Supply, Inc.
Cromwell Consulting, Inc.
CWB Contractors, Inc.
Dharma's Creative Hair Design
Diversified Environmental Corporation
Donahue & Company
Eastern Bank
Embassy House Skilled in
Nursing & Rehabilitation
Center
Employee Assistance Program,
Inc.
First Federal Savings Bank of
America
First Parish of Bridgewater
Freitas Real Estate Assoc., Inc.
Law Office of S. David
Goldberg
GROW Associates
Halifax Car Wash/Aqua Spray
Higher Site
Home/Health and Child Services, Inc.
Honey Dew Donuts of West Bridgewater II
Italian Kitchen
Lightship Engineering, LLC
McGinnis Paper Recycling, Inc.
Miller's Overland Express Co., Inc.
New England Ice Cream Corp.
Patriot Finishmen Inc.
Wallace H. Peckham III, CPA
Plymouth County Development Council
RE/MAX Landmark Realtors
Rich Courier
Rodman & Rodman, PC, CPAs
Law Office of James F. Rogers, II
Robert G. Roy
Seismic Sound DJ's
Signature Apparel
Special Olympics Massachusetts
Judith M. Stanton
Stephanie's Cleaners
Edward J. Thibeault, CPA, PC
Total Peak Performance
United Furniture II, Inc.
V&C Construction
Wal-Mart
Washington Realty Trust
Westside Behavioral Health, LLC
Law Office of George L. Whiting, Jr.
Wilco Sales Co.
Small Business Advisory Services Available at the Chamber
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center at UMASS Dartmouth (MSBDC) and the Metro South Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the availability of small business advisory services at the Metro South Business Assistance Center.
For more than twenty years, the MSBDC has been a valuable resource to the communities it serves. Now, through a partnership with the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, the MSBDC is better able to meet the needs of small businesses in the Brockton area.
The MSBDC will offer free business assistance through individual counseling, training and economic development activities at the BAC. The experienced counselors can assist clients with a wide range of business needs, including start-up planning, marketing, financial analysis, expansion planning, debt financing, and much more.
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce and MSBDC encourage you to call to see how together they can serve the needs of your small business. To receive further information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Metro South Chamber of Commerce at (508) 586-0500 or the MSBDC at (508) 673-9783.
Building the Future of BSC
As the fall students arrive at Bridgewater State College, they will notice some differences on the college campus. Bridgewater State College has expanded. The new facilities are scheduled to be ready for the start of the new academic year. The three new buildings added to the college campus are a new dining facilty with faculty offices, a new field house, and a new residence hall.
~ Member Profile ~
Old Colony United Way
Name: Old Colony United Way
Address: 231 Main St., Brockton
Telephone: 508-583-6306
Website: www.oldcolonyunitedway.com
Year Established: 1922
Number of Employees: 5
What markets do you serve? We seek and encourage the support of the local business community through annual employee giving campaigns
What is your market area? Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanson, Hanover, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, Whitman
Products/Services: The Old Colony United Way raises local funds for local human service agencies throughout greater Plymouth County. Last year over one million dollars was allocated to such organizations as the Old Colony Y, Jewish Family and Children's Services, Brockton Coalition for the Homeless and over 30 others.
What is unique or special about your firm and the products and services you offer? What makes the Old Colony United Way unique is that it gives local donors the opportunity to reach over 260,000 people in 22 communities in Southeastern MA. Or, if they prefer, they can direct their gift to the human service agency of their choice right in their own community. Either way they can be confident that their contributions are serving the needs of our local community.
What is your main business objective concerning your customers and the business community? Our main objective is to maximize the resources available in our communities and distribute them to those who need them most. In addition, it is important that the business community knows that their support is vital to our success. Furthermore, they should know that when they give to the United Way they can feel comfortable knowing that their resources are being used locally and by an organization that they can trust. It is the mission of the Old Colony United Way to become involved with the local community to help people care for themselves and one another.
A Member Profile will be featured in each issue of the Action Report. Members will be selected randomly from those in attendance at the monthly Good Morning Metro South breakfast. Attending a Good Morning Metro South is great exposure for your business. The next breakfast will be held on Wednesday, September 19, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., at the Holiday Inn - Metro South. Bring your business cards and increase your company's chance of being selected as a featured business.