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| November 2000 |
Lou Russo Elected Chair of Metro South Chamber in 2001Lou Russo, Manager of Government Affairs at AT&T Broadband, will assume the leadership role as Chair of the Board for the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. Serving on the Board of Directors since 1995, Russo was named Chair-Elect in 2000. She has demonstrated significant commitment to the Chamber in its pursuit of economic advancement for the Metro South area. As Manager of Government Affairs for AT&T Broadband, she is responsible for franchise negotiations and license compliance, interaction with elected and appointed officials and other government and public affairs initiatives. Russo has an extensive background in community relations. She maintains an active role on many community Boards. Her commitment to the Chamber has also been very significant. Russo has Chaired the Chamber's "Good Morning Metro South" steering committee, Legislative Affairs Division, and played a leadership role in earning the Chamber's ten-year re-accreditation designation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Russo entered the telecommunications industry in 1985 serving as the Stoughton program director for Continental Cablevision, where she taught television production skills to community residents. She has held various positions within Continental and MediaOne, including community programming manager and manager of community relations for 17 communities in Metro South. Working with the Board, staff and membership, Russo will lead the Chamber in its mission to serve the interests of member businesses while providing community leadership and ensuring economic advancement within the Metro South region.
Chamber Receives Grants to Benefit BusinessMetro South Training Initiative Underway The Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training awarded a $25,000 technical assistance training grant to the Metro South Chamber and the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute. The grant will fund the Metro South Training Initiative, a project of the Chamber and the Donahue Institute to assist local employers with developing and implementing customized training programs. "Training is essential in assisting employers with hiring and retaining a highly skilled workforce. Our objective is to give local employers the tools they need to develop customized training programs," said Christopher B. Cooney, President & CEO of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. "We plan to conduct a series of workshops and direct sessions to assist local companies with developing their training programs. As a result, we hope that more employers from the region will apply for public training funds." This is the second technical assistance grant that the Chamber has received from DET. The first grant enabled the Chamber and Donahue Institute to conduct an in-depth assessment of the workforce training needs of Metro South employers. "I'm pleased that DET has funded this project. The training assessment showed that many businesses in the region do not possess the capacity to develop training plans and to apply for the public training funds that are available to them. This project will ease the burden on the region's small and medium sized businesses to identify and organize effective and cost efficient training for their employees," said Christine Karavites, Director of Education and Workforce Services for the Donahue Institute. "Training is essential in assisting employers with hiring and retaining a highly skilled workforce." The Chamber and the Donahue Institute will provide employers with targeted strategic planning workshops and customized technical assistance to develop comprehensive training plans. This assistance will enable Metro South employers to apply for up to $250,000 in training grants from the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund. The Chamber and the Donahue Institute also plan to develop a user-friendly training needs/trainer provider matrix. "The training matrix will be a valuable tool for local employers as they develop their training plans. The matrix will enable them to match their training needs with suitable training providers," said Roy Nascimento, Public Affairs Director for the Chamber.
Holiday Parade - November 25On Saturday, November 25, 2000, the Downtown Brockton Association (DBA), in conjunction with the City of Champions, will sponsor a Holiday Parade. The day will feature free events throughout the downtown, including ferris wheel rides and a magic show at the old Brockton Area Transit Authority's terminal; pictures with Santa at Tuxedos by Merian on 141-143 Main Street; train rides at Legion Parkway; and a tour of Fire Station #1 located on Pleasant Street. Other activities includes face painting by the Kiwanis and Key Clubs; caricatures; and crafts from the Brockton Garden Club, Council on Aging and D.W. Field Park Association. Refreshments will also be served throughout the day. The Parade will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. in front of the Old Colony YMCA on Main Street. The Parade will feature Victorian Voices, Holiday Brass, George Cataldo and the Brockton High School Band, along with floats, marching processions, a juggler and a story teller. In addition, there will be a float contest and a band contest. A tree lighting ceremony at Legion Parkway will take place immediately following the Parade. Parking is available at the Parking Garage located on the corner of Main and Crescent Streets at no charge. In years past, the event had attracted over 20,000 people from in and around the Brockton area. Over 2,500 people from community, school and business groups participate in the parade. The DBA encourages your organization's participation in this special event. Any amateur float, musical organization or marching procession is welcome. Registration deadline in November 14, 2000. Volunteers are also needed for the event. To participate, volunteer or receive additional information about this event, please call the Downtown Brockton Association at 508-587-4322.
Business After HoursOn Thursday, November 9, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., Brockton Hospital will host a Business After Hours at 680 Centre Street, Brockton. The event will feature the opening of the Hospital's new Women's Imaging Center, a private and comfortable suite offering advanced diagnostic services for women, such as: mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy, and bone densitometry testing. The Center is part of a $5 million renovation and expansion project in Brockton Hospital's Radiology Department. Mark your calendar for this great opportunity to meet potential clients, customers and other local business people. Exposure for your business is your competitive edge, so bring plenty of business cards. Light refreshments will be served. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. To register, please call the Metro South Chamber of Commerce at 508-586-0500 ext. 221.
Thank You to Renewing Members
4th Cliff Seafood
Good Morning Metro South
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Annual Meeting and Expo - November 15thThe Metro South Chamber of Commerce will hold its 87th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2000 from 12:00 noon to 1:45 p.m. at the Ridder Country Club, Rte. 14, Whitman. As part of its Annual Meeting, the Chamber will host a Business-to-Business Expo from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Annual Meeting will be sponsored by The Community Bank, a service-oriented bank based in Brockton. Since it was founded in 1877, The Community Bank has taken a friendly, personal approach to business. This operating philosophy can still be seen in every aspect of what the Bank does today. The featured speaker at this year's Annual Meeting is Maceyo (Mace) Vaughan, certified trainer and consultant for J. Howard & Associates. Maceyo joined the consulting firm in 1995. He has lead fast-paced, engaging discussions and seminars at many organizations across the U.S., including Dupont, Home Depot, Fidelity, General Motors, MediaOne and Columbia University. J. Howard & Associates has a long reputation as innovators in helping organizations meet the demands of increasingly diverse employees, customers and markets. Businesses today can profit by recognizing that managing for inclusion of all employees is directly connected to organizational strength and competitiveness. In an era of tougher competition and rigorous cost controls, maximizing productivity requires effective teamwork and full utilization of all employees. Effective people management has become the most critical bottom-line issue and must be accomplished in an increasingly diverse workforce. Most managers understand why it is important to manage diversity, but few understand how. Prior to 1995, Mr. Vaughan held several managerial positions in private industry. Over a 27-year period he was vice president of a minority-owned diecasting company and vice president of a sixty employee electronics manufacturing company. From 1957-1961, Mr. Vaughan held top secret positions as a Special agent in Army Intelligence and from 1962-1968 as a Security Specialist in the National Security Agency, Washington, D.C. area. Tickets for the Annual Meeting and Business-to-Business Connection are $35/person and $340/table of ten. To register, simply fax the back cover of this Action Report to 508-587-1340 or call 508-586-0500 ext. 221.
TURN Grant Funds Awareness CampaignThe Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (TURI) has awarded the Metro South Chamber of Commerce a $10,000 grant to conduct an awareness campaign in Plymouth County. Last year, with funding and technical assistance from TURI, the Chamber conducted a toxics use reduction awareness campaign for the Metro-Brockton area. With this new grant the Metro South Chamber of Commerce will be partnering with the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Plymouth County Development Council to expand outreach throughout Plymouth County. Collectively, these three organizations represent over 2,000 businesses in the region. "The goal is to raise public understanding of toxics use reduction and educate business owners in Plymouth County on the many state and federal resources available for pollution prevention," said Christopher B. Cooney, President & CEO of the Metro South Chamber. "We are pleased to be working again with TURI and our new partners, the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Plymouth County Development Council to spread the word on safe, efficient, and environmentally sound procedures and practices." The Metro South Chamber of Commerce, the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Plymouth County Development Council will work together to sponsor a series of informational workshops, roundtable discussions, and presentations on pollution prevention specifically geared towards small and medium sized businesses. The Chamber and its partners will also market free, non-regulatory pollution prevention audits for local businesses and recognize one Plymouth County business with a special award for positive pollution prevention practices. "The Metro South Chamber has done an outstanding job in publicizing pollution prevention practices to area businesses and industries," said Eileen Gunn of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute. "Were pleased to fund the Metro South Chamber and its new partners for a second year with another Toxics Use Reduction Networking (TURN) Grant. This grant will enable the Metro South Chamber of Commerce and its partners expand the scope of their activities in helping their members understand more clearly the linkages between a clean environment and a healthy economy." For more information, call Roy Nascimento at 508-586-0500 ext. 225.
November Calendar
December Calendar
Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber office or Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated
Good News Chamber members are invited to send information for the Good News column to the Chamber office. Caritas Good Samaritan Occupational Health Services (CGSOHS) is taking reservations for this year's annual employee Influenza Immunization. Caritas Good Samaritan will visit any worksite where 10 or more employees desire to receive the vaccine. The employee will only be away from the job for a few minutes. Workers who receive a yearly "Flu Shot" miss less time from work than those who do not. For more information, contact Ted Harrington, Director Client Relations, CGSOHS at 508-427-3908. The Children's Museum in Easton is seeking nominations for dedicated individuals - young or old, volunteer or professional - whose outstanding efforts enrich and improve the lives of children and families. "Friends of Kids" nominees should be from within the Metro South region. The chosen individuals will be honored at a special evening of thanks and recognition on Saturday, March 17, 2001 at the Massasoit Conference Center in Brockton. Nomination forms are available at local libraries and at The Children's Museum in Easton. The deadline is November 15, 2000. For more information, call The Children Museum in Easton at 508-230-3789. Baynes Electric Supply, headquartered in Brockton, is pleased to announce that Bill Miller of South Easton recently reached a fifteen-year milestone of employment with the company. Founded in 1956, Baynes Electric is a wholesale distributor of electric supplies with locations throughout Massachusetts. J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency has become one of only five insurance agencies in the state of Massachusetts to be designated as a Five Star Insurance Agency by the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA.) This past summer, the agency had to pass a rigorous review conducted by an MAIA team. Interviews focusing on customer service, management leadership, human resources, and products and services were conducted with each employee of the agency. J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency has two locations: 530 Forest Avenue, Brockton/508-580-0781 and 71 Main Street, Lakeville/508-947-1818. The Brockton Symphony Orchestra will hold its annual Concerto Competition at the New England Conservatory in Boston on Sunday, December 3, 2000. The The competition will take place in the Conservatory's St. Botolph Street building from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. It is open to any student under age 18. Competitors must play a solo piece with an orchestral accompaniment, that will be critiqued by a panel of five judges. The winner of the competition will receive a $750 scholarship to the educational institution of their choice, plus the opportunity to perform with the Brockton Symphony Orchestra at its annual "Classics for Kids" concert on April 8, 2001. The runner-up will receive a scholarship in the amount of $250. Applications may be obtained by calling the Brockton Symphony at 508-588-3841. All applications must be received by November 27, 2000. B.C. Tent & Awning has recently completed negotiations for the purchase of a new facility located in the Avon Industrial Park. After the new year, the company will move from its present location in Whitman to 25 Bodwell Street in Avon. The 17,600 square-foot building will serve as a warehouse, showroom and corporate headquarters. "This is an exciting time for us. We loved our time in Whitman, but we simply outgrew our space and it is time to accommodate our company's growth," said Robert Costa, President, BC Tent & Awning. Media Concepts announces the creation of its newest website: www.funkbs.com. The Funk B's are former members of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch who have recently returned to the music business.
Government Affairs
Next Committee Meeting: Rick Lord, President and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), will be the guest speaker at the next Government Affairs Committee Meeting on Friday, November 10 at 7:45 a.m. Mr. Lord will provide members with an overview of the upcoming legislative session. 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. If you would like to attend or if you would like further information on the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee, please call Roy Nascimento, at 508 586-0500, ext. 225.
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