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| December 2003 | |
Over 500 Celebrate Chamber's 90th Annual MeetingMore Than 60 Exhibitors Featured The Metro South Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 90th Annual Meeting at the Massasoit Conference Center on Wednesday, November 19, 2003. The new location accomodated a record crowd of over 500 business professionals. More than sixty exhibitors promoted products/services at the business-to-business expo. The keynote speaker was Thomas Menino, Mayor of the City of Boston. Mayor Menino spoke about economic development as well as the 2004 National Democratic Convention that will take place in Boston. The Chamber presented Metro South Economic Impact Awards to nine area companies who made significant investments and contributions to the economic development of the region in 2003. Honored were Compumath Consulting, Douglas A. King Builders, Geo Knight Company, Joe Angelo's Cafe & Deli, Murphy and McManus, Roche Bros., Stop & Shop, Stoughton Courtyard by Marriott, and WB Mason. CompuMath Consulting, a leading global provider of information technology solutions, recently invested $750,000 renovating the former Tea House of the Almighty building located at the corner of Main and High Streets in downtown Brockton. The CompuMath Consulting building encompasses 9,000 square feet and has been modernized into a downtown technology center. CompuMath Consulting offers solutions spanning networking/wireless, e-business strategy and planning services, software selection, implementation and application management services, using the superior technology of the world's top-tier enterprise products. CompuMath Consulting is a great addition to Brockton. Douglas A. King Builders, Inc. is one of the leading developers in eastern Massachusetts with an established track record spanning more than thirty years. They are responsible for the building of more than 1,300 residential homes as well as commercial developments in the Metro South region. The company's commercial developments vary from luxury office buildings and medical centers to major historic rehabilitations and shopping plazas. Douglas A. King Builders recently opened Queset on the Pond, a new 99-Unit, state-of-the-art rental community built in direct response to the changing needs of active adults. Queset on the Pond represents over $13 million in new investment and is located at 7 Roosevelt Circle in Easton. Geo Knight & Company, Inc., established in 1885, has manufactured industrial press machinery and die cutting equipment for over a century. For the past 4 decades, Geo Knight & Company has specialized in heat transfer press equipment for both commercial, private, and industrial use. Located in Brockton, Geo Knight ships machinery worldwide. Geo Knight & Company recently invested over $2 million in constructing a modern facility on Commercial Street in Brockton. The company employs more than 30 people. Joe Angelo's Cafe & Deli opened its doors in 1992 and continues to provide their patronage with high quality food, entertainment, service, and atmosphere. Joe Angelo's recently invested $500,000. in renovating their downtown location and opened Mulligan's. Mulligan's is a 10,000 square foot bar which features pool tables, plasma TV's, and live music. With the addition of Mulligan's, Joe Angelos' Cafe and Deli has doubled their number of employees to 24. Murphy & McManus, a real estate development firm specializing in developing educational and medical facilities throughout the region, has invested over $11 million to renovate the medical building located at One Pearl Street in Brockton. The Pearl Street Medical Center provides 81,000 square feet for over 200 employees, including 40 physicians in 18 different practices. Murphy & McManus is continuing renovations to the property, including demolition of the existing unoccupied 35 Pearl Street building. This renovation will improve vehicular safety and make the area more attractive and accessible. Roche Bros., is a Massachusetts based, family-owned and operated supermarket chain. Its success and growth began in 1952 in Roslindale, when Pat and Bud Roche opened their first location as a meat and produce store. Since that time, Roche Bros. has opened 16 stores and operates three Sudbury Farms locations. Locally, Roche Bros. has constructed and opened a new location on Route 138 in Easton. The new store employs over 200 associates. The Easton store represents over $7 million in new investment and joins Bridgewater and Randolph to become the third location in Metro South. Stop & Shop Supermarkets is the largest food retailer in New England. Stop & Shop has grown from a single corner grocer to a chain of more than 350 stores throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. Stop & Shop began in 1914, when the Rabinovitz family founded the Economy Grocery Stores Company in Somerville. Four years later, family member Sidney Rabb introduced an idea new to retail - the self-service, modern supermarket. In 1946, the company officially became known as Stop & Shop, Inc. and sales climbed to $42.5 million. Locally Stop & Shop has recently opened two new Super Stop & Shops in Brockton and Whitman. The combined investment represents over $20 million. The stores employ over 400 hundred people at the two locations. Stoughton Courtyard by Marriott, which opened in 1990, features 152 guest rooms, an indoor pool and Jacuzzi, full-service restaurant, and two meeting rooms and employs 45 full and part-time staff. The Stoughton Courtyard's commitment to the Metro South region is evidenced in their recent $2 million renovation which includes upgraded bathrooms and bedding, larger workspaces, a new business library, modern lobby, a 24-hour food market, and high-speed internet access in every room. The Stoughton Courtyard is located at 200 Technology Center Drive in Stoughton. W.B. Mason Company, Inc. is the largest privately owned office products dealer in the United States. Established in 1898 by William Betts Mason, W.B. Mason Company offered the unexpected pleasure of free delivery in an age when it was the norm for customers to pick up their own merchandise. Today, the Brockton-based retailer logs approximately $300 million in annual sales and employs 800 workers in ten locations throughout New England. W.B. Mason's newly remodeled corporate headquarters is located at 59 Centre Street in Brockton. The renovations consisted of demolishing an adjacent derelict building, the construction of an expanded parking area and the renovation of over half of the 66,000 square feet of office space contained in the building. The project represents more than $1 million in new investment. Just over 220 employees work in the Centre Street location.
Good News Members are invited to send information for the Good News column to the Chamber office. Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center has donated several Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), equipment that can save the lives of cardiac arrest patients, to the Brockton, Easton and Bridgewater/Raynham school systems. The donation of two AEDs for each school system was made through Caritas Good Sam's endowment committee. The total cost to purchase the life-saving devices was approximately $12,000. James A. Berghelli, R.Ph., M.S. Caritas Good Sam endowment committee chairman, said AEDs are the most important life-saving instruments available in public buildings. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows an increase in the incidence of fatal cardiac emergencies among teens aged 15-19-years-old over the past decade. Although the numbers are relatively small compared to adults, the study showed a 17 percent increase among boys and a 28 percent increase among girls. Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center is a teaching affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine and a member of Caritas Christi Health Care, the second largest health care system in Massachusetts. The Children's Museum in Easton needs donations of gently used treasures to stock its popular Kids Holiday Shop on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday December 7. The Kids Holiday Shop has become an annual tradition for kids and their families. This kids only shop features gift items for children's holiday gift giving, with special selections for parents, siblings, friends, teachers, and other family members. In order to keep the items priced under $2.00 the Children's Museum relies on the generous donations of new and gently used items from businesses in the community and friends. Help is also needed before the event collecting and organizing the gently used treasures, and during the shop hours. Items can be dropped off at any time during Museum hours or in the Drop Off box located on the Museum's front porch. If you have any items to donate or would like to volunteer, please call The Children's Museum at 508-230-3789. Christopher Oddleifson, President and CEO of Rockland Trust Company, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Consumer Bankers Association, CBA President Joe Belew announced today. The Consumer Bankers Association is the recognized voice on retail banking issues in the nation's capital. Member institutions are the leaders in consumer financial services, including auto finance, home equity lending, card products, education loans, small business services, community development, investments, deposits and delivery. Rockland Trust is a full-service community bank serving Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. On November 5, a High Tea was held at the offices of the Brockton VNA in celebration of 100 years of caring for the Community by the Brockton Visiting Nurse Association. Norm Bossio, the featured speaker, entertained the group of more than 150 people consisting of staff members and the community. Honorary Centennial Chair, State Representative Geraldine Creedon, presented a citation from the House of Representatives to Brockton VNA President Mary Lou McNiff in recognition of the agency's contribution to the people of Brockton. The Verizon Foundation has recently awarded a $10,000 grant in support of The Newspaper in Education (NIE) programs at The Enterprise and the Patriot Ledger newspaper. Newspaper in Education is a nationally recognized collaboration between corporate and community sponsors, local newspapers and schools providing students with the opportunity to become more literate and knowledgeable citizens. NIE provides local schools with newspapers and other educational materials to enhance learning through real-life experiences relevant to students' daily lives. The Fuller Museum of Art will present the exhibition Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation, from January 17 through March 21, 2004. Changing Hands showcases the work of one hundred of America's most talented, creative and innovative artists, and is the most comprehensive exhibition to date of contemporary Native American artists of the Southwest. Organized by the American Craft Museum, Changing Hands is the first of three exhibitions dedicated to the presentation and interpretation of Native American work today. Changing Hands will open on January 17th with a free reception for the public from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. A lecture will precede the opening at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $13/non-members, $10/members. On January 31st, the Fuller Museum will host a Native American Symposium geared towards teachers and other individuals interested in learning more about Native American Art and political issues. The City of Champions will host a 2003 Jingle Bell Run on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at the War Memorial, 156 West Elm Street. Registration for the two mile run/walk begins at 12:00 noon. Entry fee for children 14 and under is one new unwrapped toy and for adults is $15. Proceeds benefit The Enterprise's Helping Hands Fund and is sponsored by Mayor John T. Yunits, Jr. The first 250 to register will receive a free custom race t-shirt. For more information call 508-941-0252. Eagle Photography will hold photography classes on Saturday, January 24, 2004 and Saturday, February 14, 2004. Classes will be about 7-8 hours long and will include lunch and refreshments. Enrollment will be limited to 15 people per session to allow individual attention to specific questions and concerns about getting the most out of your photographic interests. The outline for the course is very flexible and will be modified to meet the requests of participants. Topics that will be covered include things like film and digital cameras, getting better photos with the equipment you already own, what accessories should you own and why, getting the red-eye out, what is an f-stop, types of film and many other topics. The cost for these sessions is $99 per participant. Classes will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Reservations will start immediately and full payment is required to secure a spot. For more information call Michael Sellstone at Eagle Photography 508--697-4973. In addition, Santa Clause is coming to the studio of Eagle Photography in Bridgewater for a very limited time. Santa's schedule this year at Eagle Photography is Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., December 7, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 13, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All meetings and portraits will be by appointment only. Daniel P. DeVasto, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wolf & Company, P.C. , Certified Public Accountants and Business Consultants, is pleased to announce the following promotions of Kandra M. Tranghese to Senior Manager, Daniel F. Morrill to Audit Manager, Nancy E. Rosetter to Audit Manager, Noelle M. Sanford to Tax Manager, Michael D. Cohn to IT Audit Manager, Matthew J. Putvinski to IT Audit Manager and Thomas J. Tuniewicz to IT Audit Manager. Wolf and Company, P.C. is a regional certified public accounting business consulting firm, with offices in Boston and Springfield. The firm employs over 90 auditors, accountants, tax professionals, information technology specialists and financial consultants. Wolf's clients include individuals, financial service entities and both publicly traded and privately held businesses in a wide variety of industries. Wolf & Company, P.C. is a member of the Private Companies and SEC Practice Sections of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Polaris International, an international affiliation of CPA firms. At it's 21st Annual Meeting at White's of Westport, the South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation elected Lorraine Travers of Swansea as chair for the coming year. SEED is located in Taunton, but makes loans and provides small business assistance in southeastern Massachusetts-Bristol, Plymouth, Norfolk, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties. SEED presented the "Small Business of the Year" award to Outermost Harbor Marine, LLC of Chatham, and the "Start-Up Business of the Year" award to Plaza Pharmacy of Brockton. SEED also presented the "Banker of the Year" award to Robert Reisner, vice president, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, and the "Regional Business Advocate of the Year" award to David Westgate, president, Quequechan Management Corporation in Fall River. Jeffrey Butland, New England Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, was the guest speaker and assisted with the awards presentation. SEED is a non-profit corporation certified in late 1982 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to package loans under the (504) Program. James C. Lively, president and chief executive officer of Bridgewater Savings announced that Cheryl L. Costa has joined the bank as branch manager of the Bank's Raynham Woods office. Costa joins Bridgewater Savings from Strata Bank where she was a branch manager and loan officer. She also has experience at Citizen's Bank, where she served as an assistant branch manager. 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). Brockton Hospital recently announced that Women's Health Affiliates, an obstetrics and gynecology practice group affiliated with Brockton Hospital, has opened a new state-of-the-art office location at 1470 New State Highway (Route 44) in Raynham. The Raynham office will serve as the new practice location for Dr. Tim Pucket, Dr. Kara Pitt, and Maureen Morrow, Certified Nurse Midwife. This brand new 4,500 square-foot location features ten examination and treatment rooms, pleasant waiting areas, convenient first floor access, and ample parking for patients and visitors. For more information on the new Raynham location or to schedule an appointment, please call 508-941-6444. The Brockton Rox are holding their 2nd annual holiday food drive starting on November 24th and concluding on December 19. Fans are encouraged to help out by donating canned foods, which will be donated to "My Brother's Keeper", to either the Rox front office or Rox Shop and in return fans will receive a holiday gift. The Rox front office will have a donation basket for canned foods, in exchange fans will receive a collector's edition Rox holiday ornament from the inaugural season. Rox office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Rox Shop will also be collecting food during their special holiday hours, which are Saturday's and Sunday's 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. from November 29th through December 21. Fans who bring their canned food to the Rox Shop while making a holiday purchase will receive a stocking stuffer.
Welcome New InvestorsSix new investors have recently 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.
Association of Blind Citizens
Avida Design
Dennis J. Marshall Construction
Greg Nanigian & Associates, Inc.
Hi-Tek Snacks
Saphire Manor & Inn To join the Chamber, call Frank Gillooly at 508-586-0500 ext. 229 or join online.
Annual Meeting Raffle Benefits EducationThe Chamber thanks the following companies for their donations to benefit the Chamber's Education Foundation:
B C Tent & Awning Special thanks to ...
B C Tent & Awning Co., Inc. Additional thanks are extended to the exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees for making the 90th Annual Meeting such a wonderful event.
Government AffairsNext Committee Meeting: Friday, December 12, 2003 at 7:45 a.m.Metro South Chamber Conference Room 1 The next Government Affairs Committee Meeting will be held on Friday, December 12, at 7:45 a.m. at the Chamber's headquarters located at Sixty School Street in Brockton. The featured speaker will be Don Gillis, Executive Director of the Mass Workforce Board Association. Mr. Gillis will discuss the Mass Workforce Board Association on Legislative priorities. The monthly Governement Affairs meetings provide an opportunity for member businesses to discuss issues of importance 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, please call Roy Nascimento at 508-586-0500 ext. 225.
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Good Morning Metro South
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| 3 | Ambassador Meeting | 8:00 am |
| 3 | SEED Workshop | 8:30 am |
| 9 | SOWBA Workshop | 10:00 am |
| 9 | Executive Committee Meeting | 4:00 pm |
| 10 | Taste of Metro South Planning Committee | 3:30 pm |
| 11 | Human Resource Management Council | 8:00 am |
| 12 | Government Affairs Committee | 7:45 am |
| 17 | Board of Directors | 12 noon |
| 18 | Good Morning Metro South Sponsor: Old Colony Elderly Services Location: Holiday Inn - Metro South | 7:30 am |
| 25 | Christmas Chamber offices closed |
| 1 | New Year's Day Chamber offices closed | |
| 7 | Ambassador Meeting | 8:00 am |
| 13 | Executive Committee | 4:00 pm |
| 16 | Government Affairs Meeting | 7:45 am |
| 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Chamber offices closed | |
| 22 | Super Good Morning Metro South Healthcare Forum Sponsor: Old Colony Elderly Services Location: Holiday Inn - Metro South Sponsor: Brockton Hospital | 7:30 am |
| 28 | Board of Directors | 12 noon |
Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber office or Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated.
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce will hold a Human Resource Management Council meeting on Thursday, December 11, from 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn - Metro South. A Legal Update will be provided by Jacqueline L. Piscitello, Esq. from The Employment Law Group.
An overview of employment law, with a focus on recent developments, including the Department of Labor's Proposed Changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Overtime Regulations, the Whistleblower Provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, new EEOC Guidance on National Origin Discrimination, as well as recent cases that affect Massachusetts employers. Other topics include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), as well as best practice tips for documenting employment matters to decrease your company's exposure to potential litigation.
The cost for the workshop is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. In addition, the HR Council offers a Guest Pass program. You may invite a colleague whose company is not a Chamber member to an HR Meeting free of charge. Build relationships with other HR professionals and business owners while introducing them to the benefits of joining our chamber.
The Human Resource Management Council supports and provides continuing education and consulting to professionals in the ever-changing world of human resources. Regardless of the size of your business, human resource issues directly affect you, and the resources of the Council can be your link to vital information. To receive notice of upcoming HRMC meetings, or to sign up for a meeting, contact Lisa Keene, Program Director at 508-586-0500 ext. 231.
At its 90th Annual Meeting, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce presented the Charles A. Fuller Memorial Chamber Award to Greg Hart, Partner at the accounting firm of Ercolini & Company. Since joining the Chamber's Board of Directors in 1994, Greg has been called upon many times over the past nine years to contribute his time and talent as the Chamber's Treasurer.
His accomplishments on behalf of the Chamber are numerous. He is always an active participant, contributing consistently through word and action. His service includes serving as Chairman of the Small Business and Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Committee for the past 8 years and the Chamber's Treasurer for the past three.
Beyond Greg's Chamber service, he is also active in many community organizations such as the Easton Little League and the Foundation for Excellence in Education in Easton.
Greg's extraordinary commitment to the Chamber and Metro South community is impressive. He truly embodies the spirit of the Fuller Award.
The late Mr. Charles A. Fuller served as Chairman of the Board for the Chamber and was very dedicated to the organization and the community. The Fuller award recognizes an individual whose leadership performance, personal example, and good influence has done the most to advance the welfare of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce and the community.
Pam Bellino of Bay State Gas, Greg Hart, Ercolini and Company and John McCluskey of McClusky, Yunits & Buckley, completed their terms of service on the Metro South Chamber's Board of Directors on November 19, 2003. Hart and McClusky have been on the board since 1994 and 1995 respectively. Bellino has been on the board since 2001. "The Chamber and community have benefited greatly from their involvement. Pam, Greg and John have provided exceptional leadership while on the Board. Thanks to their influence, the Chamber is stronger," said Chairman James Blake of Brockton Credit Union.
All three were recognized at the Chamber's 90th Annual Meeting on Wednesday November 19. The Chamber's Board of Directors meets regularly to address policy and issues of economic and community concern.
Does your Business have Human Resource questions? Do you know where to turn for answers?
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce has developed a hotline for your business to receive professional advice from experts in the HR field.
Simply e-mail your question to the HR hotline at hrhotline@metrosouthchamber.com or log onto to www.metrosouthchamber.com.
For more information contact Lisa Keene, Program Director at 508-586-0500 ext. 231.
Andree Robere
Attitash/Bear Peak
Bob's Auto Body
Boys and Girls Club of Brockton, Inc.
Bridgewater Trophy
Brockton Education Association
Brockton Hospital
Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
Brueggeman Real Estate
Butler Built Pavements, Inc.
Caritas Good Samaritan Occupational Health Services
Paula Coffey Dance Center
Collins Crane & Rigging Service, Inc.
The Community Bank
Concord Foods, Inc.
J. Frank Conley, Inc.
James R. Conlon
Copeland Toyota
Mike Croft Interiors
Ercolini and Company, LLP, CPA's
Law Office of Joseph M. Fidler
Frenette & Dukess
Roger Ferguson, Horticulturist
Holmes-McDuffy Florists, Inc.
Impact Traffic Solutions
Jezard Carpet
Ken Lessa Electric
M & M Trucking
John F. Mack Distributors
MDCOM
New England Village Industrial Services
Old Colony United Way, Inc.
R & B Transportation Services, Inc.
Realty Executives
RMR Construction
Rustlewood Company, Inc.
Sampson & Hall Funerals
Security Federal Savings Bank
Serve New England
Judith M. Stanton
Kevin Stewart
Texas Roadhouse
Verizon Communications
Roger P. Wedge, CPA
Law Office of George L. Whiting, Jr.
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.
Story by Shailah Stewart
Brockton High School offers students a variety of opportunities to gain critical work place skills and exposure while enhancing their academic experience. Two major initiatives of the High School that do so are the BHS Internship Program and the Summer of Work and Learning. Both provide paid work experiences for students. Historically, their wages have been covered by grants, but those resources are beginning to dry up. This fall, the school system has launched a drive to sustain these programs for the long term, and is asking work sites to pay half of the cost of the students' wages.
The BHS Internship Program is available to up to 80 students a semester, or 160 students per year. The program consists of a half-year elective course called "Exploring the Professions" during the school day, combined with an after school paid work experience. Students earn 3 credits for successful completion of the program. The course curriculum has been designed to support the students' experience at the work site, help them develop transferable work place skills and assist them with math, language arts and technology skills. It gives students a unique opportunity to take a close look at career options, and has helped numerous students make important choices about college and future plans. In its first five terms, about 340 students have participated in the program.
The Summer of Work and Learning is an intensive summer program for BHS students, entering its eleventh year in the summer of 2004. It lasts 5-6 weeks, offers students competitive wages, and incorporates work-based learning at work sites with project-based learning and academic enrichment at the High School. In the summer of 2003, there were close to 200 students enrolled in this program, with approximately 60 different work sites. Students in the summer program are placed in teams led by a teacher, each with a separate industry focus, such as health, law, banking, communications, etc. Like the Internship program, the summer program gives students a chance to experience first hand an area of interest, while enhancing skills and earning wages.
Over the course of the last several years, the number of participating work sites in these two interrelated programs has grown to over 130 different locations. Those sites are spread across a wide spectrum of industries and high profile employers in the region, including health, technology, finance, education, human services, the arts, hospitality, retail, real estate, law and the courts, non-profit and governmental agencies, to name a few. Staff at these work sites assign the students their duties, supervise them on the job and maintain their time records. The employers make these internship challenging, informative and eye-opening for the students. The students' performance on the job is evaluated using the Massachusetts Work-based Learning Plan.
The Brockton Area Private Industry Council is the lead partner in this program with the Brockton Public Schools. Communities and Schools for Career Success (CS2), a program of the Brockton Public Schools, coordinates these initiatives. For more information about the programs, contact Shailah Stewart, CS2 (508) 580-7445.
At its 90th Annual Meeting, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce welcomed five new members to its Board of Directors. On November 19, 2003, James Blake, Brockton Credit Union, and Chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors, introduced James Burns, Shaw's Supermarkets; John Costa, B C Tent & Awning Company, Inc.; Jeff Dukess, Frenette & Dukess, PC; Linda Faria Braun, Adult Learning Center; and Gary Oman, Gary R. Oman, P.C., to over five hundred members of the Metro South Chamber.
In their new role as directors, they will be responsible for helping the Chamber carry out its mission: to serve the interests of member businesses while providing community leadership to ensure the economic advancement of the Metro South region.
The Chamber's Board of Directors meets regularly to address policy and issues of economic and community concern. The next Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2003, at the Chamber's headquarters located at Sixty School Street in Brockton.
SEED Workshops
Session I
"Learn the Fundamentals in Planning, Preparing For,
and Financing Your Business"
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2003
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:00
a.m.
Location: UMass Continuing Education & Professional
Center
139 South Main Street, Fall River, MA
Cost: Free
This workshop is geared toward helping potential entrepreneurs evaluate and understand the fundamentals of owning one's own business. Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing, and the loan application process will be presented. Attendees will also be provided with a guide to writing a business plan and other materials.
Session II
"Understanding the Purpose of Financial Statements and
How They Can Help Determine the Health of Your
Business"
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:00
a.m
Location: UMass Continuing Education & Professional
Center
139 South Main Street, Fall River, MA
Cost: Free
The focus of this workshop is to help attendees understand a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The workshop also explains how a small business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her business more efficiently.
For more information on SEED and its programs, please call the SEED office at 508-822-1020 or visit SEED's website at www.seedcorp.com.
SOMWBA Workshop
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2003
Time: 10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Metro South Chamber of Commerce
60 School Street, Brockton
Cost: Free
This workshop is sponsored by the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA) and will present the requirements for state and federal transportation certification for minority or woman-owned businesses. All SOMWBA applicants must attend one workshop.
Pre-registration is required. For information and a registration package call 617-973-8692 or log onto www.somwba.state.ma.us.