O'Neill and Associates - O'Neill ONLINE

Dear Friend,

 

May marks a time of celebration and great achievement for our most recent class of college graduates. I still remember my commencement exercises at Boston College and the feeling of excitement and anticipation of what would come next for me. Today's graduates should feel proud and take time to reflect on their outstanding accomplishments. However, many young Americans cannot share in this same excitement for the future, as they are already preoccupied with the thought of having to pay back their looming student loan debt.

 

As one of the biggest financial challenges facing this nation, student loan debt affects Americans of all ages. Student loan debt now totals over $1.2 trillion and has surpassed both auto and credit card debt in the United States. With college tuition rising at an average of 2.9 percent each year, it has become increasingly difficult for individuals - and their families - to pay off their loans, driving them into extreme debt. Over two-thirds of students now need loans to attend college, with each student borrower taking on an average of $30,000 in debt.

 

Our nation is already feeling the economic impact of this crippling debt. Younger Americans are delaying major milestones in their lives, such as moving away from home, getting married or saving for a down payment on a house, while older Americans are entering into debt and putting off retirement to assist their kids in paying for college.

 

In Massachusetts, we have made great strides in lowering the cost of public higher education. University of Massachusetts President Robert Caret successfully advocated for an innovative 50/50 plan across the five-campus system, which calls for a two-year, $100 million increase in state funding. Under the 50/50 plan, UMass will freeze tuition and mandatory fees for students, equalizing the amount of money that students and the Commonwealth provide for educational programs. Legislators passed this measure last year leading to a one year tuition freeze and the same funding proposal is in front of the State House and Governor again this year.

 

On Capitol Hill, Congressman John Tierney's and Senator Elizabeth Warren's tireless advocacy has ensured that beleaguered students' concerns are heard. Congressman Tierney and Senator Warren recently sponsored legislation that would allow individuals to refinance their student loan interest rates, similarly to how one refinances a home mortgage or auto loan. Refinancing loans is considered a smart business decision - and one that should be available to those investing in education and in the future of our young Americans.

 

Despite this progress, we still have a long road ahead to sufficiently provide students with a higher education system that does not fail them. We must invest in our young people so that they can enter into the career force with financial freedom and participate as active members of our nation's economy. Rather than simply continue the conversation, let's take action and urge our elected officials to liberate our young Americans from this crippling burden of student loan debt - not only for the good of our students, but for the good of our entire country. 

 

Tom O'Neill 

Chief Executive Officer

Twitter: @tponeill3  

May 2014 OA Online: In This Issue
Mozido Helps Unbanked Gain Financial Independence
Mars Promotes Cocoa Sustainability with CocoaAction
The Changing Face of Boston
OA Honors New England Law Enforcement
After Four Years: A Reflection by Lance Madden
OA Volunteer Night at the Greater Boston Food Bank
Upcoming Client Events
Client Spotlight

Mozido Helps Unbanked Gain Financial Independence


According to the FDIC, there are nearly 34 million households in the United States that are currently listed as "unbanked" or "under banked."  This means that nearly 28 percent of US households either have poor access to mainstream financial services or lack any kind of savings or checking deposit account.

 

Not only does being unbanked or under banked threaten an individual's financial security and safety, but it is also increasingly expensive.  Check-cashing stores can charge up to five percent of the original check amount, while money orders can cost up to three dollars per order.  Along with these fees, being outside of the financial mainstream hinders individuals from building credit, acquiring loans, and achieving financial stability.

 

To address this systemic injustice, entrepreneur Michael Liberty founded Mozido, a global mobile payments platform that allows consumers to make financial transactions via their mobile phones.  Services include bill pay and top-up air-time, along with the addition of international remittances and other features in the near future.

 

Currently, 2 billion people in the world own mobile phones, but not have bank accounts.  In his recent Boston Globe op-ed, Liberty states: "mobile banking and payments is much more than the next trend in simplifying our busy lives via the smart phone.  It is a solution to a problem that is handicapping people and economies around the world."

 

O'Neill and Associates is proud of its work to raise awareness on the challenges faced by the unbanked, as well as this innovative solution to help them. Liberty explains that while some see mobile banking as a mere convenience, it could be life-changing for so many others. Without a doubt, individuals and communities around the world stand to benefit from this mobile technology.

 

To learn more about O'Neill and Associates' public relations services, click here.  

 

Mars Promotes Cocoa Sustainability with CocoaAction 

 

On May 20 and May 22, senior executives from 12 of the world's largest chocolate and cocoa companies, including Mars Inc., gathered to sign a joint treaty with the governments of C�te d'Ivoire and Ghana under the auspices of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF). The plan, known as CocoaAction, is one of the world's largest sustainability efforts and will focus on specific, collaborative measures between everyone - from the farmers to the wholesalers - to promote productivity and development for more than 300,000 West African farmers by 2020. CocoaAction's mission is to build a rejuvenated and economically viable cocoa sector through increased cooperation between industry members and national governments.

 

The initiative will begin in Ghana and C�te d'Ivoire - the two largest producers of cocoa, offering 55 percent of the world's supply - with the hopes of expanding into other cocoa producing countries in West Africa. "CocoaAction is the most promising development in the cocoa sector to address the serious circumstances facing cocoa production today," said Barry Parkin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mars, Incorporated and newly appointed Chairman on Board of Directors for WCF. "Mars and several others have long recognized the need for uncommon collaboration to create greater sustainability in the cocoa sector. The industry knows that the most effective cocoa sustainability efforts are those that deliver resources and solutions directly to the farmers. CocoaAction shares that priority."

 

Additionally, CocoaAction aims to align private sector efforts on a non-competitive basis to ensure the cocoa production system in West Africa is developed at scale. This partnership will prevent certain producers from dominating the market and will help improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of West African's. Cocoa firms will work closely with the Ghanaian government and other national organizations to provide improved planting materials, fertilizer and training to cocoa farmers. The campaign will also promote community development through child labor monitoring, gender empowerment and remediation.  

 

For more information about O'Neill and Associates' public relations practice, click here.


Current Events and Expertise

The Changing Face of Boston  

By Senior Vice Presidents Jamie Dunbar and Andy Paven

 

Change. Mayor Walsh has begun to put his stamp on the City's government. Quietly and deliberately, the Walsh Administration is following the lead of departmental audits commissioned at the start of the term.

 

The Mayor has thus far balanced respect for the past with the need to modernize city government. His administration has initiated an overhaul of technology and operations, embracing the tools of the 21st century, and is adjusting the posture and approach of city government in a parallel and complementary manner.

 

The Boston Redevelopment Authority, of course, is the subject of intense speculation and discussion. How will Mayor Walsh's view of the city differ from Mayor Menino's, and how will those differences inform the project approval process? The real estate market has come back strongly, and developers with access to investment capital are anxious to capitalize on the favorable environment. While the future hasn't yet taken shape at the BRA, the Mayor's aptitude for managing change should be encouraging for prospective developers.  

 

What hasn't changed, and may be now more important, is a commitment to community engagement. The careful work on the street and within neighborhoods is key to earn approval for new development projects with the BRA and the Office of the Mayor. For example, the transformation of the Harbor Garage proposed by Don Chiofaro may have new life under Mayor Walsh, but without the support of neighboring residents, businesses, and stakeholder organizations the project could still face significant delays and may never come to fruition.

 

Grassroots engagement includes everything from hosting town-hall style meetings, going door-to-door to communicate with neighbors, identifying supporters who can influence others, and directly advocating with municipal and state officials. Tools for public outreach range from 21st century social media, to old fashioned shoe leather and personal, direct engagement.

 

Given the demands of working in communities with highly-involved constituents and active community groups, O'Neill and Associates well understands the strategies and potential challenges that developers face when seeking local approvals and permits. As Boston continues to grow as a world-class city, we are proud of the grassroots work that we've done and look forward to being a part of Boston's next phase of growth.

 

For more information about O'Neill and Associates' community relations services, click here. 
OA in the Community

"Thank You For Protecting Our Loved Ones At Home" Gathers Hundreds of Police Officers in Washington, DC

OA Honors New England Law Enforcement Officials During National Police Week

Congressman Jim McGovern and Tom O'Neill honor New England Law Enforcement.

 

On May 13th, O'Neill and Associates hosted "Thank You For Protecting Our Loved Ones At Home", a benefit event in Washington, DC, thanking New England law enforcement officials and remembering fallen officers during National Police Week. 

 

Over 200 police officers and law enforcement from more than 40 departments from across New England, alongside elected officials from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut attended the benefit, which was located at Johnny's Half Shell.

 

This year, MIT Police Officer Sean Collier and Rhode Island Detective Frank J. Lema, Sr. were entered into the National Law Enforcement Memorial, which drew a large contingent of officers, specifically from the Rhode Island, Somerville, Cambridge, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology police departments, to honor their service and sacrifice. All proceeds from "Thank You For Protecting Our Loved Ones At Home" benefit the memorial funds of both Officer Collier and Detective Lema.

 

Thomas P. O'Neill III, Father Paul Clifford, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire offered reflections to remember the fallen officers recently killed in the line of duty. In addition to Senator Shaheen, elected officials from across the New England region, including Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Angus King (I-ME), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), attended the benefit to personally thank law enforcement officials. 

 

The 2nd annual "Thank You For Protecting Our Loved Ones At Home" was sponsored by Friends of New England's Finest, including O'Neill and Associates, PepsiCo, Johnny's Half Shell, L3 Security and Detection Systems, and TransCOR Information Technologies. All proceeds benefited the memorial funds of both Officer Collier and Detective Lema.

 

To learn more about O'Neill and Associates' federal relations services, click here.

 

After Four Years 

Cristo Rey Boston Senior Lance Madden Reflects on His Time at OA   

 

It really hasn't hit me yet. In the past four years I have grown physically and mentally, although I feel like nothing has changed.  

 

I feel just as young as I did walking into O'Neill and Associates for the first time: the excitement, the nervousness; yet, I've been to 7 galas - if not more, 5 interviews, 3 different college preparatory programs, and 1 work place/high school. In between all of this, I've learned lessons in every subject, especially life. I have met a numerous amount of amazing people that taught me those lessons. I took hundreds of classes in a variety of subjects; I worked my first two jobs; I played my first official sport; I obtained my license; I graduated in the top ten percentile of my class; I took so many standardized tests I feel like a pro at them (not really); I lost a couple of family members; My anxiety for meeting new people became utter excitement, although I moved on from a few old friends as I made new ones; I survived the college process; and that's not even half of what my high school experience consisted of.

 

In four years my life has totally changed. I can carry an intelligent conversation with someone over twice my age, whereas before I couldn't even talk to my fellow students that I was in class with. I am now looked up to by a lot of my peers, when before I had a hard time believing anyone noticed me.  

 

I remember my first day at O'Neill and Associates. I was scared and anxious because I didn't know what to expect. But, I remember my first day coming to O'Neill and Associates, Viviana - a senior at Cristo Rey Boston High School at the time - told me that she loves it here, that everyone is like a family, and that I would do great. After that first meeting - beyond being nervous - the job quickly became a home to me. Everyone here, especially Nairi, Sarah, Gary, Fior, Marilyn, and Shelly, became like my family within the first couple of weeks. They guided me through new tasks and fun projects, and introduced me to the history of the business and to what they did in their careers. I was taught something new by everyone here.  

 

O'Neill and Associates motivated me to perform to the best of my ability at work and at school. I made honor roll every term, so that I could have time to talk with Nairi and Shelly about everything that went on in my life and in theirs at a lunch - which means so much to me because I know how busy they both are. They showed me that hard work is great, but it's pointless if you don't have anyone to share your successes or failures with, and they proudly spent that time with me. I love every conversation I have with Fior and Limder, while helping them keep the office running.  

 

I could go on and on about the things I loved about the office: the stress-relieving conversations with Nairi and Marilyn; the college advice from Ben, Matt, Jamie, and Andy; the fun and new projects from Shelly, Nairi, and Gary; and the support and praise from everyone at the office. It really hasn't hit me yet that my high school career is quickly coming to a close. Every time I come into the office there is something new to do, someone new to meet, something new to learn, and I love that. I might not be here once a week after June 13th, but everyone here will always be my family. I will never forget how much support and love I was given after walking through those doors almost four years ago.  

 

Tom told me to read "The Road Less Travelled" by Robert Frost to help me make my college decision and that poem made me remember why I chose Cristo Rey Boston and not some other high school - the choice I made "has made all the difference."  

 

I can't wait to see what college brings. I am proud to be a part of O'Neill and Associates and I am so thankful for everything this job has given me. I really love this place and the people in it.

 

For more information about Cristo Rey Boston High School, click here.

 

O'Neill and Associates' 2nd Annual Volunteer Night at the Greater Boston Food Bank

Team OA at the  
Greater Boston Food Bank

On May 28th, O'Neill and Associates rolled up our sleeves for our 2nd annual volunteer night at the Greater Boston Food Bank. Team OA helped sort more than 16,000 pounds of food, making 12,920 meals possible for families in need throughout Massachusetts. 

 

In addition, O'Neill and Associates hosted a food drive in advance of our volunteer shift, which yielded several cartons of non-perishable food to deliver to the Greater Boston Food Bank that night. We had a great time with fellow volunteers and the Greater Boston Food Bank staff and look forward to volunteering again next year!

 

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

O'Neill and Associates' clients to host inspiring events

 

O'Neill and Associates, New England's leading public relations and government affairs consulting firm, is led by former Lt. Governor Thomas P. O'Neill III. With offices in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C., the agency employs senior level professionals to help clients define the right messages and get those messages to target audiences, including government officials, the media, community leaders and consumers. We serve clients in diverse industries, including financial services, transportation, healthcare, nonprofit, energy, and real estate development. Contact us toll-free at 1-866-989-4321. Follow us on Twitter at @ONeillandAssoc.

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