July Newsletter - 2021
Well, it was a terrific turn out at our Monthly Breakfast Club networking hour this month! What an uplifting feeling to be back again in person at Brother’s. We are off to a great start with many of our regulars with Breakfast Club coffee mugs in hand, and were even joined by a few new attendees! The conversation and networking picked back up as if it never stopped - that’s the sign of a good networking opportunity! Personally, I had not realized how much I missed my Brothers breakfast of a “western omelet and home fries” – yes it was good to be back. It’s time a few more of you do your part and come and join our breakfast networking fun! Adding your individual presence to the group only increases the dynamic and benefit of these gatherings.
By this time you all should have received the invite to the Chamber’s Summer outing planned for Tuesday, July 27th at the Quannapowitt Yacht Club. Excluding of course the summer of 2020, this will be our third consecutive summer outing which we expect to sell out. If you are interested in attending this event, reserve your spot today! Those of you who have attended the previous two outings know this event to be a friendly and relaxing networking atmosphere. This terrific night of food, beverages, music and some fun activities, will prove to put a smile on your face. As if all of that wasn’t enough, the view of Lake Quannapowitt from the yacht club back deck is absolutely spectacular. If you are looking for way to relax, network or simply enjoy a beautiful view, do not miss the opportunity to register for this event as space is limited.
New Resident Welcome Bag program: The Chamber is currently in the process developing a new program to introduce Wakefield businesses to new Wakefield residents. We are creating a new resident “Welcome to Wakefield” bag full of assorted goodies consisting of coupons, swag, gift certificates, and informational brochures/flyers/menu’s from participating local businesses. You (our member) decide what you want to provide as an incentive to inform and hopefully bring these new residents to your business front door.
Once a quarter we intend to send to each new Wakefield resident a post card via US mail which will alert them to the availability of this new resident package. All that is required is for the new resident to receive their bag, is to present their post card at one of the listed local Chamber member business locations.
We want to invite you to participate in the program and take the opportunity to welcome these hundreds of new Wakefield residents and introduce your business personally to them. Your participation in this new program as a Chamber member is free and another benefit of your Chamber membership. Please reach out to either Carly or myself here at the Chamber office to participate or to answer any questions.
The Chamber is once again this year looking forward to promoting the Saturdays on the Sidewalk sales days to support all of Wakefield. We are in the process of putting our final preparations together in anticipation of presenting our request for this year’s event to the Wakefield Town Council for their approval.
I hope you have continued to monitor and review the numerous and varied informational and training seminars that have been offered through our partnership with Score. These seminars are truly geared to assist and provide insightful training and education to small business throughout our area. Please be sure to take a look at these programs as we send the information to you.
Importantly, for the last couple of months we have attempted to alert you to the changes to the Town of Wakefield By-Laws enacted at the 2020 fall Wakefield Town Meeting. These changes impact the use of foam polystyrene (Styrofoam) and certain plastic’s here in the town of Wakefield. The intended purpose of these by-law changes is to reduce the environmental impact that these foam polystyrene and plastics have on our local area. Please make a note that these changes have taken effect on June 30, 2021. However, the enforcement of these by-law changes will not be fully enforced until January 1, 2022. For additional information or if you have any question’s, please contact the Chamber office or Erin Kokinda, Community and Economic Development Director, Town of Wakefield, 1 Lafayette Street, Wakefield, MA 01880, Ph. 781-246-6397, Em. EKokinda@wakefield.ma.us.
We recently welcomed a new member to the Chamber: “Charlie’s on Main Pizza” with a ribbon cutting ceremony. It was a terrific event and delicious pizza was had. We want to thank all who joined us in welcoming “Charlies” to the Wakefield business community. A special “thanks” to State Representative Donald Wong for taking the time to join in on the festivities.
We are currently in the planning stages for two additional ribbon cutting and open house celebration for other Chamber members. Stay tuned to catch all of the specifics to join in those festivities as well!
Many of you are familiar with our friends at WAAV – The Wakefield Alliance Against Violence. This very special organization is a local non-profit charity with a very important “core” mission: reduce the incidence of family violence - particularly, with a focus on youth and domestic violence. This Wakefield Community based volunteer organization consists of some of Wakefield’s shining residents, and is dedicated to creating a lifestyle free from violence in Wakefield by reaching out to the community. WAAV is constantly working to help to raise awareness, provide educational resources, and provide support to families and individuals, with an emphasis on prevention.
Consequently, one of WAAV'S primary informational resources is their website for generating awareness, promoting events, and probably most importantly, getting donations. Although functional, the former WAAV website was very much in need of a redesign so that survivors and victims could easily find the resources available to them. This will allow them to get the help they need if they are experiencing any kind of abuse or are concerned about a loved one whom they suspect is a victim.
Fortunately for WAAV, they won Boston Web Group's Holiday Giveaway of a free website! This couldn’t’ have come at a better time. Boston Web Group, a fellow Chamber Member (located on Albion Street here in Wakefield), driven by their company’s desire to help provide technical help to a deserving local nonprofit, went to work in designing and developing a new and improved WAAV website. The newly designed WAAV website features a modern mobile-friendly layout with an updated look.
"Having our new website has created enthusiasm among our members, giving us motivation to use the site to further inform the public of the work we do and the many resources available to reach out for help."
- Joie Gerrish, WAAV
Stay cool and take care everyone.
All the best,
John
