A Note from our President, Lynn Ward
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Dear Chamber Member,
As I write this, we are just about one week away from our First Out for Business event of 2021 on Wednesday, July 28. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Mattatuck Museum in downtown Waterbury. Come network and reconnect with fellow Chamber Members, enjoy some hors d'ouevres and cocktails, and enter for a chance to win some raffle prizes. I hope to see you there!
Another option that we have been hosting over the last few months is virtual networking through a platform called Blitzr. Our next Blitzr event will be on Wednesday, July 21 from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. You can register here. Blitzr pairs you with another Chamber Member for a four minute, one-on-one conversation. It's a fun and effective way to make new connections; the reviews from past attendees have been positive!
We are now enrolling for our Leadership Greater Waterbury personal and career development program, which will begin in the fall. While dates are still being finalized, if you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about this program, where participants will get the opportunity to meet regional leaders, build lifelong partnerships, and develop a wide variety of leadership skills, please visit this page for more information. The deadline to apply is September 5.
Lastly, please be sure to keep an eye on your mailbox. We will be sending out a copy of the 2021-2022 Chamber Business Directory to every Member.
You can reach me, as always, at (203) 757-0701 or lward@waterburychamber.com. Keep scrolling for this month’s updates and events to take full advantage of what our Chamber has to offer.
Thank you, more than ever, for your continued membership,
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In This Issue:
- President's Note
- Reopening Resources & Information
- Newsletter Sponsor Post University
- HR Corner by Carmody, Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
- Health Care Council Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony August 17
- In the News
- Welcome New Members
- Recent Ribbon Cuttings
- On-Site Vaccination Clinics
- Upcoming Opportunities
- Hiring/Training Programs
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Reopening Resources & Information
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A Message From Newsletter Sponsor,
Post University
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Putt for Par - Support Post Athletics
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Come out and tee it up for the Post University Athletics Golf Tournament. Your support will help to raise money for the University Athletics. The tournament will be held at the Country Club of Waterbury on August 31 with a shotgun starting time and will conclude with a dinner at 6 p.m.
Golfers will enjoy a lunch and a competitive game of 18-hole scramble. The tournament will also include prizes longest drive, hole-in-one and putting contest. To play in the tournament, the cost is $200 a player or $800 for a foursome. Companies can also make a donation to sponsor a hole at the tournament.
Post University has 23 NCAA Division II sports teams including men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, ice hockey, soccer, tennis, and track & field, as well as baseball, softball, sprint football, cheerleading, and women’s volleyball.
Eagle Athletics has experienced a great deal of success on the field and classroom throughout the last several years. The women’s volleyball team made three consecutive NCAA Regional appearances from 2014-16, and were CACC Champions 2014 and 2015. Men’s golf has also made 11 NCAA Regional appearances.
Academically, 14 teams boasted a GPA of 3.0 or higher with eight teams over a 3.3 in 2020-21.
To register for the tournament or to become a sponsor, please contact Mike Brienza at Mbrienza@post.edu Phone: 203) 650-5320
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Post University Announces 2021 Malcom Baldrige Scholars
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Thirty one Post University business students have been named 2021 Baldrige Scholars, representing the top five percent of undergraduate and graduate students at the university’s Malcolm Baldrige School of Business. The students were honored during a recent virtual reception.
This year’s Baldrige Scholars boasts students from across Connecticut and the world, including Germany, Slovakia and China. They represent eight undergraduate programs and three graduate programs, including finance, sports management, business administration, human resources management, marketing, project management and accounting.
The undergraduate Class of 2021 Baldrige Scholars are:
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Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Colleen Lippincott, Fargo, ND
Bachelor of Business Administration
- Tanner Carone, Terryville, CT
- Holly Groom, Cheshire, CT
- Herman Hardrick II, Grand Prairie, TX
Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance
- Bridget Betley, Fairfield, NJ
- Nolan Mazako, Oxford, CT
Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
- Kelsey Tuan, Poughkeepsie, NY
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Bachelor of Science in Management
- Armando Perlaza, Fort Knox, KY
- Chester Skinner, Waterford, PA
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
- Katelyn Andres, North Bergen, NJ
- Lindsey Pierce, Naugatuck, CT
Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
- Savanna Stevenson, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Antonio Mele, San Benedetto Po, Italy
- Cory Tichenor, Lawton, OK
- Samuel Urban, Kosice, Slovakia
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The postgraduate Class of 2021 Baldrige Scholars are:
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Master of Business Administration
- Holly Amodia, Bristol, CT
- Sabrina Bauer, Esslingen, Germany
- Hannah Benac, Boerne, TX
- Jordan Carreira, Naugatuck, CT
- Frank DiPerna, Southbury, CT
- Quentin Falkowski, Danbury, CT
- Anthony Fitti, Newtown, CT
- Alyssa Fortin, Waterbury, CT
- Michael Hutter, Munich, Germany
- Shahan Kukreja, Cheshire, CT
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- Tammy Millan, Rocky Hill, CT
- Kathryn Shpak, Bristol, CT
- Marek Strojvus, South Hadley, MA
- Chenglin Xu, Shanghai, China
Master of Science in Accounting
- Julie Lopez, Colorado Springs, CO
Master of Science in Project Management
- Michelle Wells, Old Bridge, N
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“The resilience and success of this year’s Baldrige Scholars are especially notable given the unique challenges they faced while completing their degrees,” said Dr. Jeremi Bauer, dean of the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business. “We know they will be tremendous assets to their future employers, and we are excited to one day celebrate their professional successes.”
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HR Corner: New Law Requires Employers to Disclose Wage Ranges and Expands Scope of Gender-Based Wage Discrimination
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This HR Corner is Brought to you by Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP. Written by: Hollianne Lao and Attorney Nick Zaino
The end of Connecticut’s legislative session always generates an influx of newly passed bills that affect employers. One such bill that was signed into law by Governor Lamont is Public Act 21-30, “An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range for a Vacant Position.” This law will go into effect October 1, 2021 and requires the disclosure of wage ranges by employers. It also extends the prohibition on sex-based wage discrimination.
Under the new law, employers must disclose the wage range for a position to a job applicant, either (a) at the applicant’s request, or (b) before or at the time the applicant is offered the position. In the case of a current employee, employers must disclose an existing employee’s wage range (a) at the hiring of the employee, (b) a change in the employee’s position with the employer, or (c) at the employee’s first request for a wage range. The law defines “wage range” as “the range of wages an employer anticipates relying on when setting wages for a position,” and may refer to any applicable pay scale, previously determined range of wages for the position, actual range of wages for those employees currently holding comparable positions or the employer’s budgeted amount for the position.
Public Act 21-30 also lowers the standard for determining gender wage discrimination from “equal work” to “comparable work.” That is, Connecticut law previously prohibited employers from paying employees at a rate less than what they pay employees of the opposite sex for “equal” work on a job, the performance of which requires “equal” skill, effort, and responsibility. Public Act 21-30 removes the “equal” work standard, and replaces it with a “comparable” work standard, thereby making it easier to prove discrimination. Under the new standard, employers cannot discriminate on wage rates paid to employees of opposite sex for “comparable work on a job, when viewed as composite of skill, effort and responsibility and performed under similar working conditions.”
Employers can only justify differences in pay if it is based on (a) a seniority system, (b) a merit system, (c) a system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production, or (d) a differential system based upon a bona fide factor other than sex, “including, but not limited to, education, training, credential, skill, geographic location or experience.” An employer must prove the bona fide factor is not based upon gender-based difference in pay but is job-related and consistent with business necessity. If an employee can demonstrate an existing alternative employment practice that serves the same business purpose without such a wage difference, the employer’s defense would not hold. The law also prohibits employers from discharging, expelling or discriminating against any person who has opposed any discriminatory compensation practice or because such person filed a complaint, or testified or assisted in filing a Department of Labor complaint or lawsuit.
Employers should make note of these new requirements and standards to ensure compliance by the October 1, 2021 effective date.
*Hollianne Lao is a 2021 University of Connecticut Summer Intern at Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
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Click the image to view the full size article.
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A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be!
*Joined 6/17/21 to 7/19/21
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On July 7, the Chamber held a ribbon cutting to mark the 60th anniversary of Middlebury Convalescent Home, which was founded in 1961 by Dr. Seymour Zonn, with the assistance of the late Genevieve Buckmiller, RN. Together they established the facility at its present location at 778 Middlebury Road. Dr. Zonn felt that Middlebury Convalescent Home would be the very best in every respect under the leadership of Mrs. Buckmiller, who was involved in ensuring that all employees are kind and gentle to each resident, always anticipating their needs. Mrs. Buckmiller’s directive to her staff was to “always give the very best care and undivided attention to residents. Do your utmost to make everyone feel secure, safe, and comfortable.”
Today Middlebury Convalescent Home offers both short and long-term care, as well as hospice and respite services and has the capacity to house 58 residents. They have over 90 employees, many of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.
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Looking for a unique marketing opportunity?
The Chamber Perk program is a way for members to showcase their business or organization by offering up a discount or promotion for a specified week. Perks are promoted on the Chambers’ social media channels, through videos, and multiple spotlights in the Chamber’s newsletter, which is distributed to thousands of individuals. If you are a business who is interested in learning more about the Chamber Perk program contact Communications and Social Media Director David Huck at dhuck@waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701.
Some of the benefits include:
- Social media marketing to more than 5,000 followers
- Personalized eblasts to 1,000s of recipients
- Live video and highlights posted to social media
- Earned media in area press (front page placement on the business section in the Rep-Am)
- Marketing on the Chamber website & more!
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The Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Perk of the Week for July 19 is $50 off a four-session massage package from Middlebury-based ALMA Massage Therapy.
Eileen Correia, a fully insured and licensed massage therapist, uses a variety of massage techniques—based on the needs of the client—including deep tissue massage, hot stones, heating pads, essential oils, and cupping to address chronic pain, muscle spasms, postural strains, and stress for her clients. She has worked as a therapist for the Waterbury Hospital Wellness Program and as an employee of VITAs Hospice Care—serving hospice patients in their homes, nursing/rehabilitation facilities, and at St. Mary’s Hospital.
ALMA Massage Therapy is located at 2030 Straits Turnpike in Middlebury. For more information, call or text Correia at (860)-919-4904, visit https://alma.massagetherapy.com, or email her at eileen@massagetherapyalma.com. Appointment only; no walk-ins. Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Purchase offer is available until July 31; massages can be scheduled now through May 2022. The four sessions must be used by the same individual.
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On-Site Employer Vaccination Clinics
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The Department of Public Health is conducting on-site vaccination clinics with employers around the state, which have been very successful in helping to get Connecticut employees and their families vaccinated.
The clinics are available to all employers, regardless of size and number of employees seeking vaccination, and are free of charge. ID and proof of insurance are not required (although may be requested to facilitate provider reimbursement), the vaccination teams provide the choice of Pfizer and J&J, and the clinics are open to anyone aged 12+, so employers are encouraged to open the clinics up to families of employees as well. Clinic timing is flexible to meet the needs of employers, including helping to vaccinate multiple shifts. We are happy to make quick stops for employers with a small number of employees seeking vaccination, and have held mobile clinics for as few as 5-10 people – there is no minimum number of individuals required to be vaccinated to host a clinic.
If you are interested in hosting a DPH mobile clinic, please see here for more information, and here for the form to request a clinic
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Hiring & Training Programs Available
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Do you need help finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce?
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is working with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investments Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the states CThires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the apprenticeship program, hiring veterans and on-the-job training programs.
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PLUS: Need a Job Now?
NeedAJobNow.usNLx.com contains over 400,000 job openings and continues to grow daily. While many employers are downsizing their staff, others are significantly increasing their hiring efforts due to current demands. Through this initiative, DirectEmployers and National Association of State Workforce Agencies offers a way to bridge the gap between job supply and demand by offering an easy way for job seekers to gain access to current open positions and for employers to fill positions quickly and efficiently during these difficult times.
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Connecticut Hospitality Awareness Training
Connecticut Hospitality Awareness Training, or CHAT for short, is an innovative, educational program developed by the Connecticut Tourism Coalition to train frontline personnel who work at attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that make up the Connecticut tourism industry.
The CHAT program features an introductory video and seven interactive, online modules. The program takes under 90 minutes to complete, although participants can learn the material at their own pace. Once a participant receives a score of 70% or better, they have successfully completed the CHAT program. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded from the Connecticut Tourism Coalition at a future tourism event.
CHAT's core curriculum features training on guest service and insight on why tourism matters. With greater knowledge, employees will understand how to best serve our valued guests. It is essential that Connecticut personnel are educated in their field to best represent our tourism industry.
Companies can sign up their employees to take the CHAT program for a package price of $10 per participant. Contact Frank Burns at the Connecticut Tourism Coalition at flburnsjr@yahoo.com. You will then be assigned a promo code to enroll your team in CHAT at chatcertificate.com
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