December 21, 2023

Kindred Connector

A newsletter connecting the Maine family business community

Happy

Holidays


from all of us at IFOB

IFOB Upcoming Events - Quick Look

A Season for Giving

Dedicated to their success, we promote, support, and champion family-owned businesses – the backbone of our economy – with education, networking, and other services.


Please consider supporting our mission through membership or by donating. Thank you!


The Institute for Family-Owned Business is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 26-2428220

Donate Here

IFOB is a proud winner of the 2023 Leaders & Luminaries Awards!

Thank you, Camden National Bank, for your support and congratulations to the other recipients.

From left are Jamie Bowden, marketing manager, Camden National Bank; Barbara Raths, director of treasury management & government banking, Camden National Bank; Dottie Chalmers Cutter, chair of the board, Institute for Family-Owned Business and VP of operations, Chalmers Insurance Group; Elliott Barry, commercial banking market manager, Camden National Bank; Catherine Wygant Fossett, executive director, Institute for Family-Owned Business; and Brooke Stewart, director of communications, Institute for Family-Owned Business.

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Apply to be a 2024 Speaker

Apply Now


If you'd like to be part of our programming for our upcoming calendar year, submit your program idea and speaker application to us!


We will collect applicant's and our past year's survey data to finalize the programs in January.


Any questions? Please feel free to reach out to Brooke@fambusiness.org

Membership Renewals Begin January 1

Look for a separate email in your inbox soon outlining membership renewal details.

And if you aren't a member yet, please join us!

Become a Member

IFOB Events


Annual Holiday Party


Wednesday, January 24 2024 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | The Woodlands Club, 39 Woods Road, Falmouth


Join the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Catherine Wygant Fossett, the Executive Director, for an evening of appreciation for your support and commitment to the IFOB. We’ll mingle and jingle with delicious hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and a cash bar.


Free for Members, $35 for Future Members


Any questions? Email Brooke@fambusiness.org

Register Here

Join our NEW Working Parents Peer Advisory Group!

Join our Working Parents Peer Group Here

Member Events

Surviving a Department of Labor Wage & Labor Audit


January 16, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. | Zoom


In this webinar, we will be joined by Ana Maria Rogers, our esteemed local DOL investigator. She will be sharing her invaluable insights on compliance. Some topics include:


  • Overtime and blended overtime
  • Tips compliance like tip pooling, managers in tip pool, non-tipped work (sidework)
  • FMLA policy & process
  • Tips for surviving if there is an audit
Register

Member News

Gorham Savings Bank and Maine Community Bank to Combine in a Merger of Equals


BIDDEFORD, Maine and GORHAM, Maine, December 7, 2023 — Maine Community Bancorp, MHC, the parent mutual holding company for Maine Community Bank (“Maine Community Bank”), and Gorham Bancorp, MHC, the parent mutual holding company for Gorham Savings Bank (“Gorham Savings Bank”), are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge under the Maine Community Bank name. The combined company will be strategically positioned to benefit from enhanced scale and improved opportunities for growth and profitability while remaining committed to its core markets.

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Good To Know

What Small Businesses Need to Know About New Regulations Going into 2024


NEW YORK (AP) — Regulations are a double-edged sword. They’re created to improve business dealings, discourage unfair or illegal business activity, and protect workers. But, for small business owners, they often mean more red tape, higher costs and possible penalties for failing to comply.


″For a small business, you have a higher cost per employee when it comes to complying with regulations than your larger business competitors,” said Tom Sullivan, vice president of small business policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.


Heading into 2024, there are several regulations that should be on small business owners’ radar.

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Member Job Listings


Below are the latest job openings posted on our Job Listings page. Members can submit their own listings when logged into the Member Portal. Once a job is filled, be sure to let us know so we can remove it from the site.

View Our Jobs Page!

IFOB Members: Promote Your News

Promote your company news through the "Resources" section of our website!


One of the many perks of being a member is promoting your latest news and announcements to our Maine family-owned business community. Be sure to share any press releases, articles, podcasts, or other information featuring your business or sharing your unique expertise on a relevant topic or issue.


For more information on how to submit your news, view our video or download this cheat sheet. If you need assistance please contact Brooke Stewart at 207.281.2414 or brooke@fambusiness.org.


Here is a screenshot of our Resources page if you need a visual!

Log In & Submit Now!

Learn more about the IFOB family!

Catherine Wygant Fossett

Executive Director

catherine@fambusiness.org

207.798.2667

Brooke Stewart

Director of Communications

brooke@fambusiness.org

207.281.2414

THANK YOU TO OUR FOUNDING SPONSORS
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