January Business Connection
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Board of Directors
Chair of the Board
*Alisia St. Florian
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane
Chair-Elect
*Robert Ferrini
McGowanPRO
Past Chair of the Board
*Cynthia Peterson
Brigham and Women's/Mass General Health Care Center
Treasurer
*James Donellon
Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP
General Counsel
*Thomas Flaherty
Bacon Flaherty LLC
President/CEO
*Thomas O'Rourke
Neponset River Regional Chamber
Anthony Brown
Dedham Savings
Mary Chetwynd
Rockland Trust
Todd J. Chipman, MST, CPA
John T. Chipman & Co., CPAs
Steve Forrest
CertainTeed
Rhonda Kale
Bank of Canton
Michael Kennedy
Norwood Bank
Paul Kouri
Keller Williams
Jon Levy
American Holt Corporation
Mark LoVuolo
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Ashley Mansfield
Dedham High School
Tim McCabe
The League School
Sal Perla
Norwood Hospital
*Member of the Executive Committee
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Member News
Bank of Canton Hosts Holiday Movie Event
More than 230 moviegoers attended Bank of Canton’s free matinee showing of The Grinch on Saturday, December 7. It was the bank’s fifth year hosting a free holiday movie for the community in its corporate auditorium. Guests were treated to movie popcorn, refreshments, preshow crafts, and photos with Santa Claus.
In lieu of paid admission, the bank asked attendees to bring winter clothing accessories for its Mitten Tree collection drive. The drive aims to gather 400 newly purchased and handmade items by December 31 to give to local charities. Attendees donated 123 hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and socks, which will be distributed to the Friendly Food Pantry in Randolph, Interfaith Social Services in Quincy, and Cradles to Crayons in Brighton.
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Welcome to 2020!
All of us here at the world headquarters of the Neponset River Regional Chamber are looking forward to a strong year.
However, a quick look back reminds us that we have just completed our 125th year working for local business. We held a wonderful celebration event at the Paul Revere Heritage Site in Canton on a sunny September evening. We are grateful to all who came out to support us that night as guests, volunteers and sponsors.
In the coming year we are planning some tweaks to our programming in order to ensure that our events are meaningful and relevant to your business. For instance, we'll be adding an educational twist to our Morning and Noon Networking meetings. A monthly guest speaker will share information on topics important to your success.
Our Young Professionals are planning a dynamic panel presentation of young entrepreneurs to share their stories and inspire others to greater heights.
We also hope that you will find ways to engage (or re-engage) with us throughout the year. In addition to attending our networking and after hours events, we have a host of committees, alliances and referral groups to which you could belong. It's a great way to expand your network and learn new things. Read more about
these opportunities here.
Finally, we do want to add that like any business, we do need to review our fee structure from time to time. Having recently done so, it has been decided that member dues will increase 5% in 2020. The previous two increases were in 2010 and 2016.
This decision was not made lightly and it was done recognizing that we continue to offer programming, opportunities for involvement and advocacy that supports your business to the best of our ability.
Again, we look forward to a successful year ahead and wish you a happy and healthy new year!
Tom O'Rourke
President and CEO
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Annual Meeting Speaker Announced
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Massachusetts is one year into legalized retail Marijuana sales. Kay Doyle, Commissioner
of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Division will be our guest speaker at our Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast.
Please plan to join us to hear about what we've learned after one year of this new industry.
We will also have a delicious breakfast celebrating our award winners, the anniversaries of several members and the introduction of our 2020 Board of Directors and Officers.
Friday, January 31st
7:30 - 9:30 AM
Four Points Sheraton
1125 Providence Highway
Norwood
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The Chamber communicates with more than 1,500 members, non-members and business leaders via our weekly TGIMonday and monthly "Business Connection". For as little as $25 your ad can also reach these people. Email
tom@nrrchamber.com for more information.
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Guest Blog:
Start the New Year with a Careful Look at New Business Risks
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By Francis M. Walley III, CIC, CPCU | F. M. Walley Insurance, A Division of
C&S Insurance
Each new year brings forth new resolutions. Most often, these are the goals we set for self-improvement and personal health. But as 2019 draws to a close and we open the door to a brand-new decade, I’d like to urge fellow Chamber members to focus on the wellbeing of their
businesses. Specifically, I’d like to remind people about the coverage gaps that often exist in the areas of
cyber liability and
employment practices liability.
If you don’t know very much about these growing business risks, you’re not alone. Without totally boring you, here’s a quick look at both issues:
Cyber Liability
These days, cyber liability events can come in many different forms: phishing scams, malware attacks, a company-use cell phone lost or stolen at the airport. And the targets aren’t just mega corporations any more—far from it. According to a 2018 report, 58% of all cyber attacks targeted
small businesses. Which begs the question:
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ArtWeek Applications Open!
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Applications are open!
ArtWeek, the award-winning statewide festival, is calling for creative experiences, and we are partnering to spread the word! This year, ArtWeek will be held Friday, May 1–Sunday, May 10. It is free, easy, and inspiring to be part of this innovative festival.
Don’t delay, apply today!
Presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek has offered 1,000+ unique experiences to adults and children of all ages and backgrounds since 2013. This year, ArtWeek is being supported by hundreds of Community Partners, Media Sponsors, and Lead Champions: Massachusetts Cultural Council, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In accordance with the by-laws of the Neponset River Regional Chamber, the following individuals have been nominated by the Governance Committee to serve a four-year term on the Board of Directors beginning in January 2020:
• Peter Ellis, ServPro of Norwood/West Roxbury
• Michelle Lloret, Fairfield Inn & Suites
• Julie Molloy, William Raveis Real Estate
• Christa Seychew, Legacy Place
(excerpt from by-laws of the Neponset River Regional Chamber)
Section 2: Selection and Election of Directors
(b) Upon receipt of the report of the Nominating Committee, the President shall notify the membership by means of a prominent notice in the next issue of Business Connection, its successor named newsletter (including electronic), or special mailing, of the names of the candidates and the right of petition.
(c) The right of petition for additional nominations may be exercised by written petition bearing the genuine signatures of at least fifteen (15) members in good standing. Such petition shall be submitted by mail to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee within fifteen (15) days of notification to the membership by mail of the names of the candidates. The determination of the Nominating Committee as to the validity of the petition(s) is final.
(f) If no petition is filed within the designated period, the nominations shall be closed and the nominated slate of candidates shall be declared elected by the Directors and members in attendance at the Annual Meeting.
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Holiday Happenings in December
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Clockwise from the top left: REN Group 3 held their annual holiday gathering at the Chamber office; Chamber members donated lots of toys at our Holiday After Hours at the Norwood Space Center, shown Chamber President Tom O'Rourke, Katleen Francois, Community Manager at Workbar, Trisha White, Norwood Space Center and Jack Lank, President of the United Regional Chamber; Chamber members enjoying the holiday after hours; Sheryl Leary, HESSCO facilitated the initial "Listening Session" for Age Friendly Norwood.
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Member Benefit of the Month
Online Coupons and Discounts
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Looking to offer a discount to fellow Chamber members? Or even to the general public? You can easily do so on the Chamber website.
Any member can go from our homepage to the "Membership" scroll down tab and click on
"Coupons"
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At the bottom center of the page click the words "Click Here" and
you will be directed to a page where you can quickly and easily add your coupons. At the bottom left of the page click "New Coupon".
You will need to login to the website. If you need your login credentials, simply contact Denise Flynne at denise@nrrchamber.com or 781-769-1126.
Once logged in simply fill out the form with the details of your offer. You can offer a number of discounts and set expiration dates for them. You can add images, links, logos, etc.
Finally, don't forget to let your employees know that they can access member discounts themselves.
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Member Benefit: Canada and New England Cruise
Info Session January 22nd
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The Neponset River Regional Chamber and the Tri-Town Chamber are teaming up to offer our members an opportunity to cruise from Boston to Halifax, Nova Scotia with stops in Portland, Maine, Bar Harbor, Maine and Saint John, New Brunswick.
Offered by Wanderlust Tours and AAA Travel, the trip sails from September 27 - October 4, 2020.
An informational session will be held at the Chamber office on Wednesday, January 22nd at 5:30 PM.
Inside Cabin from $1,399 per person with taxes, fees and port expenses included.
Book by December 31 and save $50!
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