Metro South Chamber of Commerce
Leading Businesses. Leading Communities
December 21, 2009
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Happy Holidays

From the
Metro South Chamber of Commerce

Journey Into Ireland During School Vacation Week
April 17-25, 2010
From $1999 pp

Deposit due January 1

2009 ads    2009 ads

Visit Dublin, Galway, Killarney and Limerick during school vacation week. Highlights include Guinness Storehouse tour, Croke Park, Cliffs of Moher, Adare Village, Bunratty Castle, and more. Deposit due January 1. www.metrosouthchamber.com/ireland/ireland.html.

Package Includes:
� Roundtrip airfare from Boston
� 7 nights hotel accommodations
� Breakfast daily
� 3 Hotel dinners
� Irish Ceili at the Bunratty Barn
� Entrance fees sightseeing and more

This trip is open to all community members. For more information, a full itinerary, deposit information, or to RSVP for the informational session, contact Alison van Dam, 508.586.0500 x 222 or email [email protected]

Travel to India with the Chamber
March 23-March 31 2010
9 days for only $1,999


India


Visit www.metrosouthchamber.com/india.html for more information

Visit Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, India. Highlights include the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Ambar Palace, India Gate, City Palace Museum, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, elephant ride, and more. Deposit due January 1.

Price includes deluxe hotels, airport transfers, sightseeing, buffet breakfasts, elephant ride and international flights from JFK.

A $300 per-person, non-refundable fee is due by Jan. 1 and is included in the total fare. The trip balance is due before Jan. 15. A valid passport is required and all travelers must have an Indian visa. Travelers must obtain their own visa by applying online at www.indian-visa.com.  Call Lisa at 508.586.0500 x 225 with any questions.
December 2009 Action Report
Upcoming Workshops at the Chamber
60 School Street, Brockton


Connecting Your Business to the Commonwealth
Tuesday, January 12, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Registration at 8:30 am)

Interested in doing business with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?
The Operational Services Division, State Office of Woman and Minority
Owned Business Assistance, and Affirmative Market Program are offering a FREE workshop designed for businesses who are interested in learning how to do business with the State.

WHAT THE WORKSHOP WILL COVER...
Where to find bidding opportunities, Bidding process for Statewide Contracts, Where to find ARRA -federal stimulus procurement & grant opportunities, Comm-PASS overview, Marketing to public entities, How to become SOMWBA Certified, How the Affirmative Market Program supports SOMWBA Certified businesses, And more!

TO REGISTER:
To register for this free workshop, visit www.,mass.gov/pace, and login to
PACE. You may also call 617-720-5500, or email [email protected]. For additional information, visit www.mass.gov/osd.
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SEED Workshops
Thursday,January 14, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm (2 Sessions)


Session 1 (9am - 12pm): "Learn the Fundamentals of Planning, Preparing For, and Financing Your Business." Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge to attendees. This workshop is geared toward helping potential entrepreneurs evaluate and understand the fundamentals of owning one's own business.  Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing and the loan application process will be presented.  Attendees will also be provided with a free guide to writing a business plan and other materials.
Session 2 (1pm-4pm): "Understanding Financial Statements and How They Help Determine the Health of Your Business" The focus of this workshop is to help attendees understand a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The workshop also explains how a small business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her business more efficiently.

Please call Tamarah Barao at SEED Corporation at 508-822-1020, to register for either or both sessions by Thursday, January 7th. SEED Corporation holds this entrepreneurial workshop series on a monthly basis throughout the region.  For information on future sessions, please contact SEED. 

Chamber Member/ Community
Events & Workshops


*********************************************************************************
Every Thursday: Tamboo Bistro & Ultra Lounge Office Party 5:05.  Every Thursday at 5:05pm.  This is the perfect way to Network with local business, be seen and heard.  Each time you attend, drop off your business card.  The office with the most business cards by the end of the month will win an office party at the lounge. $5 after work menu, great music, networking, or relax in posh upscale atmosphere.  For more information, call 508.584.8585.  Tamboo is located at 252 Main Street, Brockton.  Spotlight your Office: feature your company info with slideshow, info and microphone, share events, set up a company table, receive VIP treatment.  For more information, download the registration form.
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Monday, December 21: Blood Drive at the Holiday Inn Brockton, 195 Westgate Drive from 2pm-7pm.  Receive a souvenir travel mug. Schedule an appointment today.  Call 1-800-448-3543 or visit givelife.org

Wednesday, December 30: Lincoln Technical Institute Scholarship Event, 1:00 pm.  High School seniors, reserve your seat for this free event.  Refreshments will be served and there will be chair massages, hand massages, class demos, campus tours and information on financial aid.  Currently enrolling high school seniors for medical assistant, medical administrative office assistant, massage therapy, and network communication information systems with Microsoft.  365 Westgate Drive, Brockton.  For more information, cal 508-941-0730 or visit www.lincolntech.com.  Buses from schools available.

Thursday, December 31: Children's Museum in Easton Family New Year's Eve Parties, 11:30am-2pm or 4:30 pm to 7pm. Enjoy dancing, noisemakers, and mask making to help mark the New Year!  Tickets for this event are on sale now. They are priced at  $5.00 for members and $10.00 for non-members. Children under 1 are free.  Pizza and drinks will be available for purchase. This event sells out every year, so be sure to reserve your tickets in advance.  For more information or to order tickets, please call The Children's Museum in Easton at (508) 230-3789.

Sunday, January 3: Holiday Skate at Carousel Family Fun Center, 1055 Auburn Street, Whitman. Chamber Members Admission and Skates are Free! 12pm-2pm.  Call 781-857-1286 for more information.  Visit Carousel Family Fun online at www.carouselskate.com.

Friday, January 8:  United States Census 2010 on-site recruiting/testing at Self Help Inc. Employment Opportunity Center, 142 Crescent Street, Brockton. On-Site Recruiting and Administration of Basic Skills Exam. Hiring Clerks and Census Takers/Enumerators. Must pass a 30 minute basic skills multiple choice exam. Exam will be administered on site @ 9:30am. Must bring valid, legal forms of Identification to the recruitment/testing, including: valid United States Passport or; any two of the following: valid drivers' license, Social Security Card, and/or government issued birth certificate. Good Pay: $12.50 - $17.00 Hourly. Temporary Positions (Feb.2010-May 2010). Part-Time Employment (20-40 hours weekly). For More Information, Please Contact: Monica Sanchez, US Census Recruiting Assistant @ 781-577-2950.

January 9 & 10: Carol Maloney of Bay State Fitness will be running the Goofy challenge in Disney this year to raise money for a 6 yr old girl names Celia and the Children's Tumor Foundation. To sponsor and donate, visit http://www.active.com/donate/nfdisney2010/cmalone144

Wednesday, January 20: Career Counseling Night for childcare workers, preschool teachers, students, directors, before/afterschool care, infant/toddler and aspiring teachers. 6-9pm at the Holiday inn in Taunton, 700 Myles Standish Bvld.  Sponsored by Self Help.  To regsiter, please call 508-823-2937 x 214 or email [email protected].

Thursday, January 21: ColoSpace Customer Appreciation Open House. 1050 Hingham Street, Rockland MA 4pm-7pm.  Food & Drink, giveaways and networking.  RSVP to [email protected] with the subject Holiday Rockland.
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Boston Masspass Special Offer

METRO SOUTH CHAMBER MEMBER-ONLY OFFER
Support your favorite charity this holiday season, get an end of the year tax deduction AND get over $4,500 is valuable coupons ALL for
****JUST $20!****
For each Masspass coupon book that you purchase, Masspass will donate 50% to the charity of your choice, you get to claim 50% on your taxes and you get GREAT holiday gifts for JUST $20 each!

To view a list of merchants in the book, go to:  www.bostonmasspass.com/merchants.html

How to purchase:
boston masspassSend your payment of $20/book to Boston Masspass, P.O. Box 424, Bridgewater, MA  02324.  Book(s) will be shipped directly to you. *Please make note of the charity of your choice with your order and they will send you a confirmation stating that the donation has been received. Offer Expires 12/31/09     
Masspass is a proud supporter of LOCAL businesses!
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Massasoit Community College Holiday Greetings

    Massasoit Community College invites members of the community to send a special holiday greeting to loved ones serving in the armed forces through their own, personal radio show. Your show can include favorite songs, special messages, and conversation from family and friends while you are apart during the holidays. This is a free service in support of those serving our country in the Armed Forces.
    The shows will be broadcast from December 11th through January 15th via the Massasoit Radio Club's internet radio station, Massasoit onDemand, and on iTunes�.  Visit www.massasoit.mass.edu for more information.
    This is a free service for our community. Contact Professor Bob Bowers at 508-588-9100 extension 1906 or Virginia Hunter at extension 1983 or email [email protected] for more information about how to schedule a recording session. Our staff will guide you through the recording process and complete the production of your radio segment for you.
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Lambert's Deli, Brockton, Special Offer

Lambert's Deli offers a full-service deli, featuring Boars Head Brand Meats.  We have a full catering menu.  We will be happy to deliver within the local area for a nominal fee.  We appreciate a 24-hour notice on all catering orders.  If something should come up quickly, just give us a call.  We will make every effort to accommodate you.  
As a fellow Metro South Chamber member, we would like to offer you a 10% discount on all Fruit Basket or Catering Orders over $50.00.   Should you need further information, please go to our website at www.lambertsbrockton.com or call (508) 580-2736 or stop by.  We have lots of Pumpkins and fall flowers for all your decorating needs.  Please mention offer code: MSB2B09 when placing your order.  Offer expires 12/31/09
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F
uller Craft Museum

455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301
www.fullercraft.org

Members Free, Adults $8, Seniors and Students $5
Children under 12 Free, Wednesday 5:00-9:00pm Free.
Open Tuesday- Sunday, 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays.
 
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Want to see your workshops and events here? email Alison van Dam a short description of your event with "eUpdate" in the subject line. First come, first served basis.  Please submit in the format you see above.

green plus
Take the Sustainability Survey


A recent study revealed that 83% of consumers say it is somewhat or very important to them to purchase products and services from responsible, sustainable companies, but few companies know how to improve sustainability performance and communicate their green and sustainable efforts to customers and employees. 
 
The Metro South Chamber has partnered with Green Plus (www.gogreenplus.org) to announce a new initiative which will allow businesses to achieve a credible "green" certification in order to convey their commitment to responsible and sustainable operations. Please complete a brief survey on sustainability so that the Chamber may assess the needs of the business community and help to increase knowledge, community engagement, environmental impact and business success.   Sustainability Survey.


NEW: Metro South Chamber Social Network
(Exclusively for Chamber Members)

New Networking Site
 
Please take a moment to sign up at mymetrosouthchamber.ning.com.
This site has a lot of potential in the future for maintaining a strong Chamber and a strong business community. Over 35 Chamber members have already joined.

Contact Alison at 508.586.0500 x 222 if you have any questions.
Added Benefits for Chamber Members

Constellation NewEnergy Power Program: An Electricity aggregation program to help members better manage their energy costs.

Expanded Health Insurance Services from Health Services Administrators (HSA): Introducing the One Resource Solution website, offering up to dating information and resources to help you, your business and employees find the best plan.

For more information on either of these programs, visit www.metrosouthchamber.com/insurance.html
Support the Chamber and Share your Experiences

  • Have you found an important lead through the Chamber?
  • Have you developed invaluable relationships?
  • Has the Chamber helped your business flourish?
  • Has the Chamber gone above and beyond your expectations in a particular way?
  • Has an event touched you, or have you learned a valuable lesson from one of our speakers or staff members?
  • What has Chamber membership meant to you?

Share your experiences while gaining exposure. Please email your testimonials to [email protected].  We will feature testimonials in future e-updates, Action Reports, and presentations. 
In This Issue
Ireland Trip
India Trip
Action Report
Upcoming Workshops
Community Events
Sustainability Survey
Chamber Networking Site
Member Benefits

Information on all Business After Hours, Good Morning Metro South Breakfasts and other annual meetings.

--------------------------
Last Chance to
Advertise and Update Information in the 2010 Book For Business

2010 Directory Cover
Download Contract.

Email Alison to update listing information.


Upcoming Chamber Meetings:


December 15:
Data Security Law Bootcamp
Register Online

December 16:
Board Meeting

December 25:
Christmas-
Chamber Closed

January 1:
New Year's-
Chamber Closed

January 6:
Ambassador Meeting

January 8:
Government Affairs
Register Online

January 12:
Connecting Your Business to the Commonwealth
More Info

January 14:
SEED Meeting

January 21:
Good Morning Metro South
Email Kim for more information

January 26:
Business After Hours at Crescent Credit Union, 115 Commercial Street, Brockton. (Free to attend- call Kim at 508.586.0500 x 222)



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CHAMBER
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NETWORKING
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Visit  our  Website!

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Videos Now
Online!


A new video component
has been added to the
Metro South Chamber of
Commerce website! 

jeff taylor

Watch videos from the
2009 Small Biz Awards
Featuring Jeff Taylor,
Monster.com and
Eons.com creator.

Watch Videos here



NEW BROCKTON VIDEOS
60 second commercials written and produced by the Chamber currently running on NECN and BCA

Brockton Video
Brockton Commercial

Buy brockton video
Buy Brockton Commercial

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