Our Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner for 2014 has passed--congratulations to all of our Award winners and Milestone celebrants! What a lovely way to usher in the New Year.  

I would also like to welcome our three new Board members; David Boyle, A-Z Storage & Properties; Andrew Shelffo, Williston Northampton School; and Steve Zavisza, Cernak Buick. I so look forward to working with you, as well as the entire Board, moving into 2015. We say good-bye to Pat Brough and Derek Allard, We shall miss you both, but do remember... you can run but you cannot hide! And we say hello to a new member of our Executive Committee, Dave DelVecchio, who moves into the position of Vice President!

I am delighted to share that we launched our very first "Monday Morning with the Mayor, Getting Down to Business about Business." This is a new partnership with Mayor Cadieux and the Chamber, where each month we meet at a different local business, offering the opportunity to gather in a casual setting for questions and honest conversation. Our first host was a most gracious Janel Jorda of Web-tactics. We enjoyed a great turnout and lively, diverse conversation focused around questions and concerns brought forward by our guests. Our next Monday Morning with the Mayor will be February 23, 8:00-9:00 a.m., hosted by Matt Waugh of Waugh Agency, LLC, located at Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St.

As so many of you know, the building of relationships, building trust and rapport, is vital to the building of your business and clientele.   Monday Mornings with the Mayor, in addition to all the other events we offer, are an excellent way to become involved, engaged and make the most of your membership! I would encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities, and if you are interested in being a host, just call the Chamber office and we'll get you on the schedule. But don't hesitate-- the available spots are filling up fast, so call today! Speak with either Denise or me at 527-9414!

Ciao for now!

Moe

Chartered on October 16, 1928, the local chapter of the Rotary Club represents Easthampton, Southampton, and Westhampton, and supports local schools and the community through monetary donations, fundraising, and volunteering in support of various events.  In addition, the local chapter actively supports Rotary International's efforts to eradicate polio throughout the world.

Funds are raised through many local Rotary events, including the annual Golf Tournament in June, Lobster Bake in September, Veteran's Day Breakfast, Food Drive in November, Children's Christmas Party, and annual scholarship program.

View this video to learn more about the Rotary Club of Easthampton. 

One of the Rotary's most notable projects in recent years was the expansion of its pavilion in Nonotuck Park funded almost entirely through a partnership with Rotary International and the support of the Rotary club of Krakow.  It also funded the installation of bus shelters in downtown Easthampton and donated to the Enrichment Center van and the Easthampton Community Center HVAC system upgrade.

The club's 2015 initiative is its Stop Hunger Now event, building community support in bagging fortified meals that will be sent around the globe to wherever there is a need. The members will be funding and packing 10,000 bags and are challenging other businesses, groups, and individuals to match their donation.