Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce
Your Business Connection
October, 2012
 
In This Issue
New Members
From the President
Meet the Board - Dana Bottorff, G.T.Reilly & Company
Round Table Discussion with 4th Congressional District Candidate, Sean Bielat
Check Presentation to Norfolk Advocates for Children
Business and Education Committee
Upcoming Events
Salute to Veteran Friendly Chamber Members!
Advertise with the Chamber
Member Spotlight - Doc Shredding Corp.
Discover Tuscany
MACCE Introduces Discounted Health Insurance
 
 
New Members
 
 
 
 
 
Mattress King USA
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visit these new members! 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Member Affinity Programs

 

You can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of our Member Affinity programs.  Just click on the links below for details. 

 

 

 

  

Click here

 

Chambermail

Click here

 

UPS

 


 
   

               

 

 

 

 

 

Find us on Facebook

 

View our profile on LinkedIn

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

View our videos on YouTube

 

Find us on Google+

  

Did you know that the Chamber offers FREE business counseling services at our offices?  

 

MSBDC
  
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network (MSBDC) provides free and confidential business advisory services.  For more information on the MSBDC or to make an appointment to meet with a counselor at the NVCC Office, visit their website or call (508) 673-9783.
score 

NVCC offers free SCORE COUNSELING at the NVCC office on Thursdays, by appointment. 

 

To register call (781) 769-1126. 

 

Board of Directors

 

Chairman of the Board
*Kevin Hallinan
WINNING, Inc.

 

Past Chairman of the Board
*Anthony F. Caruso

Bank of Canton

  

Treasurer

*Mike Moran
Dedham Institution for Savings

 

General Counsel & Chair-elect
*Sabina T. Herlihy, Esq.
Law Offices of Sabina T. Herlihy

 

Previous Past Chairman

*Steve Fradkin

The Wizard of Adz

 

President/CEO
*Thomas O'Rourke

Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce

 
Dana Bottorff

G. T. Reilly & Company

 

*Michael Cecere, CPA

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP

 

Paul Chaggaris
Walpole Cooperative Bank

 

Rob Ferrini

The Murphy Insurance Group

 

Debbie Ellis

QRGA, LLP

 

Thomas Flaherty

Bacon Flaherty, LLC

 

Lori Forcucci

Law Office of Lori Forcucci

 

Pierce Haley, Esq.
Serlin|Haley LLP

 

Chris Herlihy

Shotgunflat 

 

Brian Johnson

Doc Shredding Corp.

 

Willard Krasnow, Esq.

Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP

 

Nancy Levine

MSA Mortgage

 

Bob Mannering

Mercer

 

*Peter McFarland

The Allied Group

 

*Mary Raczka (Long)

HESSCO Elder Services

 

Peter Rice

Eastern Bank

 

Rebecca Schofield

Needham Bank

 

*Katherine Touafek

School to Careers Partnership

 

Monty Vaughn
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP
 

 

*David P. Wolicki, Esq.
 
Law Offices of David P. Wolicki

 

 

*Member of the Executive Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 From The President

  

 Hodgepodge for $1,000 Alex

 

 

 

A few random thoughts while waiting for the replacement refs to determine whether to overturn the previous call:

 

  • Long time Chamber member, Brendan Gearty will be honored by the Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club with their "Service Above Self" award on October 13th, at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood. Gearty owned Norwood Printing for many years and could always be counted on to support local charitable causes. I can't think of a more deserving recipient of the honor. He was one of the first members I went to see when I first worked here as a Membership Director in 1992, and he helped introduce me to other businesses who in turn became chamber members. He has been involved with the Circle of Hope for years, and a portion of the dinner proceeds will go to that charity. Matt Brown will be the keynote speaker at what should be a memorable evening. 
  • If the Boston Red Sox taught us anything this season, it's don't take your brand for granted. The team that seemed to have the Midas touch when it came to marketing and building an audience beyond local baseball fans suffered a reversal of fortune this year that would have been hard to predict. I can't remember the last game I've watched as they quickly became irrelevant at the end of the season. The lesson for us is even when we are doing well, we need to stay focused on the future and continue to improve. Read more...

 

 

 

 

 

    
 

Meet The Board

 

Dana Bottorff, G.T.Reilly & Company

 

 

  

Marketing & Business Development Manager
G.T. Reilly & Company
Milton MA

 

A lifelong communicator, Dana Bottorff considers it a good day when she can help someone reach an "Aha!" moment. As Marketing & Business Development Manager for the accounting firm of G.T. Reilly & Company, that means communicating the firm's expertise to business owners and nonprofit leaders who are seeking professional services to help with everyday challenges. Dana focuses much of her effort on educating clients and prospective clients through G.T. Reilly's web site, newsletters and seminars.

 

Dana first joined the NVCC in the late 1990s, when she had her own public relations practice, providing PR and marketing services to businesses, nonprofit organizations and colleges. She started her career as a journalist, working as a newspaper reporter for a Southern California daily and moving on to become a Washington correspondent covering Congress and the federal agencies. 

  

 

"In addition to serving on the Board, Dana is a member of our Communications Committee where her wealth of marketing knowledge and experience are invaluable. She is a community minded individual who also gives back in the Town of Sharon where she lives." Tom O'Rourke, President.

 

Dana holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Jose State University. Born in Nebraska and raised in California, Dana now lives in Sharon with her husband and two children.

 

 

 

 

 

Round Table Discussion with Sean Bielat, 4th Congressional  District Candidate

  

 

   

U.S. Congressional candidate Sean Bielat will be visiting NVCC Thursday, October 18, 2012 from 3:30-4:30pm at the Chamber office to share his experience and insights on the Massachusetts 4th Congressional District, his focus on economic growth and fiscal responsibility and a return to Constitutional values and citizen-legislators.

 

Sean worked his way through college and graduate school, aided by scholarships and the GI Bill. He now holds a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Council on Emerging National Security Affairs.

 

Sean currently leads a non-partisan online messaging platform. He also serves as an officer in the Marine Corps Reserve.

 

Space is limited so please register early.

 

 

NVCC Office

190 Vanderbilt Avenue

Norwood, MA

Thursday, October 18

3:30-4:30pm

FREE

Easy Registration

  

 

Check Presented to Norfolk Advocates for Children

 

 Tom O'Rourke - NVCC President & CEO, Sabina T. Herlihy - Law Office of Sabina T. Herlihy, NVCC Legal Counsel & Chair-elect, Rebecca Schofield - Needham Bank,Westwood & Golf Committee Co-Chair, AnnMarie Cariello - Norfolk Advocates for Children,
Brian Johnson - Doc Shredding & Golf Committee Co-Chair

 

The NVCC & its Board of Directors were pleased to present a portion of the proceeds from its 27th Annual Golf Tournament held August 6 at the Easton Country Club-Easton to the Norfolk Advocates for Children-Foxboro.

 

The Chamber was honored to be a part of helping Norfolk Advocates for Children achieve its mission in helping victims of abuse.

 

Norfolk Advocates for Children is a partnership of public and private agencies that work together collaboratively to help children who experience physical, sexual and domestic abuse. The NAC offers an immediate response to cases of abuse and coordinates with these children and families using a child-friendly, culturally sensitive and multidisciplinary approach. The NAC also provides community, training and advocacy on issues related to child abuse prevention and treatment.

 

 

  
The NVCC Business and Education Committee Now Forming
 

 

 

The NVCC understands how an educated, and skilled workforce can create a competitive advantage in the Neponset Valley regional economy and help drive job creation.

 

We are committed along with our partners and members to educate students and adults, create opportunities and prepare individuals for the workforce.

 

We have laid the foundation by forming the Business and Education Committee and seek other members to join our mission.

 

If you are interested in learning more and being a part of this forward-thinking committee, please contact Cristoff at cristoff@nvcc.com, or by calling 781-769-1126.

 

We are currently looking for Classroom Speakers to share their experiences and expertise with High School students in the following catergories:

 

  • Drafting
  • Cosmetology
  • Arts (graphic design, architect, web design)
  • Actuary - Statistics
  • Marketing
  • Journalism
  • Hotel/Hospitality
  • Drafting
  • Engineering
  • Automotive

Please contact Katherine Toaufek, Schools to Careers Partnership at Katherine@school2careers.com

for more information. 

 

 

 

 

    
 

Upcoming Programs

 

 

October 4

NVCC HR Council - Update on the Massachusetts One-stop Career Center

NVCC Office

190 Vanderbilt Avenue

Norwood, MA

8-9:00am

 

October 9

Noon Networking

How to Network

Davio's

Patriot Place

Foxboro, MA

10:30am-1:30pm 

 

October 18

Round Table Discussion with 4th Congressional Candidate, Sean Bielat

NVCC Office

190 Vanderbilt Avenue

Norwood, MA

3:30-4:30pm 

 

October 30

Mega Business Expo

Patriot Place

Foxboro, MA

3-7:00pm

  

 

All programs  

 

 

 Easy registration  and more information for these beneficial programs

 

 Add your events to the NVCC website and get huge exposure! Just use your Member Login, or email Cristoff at cristoff@nvcc.com.

 

Forgot your login? It happens to all of us! Email Cristoff and we will get you started on taking full advantage of the perks associated with your membership!

 

 

 

 Salute to Veteran Friendly Chamber Members!

  

 

 

The Chamber would like to recognize those members who participated in "Hiring Our Heroes," a veteran's job fair held in September at the Dedham American Legion Post. Among the many businesses that were there to share career information with returning veterans were Iris Sample Processing, Poirier Sales & Service and NSTAR.

 

Senator Mike Rush, Tom O'Rourke, Chamber President, John Forte, Iris, Maureen Glynn, Iris, Representative Paul McMurtry

 

Representatives from Chamber Member Poirier Sales & Service

  


 
 
 

Advertise with the Chamber Website

* NVCC gets over 10,000 views a month! 

 

  

Chamber of commerce websites are frequently sought out when potential customers are looking for products and services in a local area. In fact, a 2007 study (by the Schapiro group) showed that when potential customers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it, and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. Chamber credibility is important and it positively enhances click through rates.

  

For the past four years, online local ad sales had a compound growth rate of 48 percent and are projected to reach $13.9 Billion in 2009 (+7.5%). At the same time, other forms of advertising are projected to decline 1.4%. Advertising continues to shift away from other media and more toward online opportunities because it is cost effective, measurable, flexible, targeted, and most importantly - it works!

 

Don't delay, contact Cristoff more more information and affordable rates to fit any budget.

Cristoff@nvcc.com or 781-769-1126.

  

Member Spotlight

 

 

 

 

Doc Shredding Corp was founded by Brian Johnson in 2006, to set a standard in customer service and honesty to the document destruction and computer recycling industry.

 

We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of security safety, customer service, and integrity to an industry severely lacking in these qualities.

 

We at Doc Shredding Corp stress the importance and unequivocally require a commitment to honor, dignity and community. We believe in the importance of giving back and the rewards this provides us as individuals.

 

We offer two different services - a purge shredding and/or a scheduled monthly shredding service. A purge is a one-time shredding of accumulated or backlogged documents. And our scheduled monthly service includes an on-site secure bin that is provided and will be emptied on a predetermined schedule according to your needs.

 

We also provide hard drive destruction, e-waste services, x-ray destruction, and destruction of just about anything you would like destroyed in a confidential manner.

 

 

Want the "Spotlight" on your business? Attend our next Networking Event at the Davios on October 9.  Lunch Included. Easy registration

   

  

   
 

 

Thank you to our Sponsors,
Needham Bank    bank of canton logo     dedham savings
 

      Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP 
 

 

Walpole Coop 10 new 

 
  
Discover Tuscany with The Chamber!

 

 

 


The rolling hills of Tuscany are home to sprawling vineyards, charming medieval hill towns and enchanting cities steeped in history, culture and legend. Discover them for yourself on this 10-day sojourn into the Italian countryside. Visit Rome, Siena and Assisi. Relax with a six-night stay in Montecatini Terme, the famous resort and spa town. Enjoy free time to explore Florence. Discover the hilltop village of San Gimignano. See Michelangelo's "David." Enjoy fabulous local wines and Tuscany's famous cuisine.  

 

 

 
 
Join us for an informative and entertaining Webinar on Thursday, October 4, from 4:30-5:30pm
 
You are invited to join Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce for an entertaining online travel presentation. Discover the people and places that make our tours special and do it from the comfort of your own computer. Take that first step towards Italy. You can even ask real-time questions of our travel experts.
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer
Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®/iPad®/Android™ smartphone or tablet
Reserve your Webinar seat now!
Register
 
 
 

 

 

 

Discounted Health Insurance for Small Businesses Now Available!

 

Long-awaited discounts for small businesses are here. The Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) recently introduced the Chamber Health Coop, a group purchasing program that makes health insurance more affordable for businesses with 1 to 50 full-time employees.

 

Any small business that belongs to the Neponset Valley Chamber is eligible to join the Chamber Health Coop.

 

Our members can save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year on their health insurance from Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Health New England, which are each discounting several of their plans. Fallon and Harvard Pilgrim are trimming rates by 3 percent, and Health New England by 5 percent. Businesses with a maximum of 50 employees who work 30 or more hours a week can now enroll for coverage beginning as soon August 1st.

 

The more covered lives a business has the more they can save. For example a company with 5 covered lives paying an average premium of $500 each could save $660 a year. A company with 10 covered lives could save $1,560 a year; 20 covered lives would save $3,360 a year and 50 covered lives would save $8,760 a year. These are based on individual plans. With family plans the savings add up even faster.

 

In addition to offering savings on health insurance plans, the Chamber Health Coop provides wellness programs to help employee's live healthier lives that in turn may help keep premium costs at bay. The health and wellness offering is free for all covered employees and their families.

 

To learn more, visit www.ChamberHealthCoop.com, or contact your certified insurance broker.