News from the Executive Director
I think it’s safe to say we all have had just about enough of this winter weather. The signs of the coming spring are all around us. The Red Sox are in full bloom down in Florida and the next two weeks until our first day of spring cannot pass quickly enough. Fortunately, we have had a very busy February with just as busy month of March to help pass the time.
Our monthly small business clinics with Maria DiStefano continue on a steady pace as chamber members representing many diverse parts of our local business community take advantage of these sessions. Maria continues her habit of bringing with her representatives of other state and federal agencies to offer their advice and counsel. This month’s special participant was Lisa Gonzales Welch, Economic Development Specialist with the US Small Business Administration (SBA). We have had over 15 members benefit from these sessions. Contact me to sign up for the next session on Thursday, April 4, 2019.
The monthly breakfast is exploding with over 40 attendees at the February gathering and looking forward to continuing that momentum at the March breakfast. If you haven’t experienced this interesting and enjoyable way to start your day, it’s time you started. Join us on the first Thursday every month at Brother’s between 8:00 and 9:30. Come and enjoy some breakfast and friendly conversation.
Our program of offering free educational sessions for our members continued this month with a very well attended session on the facts involving an active shooter event. While we all hope that the lessons learned in this seminar will never be needed, it is good to educate yourself about the specifics of a situation like this. Our thanks and gratitude go out to Chief Smith and the Wakefield Police Department for their assistance in providing this to the Chamber. In particular, we want to thank Deputy Chief Craig Calabrese who gave a terrific presentation and shared valuable information to all in attendance. We are all very fortunate to have individuals such as Deputy Chief Calabrese serving us here in the Wakefield
community.
I had a wonderful visit and tour with our good friends at
Communitas
located in Wakefield. The individuals working and volunteering here are doing a fantastic job helping those with disabilities enjoy a better way of life. If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of those who could use our assistance and give a little of your time and talents, please contact their “Networking Outreach Committee” at
jobdev@communitasma.org
or call Chris Woodward at 781- 587-2572.
We hope to see you at the Legislative Breakfast scheduled on March 21st. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear directly from your state senators and state representatives. Additionally, our Young Professionals meeting at the Public kitchen on the 14th and watch for more info on the Home Expo being sponsored by our friends at the Wakefield Co-operative Bank.
A lot going on at your Chamber. As always, remembers us to your friends, co-workers and business contacts.
John
