Board of Directors
Chair of the Board
*Robert Ferrini
McGowanPRO
Past Chair of the Board
*Alisia St. Florian
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane
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
Peter Ellis
ServPro of Norwood and West Roxbury
Steve Forrest
CertainTeed
Rhonda Kale
Bank of Canton
*Michael Kennedy
Norwood Bank
Paul Kouri
Keller Williams
Jon Levy
American Holt Corporation
Michelle Llorett
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Mark LoVuolo
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Ashley Mansfield
Dedham High School
*Tim McCabe
The League School
Julie Molloy
Compass Real Estate
Sal Perla
Norwood Hospital
Cynthia Peterson
Brigham and Women's/Mass General Health Care Center
Christa Seychew
Legacy Place
*Member of the Executive Committee
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Be sure to
check out our webpage with a complete list of resources for your business during the COVID-19 crisis.
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As you know, the Governor has extended his emergency shutdown order until May 18
th
. While it is possible that it could be extended even further, the fact is we are getting closer to re-opening the economy and it’s time to take the necessary steps to prepare.
While government leaders and public health officials will make decisions and issue guidance on when we return to work, truly regaining some semblance of normalcy will be determined by how people feel and what motivates them to act or not act.
In short, the consumers will ultimately decide.
People must feel safe to venture back out into workplaces and entertainment venues. They must have confidence that our economy and their own finances will eventually recover to help drive the demand needed to restore growth.
I was on a call this week in which it was stressed that businesses play an important role in reassuring the public and instilling the confidence needed to return to work—and life.
Here are a couple of key takeaways from that presentation:
- Consumers want physical, visual assurances that places of business are safe. These might include placing hand sanitizer in a prominent place, having employees cleaning, showing a visible plan of action to protect customers and employees, and a certification from local health officials that the business is abiding by recommendations.
- Some customer expectations may significantly, and permanently, change (e.g. greater demand for online and contact-free services). We must not limit our thinking to “returning to normal” but instead look ahead to a “new normal” and be ready to meet new demands and expectations in the post-COVID environment.
For the past several weeks we have worked hard to share with you all of the relevant resources and information from our public and private partners to help you through this crises – loan programs, grants, training, etc. Moving forward, we will be focused on providing you the tools you need to focus on the future and the re-opening of the economy and your business.
Please let us know what you need.
As a start, here are two resources that the Pioneer Institute in partnership with the law firm of Verrill, has put together to assist our community in doing a great job of preparing. These two checklists will help you comply with the law and keep your employees safe. These checklists for
employers
and
commercial real estate managers
will help you anticipate challenges before they arise and develop feasible and useful methods to successfully deal with those challenges when they do.
Stay well.
Tom O’Rourke
President and CEO
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COVID-19 Business Impact Survey
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The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), in cooperation with our statewide association of chambers of commerce, has developed a survey to gauge the economic impact of COVID-19 on local businesses throughout the state.
The goal is to best understand the regional outlook for small businesses in order to share the results with lawmakers and other key decision-makers.
The survey is confidential and all questions are optional. It is likely to take 10 minutes to complete.
Thank you in advance for your input.
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Thank You! The following members have renewed their membership with the NRR Chamber
We understand the difficulties that many of our members are dealing with at this time. We know that many may not be able to renew their memberships until the situation improves.
We are grateful to those who are in a position to support the Chamber, including the following who have recently renewed:
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Accelerated Performance Rehabilitation
Affordable Insurance Agency
Aline Barrett
Avalon Norwood
Bacon Flaherty, LLC
Crossland & Crossland, PC
Dempsey Insurance Agency
Fairoaks IT
Fidelity Investments
GateHouse Media
Greater Boston Home Health Care Services
Gregg, Hunt, Ahern & Embry
John T. Michaels, DDS
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Liberty Mutual Insurance
Lydon & Murphy Insurance
McCafferty & Company, PC
Needham Bank
Norfolk County Register of Deeds
Norwood Monumental Works
Norwood Municipal Light Department
Patriot Place
Petrocelli Public Insurance Adjusters
Poirier Sales & Service
Ravech Law Offices, PC
Steele Studios
Vanderveer Motors
Wilber School Apartments
WINNING, Inc.
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With many donation centers closed because of the
coronavirus
pandemic, some moving companies are ending up with a lot of stuff that needs a home.
With their partners like
Goodwill
and
Habitat for Humanity
closed they have everything from sofas and sectionals to dressers, mirrors, dining sets and even toys in the package up for grabs. They are looking to pay everything forward for free.
Over the next few Sundays they will be open for pick up. Just be sure to wear a mask and gloves and whatever you’d like is yours. College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving is at 61 Endicott Street in Norwood.
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Help support our local restaurants by ordering Take Out Today.
Click here
to see who is open.
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NRRC Presents: “A Conversation with Young Professionals”
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Join the NRRC Young Professionals Group on Thursday, May 14
th at 5:00 PM for our first ever virtual networking event. Enjoy virtual networking while getting to hear some inspiring words from some great local young professionals.
Our talented panel of speakers include:
- Pamela Bardhi - Founder of The Mosche Group, developing over $50 million in commercial assets. Pamela has personally sold over $100 million in real estate assets, consults with the City of Boston and previously owned a cafe in Brighton.
- Erin White - promoted to Group Sales Director at Oracle at the age of 26, leading an organization of 8 teams, 8 managers, and 90 representatives.
- Adam Romanow - Founder of the ever-popular, super successful Castle Island Brewing in Norwood!
- Diana Bagas - Founder of LAUNCH, a social media management company and NRRC's 2019 Small Business of the Year.
This is a FREE event, but we encourage attendees to consider contributing to support the Chamber during the pandemic, so that it can continue to provide support and resources to local businesses.
Thursday, May 14
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Zoom Video
Zoom conference information will be provided the day of the event to all those that register.
Sponsored by:
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Questions About Unemployment Benefits?
Webinar with MassHire
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Please join us as representatives from the MassHire System will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about the various resources that are available to companies and their workers during these difficult times.
Find out:
- The financial resources available that can help keep businesses negatively affected by this pandemic afloat.
- The programs and organizations available through the MassHire System to help weather this crisis such as Rapid Response, WorkShare, Federal stimulus programs and more!
- The impacts this will have on your business with the Department of Unemployment Assistance including the options available for staff you’re forced to lay off.
- How MassHire can help your Critical Need or Essential Business hire the staff they need.
Speakers
:
Greg Bunn
, Executive Director, MassHire Metro South/West Workforce Board and
Sean Marshall,
Business Services Lead, MassHire Framingham and Norwood Career Centers
Tuesday, May 12
2:00 PM
ZOOM Meeting
The link to join the meeting will be sent to you Tuesday morning.
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Member Benefit of the Month: Free Job Postings
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We recognize that many businesses are not thinking about hiring employees at this time. However, there are certain sectors that are in serious need of adding staff. Also, as businesses begin to ramp up again, there may be a need for finding new employees.
The Chamber has a free job bank page on its website.
Any member can go to our homepage and click the button
"Find/Post Jobs"
and you will be taken to a page where you can add your job listings.
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