Chamber Connection
July 2019
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Hello chamber!
We hope you're basking in the sun and enjoying the summer thus far! The Chamber worked hard through a busy Pride month and have been keeping it up into July. Here’s what we've been up to in recent weeks:
OUR GROWING CHAMBER
NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Madelyn Glasco joins our chamber having completed her Master's Degree from Northeastern University. She is a California native and attended Seattle University, where she engaged in LGBTQ campus and community advocacy. As a graduate student and advocate, Madelyn helped create and pilot an Institutional Allyship program for building a broad base of support, education, and allies for LGBT students across the university. Madelyn is excited to utilize her skills as an organizer to increase the Chamber's small business membership to help build a community of diverse LGBT-owned and allied businesses! If you have any questions or would like to talk about joining our growing chamber please reach out to Madelyn
via email.
Michael O’Neill joined the team in late June as the Chamber’s administrative & operations associate, a month after graduating from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Born and raised in Melrose, Massachusetts, Michael is no stranger to the area and is thrilled to be contributing to the Commonwealth’s LGBTQ community through his work. He found the Chamber through our recent job fair, confirming that our chamber events have tangible positive outcomes. His pronouns are he/him/his, and you can reach him
via email.
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CORPORATE SPONSOR
Berkshire Bank is the latest company to become a corporate sponsor of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Berkshire Bank was founded in Pittsfield in 1846 and has grown into one of the largest banks in the entire Northeast. Berkshire Bank’s “Be FIRST” program demonstrates its commitment to diversity and inclusion, as does their sponsorship of our chamber. We are thrilled to have them onboard and look forward to working with them!
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NETWORKING ACROSS THE STATE
The Chamber is coordinating two information sessions and business networking events this month — one in Boston and one in Western Massachusetts. These free events are an opportunity for LGBT professionals and allies throughout the state to meet each other, establish business connections, and learn more about the Chamber’s work. Find the details for each session below:
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS NETWORKING & INFO SESSION
Date: Wednesday, July 24
Time: 5:30–8:00PM
Location: Jay's Bed & Breakfast, 1109 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
BOSTON NETWORKING & INFO SESSION
Date: Wednesday, July 31
Time: 5:30–8:00PM
Location: WeWork, Floor 15, 1 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
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TEAMING UP FOR PROVINCETOWN PROBLEM-SOLVING
During summer, there is often insufficient housing for seasonal workers who come to Provincetown, placing unnecessary stress on both the business owners and their employers.
This month, a contingent from the University of Southern California’s Iovine and Young Academy traveled to Massachusetts to investigate and offer solutions to address the housing crisis, working in collaboration with representatives from the American Heart Association and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
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The students spent time in Boston and Provincetown learning from experts and local business owners about Provincetown housing and commerce issues with a program that included a bike tour, hackathon, and numerous guest speakers.
After a weekend of discussion and strategizing, the students offered proposals to a panel of judges on how best to accommodate the seasonal employees, bringing unique insight into an ongoing issue that Provincetown is looking to address.
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COMMBUYS ASSIST
The passing of Executive Order 565 allows LGBT-owned businesses to qualify for state contracts through the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Program. Certified members of our chamber can apply to state contracts and subcontracts through the state Operation Services Division’s COMMBUYS system.
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John Walsh, a former state employee and COMMBUYS expert, is offering his time and expertise to chamber members wanting to learn about registering with the system, applying for bids, or looking for insight into the state procurement process. John will have a space at 50 Milk Street in Downtown Boston or can be reached remotely for 1.5 hour one-on-one coaching sessions tailored to each business. Coaching appointments can be requested by contacting Carly Davis
via email.
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UPDATED CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
Becoming a corporate sponsor of our chamber shows other businesses, potential employees, and members of the public that your company is working to promote LGBTQ equity and inclusion. Supporting our chamber is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a smart business decision.
Our updated sponsorship benefit structure demonstrates exactly what you’ll be getting out of your partnership with the chamber, from co-branded events, to customized company programming, to access to the Chamber speakers' bureau.
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For more information about supporting our chamber as a corporate sponsor or strategic partner, please contact Executive Director Grace Moreno
via email or (617) 869-2397.
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MEET US IN TAMPA?
Are you attending the 2019 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference in Tampa, Florida? We want to know! We’re hoping to have a meetup and would love to include you. Please let us know if you're attending the conference
by filling in this form.
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STAY CONNECTED
Thank you for supporting our work.
Proudly,
Grace R. Moreno
Executive Director
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Western MA Networking & Info Session
July 24
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5:30–8:00PM
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This free event is an opportunity for LGBT professionals and allies throughout the state to meet each other, establish business connections, and learn more about the Chamber’s work.
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Boston Networking & Info Session
July 31
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5:30–8:00PM
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This free event is an opportunity for Boston area LGBT professionals and allies to meet each other, establish business connections, and learn more about the Chamber’s work.
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NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference
August 13–16
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The NGLCC Conference delivers innovative leadership programming as well as networking and engagement opportunities for more than 1,400 LGBT and allied business leaders. Cutting-edge educational programs include inspiring keynote speakers, the annual B2B Boot Camp for certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE), a local chamber development track, Marketplace Expo, one-on-one Matchmaker meetings between suppliers and Fortune 500 companies, and much more.
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