A Note from our President, Lynn Ward
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As the days of living in the world of COVID-19 have stretched into weeks and months, many businesses are adapting changes for the long term. Navigating these changes and determining what the best moves will be in the months ahead can be scary, exciting and frustrating.
One of our biggest changes at the Chamber has been transitioning from regularly meeting with our members face-to-face and providing in-person networking opportunities, to shifting those efforts online.
The first larger-scale event we are re-imagining in an online platform is our
Health Care Council's Awards Ceremony
,
which we look forward to hosting
on August 3rd via the Zoom videoconferencing platform.
We are eager to hear from
Keynote Speaker Dr. Peter Hotez
of Baylor University, an internationally known and respected vaccine expert and researcher, and to honor our 2020 awardees:
Saint Mary’s Hospital
with the Award for Organizational Excellence;
Dr. Justin Lundbye
, chief medical officer for Waterbury Hospital, with the 2020 Leadership Award;
Trician Salmon
, memory care director for Benchmark Senior Living at The Village at East Farms in Waterbury, with the 2020 Unsung Hero Award; and
Jack Birtwell
, owner and president of Porter Preston Inc. of Waterbury, with the 2020 Stephen Sasala Health Advocate Award.
We look forward to this event and to the creative ways we hope to bring you more virtual opportunities in the fall. Our team continues to be here to help assist you with resources, connections, and the latest updates to help your business survive and thrive in this difficult economic environment.
Our staff
is always available via phone and email to answer your questions and offer support. Please don't hesitate to connect with us at (203) 757-0701.
Stay Safe and Be Well,
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In This Issue:
- President's Note
- Newsletter Sponsor Post University
- HR Corner by Carmody, Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
- Welcome New Members
- Upcoming Virtual Events
- Join the Conversation: Industry Workforce Conversations
- Thank you to our Event Supporters
- Leadership Greater Waterbury
- Digital Networking
- Hiring/Training Programs
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Gain Exposure and Credibility with the Chamber's Online Advertising!
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A Message From Newsletter Sponsor,
Post University
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Recognizing the 2020 Malcolm Baldrige Scholars
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Congratulations to the 2020 Baldrige Scholars! The recipients of this distinction represent the top five percent of graduates from The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business at Post University. This year’s recipients consisted of 30 students in 11 degree programs (3 graduate and 8 undergraduate). While the majority of this year’s Baldrige Scholars reside within the United States, five recipients represented their home countries of Canada, Germany, and France.
“Earning the distinction of a
Baldrige Scholar is relative to each graduating class, meaning the target moves each year. While grades play a role, they are only a part of the review process, which looks at the potential recipients holistically,” says Malcom Baldrige School of Business Dean Jeremi Bauer.
“The Baldrige Scholar distinction was born from the belief that those with the highest, holistic, scholastic achievement in the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business should bear the name of the School’s first major benefactor; our namesake, Malcolm ‘Mac’ Baldrige.”
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HR Corner:
Five Things Every Employer Should Know About Cultivating an Inclusive Workplace
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This HR Corner is Brought to you by Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP.
Written by:
Amanda C. Nugent, partner in Carmody’s Labor & Employment and Litigation practice groups. She leads Carmody’s D&I Team and regularly assists clients with developing and implementing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and trainings.
The past few years have seen world-wide movements aimed at addressing longstanding social injustices, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, #MeToo, and the ongoing fight for equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Now more than ever, organizations are not only expected to be transparent about their commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, but also are expected to demonstrate the actual, tangible things they are doing to meet this commitment. Below are five key considerations as you navigate this challenging but necessary work.
1.
Now is the Time to “Walk the Walk.”
It is no longer enough to just make statements in support of Black Lives Matter or other social movements. Your employees will be watching to see that you are backing up those words with action. That action can take any number of forms, including starting a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiative at your workplace, bringing in speakers or disseminating resources to educate and train your employees, beginning or supporting a job pipeline program for your industry, donating to non-profit organizations that support DEI, and supporting black, women and minority-owned businesses.
2.
Lean In to Difficult Conversations.
The world’s focus on these social movements may lead to an increase in complaints involving insensitive or offensive remarks made in the workplace and/or on social media. These issues should continue to be addressed according to your anti-harassment, anti-discrimination and social media policies. You may also use these instances as an opportunity to re-affirm your organization’s commitment to inclusion, and to begin thoughtful and respectful conversations about difference.
Provide a safe forum for your employees to share their experiences.
These conversations are often uncomfortable, but
it’s better to have an uncomfortable conversation about the thing that’s on employees’ minds than to say nothing because you are worried about getting it wrong.
3.
Be Authentic and Stay Open
. Whenever you start a conversation involving issues related to DEI, you must be authentic. If your organization and its leaders are just beginning to grapple with these issues, acknowledge that and be transparent about what you are doing as an organization to learn and do more. You should also enter these conversations as an active listener. Ask for input and ask how you can be helpful—and then listen and learn from the answers to those questions.
4. Y
our Words Matter.
Consider your word choices carefully in any company messages discussing current events. For example, instead of using the word “protest” or “riots”, consider using the words “movement” or “uprising” to give voice to the importance of these international events. Stay away from the statement that “all lives matter”, since this can be read to undermine the dire need for social change for Black people in particular. When in doubt, workshop your message with a diverse group before disseminating it company-wide.
5.
Your Employees’ Words Are (Mostly) Protected by Connecticut Law
. Tread carefully, and seek legal advice, if an employee is making statements or posting social media content that you think may require disciplinary action. Connecticut state law imposes consequences on an employer who disciplines or discharges an employee for engaging in speech that is protected by the First Amendment, except in some limited circumstances. This law may protect an employee’s speech that is offensive to many or even directly contrary to the company’s values of tolerance and equality. Good legal counsel is essential to help you navigate these issues.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
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A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be.
*Joined 6/1/2020- 7/06/2020
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Duck Day Virtual Fundraising Infosession
Thursday, July 9
8:30 AM
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Expert Panel: COVID-19 Meeting with the Doctors
Thursday, July 23
2:00 PM
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15th Annual Health Care Council Meeting and Awards Ceremony
Monday, August 3
8:30 AM
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Strategic Planning Conversations to Help
Fill Your Industry’s Workforce Needs
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The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board rneeds your help to reimagine how to best serve the region’s businesses and jobseekers.
Purpose:
The
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board
, which has oversight of the
three American Job Centers located throughout the Northwest Connecticut Region in Waterbury, Torrington, and Danbury,
is in the process of updating our strategic plan for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In order to continuously improve this comprehensive strategy, we are seeking input from targeted industry sectors. The updates to the strategic plan will be guided by information shared during focus groups about skill needs, workforce trends, challenges, and how businesses are currently engaged.
Please join us for industry specific discussions that will be scheduled July 13
th
through July 21
st
, via Go To Meeting. Topics will include:
- The skills/credentials your workers need
- § Training you would like to see offered
- § What has already been achieved through your engagement with the Northwest regional workforce system
- § Areas that are lacking
It is the charge of the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) to develop and sustain an effective labor market system that facilitates economic development and business growth in our region. The NRWIB holds partnerships with local businesses, government, education, labor and human services agencies which all work together to provide the delivery of workforce development services.
Please send all RSVPs and questions to
Pam LaRosa
at
pam@nwctchamberofcommerce.org
or by calling
860-482-6586
or
203-574-6971 ext 457.
Once the RSVP is received, you will receive the appropriate Go To Meeting link.
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Thank You for Your Support
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Our sincere thanks go out to the following members who have supported our virtual event efforts over the past month through attendance donations. We could not do what we do without your support. THANK YOU!
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Maria Joy,
Above Target HR Consulting
Stephen Glick,
Chamber Insurance Trust
Kathy Rickard, CompuMail Corp.
Carmen Romeo,
Fascia's Chocolates
Justin Golden,
Golden Technology Services
Molly Kellogg, Hubbard-Hall, Inc.
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Patricia Bauer,
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
Semina DeLaurentis,
Seven Angels Theatre
Jack Traver, Traver IDC
Pat Hayden,
UniMetal Surface Finishing
Verna Ruffin,
Waterbury Public Schools
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Leadership Greater Waterbury
Recruiting for the Class of 2021
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Apply to the Class of 2021 Today!
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What is Leadership Greater Waterbury?
Leadership Greater Waterbury is a personal and career development program which creates lifelong partnerships and develops community awareness among future leaders in civic, professional and community organizations in the Greater Waterbury area. Its goal is to provide a creative, interactive environment for the participants to meet regional leaders and discuss the challenges that affect Greater Waterbury.
Why Leadership Greater Waterbury?
• Business participants are exposed to multiple perspectives regarding Greater Waterbury’s business & civic arena, community challenges, opportunities and assets.
• Opportunities to give back throughout the Greater Waterbury region.
• Participants are introduced to regional leaders and facilitators from public, private and nonprofit businesses as well as 400+ alumni.
• Personal and business coaching through behavioral assessments provided by Cipriano Training, LLC.
• Professional skill-building trainings from Dale Carnegie Training on topics such as Crisis Management, Communication, Project &Team Management, Presentation Skills, and more.
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The Chamber is committed to keeping our members connected - digitally! We are using Zoom to hold digital networking meetings. Email Courtney at
cligi@waterburychamber.com
to get the details for the meetings below.
These dates and times don't work for you, but you're still interested in virtual networking?
Let Courtney know so she can reach out to you with more opportunities.
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Wake Up Your Business
Next Meeting: July 10th @ 8 AM
After that: July 24th @ 8 AM
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Young Professionals Business Connection Group
Next Meeting: July 16th @ Noon
After that: July 30th @ Noon
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Hiring & Training Programs Available
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Do you need help finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce?
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is working with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investments Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the states CThires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the apprenticeship program, hiring veterans and on-the-job training programs.
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PLUS: Need a Job Now?
NeedAJobNow.usNLx.com
contains over 400,000 job openings and continues to grow daily. While many employers are downsizing their staff, others are significantly increasing their hiring efforts due to current demands. Through this initiative, DirectEmployers and National Association of State Workforce Agencies offers a way to bridge the gap between job supply and demand by offering an easy way for job seekers to gain access to current open positions and for employers to fill positions quickly and efficiently during these difficult times.
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RECEIVE OUR TEXT ALERTS!
Text "chamber" to (203) 496-4462 to receive a few updates or reminders from the Chamber. You can respond to any text and we will receive your response!
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