CHAMBER MISSIONTo serve the interests of member businesses while providing community leadership to ensure the economic advancement of the Metro South region.

CONTENTS

Calendar of Events 3

Good News 4

Renewing Members 10

New Members 10

Member Profiles 12

Jeffrey Liebman, page 4

Carol Hardy-Fanta, page 8

Abington • Avon • Bridgewater Brockton • Canton • East Bridgewater • Easton • Halifax • Hanover • Hanson • Holbrook • Norwell • Randolph • Rockland • Sharon • Stoughton • West Bridgewater •Whitman

Leading BusinessesLeading Communities

Feburary2011

www.metrosouthchamber.com

Fred Fontaine, page 11

Tax Rate a Step in the Right DirectionWhen the Brockton City Council set the tax

rate for 2011, the Metro South Chamber ofCommerce considered this the right messageto both residential and commercial propertyowners. We believe that, in order to attractmore businesses and retain those that arealready in the City, Brockton must be compet-itive with comparable cities and surroundingcommunities.

The City Council took a step in the right direc-tion when they adopted the tax fairness strategyby a 6 - 5 vote at the hearing held on December13. This step is part of a larger strategy that willattract and retain businesses in Brockton there-by increasing the commercial tax base and alle-viating the burden to residents. This step wastaken by Councilors Tom Brophy, Tim Cruise,Chris Macmillan, Tom Monahan, Todd Petti and

report Paul Studenski who voted to set a tax rate that ismore equitable and sustainable for all.

The Chamber considers the move to be smartbecause, in the long run Brockton residentsbenefit when businesses locate and grow here.Business-friendly policies promote strong busi-nesses and in turn good jobs. The Chambercommends these councilors for their willing-ness to make business attraction and job cre-ation top priorities. These councilors under-stand the historical and future importance ofBrockton businesses.

The Metro South Chamber of Commerce isvery pleased with the step taken to more equi-tably share the tax burden in 2011. We will con-tinue to work hard on strategies to reduce thetax burden on the City's business community -the backbone of Brockton.

Last Callfor Greece Trip

Action Report Available Online

The Action Report Newsletter isavailable online for download!Celebrate the Good News of theBusiness Community and stayup to date with Chamber andregional events. Visit www.met-rosouthchamber.com/reportlist.html for a list of all archivednewsletters.

Sign up for the Chamber e-update on the Chamber home-page at www.metrosouthcham-ber.com to keep up to date withChamber news and events on aweekly basis.

Celebrate living and working in the Metro South region.Sample tastes from area restaurants.

Discover cultural and community service organizations.Enjoy live entertainment from local performers.

19th Annual Taste of Metro South

Wednesday, March 23, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pmShaw’s Center, Brockton

Over 50 restaurants and 600 guests expected!

Taste of Metro South

Tickets are now available at the Chamberor online at

www.metrosouthchamber.com/register.html.

$25 in advance/ $30 at the doorCall 508.586.0500 x 231 for more information.

Join us at the next Good Morning Metro SouthBreakfast on Wednesday, February 16 from 7:30am-9:00am at the Shaw’s Center, 1 Feinberg Way,Brockton. The featured speaker is Brockton MayorLinda Balzotti.

Linda Balzotti, first femaleMayor of Brockton, served as aBrockton Councilor for morethan a decade, providing strongconstituent services, advocacy forneighborhoods and a strongfocus on fiscal restraint. A life-long Brocktonian, she alsoserved as a member of theBrockton Planning Board and as

a resident activist.Linda was elected as Ward 4 Councilor in 1998. She

worked with the City Council to ensure a multi-mil-lion dollar restoration to Brockton’s WastewaterTreatment Plan; built a coalition to defeat the pro-posed reopening of the BFI Landfill, and fought forthe construction of the Brightfields.

Linda is a 1979 graduate of Brockton High Schooland holds a bachelor’s degree from SyracuseUniversity. In addition to serving four terms as award councilor and two terms as a councilor-at-largeand Council President in 2001, Linda was a formerlegislative aide to Representative Christine Canavan,and was employed as the Public Information Officer

Mayor at Next BreakfastWednesday, February 16, 2011

Mayor Linda Balzotti

Sponsored by:

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 6

VisitThailand & Hong Kong

Explore China;Bejing & Shanghai

See page 6

See page 7

See page 7

2 ACTION Report February 2011 www.metrosouthchamber.com

GOVERNMENTAffairsThe monthly Government Affairs meetings are held at the

Chamber and provide an opportunity for member businesses to discuss issues important to them with their elected officials.

U.S. Small Business Programs OfferedAttend a FREE SBA workshop designed to highlight

the various SBA programs and services that are available toprospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistancein starting or expanding their business. General informa-tion will be provided on the following:

Small Business Counseling (SCORE) Small Business / Development Centers • Business Information Center SBA7(a) • Loan Guaranty Program • 8(a) Business Development HUB/Zones •

Small Disadvantaged Business Assistance • Government ContractingOpportunities

The workshop will be held at CareerWorks, 34 School Street, Brocktonfrom 2 - 4 pm on the third Wednesday of each month. The next workshops willbe held on February 16, 2011 and March 16, 2011. Contact CareerWorks at508.513.3400 for further workshop information.

Wednesday, February 9, 201110:00 am - 12:00 pm

Metro South Chamber of Commerce, 60 School Street, Brockton

Explore the advantages and disadvantages of each form of business & thebest fit for your business; LLC, S-corp, partnerships.

The Lawyers' Committee's Belin Economic Justice Project provides freelegal assistance to small businesses on many issues, including:

• Business Entity Formation • Contracts• Real Estate (including • Employment Matters

leases and zoning) • How to protect yourself and your business

The Lawyers' Committee, in association with WilmerHale, the SupplierDiversity Office, and the chamber are hosting a free business legal work-shop where business attorneys will give an overview of legal issues andanswer questions on the above topics.

To register, visit www.somwba.state.ma.us/WorkShop/xwrk_main.aspx.

Legal Workshop for Small Businesses

Network at Business After Hours

Please join us on Wednesday,February 9, 5:30 pm -7:30 pm for aBusiness After Hours event at St.Joseph Manor, 215 Thatcher Street,Brockton, for anevening of net-working andrefreshments.

St. JosephManor provideshigh quality, com-passionate care forpeople of all beliefs and traditions.Here at St. Joseph Manor, we pro-vide short-term rehabilitation care,including: physical therapy, speechtherapy, occupational therapy, painmanagement, wound care, intra-

venous therapy and hospice care.Other services include long-term care,respite care and an adult day healthprogram. Most of our long-term resi-dents live in private rooms and theremainder live in semi-private rooms.For more information, visit www.sjm-

brockton.org.The cost to

attend is $5 formembers and $15for future-mem-bers and includeshors d’ouevres andbeverages. If you

would like to register, please call KimProsper at 508.586.0500 x 231, emailkprosper@metrosouthchamber.comor register online at met-rosouthchamber.com/register.html.Don’t forget your business cards!

St. Joseph Manor, Wednesday, February 9, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Join us on February 11, at12:00 pm at the Chamber forour monthly GovernmentAffairs Meeting. The guestspeaker will be John Regan,Executive Vice President ofGovernment Affairs forAssociated Industries ofMassachusetts (AIM).

AIM's mission is toimprove the economic climate of theCommonwealth of Massachusetts byproactively advocating fair and equi-table public policy, and by providingrelevant, reliable information and excel-lent services.

As Executive Vice President, Mr.Regan is responsible for overseeingAIM's activities in legislative, regulatoryissues, litigation and ballot initiatives. Inaddition to overall management, Mr.

Regan focuses on specific issuesdealing with economic devel-opment, tort and product lia-bility reform, unemploymentinsurance and workers com-pensation insurance.

Mr. Regan joined the staffof AIM in December 2000.Prior to AIM, he served asExecutive Vice President forOperations at MassDevelop-

ment and also served underGovernors Weld and Cellucci as thestate's director of the Office ofBusiness Development.

If you would like to attend thismeeting, please contact Lisa at theChamber, 508.586.0500 x 225 or regis-ter at metrosouthchamber.com/regis-ter.html. The cost to attend is $5 formembers and $15 for future-mem-bers and includes lunch.

Friday, February 11, 2011

John Regan

Government Affairs - Save the DateFriday, March 11, 2011, 12:00 pm

Featured Speaker: Thomas Calter, State Represen-tative of the 12th Plymouth District.

If you would like to attend this meeting at theChamber office, please contact Lisa at 508.586.0500 x 225.The cost to attend is $5 for members and $15 for future-members and includes lunch.

Thomas J. Calter

Sponsored by: UMass Boston is happy to sponsor the 2011 season ofGovernment Affairs. UMass Boston offers over 150 aca-demic programs for undergraduate, graduate and non-degree-seeking programs, with over 15,000 students and900 faculty members. For more information about UMassBoston, visit www.umb.edu.

at Bridgewater State College.Also speaking will be Arthur Bakis

from the US Census Bureau, discussingthe results of the 2010 US Census. Inaddition, Rob Peters of Rob PetersEntertainment will conduct a specialnetworking exercise.

The Breakfast is sponsored by GoodSamaritan Medical Center and HealthServices Administrators.

Good Samaritan recently welcomedJeff Liebman as the new president andcheif executive officer. For more infor-mation on Liebman, see page 4. GoodSamaritan continues construction of itsnew $30 million EmergencyDepartment. The medical center wasnamed a Leapfrog “Top Hospital” inDecember of 2010 and its RadiationOncology Center recently receivedaccreditation from the AmericanCollege of Radiology, one of only 20 in

the Commonwealth.Health Services Administrators, estab-

lished in 1969, is New England’s largestsmall group employee benefits providerfor small businesses, associations andchambers of commerce. They specializein one stop shopping for all benefit needsincluding medical, dental, disability, lifeinsurance, long term care insurance andmore. Learn about the insurance oppotu-nities available as a Metro South Chamberof Commerce member.

As always, the GMMS breakfast pro-gram is a great networking opportunity.Guests are encouraged to stay for theinformal networking immediately follow-ing the program. The cost to attend is $20for members and $35 for future-members.Register by calling Kim at 508.586.0500 x231, email kprosper@metrosouthcham-ber.com or register online at www.met-rosouthchamber.com/register.html.

Mayor at Next Breakfast, Continued from page 1

www.metrosouthchamber.com ACTION Report February 2011 3

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8:00 amMetro South Chamber of Commerce Sixty School Street, Brockton, MA 02301-4087 tel: 508 586-0500/fax: 508 587-1340 info@metrosouthchamber.com www.metrosouthchamber.com

Photography by Rich Morganwww.richmorganphotography.com

ACTION Report Volume 11 - Issue 2(USPS-410630) is published monthly except for combinedJuly/August for $5.00 per year by the Metro South Chamber ofCommerce, Sixty School Street, Brockton, MA 02301-4087.Periodical Postage Paid at Brockton, MA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Action Report, Sixty School Street, Brockton, MA 02301-4087

The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is solely responsiblefor the editorial content of this publication.

The Chamber wishes to assure our members of our intentionto provide physically challenged participants equal access toall programs. If you or your employees have special needs inthis area, please let us know by calling the Chamber at 508-586-0500 at least 48 hours in advance.

CHAMBER MISSION: To serve the interestsof member businesses while providing communityleadership to ensure the economic advancement ofthe Metro South region.

ACCREDITEDCHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Networking at Events is one of the most effective ways to grow your business!

FEBRUARY Calendar9 Taste Committee Meeting

9 Legal Workshop for Small Businesses

9 Business After HoursSt. Joseph Manor, 215 Thatcher Street, Brockton

11 Government Affairs

16 Good Morning Metro South Shaw’s Center, 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton

18 Board Member OrientationX&O, 217 Washington Street, Stoughton

21 President’s Day- Chamber Closed

Coming Up March

2 Ambassador Meeting

2 Taste Committee Meeting

3 Diversity Business Celebration Shaw’s Center, 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton

9 Taste Committee Meeting

11 Government Affairs

12 Metro South Chamber Day at Costco120 Stockwell Drive, Avon (See Good News)

15 Executive Committee

16 Taste Committee Meeting

23 Taste of Metro South Shaw’s Center, 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton

30 Board of Directors

Save the DateApril

6 Ambassador Meeting

12 Enterprise Career DayThe Shaw’s Center, 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton

13 Business After Hours at the Brockton VNA500 Belmont Street, #200, Brockton (co-sponsored by Old Colony Hospiace)

15 Legislative LuncheonMassasoit Conference Center, 770 Crescent Street, Brockton

18 Patriot’s Day - Chamber Closed

20 Marketing Strategies Using Social MediaCrescent Credit Union, 115 Commercial Street, Brockton

28 HRMC- Employment Law UpdateIrish Cultural Centre of NE, 200 New Boston Drive, Canton

Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber Office or Metro South

Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Chair of the BoardPeter NevilleConcord Foods

President and CEOChristopher CooneyMetro South Chamber of Commerce

Chair-ElectWilliam MorseMutual Bank

TreasurerDavid OrloffSharkansky & Co., LLP, CPA’s

Vice Chair Community AffairsAndrea PapadopoulosArista Associates, Inc.

Vice Chair Economic DevelopmentPat CiaramellaOld Colony Planning Council

Vice Chair Government AffairsSusan JossBrockton Neighborhood Health Center

Vice Chair Membership DevelopmentPatricia WilliamsHarborOne Credit Union

Immediate Past ChairScott SanbornSovereign Bank

DIRECTORS

Jane Callahan - HR Alternatives

Richard Colon -Verizon Communications

John Costa - Backstage Hardware & Theatre Supply

Loretta DeGrazia - East Coast Petroleum

Peter Dello Russo - Bridgewater Savings Bank

Anne DeMinico - St. Joseph Manor

Francis Dillon - Stonehill College

Jeffrey Dukess - Frenette & Dukess, PC

Sheila Gonzalez -Bank of America

Steven Gordon - Good SamaritanMedical Center

Steve Hall- National Grid

John McGovern - Rodman & Rodman, PC, CPA’s

Edward Minnock - Bridgewater State University

Jim Murphy- Wheatstone Engineering & Consulting, Inc.

Gerald Nadeau- Rockland Trust Company

Bill Scanlon -Community Newspapers (The Enterprise)

Andrew SchwartzLaw Office of Andrew H. Schwartz, LLC

Larry Siskind -Siskind and Siskind Attorneys at Law

Art Sullivan -Consultant

CHAMBER STAFF 508-586-0500 Front Desk x 221

Christopher CooneyPresident and CEO x 223

Kimberly ProsperProgram Director x 231

Kerry SullivanFinance x 230

Alison van DamDirector of Communications x 222

Lisa KeeneBusiness Development x 225

John NestiMember Services x 229

Kathleen LynchConnecting Activities x 227

Newsletter Designed by Alison van Dam

4 ACTION Report February 2011 www.metrosouthchamber.com

GOODNewsTracy Named VP of Student Services & EnrollmentMassasoit Community College announces theappointment of David Tracy to the position ofVice President of Student Services andEnrollment Management. Mr. Tracy was for-merly the Associate Vice President ofEnrollment Services and Technology at BristolCommunity College. David has 16 years ofexperience at Southern Maine CommunityCollege in several student affairs positionsincluding Associate Dean of EnrollmentServices and Director of Student Development.Mr. Tracy has a B.A. and an M.Ed. from theUniversity of Maine.

Good Samaritan Center AccreditedGood Samaritan Medical Center's RadiationOncology Center has been awarded a three-year accreditation by the American College ofRadiology. This is the first time the center,which opened in December of 2008, was sur-veyed for the accreditation. The GoodSamaritan Radiation Oncology Center is onlyone of 20 in the commonwealth to achieve thedesignation as an ACR-accredited facility. heACR, headquartered in Reston, VA, awardsaccreditation to facilities for the achievement ofhigh practice standards after a peer-reviewevaluation of the practice. The radiation oncol-ogy services at the Good Samaritan CancerCenter feature a state-of-the-art linear acceler-ator and the latest CT scan equipment. TheCenter, located at 818 Oak St., is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dr. Brown andstaff may be reached at 508-427-2900.

Braver Named Chairman of Youth CouncilThe Brockton Area Workforce InvestmentBoard (BAWIB) announces the appointment ofNeal Braver, Owner/Franchisee of Liberty TaxService in Brockton, as the new Chairman ofthe Youth Council. Mr. Braver has been anactive member of the BAWIB Full Board sinceSeptember 2008. His extensive background inemployee development and managementtraining, positions him to take on theChairmanship of the BAWIB Youth Council.Neal is an experienced, independent consultantwith a broad financial, entrepreneurial andmanagement background. With strong projectmanagement and technical skills that targets aunique process focus, his clients includeFortune 100, software, retail, and tax prepara-tion companies.

HarborOne Credit Union Scholarship ProgramHarborOne Credit Union has announced thatit will renew its college scholarship program for2011. Ten, one thousand-dollar, scholarshipswill be offered subject to the following condi-tions: Eligible candidates include high schoolseniors legally residing in the credit union's fieldof membership, consisting of Plymouth,Norfolk, Bristol or Barnstable counties whoseimmediate family has an active membershipaccount at HarborOne. Applications will beaccepted at HarborOne offices betweenFebruary 1 and March 31. Only the first fiftycompleted applications received by the

HarborOne Scholarship Committee will beconsidered and no more than the first fivereceived from any particular high school willbe given consideration. Evaluation will bebased upon Academic Record, Communityand School Activities, Recommendations,Awards and Recognition, an Essay and thePresentation of the Application. Applicationsand other details are available at www.har-borone.com .

Mechanics Bank Supports P.R.I.D.E.Mechanics Cooperative Bank is once againproud to support our local community with a$2500 charitable gift to P.R.I.D.E. Inc.(Preparatory Rehabilitation for IndividualDevelopment and Employment, Inc.), directlysupporting their annual capital campaign.P.R.I.D.E. Inc. is a non-profit organization locat-ed in Taunton, MA but serves hundreds ofindividuals from the surrounding towns.P.R.I.D.E. Inc's mission is "to improve the qual-ity of life of individuals with disabilities,empowering them to become productive andvalued members of their community." Since itsinception in 1969, P.R.I.D.E. has progressivelyexpanded programs and services to meet theneeds of the community. PRIDE currentlyoffers a range of high-quality, community-based programs including Day Habilitation,Career to work, vocational rehabilitation andJob Placement programs.

How To Hire a Top Performing SalespersonFebruary 17, 2011: How to Hire a TopPerforming Salesperson. Winfree BusinessGrowth Advisors will conduct a free work-shop for business owners, Sales Managers andIndependent Agents. Tired of mediocreresults or complacency. Get the answers here.The session will be held from 8:30 am to 10:30am at 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 200,Braintree, MA. For reservations call Ken Cheoat 781-930-3220 or email kcheo@winfree.org.

Morey of Ocean Spray Joins United Way BoardUnited Way of Greater Plymouth County ispleased to announce that local business-woman Katie Morey has recently joined theirBoard of Directors. Ms. Morey is the VicePresident of Human Resources andOrganized Development for Ocean SprayCranberries, Inc. She is accountable for thedevelopment and implementation of organi-zation-wide policies and programs encom-passing all aspects of human resources man-agement. In addition to serving on the Boardof Directors for the United Way of GreaterPlymouth County, Katie is currently on theBoard of Directors of the Urban League ofSoutheastern MA and Co-Chairs thePersonnel Committee.

Good Samaritan Medical Center New PresidentSteward Health Care System (Steward) hasnamed Jeffrey Liebman as president of GoodSamaritan Medical Center. Liebman joinsGood Samaritan from Beth Israel DeaconessHealthcare (BID) - Needham where he has

served as president andchief executive officer since2003. Prior to that,Liebman held a number ofsenior executive positionsand brings more than 25years of health care experi-

ence to Good Samaritan. While at BID-Needham, Liebman led a financial turn-around to make the hospital profitable for thefirst time in its history. He oversaw a significantexpansion of the hospital and the developmentof state-of-the-art facilities and innovativehealth care services. Liebman also serves as afinance committee member for theMassachusetts Hospital Association. “GoodSamaritan Medical Center is one of the busiesthospitals in the region and an essential resourcefor the people of Brockton and the surround-ing communities. I am excited to lead such awell-respected institution ” said Liebman.

IKEA Stoughton Donates to Old Colony HospiceIKEA Stoughton Helps Create Staff ResourceCenter @ Old Colony Hospice. FurnitureDonation in memory of former employeeGeorge Eaton of Randolph. George Eatonwas a lifelong resident of Randolph andworked for the postal service. After his retire-ment, he became a greeter at IKEA Stoughton.“George set a record for receiving 100 cus-tomer comment forms for his kindness andhelpfulness. When Old Colony Hospiceasked if we could assist them with a furnituredonation for their Staff Resource Center wethought it would be a great way to honorGeorge's memory. George always spoke sohighly of Old Colony Hospice and the carethey gave to his wife that we were, and are,happy to help them continue their goodwork” said Frank Briel, store manager. “IKEA'sdonation to our Staff Resource Center com-pletes a project for us to house our educationand resource materials..” said Catherine M.Congo, MPA/HA President and CEO. StaffEducation Coordinator, Kathleen Diamond,RN uses this area to train new and existingmembers of the Old Colony Hospice patientcare team on the latest information related topain and symptom management.

Crescent Credit Union Collects 626 CoatsCrescent Credit Union partnered withAnton's Cleaners and Dermody's Cleaners tocollect and clean 626 winter coats, which werethen delivered to non-profit communityorganizations for distribution to those whoneed them most. The 626 coats collected thisyear exceeds the 559 coats collected in 2009,the inaugural year of Crescent Credit Union'sannual winter coat drive. In Brockton andNorwell, Crescent branches collected coatdonations in partnership with Anton'sCleaners, who cleaned the coats at no chargeand distributed them via BU Medical Center'sOutreach Van, Catholic Charities,Community Giving Tree, Cradles to Crayons,MA Coalition for the Homeless, MASSCAP,The Salvation Army, and many more.

Brockton Day Nursery Back Safety TrainingBrockton Day Nursery will be hosting aBack Safety Training on February 22nd from6:30 -8:30 pm. This free workshop presentedby WorkTerrain will provide an introductionto Ergonomic Guidelines and neck and backinjury prevention. RSVP by sending anemail to pwilson@brocktondaynursery.orgor calling 508-588-2700.

Mardi Gras MadnessJoin us for a spectacular Mardi Gras eventand enjoy the flavors, sights and sounds ofThe Big Easy on March 12 at the Shaw'sCenter in Brockton! Come in festive, casualattire! Partake in some delicious foods fromthe bayou and exotic drinks from BourbonStreet.. Enter the chapeau making contestand parade to see if your chapeau takes theprize... Bid on fabulous silent auciton items...Eat, drink and be merry to the sounds of theHot Tamale Brass Band playing yourDixieland favorites and DJ Rob Peters spin-ning the latest and greatest. Tickets are $50each or 4 for $150 (save $50). Or reserve atable of 8 for $300 (save $100) Visitwww.brocktondaynursery.org or call 508-588-2700 for tickets. Proceeds benefit theBrockton Day Nursery, Brockton, MA.

Costco Free Shopping Day for Chamber MembersMetro South ChamberMembers are invited tojoin us for Costco

Wholesale's FREE Shopping Day onSaturday, March 12, 2011 from 9:30 am - 6:00pm. Brought to you by Costco Wholesaleand the Metro South Chamber ofCommerce, please pick up a Free Day Passflyer at the Metro South Chamber or CostcoAvon. Shop during the event with a FREEShopping Pass or become a Costco memberand receive: 2 Money Saving MembershipOptions. 1) $10 Costco Cash Card for a $50GoldStar Membership. 2) $20 Costco CashCard for a $100 Executive Membership.

Brockton Historical Society to Host..The Brockton Historical Society will hostthe D W Field Park Association on Tuesday,February 15, 2011 beginning at 7:00 p.m. atthe Brockton Historical Museums, 216 NPearl St in Brockton. The public is invitedto this complimentary event to learn thehistory of Daniel Waldo Field. For moreinformation please contact Anne at 508-584-6919.

Brockton Sumphony Chamber ConcertSunday, March 6: 3:00 P.M., BrocktonSymphony presents a chamber musicconcert "From Bach to Bartok" at ChristCongregational Church, 1350 PleasantSt.Brockton. Shorter works by differentcomposers make this a good learningexperience for younger listeners. TicketsAdults $10, students under 18, $5.www.brocktonsymphony.org or call508-588-3841.

Celebrate the great things going on!Members send your Good News to

avandam@metrosouthchamber.com

Jeffrey Liebman

www.metrosouthchamber.com ACTION Report February 2011 5

Employment Law Update, What You Need To KnowThursday, April 28, 2011, 8:00 am - 11:30 am

Irish Cultural Centre, 200 New Boston Drive, CantonThe experienced attorneys of Murphy, Hesse,

Toomey & Lehane, LLP, will provide anoverview of major developments in employ-ment law over the past twelve months. Emphasis will be placed on the implicationsof these legal developments for day-to-day HR administration and tips for minimiz-ing liability. In addition, attorneys will be discussing topics in greater detail including:

• Health Care Reform• Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Reform• Legal Issues Regarding Social Networking• Wage and Hour Law• Privacy Issues

Registration and networking will begin at 8:00 am. The cost of this workshop is $49for members and $69 for non-members and includes coffee, full breakfast, and exten-sive handouts including best practices. RSVP for this event by contacting Kim Prosperat 508.586.0500 x 231, email kprosper@metrosouthchamber.com, or register online atwww.metrosouthchamber.com/register.html.

Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP is a multi-service law firm based in Quincy,Boston and Springfield. One of the 50 largest firms in Massachuestts, their years ofexperience and resources offer clients a wide range of legal services while maintain-ing a “hands-on-touch” that is important in Client-Attorney relationships. For moreinformation about Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, visit www.mhtl.com.

MEMBERProfileAddress: 240 West CenterStreet, W. Bridgewater,02379

Phone:508-584-8084

Year Established:1973

Number of Employees: 1

Products or Services: Bookkeeping, Taxes, and StrategicConsulting

What is unique or special about your firmand the products and services you offer?Our firm is a complete bookkeepingservice from data entry to trial balance.We also provide all tax services that areneeded by small to mid size companies.New this year is our strategic consultingservice that provides assistants obtain-ing information for cash flow and bot-tom line strategies.

Joe Kameese

What is your market area: The entire South Shore

What markets do you serve:Small to Mid size companies in allbusiness entities.

Please list awards or special recog-nition that your firm as received.We are members of the NationalSociety of Accountants, NationalSociety of Tax Professionals,National Association of TaxPreparers and Certified by theBetter Business Bureau.

What is your main business objec-tive concerning your customers andthe business community?To provide services that help ourclients to make intelligent and prof-itable decisions in this difficult eco-nomic time. We also provide guid-ance to our clients on making prof-itable decisions in their companies.

American Bookkeeping Solutions

To Join the Chamber, contact John Nesti at 508.586.0500 x 229.

Development Planner Brings Focus to Brockton

The Brockton 21st Century Corporationhas completed its review and selection ofa development planner consultant madepossible through funds received by thePatrick/Murray Administration viaUndersecretary Tina Brooks and MayorLinda M. Balzotti. The Board of Directorsare pleased to announce along withMayor Balzotti and the Brockton CityCouncil the selection of McCabeEnterprises.The criteria for the selection were based onthe following: • Experience in evaluating, assessing

and coordinating development• Outreach skills (verbal and written)• Ability to facilitate• Knowledge of grants/ funding

resources• Submitted timeline/ work plan • Employment/ experience in a

Gateway City• Experience/knowledge of Brockton• Can this firm/product advance

Brockton to leverage additional resources

McCabe Enterprises, whose Principal isKathy McCabe has a strong planning and

economic development background. Inaddition to Kathy's expertise, she haspulled together a team made up of variousresources: Jen Mecca is an Urban Plannerwith architectural experience, Betsy Lane(a Brockton native) and Jeanne McKnightof Kopleman & Paige PC (A law office withexperience in real estate/zoning) and PeterBradley of Project Management & Costwill provide cost estimate for the projects tokeep on task and on budget.

The work plan for the McCabe teamincludes for Downtown; moving proj-ects (three buildings) towards imple-mentation, development of a strategy,and building the pipeline of potentialdevelopment. In the CampelloNeighborhood; neighborhood stabiliza-tion, collaborative Community planningand ready two projects.

The planning and economic develop-ment efforts through the Department ofHousing & Community Developmentgrant will lay the foundation for a focusedplanning strategy. The Brockton 21stCentury Corporation will oversee thework plan so that it results in bringingdevelopers and businesses to Brockton.

Written by Mary Waldron, Brockton 21st Century Corporation

Marketing Strategies Using Social Media

May is membership month at the Chamber. The month-long campaign will kickoff on Wednesday, May 4 at Stonehill College with a focused call drive to area busi-nesses that can benefit from joining the Chamber’s network. The Membership Drivewill take place at Merkert Tracy Hall at Stonehill College from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Ifyou are a Chamber member who would like to participate in the drive in order to forma stronger business community and express to others what Chamber membership hasmeant to you, please contact John Nesti at 508.586.0500 x 229 or email jnesti@met-rosouthchamber.com. We are also accepting prize donations for drive participants.

May Membership Month Kicks Off With Drive, May 4

Wednesday, April 20, 20119:00 am - 11:00 am

Crescent Credit Union, 115 Commercial Street, BrocktonBasic overview of social media tools to

include: search engine optimization (SEO),social networking (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,YouTube and Myspace), Blogs and e-newsletters.Online reserviation is required, visitwww.msbdc.org/semass. This event is free toattend.

This workshop is part 1 in a Social Media Series sponsored by the MetroSouth Chamber, Crescent Credit Union and the Massachusetts SmallBusiness Development Center. The workshops are presented by TriciaWhite of the MSBDC. For more information, contact Tammi or Alison at theMSBDC office at 508.673.9783.

6 ACTION Report February 2011 www.metrosouthchamber.com

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Accepted...

110 North Leyden StreetBrockton, MA 02302

508-586-2000visit our website at www.holmesmcduffy.com

DAILY PROMPT DELIVERIESTO BROCKTON AND VICINITYOR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

DAILY PROMPT DELIVERIESTO BROCKTON AND VICINITYOR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

Tickets available at metrosouthchamber.com/register.html$25 in advance/ $30 at the door

Call 508.586.0500 x 231 for tickets and more information

A Taste of Metro South Sizzling UpCalling All Restaurants - Gain Patrons & Exposure

Book For Business Arriving Soon

The Chamber of Commerce willsoon be distributing the 2011 MetroSouth Book for Business. The bookfeatures area dining, lodging, public

golf courses, recreation, legislativeleaders, community demograph-ics, regional and economic dataand a complete membership list-ing. The book also includes a fullcolor map of the Metro Southregion, highlighting hotels, golfcourses, industrial parks, townhalls and other points of interest.

“This year’s Book for Businessfeatures 100 pages of informationuseful to residents, visitors, andbusinesses in the Metro Southregion. It places the entire Chambermembership at your fingertips,”said Christopher Cooney, Presidentand CEO of the Chamber.

Copies of the Book forBusiness will be distributedthroughout the region to banks,

real estate offices, town hall offices, allChamber members, area colleges, andsent to all relocating businesses and fam-ilies interested in the Metro South area.

Last Call for Greece!

gain exposure through direct interac-tion with new potential customers,word of mouth, through advertise-ments in the Enterprise, Action Reportand Program Guide, and potentialcoverage on the Brockton CommunityAccess Channel and WXBR 1460 AM.

Don’t miss this invaluable opportu-nity. For more information, pleasecontact Kim Prosper at 508.586.0500 x231 or email kprosper@met-rosouthchamber.com

The Taste of Metro South is a highly vis-ible, much publicized and well-receivedevening of enjoyment for everyone. Thisevent has traditionally drawn between600-700 people. A diverse group ofrestaurants, organizations and perform-ers participate from throuthout the MetroSouth region.

Area restaurants and local organiza-tions are encouraged to participate byrenting booth space or sponsoring theevent. All those who do participate will

The Enterprise Newspaper In Education (NIE) program isproud to announce its 13th Annual Career Day sponsored by TheEnterprise, BAWIB, Rotary Club of Brockton, Brockton PublicSchools and the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. This event

will be held on Tuesday, April 12th at The Shaw's Center inBrockton from 8:15-11:45. This initiative is designed as an oppor-

tunity to build stronger connections between schools and the com-munity. By connecting schools with area businesses, students can see the mean-ing and relevance of what they are learning in school, invigorating the schoolculture and the classroom, while they begin to consider their potential careers.Businesses and/or High Schools wishing information on participation can contactCheryl Showstack, Educational Outreach Manager at 508-427-4010.

Enterprise Career Day

April 12,2011

*Attend for your chance to win a free Boston MassPass Book

www.metrosouthchamber.com ACTION Report February 2011 7

WebsterBank.com/ExpectIt

The Webster Symbol and Webster Bank are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

TIME + UNDERSTANDING = SOLUTIONS.

Expect all three.

Webster Bank, N.A.Member FDIC

e take your business banking personally.

At Webster, we’re all about making your business equations work. We’ll take the

time to recognize your unique financial needs and help you find the solutions that fit.

Expect a wide range of business solutions to help you keep your business on the

plus side.

Contact your Regional President, Bob Twomey at 508.235.1301 for more information.

BUSINESS BANKING

BangkokVisit the Golden Palace containing work of artin Thai and European styles. View The EmeraldBuddha. Explore the Art of the KingdomExhibition at Anata Samakhom Throne Hall.Take a Klong Tour passing Wat Arun, a trip onthe canals of Thonburi on a long-tailed boat.Visit the National Snake Farm & Leather Shopand Four Face Buddha. Enjoy a BBQ seafoodbuffet and Ramayana buffet dinner with pup-pet show.PattayaRelax during the morning on the beautifulbeach at Coral Island. Visit Nong Nooch, aworld renowned place for its impressiveElephant and Thai Cultural Shows along withwhat is considered the biggest and most beau-tiful botanical garden in Southeast Asia. Takean elephant ride, then visit the Pattaya FourRegions Floating market. Visit World GemsPattaya and local produce market.

AyuthayaAyuthaya is a ruined city built in 1350 A.D.that had been the capital of Siam. Visit thetemples of Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, WihanPhra Mongkhon Bophit, and Wat Phra SiSanphet.Hong KongFly to the city known as the east pearl--Hong Kong. Cross the Tsing Ma Bridge,the longest suspension bridge. Visit theAvenue of Arts, which pays tribute to out-standing professionals of Hong Kong'sfilm industry. Look down from The Peakand get the incredible view of the city andVictoria Harbor. Take a one way ride withPeak Tram. The Ngong Ping 360, consistsof a cable car journey and a themed vil-lage. Visit the Repulse Bay with its cleanand well tended beach. Finally, visitStanley, a former fishing village.

* Prices includes roundtrip airfare, transportation to and from JFK, most meals, 4 and 5 star accommodations, deluxe bus tours, fluent English-speaking tour guides andentrance to attractions. $200 deposit due April 15. For more information, contact Alison van Dam at 508.586.0500 x 222 or email avandam@metrosouthchamber.com

Travel Abroad with the Chamber and CITSLINC This Fall

BeijingVisit Tiananmen Square and the Templeof Heaven- built in 1420 A.D., where theemperors prayed to heaven for a goodharvest. Sightseeing includes the PalaceMuseum (9,999 rooms, known as theForbidden City), the Summer Palace,Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill,Seventeen-Arch Bridge and MarbleBoat. Take a Tour bus excursion to climbthe Great Wall and see the 13 MingTombs (one of which is fully excavatedand open for exploration). SuzhouSightseeing includes the LingeringGarden, Tiger Hill and Hanshan Temple.Visit the National Embroidery Instituteto see silk embroidery - an importantlocal craft with 1,000 year history.

HangzhouEnjoy a morning boatcruise on West Lake withrelaxing stop over at jewel-like pagodas and tea hous-es. Visit to the centuries oldLingyin Temple, with the main featureof the 64.3 ft-high camphor-woodcarved Buddha. Also, visit theEconomic Development Zone ofHangzhou.ShanghaiSightseeing includes the Yu Garden, amaze of pavilions, ponds, rocky works,and over arching trees. Visit to theBund, a famous waterfront park.Business visit to the Pudong EconomicDevelopment Zone. Also, enjoy a visitto the Shanghai Carpet Mill.

Discover what over 200 travelers in the region have seen and explored in the Chamber’s 3rd Annual Trip to China

Employment Law Topic at Breakfast

Katherine Hesse, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane

Dan Trout of Mutual Bank (left) interviews Catherine Congo, President& CEO of Old Colony Hospice and Beverly Pavasaris, President of

Brockton Visiting Nurse Association

Sponsored By:

Dr. Art Goldstein, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Bridgewater State University

Past Chair Scott Sanborn of TD Bank served as theemcee of the Breakfast Program.

8 ACTION Report February 2011 www.metrosouthchamber.com

Call For Small Biz Award NominationsThe Metro South

Chamber of Commercerecognizes the achieve-ments and contributions of

small businesses and entrepreneurs increating new jobs and economicopportunities in the Metro Southregion. All members are invited toparticipate in the selection process toname the 2011 Annual Small Businessof the Year and Entrepreneur of theYear award winners. Nominating someone is easy...

You may nominate your own business or any other business youdeem worthy (maximum of one nomi-nation per category). Submit a summa-ry of your reasons for the nomination,based on the criteria listed here. Call orfax the Chamber office for nominationforms. You may include any additionaldocumentation that will help illustratewhy the business is deserving of theaward. Nominees do not need to bemembers of the Chamber. Nomineesmust be a for-profit business. Criteria...

Small Business of the Year Award:50 or less full-time equivalent employ-ees (Two part-time employees = onefull-time); in business more than 3consecutive years under the currentownership; for-profit business.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award:10 full-time employees or equivalence;in business less than 3 years; a forprofit-business.

Companies will be rated on their cre-ativity and imagination in the develop-ment of their business, their demonstra-tion of growth, and a reflection on inter-nal and external social responsibility.

Nominations are due by April 1, 2011.Call the Chamber office at 508-586-0500ext 231 to request an easy-to-completenomination form. Winners will beannounced at the Small Business andEntrepreneur Luncheon on May 18th,2011 and will receive an engravedplaque and publicity.

100 people recently attended the Good Morning Metro SouthBreakfast Meeting now held at the Shaw’s Center, Brockton Attendees enjoy a hot breakfast buffet prior to the event.

DJ service by Rob Peters Entertainment. Photography by Rich Morgan

Do You Have an HR Question?

Does your business have Human Resource questions? Do you know where to turn for the answers?

The Metro South Chamber of Commerce has developed a hotline foryour business to receive professional advice from experts in the HR field.Simply e-mail your questions to the HR hotline at hrhotline@met-rosouthchamber.com or log onto www.metrosouthchamber.com.

For more information contact Kim Prosper at 508.586.0500 ext. 231.

Try the Human Resource Hotline

Prior Small Business of the Year Recipients2009 MCG Partners2008 Heights Crossing2007 Westgate Lanes2006 Cindy’s Kitchen2005 Northeast Wholesale Nail & Fastener Supply Co.2004 Duplitron, Inc.2003 Modern Auto Body2002 United Furniture, Inc.2001 Robert Sharkansky & Company, CPA

Prior Entrepreneur of the Year Recipients2009 Michelle Cully, XPressman Trucking & Courier2008 Robert Monahan of UPPAbaby2007 Howard Wright of Wright Technology2006 Rob Peters of Rob Peters Entertainment2005 Jeffrey Chrzanowski of Spark Street Autobody2004 Charles Bernard of The DJ Experience2003 James Messinger of The Crazy Chefs Caterers2002 Jerome Offutt of Top Quality Staffing2001 Randy Yanoff of Eye of the Tiger Karate

Left: Patricia Winberg, TopnotchDesign Studio, 2010Entrepreneur of the Year. Right:Stephen Prisco, Prisco’s Market,2010 Small Business of the Year

ATHENA Awards Recognizing Women

The featured speaker is CarolHardy-Fanta, Director of the Center forWomen in Politics and Public Policy atUMass Boston's John W. McCormack

Graduate School of Policyand Global Studies. Dr.Hardy-Fanta is a nationallyrecognized scholar onLatina/o politics and haspublished widely on theintersection of gender, raceand ethnicity in politics andpublic policy. Her publicpolicy focuses on bench-marking women's econom-

ic and political progress. The breakfast awards program

will begin at 9:00 am with theATHENA Woman’s Expo runningfrom 8:00 am - 11:00 am. Tickets are$25 for members and $35 for future-members. To register or to nominatean individual for an ATHENA award,please call Kim Prosper at508.586.0500 x 231, or visit www.met-rosouthchamber.com.

On Thursday, June 16, at the Shaw’sCenter, Brockton, the Metro SouthChamber of Commerce and HarborOneCredit Union will present the 13thAnnual ATHENA Awardduring a special breakfast toan exceptional individualwho has achieved excellencein his/her business or profes-sion, has served the commu-nity in a meaningful way, andhas assisted women in reach-ing their full leadershippotential.

The ATHENA AwardsProgram was created in 1982 and hasexpanded to over 500 cities in theUnited States, Russia, Canada, China,The United Arab Emirates and theUnited Kingdom. The Metro SouthChamber of Commerce believes in thevalues underlying the ATHENAFoundation’s philosophy of incorporat-ing the talents and expertise of womeninto the leadership of our businesses,communities and government.

Carol Hardy-Fanta

Thursday, June 16, 2011, Call for Nominations

The Ambassador Team • Win-Win Opportunity!The Ambassador Team meets

on a monthly basis to serve fellowmembers by providing informa-tion, resources, member-to-mem-ber support, increasing awarenessand promoting active participationin Chamber programs and services.

The next Ambassador meetings willmeet on March 2 and April 6, 2011 from8:00 - 9:00 am at the Metro South Chamberof Commerce, 60 School Street, Brockton.To become an Ambassador, contact John atthe Chamber at 508.586.0500 ext. 229,jnesti@metrosouthchamber.com.

www.metrosouthchamber.com ACTION Report February 2011 9

The Metro South Connecting Activities Partnership is a collaboration of theBrockton Area Workforce Investment Board and the Metro South Chamber.

Connecting Activities is a unique program that creates a competitive workforcelinking employers with students by providing young people with business expe-rience. Through this program, employers provide a meaningful worksite learn-ing experience that builds academic, technical, and workplace skills.

High School students participate in workplace structured internships that assist

For information or to become a participating employer in the Connecting Activities Initiative contact: Kathleen Lynch, Connecting Activities Coordinator,Metro South Chamber of Commerce, (508) 586-0500 ext.227, klynch@metrosouthchamber.com, or visit www.metrosouthchamber.com/ca.html.

Metro South Partnership Recognizes Student Friendly Employers

Adventure DentalAmerican Real EstateApolos Imports Exports Inc.Associacao Caboverdiana de BrocktonAthletic Republic KingstonB.N. Yanow IncBAMSI Inc.BayPointe Rehab CenterBD MartBlue Hills Alzheimers Care CenterBoys & Girls Club of BrocktonBrockton Community Access CableBrockton Adult Day Health CenterBrockton After DarkBrockton Area ARCBrockton Area Workforce InvestmentBoardBrockton Day NurseryBrockton Housing AuthorityBrockton Mural ArtsBrockton Parking AuthorityBrockton public schoolsBrockton Signature HealthcareBumper to Bumper Accessories Inc.Burrito WrapsCareerWorksCatholic Charities BrocktonCedar Hill GCCharity GuildChuck N Cheese House of PizzaCity Gas and ServiceCity of Brockton - Mayors OfficeCommittee for Public Counsel ServicesSuperior Court Trial UnitCommunity Connections of BrocktonConley Elementary SchoolCRT RecyclingDepartment of Mental Health

DeSantisDr. John CoyneDuval Elementary SchoolEmmanuel HouseExpress NewspapersFather Bills & Main SpringFuller Craft MuseumGeorge Washington TomaGill Metal Fabrication CoGreater Youth Resource Services Inc.Hanson Childrens MuseumHanson Middle SchoolHarborOneHead StartHillard House of CandyHope For Children International Inc.InStyleJack n Jill ChildCare of WhitmanJohn Russell InsuranceJohnny Macaronis ResturantKiddie HavenKylas Auto RentalLincoln Technical InstituteLittle Prince and Princess PreschoolLively Stone Christian CenterLutheran Community ServicesM&M SeafoodMain St. VarietyMartins and Associates Real EstateMass RehabMassasoit Community CollegeMayors Office-parkMaytag Laundry and Dry CleaningMetro South Chamber of CommerceMoses E. Barbour Power ConstructionNeighborhood HealthNeighborhood Housing ServicesNew England Sinai Hospital

MMeettrroo SSoouutthh CCoonnnneeccttiinngg AAccttiivviittiieess PPaarrttnneerrsshhiipp EEmmppllooyyeerr HHoonnoorr RRoollll

Participating Area High Schools: Brockton Public Schools, North River Collaborative, Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, Stoughton HighSchool, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School

them in making more informed decisions about the education that they will needto be successful in a variety of career paths, including college, technical training,apprenticeships, and more.

Over 100 Metro South Region Employers who provided internships to highschool students during the 2010-2011 Academic Year are being recognized withspecial gratitude for their commitment to the region's youth and the future work-force by the Connecting Activities Partnership.

North End MotorsNorth River CollaborativeNorwood HospitalOld Colony CabinetsOld Colony Council BSAOld Colony YMCA BrocktonOld Colony YMCA StoughtonOld Colony YMCA YouthBuildOld Colony Planning Council Pattavina NetworksPlymouth County Sheriffs DepartmentRakis ProductionsReservitz Law FirmRices MarketRose Grows HairSalvation ArmySDJ Custom ArtSeidel and Lana PaintingSelf Help Inc.Sign Design Inc.Signature HealthcareSouth Shore HospitalStoughton Public LibraryStoughton Public Schools Stoughton Rec. Dept.Stoughton Town HallSummer of Work & LearningThe Arbors at StoughtonThe Education Resources Institute Inc.TJ MAXX Stoughton MATuffs Medical CenterUniversal Food MarketWhites Pastry ShopWhitman Academy of Performing ArtsWhitman Middle SchoolWhitman Police DepartmentWhitman-Hanson Regional School DistrictYogi Tobacco Inc.

MSBDC Marketing Workshop at the Chamber

Leave Your Competition in the Dust!

Tuesday, May 24, 20118:30 a.m. Registration, Workshop 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Metro South Chamber of Commerce, 60 School Street, Brockton

Times are tough. But this is not the time to cut your mar-keting efforts and budget. Come and learn low cost ways toactually increase your market penetration and sales rev-enue at this FREE workshop. We will be discussing market-ing and sales tactics including: branding, promotion, pric-ing, networking and e-tools.

For Registration contact Alison Moriarty at the MSBDC @508-673-9783 or register online @ www.msbdc.org/semassunder Event Calendar

Members Provide CHOICES to Stoughton Youth

GRO-N-THINGS, INC.

P.O. Box 1246Middleboro, MA 02346

Interior Plant Maintenance and Design Service

508.947.8433 (p)781.767.2244 (f)

Students Ben Morgan, Allison McEachern and Desirae Carter from Stoughton’s O’Donnell MiddleSchool participate in CHOICES, a drop-out prevention program facilitated by the Metro SouthChamber of Commerce and led by Angel Nieves, volunteer presenter. For more information, or toparticipate as a CHOICES presenter, contact Kathleen Lynch at 508.586.0500 x 227 or emailklynch@metrosouthchamber.com.

10 ACTION Report February 2011 www.metrosouthchamber.com

RENEWINGMembers Thank You !Abington Family Dental CareAFLAC-BrocktonAsphalt Paving by J. A. CooperBackstage Hardware & Theatre SupplyBank of AmericaBaynes Electric Supply Co., Inc.Beacon Financial Planning, IncBKA Architects, Inc.Brian Healey Contractor, Inc.Brockton 21st Century CorporationBrockton Visiting Nurse AssociationChurchill Linen Service, Inc.Colony House Skilled Nursing andRehabilitation CtrConway Insurance Agency, Inc.Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral HomeDirect MediaEdible ArrangementsEnergy Conservation, Inc.Four Points RealtyFranklin Sports, Inc.Giannaros, Inc.Grant's Rental

HarborOne Credit UnioniComplyNow a unit of ITLNOWLaw Office of Mark D. PettiM. Donahue Associates, Inc.Massasoit Community CollegeMcCormick & Sons Insurance Agency, Inc.McDonald'sMurphy,Hesse,Toomey & Lehane, LLPMutual Oil Company, Inc.Ocean Real Estate Investment, LLCOlde Northeast Realty L.P.Pawtucket Red SoxRockland Trust CompanyRoger Ferguson, HorticulturistSignature HealthcareSmith, Buckley & Hunt Insurance AgencyStonehill CollegeSullivan Tire & Auto - RocklandSullivan Tire & Auto Service - AbingtonSullivan Tire & Auto Service - East Bridgewater

The Crazy Chefs CaterersW. B. Mason Company, Inc.

WELCOME New MembersMaking an Investment in Our Community

Billboard ConnectionMr. Phillip D. JenningsHimoor CircleRandolph, MA 02368(877) 600-1684www.GO-BIG-Ads.comAdvertising

Campanelli CompaniesMr. Daniel R. DeMarcoOne Campanelli DriveBraintree, MA 02184(781) 849-1440www.campanelli.comReal Estate/Development

Capstone CommunitiesMr. Jason Korb221 Hampshire StreetCambridge, MA 02139(617) 513-6320www.capstonecommunities.comReal Estate/Development

Commonwealth Financial GroupMr. Mike Hamilton125 Summer Street, Suite 510Boston, MA 02110 (617) 939-6684www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.comFinancial Services

Constables of New EnglandMr. William R. Thomas37 Belmont Street, Suite CBrockton, MA 02301(508) 427-6598www.constablesofne.comConstable

Cutting Edge CarpentryMr. Brian Andrews594 Turnpike Street, Unit 1South Easton, MA 02356(508) 297-1490www.cuttingedgecarpentryllc.netContractors Remodeling

Electric by Design, LLCMr. Rich McNeil120 East Bacon StreetPlainville, MA 02762(617) 331-1475www.electricbydesignllc.comElectrical Contractors

H&R Block Business ServicesMr. Michael Lemke165 Westgate Drive, Suite ABrockton, MA 02301-1819(508) 588-5659www.hrblock.comFinancial Services

Magoun-Biggins Funeral HomeMr. Robert J. Biggins135 Union StreetRockland, MA 02370(781) 878-1775www.magounbiggins.comFuneral Directors

McLaughlin Chevrolet, Inc.Mr. Dan Adams741 Temple StreetWhitman, MA 02382-0230(781) 447-4401www.mclaughlinchevy.comAuto Sales & Service

NorthEast Electrical DistributorsMr. Don Block560 Oak StreetBrockton, MA 02301(781) 401-8500www.needco.comElectrical Supplies

OptiqueMr. Robert King495 Westgate DriveBrockton, MA 02301(508) 584-5151Optical

Patch.comMr. Brian HemmertMetro South, MA(508) 954-5596www.patch.comMedia

Source4Mr. Murray Vetstein1010 West Chestnut StreetBrockton, MA 02301(508) 562-4812www.source4.comPrintersPromotional Products

South Coastal BankMr. Kirk Small279 Union StreetRockland, MA 02370(781) 681-7231www.southcoastalbank.comBanks/Financial

Sullivan and Cogliano TrainingCenters, Inc.Ms. Helaine Rich460 Belmont StreetBrockton, MA 02301-1822(508) 584-9909www.sctrain.eduSchools/Colleges

Timberline Construction CorporationMr. Richard J. Gladdys300 Pine StreetCanton, MA 02021(339) 502-5000www.timberlineconstruction.comConstruction Management

Tranquil Escape Day SpaMr. Brian Bezanson832 Crescent StreetBrockton, MA 02302(508) 427-6399www.tranquilescapedayspa.comSpa

Brockton Diversity Business Celebration

The Brockton 21stCentury Corporation inconjunction with MayorLinda M. Balzotti and theBrockton City Councilwill be holding a DiversityBusiness Celebration onThursday, March 3rd, 2011at the Shaw's Center from 4:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Stakeholders involvedinclude the Metro South Chamber ofCommerce, Small BusinessAdministration (SBA), SCORE, SEED,MassDevelopment, MSBDC and theSupplier Diversity Office (SDO). Theprogram goals are to: recognize thevarious businesses and their impact onthe local economy, bring awareness ofthe available resources at their finger-tips, educate the various businesses onnew developments, programs financ-ing seminars and workshops readilyavailable and to award, through a cere-mony, selected businesses so that theirpersonal success stories can be shared.

This event is being coordinated asa way of continuing to provide tech-nical assistance and outreach to busi-ness owners in the City of Brockton.Small businesses create and retainjobs and are the backbone of our

community that help us“THRIVE” not just sur-vive!

The event agendaincludes keynote speak-er Mayor Linda Balzottiin addition to a paneldiscussion by the stake-

holder organizations offering adviceand information. Light fare andrefreshments will be served through-out the duration of the program.

Those interested in attending ornominating a business should con-tact the Brockton 21st CenturyCorporation at 508-586-0021 or emailsmallbusiness@brockton21.com.This event is free to attend, but RSVPis mandatory. If you are a womanand/or minority owned business,entrepreneur or start up business inBrockton, this event is for you.

THRIVE AWARD CRITERIA• Business must be located inBrockton (specify how long in opera-tion)• Community involvement, achieve-ment and accomplishments• Outside resources received (eg.B21, Metro South Chamber, MSBDC,SEED, SBA, SCORE, etc.)

Thursday, March 3, 2011 • THRIVE Award Presentation

Save Time and Money with Online Payroll Solutions25% Discount off your service, 6 month money back guaruntee

from PayChoice for Metro South Chamber Members.Online Payroll Features to include: Easy switch, “we do itfor you” payroll setup, online employee access to paystubsand W2’s, dedicated customer service representative, free

direct deposit, custom reporting wizard, HR Support Center, CPA access.Learn more at www.paychoice.com or by calling 978-882-2570.

www.metrosouthchamber.com ACTION Report February 2011 11

Members Network at Halfway Cafe After Hours and New Member Reception

Chamber Affiliation News

The East Bridgewater Business Association will con-duct a one-hour networking meeting on Thursday,February 17th at 8:00 am at TJ Smith’s VictorianHouse in East Bridgewater. The cost to attend is $5.To register, contact Bruce Marquis at 508.378.7890.

The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce recentlycelebrated their Annual Meeting at New EnglandSinai Hospital with over 80 in attendance. Guestspeakers included Chris Spinazzola and MarjorieClapprood of Christina’s Fireside Grille. The 2010Business of the Year Award was presented to OldColony YMCA, Striar Campus. The 2010 Person of the Year was presented toJorge Cortizo of Target Stores, and the 2010 Volunteer of the Year was present-ed to Joel Honig of Windsor Tire & Auto. The Special Recognition award waspresented to the family of Robert F. DiMatteo, founder and original owner ofBob’s Famous Food Mart. For more information, call 781-297-7450

The Norwell Chamber of Commercerecently held their State of the Town 2011at Not Your Average Joes. Attendeesreceived the opportunity to meet town andstate officials and hear them recap theyear’s events while networking with fellow

Chamber members at this sitdown breakfast. For more information,visit www.norwellchamberofcommerce.com

Low to moderate-income fam-ilies in the Greater Brockton areaare again eligible for this free serv-ice. Most people can get their staterefund in 3 to 5 days and their fed-eral refund in about 7 days savinghundreds of dollars in tax preparer andloan fees. With both the federal and statetax credits, workers may get up to $5,666in refunds. Workers can claim both thefederal and state EITC, even if they do notowe income tax, simply by filing federaland state income tax returns. You willreceive a state credit equal to 15% of thefederal amount. Millions of eligible work-ers risk missing out on these importantfederal tax benefits which are alsomatched to a lesser degree by the state.

Trained volunteer tax preparers are avail-able at two sites in the city:

HarborOne's MultiCultural BankingCenter, 68 Legion Parkway, Mondaysfrom 4 to 7 PM from February 7 throughApril 11 with the exception of February 21and

Self Help's Healthy Housing andCommunity Resource Center, 142

Crescent Street, Saturdays from 9AM to 3 PM starting February 5and Tuesday evenings from 4 to 7PM starting February 7.

Who Is Eligible?•Workers who were raising

one child in their home and had income ofless than $35,463 (or $40,463 for marriedworkers) in 2009 can get an EIC of up to$3,043.

•Workers who were raising two chil-dren in their home and had income of lessthan $40,295 (or $45,295 for married work-ers) in 2009 can get an EIC of up to $5,028.

•Workers who were not raising chil-dren in their home, were between ages 25and 64 on December 31, 2010, and hadincome below $13,440 (or $18,440 for mar-ried workers) can get an EIC up to $457.

Taxpayers should bring: All householdW-2 and /or 1099 forms, Social SecurityCards for yourself, your spouse and alldependent children from your house-hold. Also bring a valid driver's license orphoto ID and proof of health insurance.

Call 508-588-4049, ext 116 for more infor-mation.

Workers May Qualify for EITC

Peter Neville, Concord Foods and Chair of Board; Murray Vetstein,Source4; Richard Gladdys, Timberline Construction Corporation

Jonathan Parker, Eagle Eye Accounting Solutions; Joe Kameese, American Bookkeeping Solutions

Raymond Wallace, Raymond Wallace Accountants

Jesuina Henderson and Darlene Ferguson,Lincoln Tech

Jen Gallagher,Halfway Cafe

Jack Dixey,Jack Dixey CPA

Denise Cooper, John Cooper Paving & Sealing, Inc.

Sheldon Rodney, Comcast; Karen Boyle, Servpro;Fred Fontaine, Fontaine’s Cleaners & Laundromat

Bob Regan, Servpro; Glen Prentice, UPS; Matt Sherlock, UPS

Bob Hughes, Hughes Global Sourcing; MikeHamilton, Commonwealth Financial Group

Stephan Ward-Smith, Health Services Administrators; John McGovern, Rodman & Rodman PC, CPA’s

John Lloyd, OnPoint Coaching; Bobby Bartlett,AFLAC, Angel Nieves, AFLAC

Andrew Milian, Liberty Mutual; Joe Kameese, American BookkeepingSolutions; Mark Ofstein, Costco; Cheryle Brady, RBC Wealth

Management; David Bragg, No Need 2 Bragg Video Production

Over 100 people recently attendedthe Business after Hours and NewMember Reception, where partici-pants networked while learning

about the Chamber. The event was held at theHalfway Cafe in Holbrook, now with a functionroom, seating 50 people for a sit down dinner or 75for a cocktail reception and boasting a 50” TV foruse. For more information about Halfway Cafe, visitwww.thehalfwaycafe.com. To join the Chamber, callJohn at 508.586.0500 x 229.

12 ACTION Report February 2011 www.metrosouthchamber.com

BUSINESS EVENTS PlannerIT’S EASY TO REGISTER!508-586-0500 x 231

508-587-1340

E-mail: info@metrosouthchamber.com

Online: www.metrosouthchamber.com

Send reservation and payment to:

Metro South Chamber of CommerceSixty School Street Brockton, MA 02301-4087

February 16Good Morning Metro South

7:30 am - 9:00 amThe Shaw’s Center1 Feinberg Way, Brockton

The breakfast program features informative speak-ers in a talk show style format and also allows fornetworking opportunities. (See page 1).

Cost; $20 members, $35 future-membersPlease RSVP at 508.586.0500 ext. 231

Woods Financial

28 Main Street, Bldg 8, N. Easton • 508-238-5857Specializing in retirement programs and other employeebenefits on corporate and personal levels. Kevin J.Woods is an independent insurance broker for property& casualty, life, accident and health insurances. He is aRegistered Investment Advisor with the Series Exchangecommission & the Secretary of State of theCommonwealth and a ChFebc (Federal PensionSpecialist) Now specializing in Safe Market (guaranteed)Investments that offer a potentially higher return.

Patch.com

Metro South, MA508-954-5596 • www.patch.com

Patch.com is a new way to find out about, andparticipate in, what's going on near you. Patch isa community-specific news and information plat-form dedicated to providing comprehensive andtrusted local coverage for individual towns andcommunities. Patch wants to make your life bet-ter by giving you quick access to the informationthat's most relevant to you.

Paychoice

200 Ledgewood Place, Suite 202, Rockland978-882-2570 • www.paychoice.com

Today, 125,000 small businesses and 1.8 millionemployees receive their payroll via PayChoice - accu-rate and on time. Our web-based, SaaS platform pro-vides 24/7 access and simplifies the task of payingyour employees to only minutes. We deliver payroll,tax, compliance, HR, retirement, workers comp andpre-tax plans through an intensely personal servicemodel. For a special offer from paychoice see page 10.

McLaughlin Chevrolet, Inc.

741 Temple Street, Whitman • 781-447-4401www.mclaughlinchevy.com

Since 1922, the McLaughlin Family has owned andoperated the Chevrolet Dealership in Whitman at Rt.27. The dealership has consistently achieved the high-est customer satisfaction ratings from Consumers aswell as Chevrolet. We feel giving back to the local com-munity is an integral part of our success . We are com-mitted to demonstrating integrity, professionalism andmirroring the expectations of our customers.

South Coastal Bank

279 Union Street, Rockland • 781-878-5252www.southcoastalbank.com

South Coastal Bank is a full-service community bankheadquartered in Rockland with branches in Quincyand Scituate. The bank offers commercial, installment,and mortgage loans; electronic and online banking serv-ices; telephone banking; consumer deposit productssuch as checking, savings, certificates of deposit, andIRAs; and commercial deposit products includingchecking, savings, money market, and sweep accounts.

Source4

1010 West Chestnut Street, Brockton 508-562-4812 • www.source4.com

Source4 provides business documents, commercialprinting, direct mail, promotional products, logo apparel,fulfillment, kitting and other marketing products andservices. Over 250 clients in many industries (includingfranchise, banks and credit unions) use Source4's IMAGEprogram to reduce costs, enforce brand standards andstreamline ordering. The Brockton sales office, graphicdesign and distribution center is one of 25 facilities.

Billboard Connection

Randolph • 877-600-1684www.GO-BIG-Ads.com

Billboard Connection is an advertising agency special-izing in all types of out-of-home media. We providefull service & support in strategic planning, buyingand execution of local, regional & national out-of-home media campaigns. From small, one-door retail-ers to fortune 500 companies and advertising agencies,no business is too large or small to take advantage ofour services. www.go-big-ads.com.

Constables of New England

37 Belmont Street, Suite C, Brockton508-427-6598 • www.constablesofne.com

Located in downtown Brockton next to the districtcourthouse, the Constables of New England serves allprocesses including 24-hour subpoena service, all pro-bate and civil process, all summons and complaints,capias civil arrests, child support orders, evictions/moveouts, execution for possession, divorce orders, no tres-pass orders, motions, modifications, small claims com-plaints, letters and demands, notice to show cause.

February 9

Business After Hours

5:30 pm - 7:30 pmSt. Joseph Manor215 Thatcher Street, Brockton

Enjoy networking at a Chamber member business.Refreshments will be served. Do not forget your busi-ness cards! (See page 2).

Cost; $5 members, $15 future-membersPlease RSVP at 508.586.0500 ext. 231

February 11Government Affairs

12:00 pm - 1:15 pmMetro South Chamber of Commerce60 School Street, Brockton

Discuss issues of importance with elected officialsrelevent to the current business climate. (See page 2).

Cost; $5 members, $15 future-membersPlease RSVP at 508.586.0500 ext. 225

Tranquil Escape Day Spa

832 Crescent St. Brockton, In Lambert's Plaza 508-427-6399 • www.TranquilEscapeDaySpa.com

Jen & Brian Bezanson are proud to be the new own-ers of Tranquil Escape Day Spa! Jen has worked as amassage therapist and spa hostess since the spaopened 8 years ago. Tranquil Escape is Brockton'spremiere full service spa. We offer the highest quali-ty massage, facials, full waxing services, body treat-ments, manicures, pedicures and more. Come in andtake a tour, you won't believe your eyes!

Electric by Design, LLC

120 East Bacon Street, Plainville • 617-331-1475Email: electricbydesign@aol.com

The McNeil brothers, Rich and Steve own and oper-ate Electric by Design, LLC, your go-to ElectricalContractor who specializes in Energy Conservation.We can show businesses how to: 1) Reduce yourenergy consumption, 2) Improve your lighting, 3)and take advantage of available funding throughNational Grid, N-Star, or other Utility incentive pro-grams. In other words, we save you money.

McCall Ambulance

PO Box 6333, Brockton • 508-583-7772Email Matt at: Matt .Pilczak@gmail.com

McCall Ambulance was founded 3 years ago by Brocktonresident Steve McCall. Headquartered in Dorchester,McCall Ambulance has additional stations in Quincy andBrockton. We offer all forms of medical transportationincluding Advanced Life Support ambulance, Basic LifeSupport ambulance and wheelchair car in all three of ourservice areas. We are always looking for new ways toimprove the quality of life in our communities.

Sullivan and Cogliano Training Centers, Inc.

460 Belmont Street, Brockton • 508-584-9909www.sctrain.edu

Sullivan and Cogliano Traning Centers, Inc is nation-ally accredited through the Council on OccupationalEducation. We are a career-ready computer traininginstitution with the core purpose of improving peo-ple’s lives by meeting them at life’s crossroads andproviding paths to meaningful employment. It’s ourpassion to know how to give students the trainingthey need for the career they deserve!

Celebrating 90 years next year!

Train For Your Dream Job!

1.888.TRAIN.77 • www.SCTRAIN.edu