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Fitchburg State University Presents Back to Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 4-Part Webinar Series
Back to Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A 4-Part Webinar Series
July 27 – 30, 2020 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Free to Attend
Co-Sponsored by:
Safety Trainers and Fitchburg State University
REGISTER HERE
Join us for a 4-webinar series (1 hour each) that bullet point out what you need to do. In partnership with Fitchburg State, the Safety Trainers will deliver this information in a manageable and organized system for you to take immediate action on implementing controls, training and updating your policies to protect your business and your employees.
Who should attend? Anyone in your organization who is now part of a team or is responsible for managing health and safety in your workplace. This will help you to get your business and employees back to work making everyone’s safety and health a top priority.
Webinar #1 – 1 hour – July 27, 2020
Navigating the alphabet soup of regulations. You will learn all areas of your business where you will need to make changes and considerations for new rules, new equipment, new processes and adapt the factors you consider in decision making.
Webinar #2 – 1 hour – July 28, 2020
Who will be your COVID-19 Safety and Health Coordinator? Where should you begin when setting up the COVID-19 Coordinator, Emergency Response Team and/or Safety Committee to Manage COVID-19 Best Practices, Changes in Regulation and Implementation? We will walk you through the areas of consideration and SIGNS, SIGNS, and SIGNS.
Webinar #3 – 1 hour – July 29, 2020
New Rules. New Procedures. Which ones should I apply to our business?
Engineering and Administrative Controls to all areas of your operations will be the key to keeping your staff safe and your business open. Learn the Hierarchy of Controls Methodology. In this series, we will give you several options to consider in many areas of your business to include but not limited to:
- Signage and Communication
- Record Keeping and Resources
- Updating Sick Policy and Return to Work Criteria
- Facility Layout, Flow of Materials and People, Entrance and Exits, Parking, Common Spaces
- Pre-Qualifying and Safety Policy for Visitor, Vendor, Third Party for Hire Relationships
- Housekeeping to include trash, sanitation and disinfecting procedures
- Personal Protective Equipment implementation
- Training
Webinar #4 – 1 hour – July 30, 2020
I Didn’t Know I Needed to Do All of That to Disinfect and Clean Safely?
Using OSHA, CDC, EPA and FDA to make changes to your housekeeping process to include trash, sanitation, laundry and disinfecting, HazCom Policy, Hazardous Chemicals, personal protective equipment use and training. We will answer questions like; Do I need N95 respirators? Will a cloth mask work? Handwashing vs. Antibacterial agents? Do I need a flammable storage cabinet for hand sanitizer and isopropyl alcohol? How do I get an EPA approved disinfectant for COVID-19? Where can I buy PPE?
REGISTER HERE
Guest Columnist | “Let’s Do Everything We Can to Stop the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Dr. Karen Munkacy
Let’s Do Everything We Can to Stop the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Karen Munkacy, M.D.
Karen Munkacy, M.D., Founder, President & CEO of Garden Remedies
The current pandemic has certainly uprooted lives all around the world. Our government is overburdened, healthcare and essential workers are on the frontlines facing a crisis, and supplies are strained. Now more than ever, it is important for businesses big and small to contribute to their local communities and help lift those who have supported them to get to where they are. It is a critical time to evaluate and change how we do business to accommodate the pandemic. We are not only facing a global virus, but we are all experiencing heightened anxiety during a time of great uncertainty. We can be a voice of comfort to our communities and show our empathy while adjusting to this new normal.
The pandemic is pushing us to be flexible and creative in finding solutions. Resourcefulness is key in overcoming obstacles and inventing new ideas and pushes us to think outside our normal thought process. Although I knew it all along, I learned how strong, resourceful, and creative my team is in how they have responded to this challenge. With sanitation supplies and masks running scarce, they did not hesitate to step up and explore their ideas to preserve resources all while keeping everyone safe. Gene Ray, our VP of Laboratory Operations, and his team started the initiative of making sanitizing fluid to be used in our facilities to keep our customers and employees safe. Suzan Wentworth, a team member of our topical team, also jumped in to help by sewing face masks for our dispensary staff. Without the ideas experimented and brought to life by our team, our business would not have been able to operate as we are today.
Every company must expend the effort to create a better world and a safer place. As a company that strongly believes in giving back, we sought out to provide these resources to those in need. We are proud to have donated over 300 gallons of sanitizer to the Massachusetts Hospital Association and to the first responders in the communities in which we operate. We also made substantial monetary donations to the communities we do business in, to help with Covid-19 relief. Despite the obstacles we faced, our team worked hard to help our customers access legal cannabis products safely and support our local communities. We will continue to put resources into keeping people safe and delivering products in a secure, safe way. I got into this business solely to help people and it is our mission to find all the ways to do so.
Once the pandemic subsides, the need for safety and health precautions will remain as we are forced to adapt to this new normal. Many of us, including Garden Remedies, had to modify business operations completely to protect our customers and employees. By leveraging technology, we have been able to operate safely and process our orders online, limiting the amount of human interaction during pickup.
Unfortunately for retail, the pandemic prevents the customer interaction we value so much. Our goal as a company is driven on helping patients and providing our knowledge so we understood this aspect was too paramount to lose, especially during a time when they need our compassion the most. We then utilized our technology capabilities and created more platforms for customer engagement such as our online chat and video consultations for our patients and customers with questions.
The time for a re-envisioning your business plan is now. This is an opportunity to look at the scope of your business and see what needs to change, how consumer behavior has changed, and what you can do to help. It is essential to remember that the communities we live and work in are hurting and that we must not lose sight of the importance of giving back.
What is a Guest Columnist?
Being a member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber provides members with many opportunities to gain valuable information and connections. We are always on the lookout for valuable content that would be on interest to our members and communities. In an effort to provide an avenue to more easily access the vast array of the knowledge and expertise that our members possess, we are now offering exclusive Guest Columnist articles for the benefit of our members. As a membership based organization, submissions will only be considered from members at the Business Choice level and above.
This is a great opportunity to position your business as a thought leader and expert. Columns should not be self-promotional or sales oriented ,and should consist of content that would be useful to businesses, including tips, answers to important questions and any insights that would be helpful to fellow members. By participating, members have the chance to better inform, educate and aid in the development of other members and the North Central Massachusetts region.
Please contact David Ginisi, Marketing and Communications Manager, if you are interested in participating: | 978.353.7600 x240
Weekly Download | Did Zoom Turn You Into a Zombie?
This is for all you COVID-19 remote workers out there in North Central Mass and the people, like us, who care about them. Zoom meetings have taken over your day and perhaps your sanity, as well. So we’ve curated some tips to prevent you from becoming hollow-eyed and spirit-deprived.
Keep Your Mind and Body Sharp
For physical and mental health, actively adjust your habits to make sure that you keep sane and productive, even on your busiest days. If you use physical relaxation and mental de-focusing to give your mind and body a chance to pause, you can learn to stay effective as these technologies play a larger part in our lives.
Leave Your Chair Between Meetings
Don’t get stuck in back-to-back meetings. Stretch and get a change of scenery, take a few laps on the treadmill, or have a cold drink. Make sure that your calendar blocks out a few minutes’ buffer after each meeting so that no one slips another one in that starts too quickly.
Mind Your Kids’ Screen Time Too
Those of us who are parents have probably noticed our kids, even very young, becoming Zoom Zombies too. As we learn to cope, we can help them adjust. Our community will benefit in COVID time and beyond if we all learn to Zoom healthily.
Use Your Phone for Mobility
If you’re not an active meeting participant, turn off your camera and use the dial-in number or a Bluetooth headset. Give yourself some freedom to roam but leave the meeting video on for reference. On regular meetings, choose some to join audio-only and make your impression by your knowledge, not your hairstyle.
Change Your Environment When You’re “AFK”
AFK is gamer-speak for “away from keyboard,” or taking a break — off the clock, we say. Make sure that your AFK time is outdoors, playing with your pets, or taking a hike up Wachusett Mountain. Don’t forget your Zombie snacks, goodies that turn you human again- our Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center is chock full of locally-made snacks featuring the likes of Golden Girl Granola, apple cider donuts from Red Apple Farm, cheese sticks from Smith’s Country Cheese and so much more.
Be an Active Listener
One way to restore the connection is to use active listing techniques. Paying close attention to the speaker, pause, then begin your response with a summary of what you heard. It maintains continuity and improves the human connection as well.
A Taste of Business Meetings to Come
With telehealth and virtual conventions joining Zoom meetings as essential tools in the future, it will pay to learn to adapt. As usual, our kids are already doing it with their boundless energy. They chat, game, and live much of their lives online. We, too, can relax, interact, and avoid becoming Zoom Zombies — maybe even enjoy online life.
We hope you find these tips helpful. Try to implement one or two the next time you join in on one of our online programs. Also, be sure to visit our Online Program On-Demand Library to catch up on any content you may have missed.
And that’s the download!
DAVID A. DUVAL TO CHAIR NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Based in Lunenburg, Protective Services was established in 1979 by David Duval, who still remains the company’s president. Since its founding, Protective Services has been servicing businesses, institutions and residents in North Central Massachusetts with fire, security, surveillance, access control and sprinkler system contracting. Their long-standing reputation of excellence along with their fully dynamic range of services, make Protective Service Inc a leader in supporting small and large businesses, financial institutions and educational institutions with the superior services they need.
In addition to his involvement with the Chamber, Mr. Duval also currently chairs the Massachusetts Systems Contractors Association and sat on the State Board of Fire Prevention Fire Protection, for 14 years. He is also active in several other state industry associations and organizations. Nationally, Mr. Duval is a member of the the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and the Automatic Fire Alarm Association. Mr. Duval earned his bachelors degree in engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
He is married to wife Leslie and resides in Leominster. Mr. Duval also has a son, Alex, who is currently a student at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
Duval was first elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2013 and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair, Treasurer and has served on the Chamber’s Leadership Council. Mr. Duval is also a board member of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), an affiliate of the Chamber, where he serves as Vice Chair. As the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Duval will work with the Board, Chamber staff, and membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.
“We are honored to have David serve as the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors,” said Roy Nascimento, Chamber president & CEO. “We are fortunate to have someone with his experience and strong history of leadership help guide our organization’s efforts. We look forward to working with him to help our members and the communities of North Central Massachusetts persevere through what is expecting to be a very challenging and difficult time over the next year”
He succeeds Steve Rocheleau, president of Rocheleau Tool & Die Co. Inc., who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.
“It is an honor and privilege to serve as Chair of this dynamic and respected organization that plays such an important role in shaping the region’s future ,” expressed Mr. Duval, “I am excited to continue Steve Rocheleau’s efforts and work to support our members and advance North Central Massachusetts..”
In the same election, Rachel Lopez, president of Resource Management, Inc. in Fitchburg, was elected Vice-Chair and director Christopher McCarthy, president & COO of Fidelity Bank of Leominster, was elected to the position of Treasurer. Board members elected for a new three-year term were Tony Fields, president and owner of Cleartech Group in Leominster; Elaine Fluet, president & CEO of Care Central VNA and Hospice in Gardner; and Bruce Platzman, president of AIS, Inc. in Leominster; Re-elected for three year terms were Henry Tessman, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge New England in Fitchburg; and Dr. James Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner.
Continuing current terms on the Board of Directors are Neil Abramson, CFO of ECI Stores in Leominster; Will Aubuchon, president & CEO of W.E. Aubuchon Company in Westminster; Steve Duvarney, owner of Duvarney Jewelers in Fitchburg and Clinton; Matthew Fournier, president of Elite Construction & Design in Fitchburg; Mark Freeman, president of SteelFab, Inc. in Fitchburg; Dr. Richard Lapidus, president of Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg; Anne Leader, president of Vision Payroll in Leominster; Cheryl Molebash, general manager of Dixie Consumer Products in Leominster; John O’Brien, president & CEO of Leominster Credit Union in Leominster.
About the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce (northcentralmass.com) is a business advocacy, economic development organization working to create and sustain relationships among businesses and between businesses and the community. With nearly 700 member firms, employing over 25,000 people in the region, the Chamber is working to foster economic opportunity in Fitchburg, Leominster, and surrounding communities. Find the Chamber online at northcentralmass.com or on Twitter at @NCMChamber.
Leominster Credit Union Holds Election of Officers to the Board of Directors
Giulio G. Greco, Chairman of the Board. Greco has previously served as Chairman from 1994-1998 and again from 2008-2011. Greco was presented the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) during the Awards of Excellence held at the 2019 Annual Convention. Greco has served on the Board since 1978.
Michael J. Sauvageau, Vice Chair. Sauvageau has been on the Board since 2007 and most recently held the position of Chairman from 2016-2020. Sauvageau serves on LCU’s Executive, Audit and Compensation Committees.
Nancy L. Graves, Treasurer. Graves serves on the Executive, Credit, Investment, and Advisory Committees. She has served on the LCU Board of Directors since 2004.
Joyce A. LaFleur, Assistant Treasurer. LaFleur serves on the Executive, Audit, Investment, and Advisory Committees. LaFleur has served on the Board since 2007.
Joseph V. Quintal, Clerk. Quintal serves on Executive, Audit, Compensation, Investment and Advisory Committees. Quintal has served on the Board since 2006.
Joining the officers on the 2020-2021 Board of Directors are, Amedeo E. Bilotta, Bruce J. Bollivar, Robert J. DelleChiaie, Joyce G. Leger, Henry C. Kulik, Jr., and Richard A. Sheppard.
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
Front Row (L-R): Guilio G. Greco, Chairman of the Board; Michael J. Sauvageau, Vice Chairman.
Back Row (L-R) Joyce A. LaFleur, Assistant Treasurer; Nancy L. Graves, Treasurer; Joseph V. Quintal, Clerk
Guest Columnist | “On Community Colleges” by The Honorable Stephen Brewer
On Community Colleges
by The Honorable Stephen Brewer
Stephen Brewer, State Senator Ret., Mount Wachusett Community College
This is a time in our history of enormous economic and cultural transformation that will summon the most creative and compassionate qualities of our society.
Throughout her history, our nation has answered the call to face great challenges. I am confident that we can utilize our great creative and collective spirit to address the challenges before us now. While we do, I am also hopeful that as Lincoln said, we can “summon the better angels of our nature” in the process.
The best social program is having a job, and we all must obtain the skills necessary for a new economy that enables us to adapt as effectively and efficiently as possible.
I have always been impressed with the mission of community colleges. The high cost of education has forced many people, especially those students who are economically disenfranchised, to either incur debt that will compromise their future, or to forgo a college education and training altogether.
Community colleges are an accessible, valuable, and logical pathway to the job market, or continuing to a four-year degree. Compelling evidence shows us that Massachusetts community colleges offer high-quality educational opportunities that are affordable and won’t leave you combing gray hair while you make your final student loan payment!
When I retired from a long career in public service, I was thoughtful about what I wanted my ‘second act’ to include. After having helped procure funding for a $40 million science wing for Mount Wachusett Community College, I was inspired by the working happening for and by the residents of North Central Massachusetts.
Working arm in arm with three Chambers of Commerce, Heywood Healthcare, dozens of private sector employees, as well as the municipal leaders of the communities in the region, the college operates in real-time to tailor its curriculum and training opportunities to each community’s specific needs.
The three campuses of Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Leominster, and Devens provide a diverse balance to the needs of each geography. I have witnessed faculty, staff, and administrative teams ground their work in student-centered philosophy. We are all here for the students.
Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has unwittingly brought to light this team’s tireless work to push forth the college’s mission in a safe, creative, and technologically accessible manner. It has been an enormous undertaking with an incredibly tight turnaround time.
Everything from the 2020 Commencement Ceremony, the Food Insecurity Programs, the Civic Engagement Programs, Veterans Programs, and the over 120,000 hours of volunteerism in the region, make me proud to advocate on behalf of such an important beacon for the Commonwealth.
It can not be understated how important it is that the institutions serving community college students respect the dignity and worth of those often neglected by our society. We must take action in our individual lives to reflect on how we can each be better, demand that the systems and structures of our society change to best serve the under-represented, and elevate the voices of the historically unheard.
Of course, Mount Wachusett Community College may not have the budget for expensive and glamorous marketing and communications campaigns. Despite this, I hope you’ll take to heart my endorsement of this college. Mount Wachusett provides students with an opportunity- regardless of age, wealth, status, or background. I am so grateful to have found a purposeful encore to my time in public service and will continue to champion these opportunities to all who will listen.
What is a Guest Columnist?
Being a member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber provides members with many opportunities to gain valuable information and connections. We are always on the lookout for valuable content that would be on interest to our members and communities. In an effort to provide an avenue to more easily access the vast array of the knowledge and expertise that our members possess, we are now offering exclusive Guest Columnist articles for the benefit of our members. As a membership based organization, submissions will only be considered from members at the Business Choice level and above.
This is a great opportunity to position your business as a thought leader and expert. Columns should not be self-promotional or sales oriented ,and should consist of content that would be useful to businesses, including tips, answers to important questions and any insights that would be helpful to fellow members. By participating, members have the chance to better inform, educate and aid in the development of other members and the North Central Massachusetts region.
Please contact David Ginisi, Marketing and Communications Manager, if you are interested in participating: | 978.353.7600 x240
bankHometown Provides Economic Lifelines to Northern Worcester County Businesses Through Paycheck Protection Program Loans
Oxford, Massachusetts, June 26, 2020—bankHometown has approved over 700 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling approximately $68 million, allowing hundreds of local businesses across central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut to keep more than 7,500 employees on the payroll.
The program has helped small businesses like bankHometown customer Cleartech Group, a Leominster-based IT management and consulting company serving small and medium-sized businesses across central Massachusetts.
(Pictured L-R) Cleartech Group President and Owner Tony Fields with bankHometown President and CEO Robert J. Morton, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer Christina DiRusso, and Leominster office Assistant Vice President and Branch Officer Donna Daigle.
President and Owner Tony Fields said that when the shutdown began in March, he quickly put aside his company’s growth plan and made some tough choices, including laying off two employees, to ensure his company could continue supporting its clients. He said Cleartech’s focus turned to helping business owners “embrace the new normal” by putting in place the proper infrastructure and security needed for employees to work from home.
“Initially, it was a shock for us. Then it quickly became a humanitarian effort to get our customers connected so they could operate remotely as much as possible and as quickly as possible,” Fields said. “A lot of our value is in working with clients onsite, but we had to switch to a fully virtual environment ourselves and then get clients up and running remotely with reduced staff. In the span of two weeks, we went from growth mode to survival mode.”
Fields said that PPP funding helped relieve an “incredible sense of uncertainty” for himself and his nine employees and allowed him to feel positive not only about his own company’s ability to weather the storm but about the survival of the small businesses his company supports.
“When the PPP came out, it gave us all the hope that there was a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “It was like a bridge was built for us to get through this with confidence.”
The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a small business stimulus program included in the federal government’s $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The PPP initially provided $349 billion for SBA lenders like bankHometown to fund loans to businesses on a first-come, first served basis in order to guarantee eight weeks of payroll and other costs to help businesses remain viable. Funds were exhausted in less than two weeks, but Congress provided for additional funding capacity of $320 billion. To qualify, businesses must have 500 or fewer employees and demonstrate that they have been negatively affected by the Coronavirus. If used for payroll and other qualifying expenses, the loans are forgivable.
(Pictured L-R) bankHometown President and CEO Robert J. Morton; Athol-Orange Community Television Executive Director Carol Courville; bankHometown Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer Christina DiRusso and Athol office Assistant Vice President and Branch Officer Marc Ostberg.
The program also helped bankHometown customer Athol-Orange Community Television, a non-profit public access station centered in Athol. Executive Director Carol Courville said AOTV was luckier than most non-profits in being able to rely on funding from cable subscriptions but that she and her board quickly saw the potential for the pandemic’s long-term negative effect in the form of cancelled fundraising events and other sponsorships.
“We knew we weren’t going to be able to do the type of fundraising necessary to continue our mission, and that hurt us a lot,” Courville said. “We knew right away that this would be a long haul and that we could have budgetary issues that lasted well into the fall and through the rest of the year.”
Courville said that securing funds from the PPP was an enormous relief both mentally and emotionally on herself and her one full-time and three part-time employees, who could then work from home to create the station’s programming without worrying about potential layoffs.
“Taking that burden off the staff’s shoulders gave them security and that was golden,” she said. “They didn’t have to worry about raising funds or losing their jobs while completely changing the whole way we provided services and quickly adapted to new technology to produce government meetings and other programs. It would have been overwhelming.”
bankHometown’s commercial lending teams worked tirelessly to submit applications on behalf of hundreds of its small business customers like Cleartech and AOTV, knowing that for many business owners, timing was critical.
“These are trying times, and we understand the financial situation our customers are facing and the negative impact it can have on their business, the staff, and the community,” said bankHometown President and CEO Robert J. Morton. “We moved quickly to get these funds in our customers’ hands so they could meet all of their obligations. As a community bank, this is what we do and I’m proud of our ability to help local organizations,” he said.
Despite national reports that some PPP funds went to larger businesses, approximately 60 percent of the PPP loans bankHometown processed were less than $50,000 and more than 90 percent were less than $250,000, indicating that on the local level, the program has benefitted the small businesses for which it was intended.
Courville credits bankHometown Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer Christina DiRusso as well as the bank’s Athol office Assistant Vice President and Branch Officer Marc Ostberg for helping AOTV secure their economic lifeline quickly in the first round of the PPP, when colleagues at other small businesses were having trouble getting a call back from bigger banks.
“Christina called me back the first day and made it easy for me. She took me through the whole application process, which was really designed for businesses and not for not-for-profits,” Courville recalls. “That’s why working with a local bank like bankHometown was so important. It made a big difference to know that you could talk to someone. They made it happen.”
“We couldn’t have kept afloat if the money ran out,” she added. “So I just want to thank bankHometown.”
Fields said he didn’t realize how unusual his strong business relationship with bankHometown’s DiRusso and Leominster office Assistant Vice President and Branch Officer Donna Daigle was, until he heard from colleagues in a global entrepreneur forum who voiced frustration in getting their banks to assist them with their PPP application or even return their calls.
“With the PPP, I was always informed and knew where I stood, so I just assumed that this was how it got done, this was the norm,” he said. “But my fellow entrepreneurs were struggling through the process and experienced at least two weeks of unnecessary anxiety that I never felt. That’s when I realized how special my partnership with bankHometown was.”
Fields said he was approved and had the funds in-hand quickly while more than half of the entrepreneurs he connects with were still struggling to apply, proving that a local banking relationship is key to sustaining small business.
“They have your back and are part of your business. They’re an advocate working for you,” he said. “Now more than ever, I’m a cheerleader for bankHometown.”
About bankHometown
Founded in 1889, bankHometown is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts, and has $1.0 billion in assets and 15 branches located throughout central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. Through its sponsorship and charitable giving program, bankHometown and the Hometown Bank Community Foundation support non-profit organizations and causes throughout Worcester and Windham Counties. In 2019, the bank and foundation donated more than $328,000 to nearly 270 organizations. Over the last four years, the program has donated more than $1.1 million. For more information, visit bankhometown.com.
AIS Continues its Sew the Masks Campaign in Partnership with the United Way of North Central Massachusetts
Effort will mobilize sewing-enthusiast “Rosies” and corporate partners to join AIS in creating and sponsoring donations of high quality, reusable face masks
The Sew the Masks campaign is mobilizing AIS sewing professionals as well as private, individual sewing enthusiasts – known as “Rosies” – to create high-quality masks from AIS-sourced materials and donate them to healthcare providers, first responders, essential workers and others at risk in the fight against COVID-19.
“No healthcare worker, first responder or other front-line employee should be worried about access to personal protective equipment such as masks. Yet we continue to see mask shortages among the people most at risk of infection,” said Bruce Platzman, CEO of AIS. “We strongly believe that high quality, comfortable, washable and reusable masks can make a big impact. And we are actively recruiting sewing enthusiasts across the country – along with corporate partners—to join this effort. Collaborate with AIS and the United Way and let’s collectively donate one million facemasks to those most in need.”
The Sew the Mask program has four simple steps:
- Volunteer sewing enthusiasts – “The Rosies” – request a kit to sew 50 masks at www.sewthemasks.com. These kits ship directly from AIS with easy-to-follow instructions, precut materials and return packaging.
- Completed masks are returned in the provided packaging to AIS within 25-30 days.
- AIS performs a quality check on every completed mask, and then ships boxes of masks to corporate sponsors and partners for distribution and donation within their own communities.
- For every 10 facemasks a corporate sponsor donates, AIS will ensure a mask is donated to the United Way—providing this essential PPE for workers within their nationwide charitable network.
“We are proud to partner with AIS to provide these high-quality masks to those most in need. We think this initiative is an effective and creative way to rally the public, to create opportunities for volunteers to support their local community from the safety of their own homes, and for local businesses to engage in a meaningful effort to promote public safety during this unprecedented crises,” Kory Eng, President and CEO of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts shared.
AIS also allocated a production line of its employees in early April on the manufacturing floor to make these masks, featuring antimicrobial covers that repel moisture and a non-treated, comfortable inner layer filter of polypropylene. AIS masks are already helping protect healthcare workers at UMass Medical Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as well as first responders around Massachusetts and others.
“Our company has donated thousands of these masks already to hospitals and first responders across Massachusetts. But the need is so great, we could never do alone what we can do with others. We are pleased to partner with the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, joining together as part of coordinated effort,” said Platzman. “We think there are many potential ‘Rosies’ out there ready to donate their skills and time to ensure high-quality PPE is there when these essential players need it. And we’re seeing many caring corporate citizens in New England and around the country wanting to partner with us to sponsor the effort to coordinate mask donations in their communities and across the United Way’s vast network.”
One of the illustrations featured in the original Rosie campaign artwork is a representation of a real life “Rosie”, MJ, who works at AIS as in shipping. She has a deep compassion to help those around her. AIS was inspired by her effervescent energy, self-less dedication to others, and roll up your sleeves attitude as a role model for the program. Illustrations created by Lindsey Platzman.
For more information, to become a “Rosie” or to learn about corporate partnerships and sponsorship of mask creation and donations, visit www.sewthemasks.com.
ABOUT AIS
AIS, headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, is a leading manufacturer of commercial office furniture and boasts one of the most impressive stories of growth and success in the furniture industry. Founded in 1989, the company is known for offering market-relevant, feature-rich product lines that entice designers and support the diverse needs of end-users while offering exceptional value. AIS is an innovator that leads the industry in
sustainable, lean manufacturing, lead-time performance and manufacturing flexibility. AIS has permanent showrooms at its Leominster headquarters and also in Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C. With locations across the U.S., AIS has more than 800 employees and over 1 million square feet of office, showroom and factory space. Sales for 2019 were $225 million. For more information, visit www.ais-inc.com.
An Update from the Chamber President | June 24, 2020
Dear Member,
Our world has dramatically changed since mid-March. We have all been working to address the impact of the Coronavirus crisis and are now striving to adjust to the “new normal.”
In staying true to our mission, we responded to ensure our members and communities have the guidance, resources, and support to effectively react and persevere through these very challenging and difficult times. As more and more of our economy continues to reopen, I wanted to provide you with another update on how the Chamber is assisting our local businesses:
Gift Local Fees Waived: To assist members who participate in the Gift Local program, the Chamber will be waiving all processing fees associated with this popular gift card program through at least December 31,2020. As we want to encourage consumers to shop and eat at local businesses as much as possible, we will also be eliminating the purchase fee charged to consumers when they buy a Gift Local Gift Card. Additionally, we are also implementing a new public relations and marketing campaign to encourage consumers to redeem gift cards and shop local, whenever possible. For more information on the program, visit our Gift Local website or contact David Ginisi, our Marketing Manager at the Chamber directly at 978.353.7600 ext. 240.
Billboard Campaign: In a related effort, our destination marketing arm—Visit North Central Massachusetts—is partnering with a group of regional tourism councils in the state to launch a new billboard campaign this month using the former “Spirit of Massachusetts” slogan. The goal of this campaign is to encourage more residents in the state to spend their dollars locally at our restaurants, shops, hotels, and attractions as they begin to reopen. The campaign will include the purchase of multiple billboard ads strategically located in high-traffic areas throughout the state and will also feature an online component with a dedicated website and social media posts. As our Chamber is dedicated to supporting the recovery of our members, we are looking forward to launching this campaign soon.
Inclusion, Diversity and Economic Opportunity: Given recent events regarding racial inequality occurring throughout the country, I wanted to share the Chamber’s position and how we are supporting the diverse community in North Central Massachusetts. First, the Chamber condemns racism and violence, and we believe in the right to free speech and supporting the right of those who raise their voices peacefully through protests. At the core of the Chamber’s values are inclusion and economic opportunity for all, which we have built into our entire organization through our programs, governance, marketing, operations, and economic development efforts. As we believe a diverse organization is a strong organization, our staff include a talented team of diverse professionals reflective of the communities we serve, and we have also made strong gains in the diversity of our Board, committees, and taskforces. When scheduling programs and events, as well as strategizing our marketing efforts, we are thoughtful to represent the diverse community of our members. Additionally, our efforts to improve education and career opportunities are closely tied to economic equity. By working in concert with various community groups, we have built strong partnerships on initiatives and participate in programs representing minority groups within North Central Massachusetts, such as our Elect North Central Coalition. We recognize we are not perfect, but everyone will always be welcomed and included at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, regardless of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, industry they represent, or the size of their business.
Visitor Center: After being closed since mid-March, our Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center on Route 2 in Lancaster officially reopened on June 9, with new health and sanitization protocols in place to assure the safety of all guests, volunteers, and staff. The reopening of the center is an important milestone toward reopening our economy in North Central Massachusetts. Without places like the Visitor Center, the traveling public has limited places to stop and utilize the restrooms, take advantage of amenities, and learn more about the twenty-seven communities in North Central Massachusetts and what they have to offer for visitors and families.
Chamber Office: We have also begun the phased in process to fully reopen the Chamber office in Fitchburg. New health and cleaning protocols are in place to protect our staff and visitors. Members are welcome to come into the office for general services, such as manufacturing certifications, insurance-related matters, gift card sales, business counseling, loan closings and other matters; however, we encourage members to call ahead first to schedule an appointment. In accordance with the state’s guidelines, half of the staff will be in the office, while others are continuing to work remotely.
Lending and Technical Assistance: As throughout the pandemic, our team is only a phone call away and ready to help you and your business with any questions related to reopening or accessing some of the grant and loan programs available through the federal, state and local governments. There is still $120 billion available through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program, but the deadline of June 30 is quickly approaching. If you have not done so yet, we encourage you to contact your bank or credit union to inquire about applying. New rules have been passed by Congress that also impact the forgiveness aspect of the loan program. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is also now available and accepting new applications. Please contact Sandie Cataldo, Economic Development Manager at the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 232 with any questions or for any guidance.
Regional Economic and Recovery Plan: The Chamber has formed a special taskforce of members to oversee the development of a regional economic development and recovery plan. The taskforce is working with our consultant, RKG Associates, to develop the plan and we have been making steady progress. This plan will serve as an actionable blueprint to support the growth of our dynamic, regional economy. The last time we went through this process, the resulting plan had a significant impact in helping drive economic growth across the region. If you haven’t done so yet, please take a moment to complete this survey to provide your input, or feel free to email me your feedback. Thank you to those members who have already completed the survey, participated in a focus group session, or emailed their input/feedback to us. Also, thank you to the members of the taskforce for volunteering their time to help with this important initiative.
Jobs Board: As the economy continues to reopen and your needs change, members are encouraged to use our WorkNorthCentral.com online jobs board for recruitment efforts. More than 400 available jobs are currently posted, and the job board is regularly updated to help our members fill positions as quickly as possible. As a reminder, jobs posts are free for our members.
Online Programs: Since mid-March, we have held more than thirty online programs, ranging from webinars on the CARES Act, PPP and EIDL stimulus programs; to Congressional Updates with our delegation; to our 36th Annual Meeting and much more. We have also revamped our library of online programs on our website. We plan to continue providing the most up-to-date information for our business community through our popular online platforms.
Throughout this crisis, my confidence in our Chamber has never wavered because I know we can overcome any challenge when we work together. Over the past few months, the true spirit of the North Central Massachusetts business community was on full display, and we demonstrated that by working collectively, we can make a difference in the lives of our members, their families and employees, and the many residents who call North Central Massachusetts home.
Looking ahead, many challenges remain with the road to economic recovery now in front of us. As we transition from crisis response to recovery, the Chamber will be here for our members, and we will continue our commitment in having a leading role in rebuilding our local economy. We know these are likely the most difficult and challenging times our members have experienced, but as we have for more than 35 years, we are here to help you navigate these troubled waters.
Roy Nascimento, IOM, CCE
President & CEO
Guest Columnist | “Returning to Work Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis” by Bruce Platzman
Returning to Work Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis: Steps Employers Are Taking To Prepare and Protect Their People
by Bruce Platzman
Bruce Platzman, President of AIS, Inc.
As states across the country are re-opening, AIS is hearing from hundreds of companies that are preparing their workplaces for the return of employees. With many concerns and challenges in front of them, customers are looking for AIS to help them modify their office furniture in an effort to keep teams and visitors safe. Whether it’s a small business or a large employer, there are many common concerns and needs to consider as all prepare to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s a summary the top activities AIS and many of our customers are doing:
Protocols for employee well-being and safety. Many leaders realize it’s essential to have their teams feel positive and secure within their work environments as all return to the factory or office. There are many activities leaders can do to support this.
- Good communications during this time is critical. Being very open and direct with employees about what your organization is doing to keep people safe is important. Whether you create a safety video (see AIS video here), regularly share your COVID-19 Response Plan, or send updates directly to employees via email or a company newsletter, it all matters.
- Celebrating the return of employees to the office is a small gesture that can start the process off on a positive note. Many are making banners to hang in the office and creating care packages for all. Giving each person a few supplies to keep at their desk is thoughtful and appropriate. We’re providing each of our employees with a supply of disinfecting wipes to self-clean personal office areas, hand sanitizer, two washable/ reusable facemasks, and tissues.
- Instill and enforce social distancing practices across your organization. It is important to create and share guidelines for how people enter the building; how many people should be in the cafeteria at one time; how many in the restroom at one time; etc.
- Be clear and consistent with temperature checks. Let employees know how and when temperature checks will occur each day and follow through.
- Scheduling teams of employees in/out of office on different days or staggered start times. Each manager may have the freedom to create the schedule and plan that works best for their department. It’s important that leaders be patient with everyone. This is new territory for the team and everyone has different levels of comfort, stress, and acceptance.
- Keep guests and suppliers safe. While employees must feel safe and secure returning to work, it’s critical to think about all your visitors, too. Constructing, implementing, and communicating good protocols is essential.
- More frequent and deeper cleaning practices. While most see this as an obvious need, it’s one of the most important activities an employer can do. Be sure your cleaning crew is following through daily. Everyone will notice if they aren’t and the expectation here is high.
Modifications to the workplace. Many employers are realizing the office layout we had in February won’t work for our needs today. What this translates to is modifications in big or small ways as we work to ensure the office can support the new needs during this pandemic.
- Retrofitting offices is a common practice. Whether adding screens to desks, panels systems or tables, we’re seeing this is a popular solution. New or higher screens can often be retrofitted into a space, making them less costly than replacing workstations. Some are using mobile screens to divide spaces and separate workers, while others are adding higher panels to their existing stations.
- Return of the cubicle. We can’t really determine if the high panel cubicles are coming back for good, but we can share that a resurgence of interest has occurred. New office projects often have panel systems at higher heights than we’ve seen in the recent past – and often with some glass panels, ensuring daylight can come through and users have views beyond their workstation.
- Reorienting users in space. New projects are more sensitive to the layout of users. As employers work to prevent workers being face-to-face all day, furniture is being planned to keep users strategically separated.
- More concern for cleanable materials. It’s no surprise many clients are seeking materials on their furniture that can withstand high frequency cleaning. We’re seeing glass, laminate and more vinyl and polyurethanes being explored for this reason. Some want to ensure their seating upholstery can be bleach-cleanable and this need is growing.
- More exploration of antimicrobial materials. Very often the screens, panels, and seating in workplaces can be specified with an antimicrobial material. There are different types of materials out there to support this need and we’re seeing great interest in specifications for this as employers further work to protect employees.
Work from home office furniture packages. Some employers are allowing workers to continue to work remotely for a period of time. Often, these employers understand the importance of ergonomic furniture for the health and productivity of their people. AIS has constructed many Work From Home packages for customers during this time as the need continues to grow.
Setting guidelines for mask wearing. Many employers are requiring masks be worn with different guidelines for when and where to wear them. Employers are working to ID the balance where employees are protected while still being comfortable and productive. Mask wearing guidelines vary from wearing it all the time to wearing it when away from one’s desk – and everywhere in between. This is an area where individual companies will have to identify what works best for them – and then communicate and enforce it regularly.
About the author:
Bruce Platzman is the President and CEO of AIS, a $220 million office furniture manufacturer located in Leominster, Massachusetts and a designated Essential Employer during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
What is a Guest Columnist?
Being a member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber provides members with many opportunities to gain valuable information and connections. We are always on the lookout for valuable content that would be on interest to our members and communities. In an effort to provide an avenue to more easily access the vast array of the knowledge and expertise that our members possess, we are now offering exclusive Guest Columnist articles for the benefit of our members. As a membership based organization, submissions will only be considered from members at the Business Choice level and above.
This is a great opportunity to position your business as a thought leader and expert. Columns should not be self-promotional or sales oriented ,and should consist of content that would be useful to businesses, including tips, answers to important questions and any insights that would be helpful to fellow members. By participating, members have the chance to better inform, educate and aid in the development of other members and the North Central Massachusetts region.
Please contact David Ginisi, Marketing and Communications Manager, if you are interested in participating: | 978.353.7600 x240
Gift Local Gift Card Fees Waived
When it Matters Most
