AndroscogginCounty Chamber of Commerce
ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
January 23rd
RamadaConferenceCenter
5:00 PMReception begins
5:55Call to Order – Chip – National Anthem sung by Ginger Leigh Smith -- then introduce reps from AndroscogginBankOxford Networks – starting with Androscoggin Bank video
6:00Welcome – Paul Andersen
Oxford Networks Video
6:10Chip return to podium to introduce Patti
Chair’s Remarks -- Patti
6:25Dinner
7:30Awards Program -- Chip, Patti, Board Members, & Sponsors
9:00 PMClosing and Adjourn – Pattiand Chip (50/50 winner)
6:10 PM - WELCOMING REMARKS –Patti
Good evening. On behalf of the Chamber Board and staff, thank you for joining us at the chamber’s 126thannual meeting. The Chamber’s annual meeting is the largest single celebration of excellence in our communities.
As we begin the program tonight, I want to express our deepest appreciation to AndroscogginBank[CM1]for being the major sponsor of tonight’s annual meeting. Will the dedicated team from Androscoggin Bank led by Paul Andersen, please stand and accept our appreciation. APPLAUSE.
And we want to thankOxford Networksfor being the lead cosponsor of our annual meeting. Will the team from Oxford Networks, led by Matt Jancovic, please standand accept our appreciation for sponsoring the chamber’s annual meeting?APPLAUSE.
I would also like to thank our other cosponsors:First, Central Maine Power represented by Bob Fickett. Would he please rise and accept our appreciation. APPLAUSE.
Second, KaplanUniversity and the team led by Dr. Christopher Quinn. Would they please stand? APPLAUSE.
Third, Procter & Gamble.Would the team from Procter & Gamble led by Felicia Coneyplease rise and accept our thanks? APPLAUSE.
Fourth, Unitil. Would the team from Unitil, led by Scott Carpenter please rise and accept our thanks. APPLAUSE.
Finally, I’d like to recognize our table sponsors for this evening.
Agren Appliance,[CM2]Argo Marketing Group, Bates College, BGA Financial, Brann & Isaacson, Camden National Bank, Center Street Dental, Central Maine Community College, Central Maine Medical Center, Central Maine Orthopaedics, Champoux Insurance, Community Credit Union, Electricity Maine/Health Affiliates of Maine, L-A Harley-Davidson, the Town of Lisbon, Mechanics Savings Bank, Norway Savings Bank, Rinck Advertising, Skelton Taintor & Abbott, St. Mary’s Health System, the Sun Journal, TD Bank, Turner Publishing, and the University of Southern Maine at Lewiston Auburn College. Let’s give them a big round of applause.
There are a few people in the audience I’d like to recognize.
First, again this year we are joined by U.S. Representative Mike Michaud. Also, from Mike’s staff is Andrea Quaid, from Senator Collin’s staff is [CM3]Tim Stretton, and from Senator King’s staff is Gail Kezar. We are also joined tonight by Representatives Peggy Rotundo and Mike Carey of Lewiston. APPLAUSE. Also joining us is independent gubernatorial candidate,
Eliot Cutler. Would he please stand. APPLAUSE.
We are joined this evening by toLucien Gosselin, leader of ourLewistonAuburn Economic Growth Council, Bob Thompson of AVCOG, and Conrad Welzel of theMaine Turnpike Authority. APPLAUSE.
With us tonight is a delegation from the Town of Lisbonled by Town Council Chair Lisa Ward and vice-chair Dillon Pesce. Would they stand and be recognized? APPLAUSE.
Also joining us tonight areLewiston MayorBob MacDonald, Council President Mark Cayer, and councilor Leslie Dubois andCity Administrator Ed Barrettandfrom Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, City CouncilorsAdam Lee, David Young, and Mary LaFontaine,andCity ManagerClint Deschene.Would they all stand and accept our appreciation for their leadership of our communities?APPLAUSE.
Now I would like to take a few moments to review with you some of the chamber highlights of 2013.
It is an irrefutable fact – none of our achievements would be possible without the dedication ofthousands of volunteer hoursthat our chamber members devote to developing and implementing our chamber programs and services. Many of the key committee volunteers and other supporters are identified in the 2013 annual report.[CM4] There is one at each place setting.
If you are a volunteer for one of the chamber programs or are on one of the chamber or YPLAA committees, please stand and be recognized. APPLAUSE
THIS IS WHY WE CAN ACCOMPLISH AS MUCH AS WE DO!Over 300 volunteers help The Chamber at different times throughout the year!! 2013 was a highly successful year.
According to MaineBiz, we maintained our lead onPortland as the largest local chamber in Maine. At the present time, our Chamber has 1382 members.The back of your program highlights the128new memberswho joined in the past 12 months.
Last February, over 100 volunteers delivered new business resource guides to members throughout central and southern Maine. This year we are again looking for volunteers to deliver the new 2014 resource guide on Thank You Day on February 20th.(This is a sneak preview of how it will look[CM5].) Applause
YPLAA, our young professionals’ organizationchaired by Kelly David, continued to growto more than500members. This major initiative was supported by a generous grant from major sponsor, Center Street Dental and was cosponsored by BangorSavings Bank – the founding sponsor. In the spring, YPLAA unveiled the Y-Not program with generous support from Thayer Corporation – which involved over 60 YP’s in a month long community involvement competition. In October, [CM6]The Chamber joined the YPLAA Betterment Committee to host a very successful “Candid Candidates” program at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Would YPLAA members here this evening please stand? These are the future leaders of our communities. APPLAUSE.
In all program areas, The Chamber continued and expanded our ongoing programs and added several new ones.
The Business Advocacy Committee, chaired by Clif Greim of Harriman Associatesand Paul Landry of Fish Bonesworked to put together our signature policy statements -- ‘What We Stand For’. [CM7]It is a plan for how our governor, the legislature, and local officials can create a business climate conducive to job growth in our state.
Our Education Committee,ledby chair Jen Hogan,championedseveral successful initiatives including: 2 career fairs, a job fair, over 60 junior achievement classes reaching more than 1000 students, and our14th annual scholarship scramble golf tournament which surpassed the ½ Million [CM8]dollar mark in terms of funds raised for scholarships for local students over its 14years. It is the single largest fund raiser for scholarships in our area. Jennifer Willey chaired that very successful effort. The Education Committee’s big new initiative of 2012-2013 was the creation of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy with the founding sponsorships by Mechanics [CM9]Savings Bank, Procter & Gamble, and Maine Education Services and several other Chamber members. Seven high school students completed the intensive 33-week program to create their own businesses. And three of those businesses are still going strong. This year the program has even more sponsors and students and is part of the regular curriculum of the LewistonRegionalTechnicalCenter. Applause.
Under the leadership of Hillary Dow and JoAnne Campbell, our Regional Image Committeeis now setting the stage for a whole new branding and marketing campaign for our communities. They are also working with the Maine Sports Commission to welcome the NCAA Division III final four hockey tournament to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee this
March 21st & 22nd.
The Membership Services Committee, under co-chairs Stephanie Gelinas andKurk Lalemandrejuvenated the ambassador efforts to welcome and reach out to members. Our yellow lanyard wearing ambassadors work to help members feel more comfortable attending large Chamber events and encourage them to utilize the wide range of Chamber programs. This year the committee has developed a whole new program for small business members called Chamber Mastermind.
Throughout the year, our regular chamber events, breakfasts, business after hours, seminars, and brown bags have experienced great attendance.[CM10] More and more members are using chamber services and wedeeply appreciate that.
It was a great year!!! My thanks to each and every one of you.Without your help it would not have been possible. (applause).
I would like to recognize and thank our hardworking staff team. That team is, by the way, the smallest staff of any major chamber in Maine – which allows us to keep member dues at a rate lower than most others.
Please stand upas I call your name.
Maureen Aube – Operations Manager and staff for the Business Advocacy Committee
Deborah Carroll – Events and program coordinator extraordinaire and staff for the Regional Image Committee
Jenny Ziebart – Communications Manager and staff for Education Committee and YPLAA
Ramprit Singh, our intern
Chip Morrison– our President (Who’s he?)
LET’S SHOW THEM OUR APPRECIATION! Applause
Tonight, I would also like to recognize previous leaders of the chamber who have joined us for this special evening. The following individuals have led the chamber board of directors in years pastand continue very strong support for us.
I would ask that they stand as I call their names and remain standing until I have completed the entire introductions. Please hold applause
PAST CHAIRS - CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS (who are with us tonight):
Larry RaymondIsaacson & Raymond
Ralph Tuttle
Terry Samson
Ray Martel
Steve CostelloSun Journal
Donna Steckino
Dick AlbertChampoux Insurance[CM11]
Bud WilleyCanteen Services
Peter MurphyNeokraft Signs
Art BoulayStrategic Talent Management
Susan StaceyManpower
Kurk LalemandNext Level Business Coaching
Mary LaFontaineLewistonCareerCenterApplause
Mary– would you please come forward[CM12] to be recognized for your great leadership in 2013! (give herthe plaque)
No summary of the year’s highlights would be complete without recognizing the chamber’s officers and directors with whom I have had the pleasure of working. Their leadership and commitment continues to provide a solid foundation for our organization.
SERVING ON THE CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH ME ARE:
(Please stand as I call your name[CM13] and remain standing.)
Austin AlbertTwin City Financial Group
Bob BernierMathesonValley Gas
Salvatore BonettiThe Bonetti Group at Morgan Stanley
JoAnne CampbellMechanics SavingsBank(Regional Image co-chair)
Michael CoxCentral Maine Orthopaedics
Kelly DavidCentral Maine Orthopaedics (YPLAA chair)
Stephanie GelinasSandcastle Clinical and Educational Services(Membership Services co-Chair)
Joyce GibsonUSM at LewistonAuburnCollege
Clif GreimHarriman Associates(Business Advocacy co-Chair)
Jennifer HoganCommunity Credit Union (Education chair)
Michael HuppeCentralMaineMedicalCenter
Susan KeilerSt. Mary’s Health Systems
Mary LaFontaineLewiston Career Center (past-chair)
Kurk LalemandNext Level Business Coaching (Member services co-chair)
Paul LandryFish Bones American Grill(Business Advocacy co-Chair)
Kevin LaPointeCarbonite
Sherry LavoieMoody’s Collision Centers
Jamison LeavittAgren Appliance
Betsy LibbyCentralMaineCommunity College
Mike MalloyBrann & Isaacson
Scott RiccioNortheast Charter and Tour Company
Robin RobbinsAndroscoggin Bank (Treasurer)
Julie ShackleyAndroscoggin Home Care and Hospice
Carl ShelineCenter Street Dental
Sherry SpencerProcter & Gamble
Mark StasiumTD Bank
Amanda ThebergeHilton Garden Inn
Jennifer WilleyCanteen Services(Golf Tournament chair)
Shane WrightIsaacson & Raymond
Ex-officio members of The Chamber Board
(who actively participate each month) are:
Joleen BedardUnited Way of AndroscogginCounty
Ed BarrettCity of Lewiston
Clint DescheneCity of Auburn
Lucien GosselinLAEGC
Bob ThompsonAVCOG
Last year eight individuals completed service on the board. They were:
Jason AgrenAgren Appliance
Art BoulayStrategic Talent Management
Adam DunbarWells Fargo Advisors
Matt JancovicOxford Networks
Andrea Leblanc Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice
Scott McKenneyHilton Garden Inn Auburn
Iman PoeraatmadjaNeokraft Signs
Peter TraillNason Mechanical Systems
Would Art, Adam (who had almost perfect board attendance over six years), Matt, and Scott come forward to accept a token of our appreciation?
PLEASE GIVE ALL THESE CHAMBER LEADERS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
Our hosts from the Ramada Inn Conference Center have prepared a great dinner for us this evening. Enjoy it. We will rejoin you after dinner for the annual awards program.
DINNER
INTRODUCTION TO AWARDS PRESENTATION – Patti
My favorite program of the year is the Chamber Annual Awards. It is our opportunity to thank and congratulate many business and community leaders for all the great things they’ve done for our communities.
This year the selection was incredibly difficult because we had over 50 nominations. And each one of those nominees is deserving of recognition!
So let’s begin our presentations with the YPLAA annual awards – again this year being recognized at The Chamber annual meeting.[CM14]
All the verbal part of the award presentations will be incorporated in the video. The role of the award presenter(s) is to hand the plaque to the winner(s) and be part of a photo. Patti will introduce first award and Chip will continue after that with the following (in order):
1.[CM15]Presenting the first YPLAA award to Sandra Jones will be Dr. Rose Sheline of YPLAA sponsor Center Street Dental and Kelly David, Chair of the YPLAA Steering Committee.
- Presenting the 2nd YPLAA award to Shanna Rogers of Community Concepts are Christine Bosse and Michelle Ritcheson of Bangor Savings Bank and past YPLAA chair, Jennifer Gaylordof the United valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.
YPLAA VIDEO
- Presenting a special YPLAA award to Michael Malloy will be
Dan Thayer of Thayer Corporation and Kelly David.
4. Presenting the New Member of the Year Award to Morningstar Stone and Tile is our sponsor, Paul Andersen of our sponsor Androscoggin Bankand Regional Image co-chair, Hillary Dow of Austin Associates.
5. Presenting the Greene Award to Huricane’s Café & DeliareBoard members, Sherry Lavoie of Moody’s Collision Centers and Sal Bonetti of Morgan Stanley.
6. Presenting the Lisbon Business Award to Positive Change Lisbon is Workforce Development and Education chair, Jen Hogan of Community Credit Union and board member Shane Wright of Isaacson and Raymond.
7. Presenting the Poland Business Award to Poland Spring Preservation Societyis board member Betsy Libby of CentralMaineCommunity College.
8. Presenting the Turner Business Award to Turner Publishing and Jodi Cornelio are Membership Services co-chair Kurk Lalemand of Next Level Business Coaching and Business Advocacy co-chair Paul Landry of Fish Bones American Grill.
9. Presenting the firstBusiness Leadership Award to Argo Marketing Group will be Scott Carpenter of co-sponsor UNITIL, past chair Mary LaFontaine of the LewistonCareerCenter, and board member Lucien Gosselin of LAEGC.
10. Presenting the second Business Leadership Award to Rainbow Bicycle is board treasurer, Robin Robbins of Androscoggin Bank and regional image co-chair JoAnne Campbell of Mechanics Savings Bank.
11. Presenting the Education/Businesspartnership Award to Community Credit Unionwill be Membership Services co-chair Stephanie Gelinas of Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services and board member Carl Sheline of Center Street Dental.
12. Presenting the Community Service Leadership Award to
the YWCA and Kathy Durgin-Leighton will beDr. Christopher Quinn of co-sponsor KaplanUniversity and board member Jennifer
Willey.
13. Presenting the Cool Chamber Award to PettengillAcademyare board member Sherry Spencer representing co-sponsor Procter & Gamble and business advocacy co-chair, Clif Greim of Harriman Architects and Engineers.
14.Presenting the Public Service Leadership Award to Craig Saddlemire will be board member Ed Barrett of the City of Lewiston and Lewiston Mayor Bob Macdonald.
15. Presenting the first President’s Award to L-A Harley Davidson and John Storywill beBob Fickett representing co-sponsor Central Maine Power, board member Amanda Theberge of the Hilton Garden Inn, and me.
16. Presenting the second President’s Awardto Rinck Advertisingwill beboard member Susan Keiler of St. Mary’s Health System and me.
17. Presenting the Ray Geiger Award to Art Boulayisformer Board memberMatt Jancovic, representing lead co-sponsor, Oxford Networks and Board Chair, Patti Gagne.
After the presentation of the Ray Geiger award,Patti& Chip return to the podium to thank everyone.
Before our super 50/50 drawing, I would like to once again thank our sponsors --major sponsor Androscoggin Bank, our lead co-sponsor[CM16]Oxford Networksand our cosponsors Central Maine Power,Kaplan University, Procter & Gamble Tambrands, and Unitil.
50/50 Drawing- Patti picks – Chip reads winning number.
[CM1] On the screen will be the logos of sponsors
[CM2]Names will be on screen
[CM3]These change right up to the last minute
[CM4]Picture of report is on screen
[CM5]On screen, 2014 Resource Guide cover
[CM6]On screen, YPLAA logo & picture from Y-Not
[CM7]On screen, What We Stand For
[CM8]On Screen tournament logo and $509,000
[CM9]On screen, logos of all sponsors and picture of students
[CM10]Pictures of chamber events on screen
[CM11]This will change with registrations
[CM12]Her picture will be on screen
[CM13]Board picture will be on screen
[CM14]This is the cue to run the first video
[CM15]Chip introduces each of the award presenters and gives them appropriate award
[CM16]Logos of all on screen