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ChamberWorks July 2003 |
» Past Issues |
» Chairman's
Message
» Gift
Certificates
» Recap
- Annual Dinner
» Fairfield
T-shirts
» Of
Interest...
» Arts
& Crafts Recap
» Welcome
New Members!
Chairman's Message
The beginning of the fiscal year for the Chamber always brings with it new
issues, new goals and new people getting involved with all facets of the
organization. The Chamber has become a very exciting and active association. We
are seeing increased involvement by our members in many of the fundraisers,
networking events, town-wide events, and especially addressing the tough issues
that face businesses in our town.
We are continuing the current membership drive begun under Mark Hawkins' initiative. And at our most recent retail and membership breakfast at Rooster's Restaurant, many new faces appeared, along with more familiar ones. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get together and discuss issues and concerns, and to find out something about the chamber and what it does. We look forward to many more exciting breakfast events.
We anticipate more exciting events as the Marketing Committee continues to dream up creative ideas for fun and fundraising. Mark May 8th for the spring event which promises to be even bigger and better than Joey and Mary's wedding.
I am in the lucky position to be able to continue the Executive Committee relationships set forth last year, with the exceptions of Diane Melish becoming First Vice Chairman of the Board, replaced by Chris Usher as Retail Chairman, and Nancy Habetz stepping down as VP Public Relations after many years of service, succeeded by Dana Ambrosini, also with Fairfield University. We expect to be working together to bring suggestions and policies to the full board for discussion.
We are looking forward to another great year led by our newly titled President and CEO, Patricia L Ritchie, who, with the help of associate, Linda Matthews, will handle all administrative duties of the chamber. Together with the full board, we hope to be able to address any new issues facing the town with as much knowledge and enthusiasm as last year.
We are truly on a roll. I hope all chamber members will volunteer and become actively involved in this wonderful organization. Everyone can benefit from the numerous networking opportunities available to them. These opportunities also lead to helping build a viable and interesting community and business environment.
Ted Fitzgerald
Chairman
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates are selling like hot cakes at all three locations. Retailers
and Restaurateurs are the biggest winners in this program, so make sure
you sign up immediately. The certificates are now available at People's Bank,
1940 Black Rock Turnpike (across from Shaw's) and at People's Bank, 837 Post
Road (near Bob's Stores) and on line or by toll-free number. It would be a
good idea to call first to make sure the gift certificate denominations you
require are available.
Recap - Annual Dinner
Sixty-five people attended the June 11 annual dinner and awards ceremony at the
Bridgeport Holiday Inn. The Inn worked diligently to provide a warm and inviting
atmosphere, good service and good food for the event. The staff was
accommodating, and went out of their way to right any wrongs, while Bill McGarry,
the general manager of the hotel, made sure that all of our demands were met.
For those who are unaware of it, the Bridgeport Holiday Inn is a chamber member, and has over the past several years, sought to service Fairfield Chamber events. We are glad we were able to offer them our business for the annual dinner, and hope to work closely with them again in the future.
The full board approved the May minutes, annual budget and eight new members. The full membership approved the addition of an Indemnification clause to the By-laws, and the title changes required by the state and national Chambers of Commerce to comply with their request for continuity regarding titles. So -- congratulations to Ted Fitzgerald, our first so-named chairman of the board, and to all the new board members elected for the new term.
President's Award: Congratulations are also in order for Mary Ellen McLean who earned the President's award for her work as chairperson of the marketing committee. Mary Ellen has worked tirelessly on budgets, events and printed materials over the past year, and the award is in appreciation of her efforts on behalf of the chamber. Thanks Mary Ellen!
Harold B. Harris Award: Sidney Postol accepted the Harold B. Harris award with grace and a short but memorable speech in which he praised his friend, Harold Harris, for whom the award was named. Sidney's long-time friend, Jacky Durrell, wrote a letter on his behalf, noting that Sidney had for years worked tirelessly on behalf of the community. It was a good-natured rib regarding Mr. Postol's ability to debate all issues, and those who know both Jacky and Sidney had a good laugh on that score.
Fairfield T-shirts
We would like to add children's sizes to our T-shirt inventory. We found by
talking to women who attended the Arts & Crafts Show on June 21 and 22, that
we could have sold a dozen or so if they had been available that weekend.
We have found that the cost is prohibitive unless we order kids sizes in quantity. Please help us by ordering your Fairfield T-shirt in size 4-6x, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12 or 12-14 in either white or navy. Indicate your choice and fax it back to us at 256-9990 and we'll see if we can't satisfy the pent-up demand. And please remember that T-shirt sales are a fundraiser for the chamber. The shirts are of the highest quality cotton (Beefy-T by Hanes), and the logo is the chamber's exclusively. This means that the shirt cannot be purchased except through the chamber office.
Of Interest...
Fairfield High School teachers David Nulf and Chris Parisi announce plans for a
special summer (2004) program entitled The
Lewis and Clark Experience.
This is a field-based course involving twenty-one Fairfield High School juniors and seniors who will retrace part of the historic Lewis and Clark Trail in Montana. In rediscovering the Lewis and Clark expedition, students will gain insight of how landscape shapes human experience. They will communicate and publish their findings and make presentations to student and community groups using teaching trunks created from the experience. David and Chris developed the course and will lead the expedition. They have term-taught an American Studies course at Fairfield High School for seven years, and are both members of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.
Two signature, fund-raising events will be taking place to help them towards their monetary goal. The first is Thomas Jefferson Night at Burr Mansion, scheduled for October 17th. It is a cocktail reception which invites participants to look back to 1803, and the second is a Lewis and Clark Adventure Challenge, April 2004 at Lake Mohegan, Fairfield. It is a family oriented race designed to raise local awareness of the Bicentennial and the groups mission.
If you would like to receive more details on how you can help with this unique program, call David Nulf at Warde House, Fairfield High School, 255-8362, or the Chamber office, for a copy of their materials.
Arts & Crafts Recap
Even with a crazy mix of fair and foul weather on Saturday and Sunday, June 21
and 22, the annual Arts & Crafts Show artists faced the challenge and only
the most die-hard exhibitors stayed until late afternoon on Sunday.
Shoppers, both young and old, purchased items ranging from jewelry to fine art, crafts to clothing. Chairman Max Becker put together a fine blend of contemporary and traditional artists.
A big "thank you" to all of the volunteers who set aside a few hours of their time to come over and help with this effort. It is greatly appreciated by both the committee and our artists. And an additional "thanks" to the Public Works Department, Board of Education and our food vendors for helping to make it a successful event.
Welcome New Members for June!
For contact information, consult
our online Member Directory.
- Choice Words
- David Gunn Photography, LLC
- Leno's Restaurant & Pizza
- Liana's Trattoria LLC
- Nextel - The Customer Store
- Pink Lemonade
- The Shoe Emporium
- Sunny Daes