Report to Members
Executive Director's Report - December 2005

As 2005 comes to a close and I complete my second month as your Executive Director it gives me great pleasure to provide the membership with an update on program activities since my last report in November.

On Tuesday, December 6th the Chamber received a shipment of 5,000 books entitled “Honor the Past Celebrate the Future, A Historical Overview of the Blackstone River Valley, Massachusetts.” Nearly 3,000 were distributed within ten days. Copies of the Chamber’s first book publication can be obtained through our e-Purchase web site, www.blackstonechamber.com, or through the Chamber offices at (508) 234-9090. The cost of the book is $29.95 plus shipping and handling.

The Valley Leaders Program is in the process of being reintroduced for another year. This is a critically important program for the Chamber’s long term financial health and for ongoing sustainable program development. As a result we are asking members to contact our offices as soon as possible or by December 31st to participate in the 2006 Valley Leader program. The December 31st date was selected in order to assist any member who is interested in a tax deduction. Enrollment will continue through the early months of 2006.

The Chamber was involved with two highly successful program events during November and December. First, The Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre in Woonsocket, R.I. held an open house, tour, movie and networking event on the evening of Thursday, November 17th. More than 70 business and community leaders gathered to experience the elegant grandeur of the Stadium Theatre. The second event was a holiday gathering hosted by W.B. Smith Companies, in a newly renovated Victorian office complex adjacent to the Grafton Common in Grafton. More than 250 Chamber members and clients of W.B. Smith enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing networking event.

As we enter 2006, Chamber members are going to start to see more and more new program initiatives designed to benefit members at little or no cost. These new programs and concepts will be outlined during my presentation before members at the breakfast meeting on Tuesday, January 10th at Pleasant Valley Country Club starting at 7:30a.m. Please sign-up in advance of this event by contacting Nagibe at our Chamber office – 508-234-9090 or ndesrosiers@blackstonevalley.org.

2006 will prove to be a new and exciting time for the Chamber and for our members. I’m eager to hear your thoughts as to how the Chamber can serve you and your business in the most purposeful way possible. Please contact my office so that I may arrange for an appointment. I extend my best wishes for a peaceful and healthy holiday season.

Jeff Ritter
Executive Director
Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
110 Church Street
Whitinsville, MA 01588
508.234.9090 x102
jritter@blackstonevalley.org