It’s been 60 days since I began at SMMC, and I have to say the welcome I have received from the business community and citizens has been tremendously warm. I write articles weekly highlighting specific activities, events or local projects, and for the most part I will continue to do that.
However, every two months, I will be throwing out a very bulleted list of things to watch for. Here is a quick list of nine need-to-knows to get you updated on. For more information on any of these, contact us at the SMMC office:
• Bill Dodge Blood Drive, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Get entered for Jimmy Buffet tickets, have some Papa John’s or Gelato Fiasco, and help a great cause. There is a significant blood shortage and the American Red Cross needs to get all of the blood they can. Please help if you can. Sign up online at redcrossblood.org and use the code “Bill Dodge Hyundai.”
• 12 @ 12 Networking Series: The SMCC has a lunchtime networking series for members which includes free lunch and a five-minute pitch where you promote yourself to other members sponsored by Wild Oats Bakery. Open to all members (once per calendar year, please) and normally on the first Tuesday of each month, though the September 12 @ 12 will be Sept. 13th to avoid Labor Day.
• Be an ambassador: We have a list of businesspeople and citizens that welcome new businesses to the region, attend networking events like ribbon cuttings, and answer questions for new members about the region. If you would like to be a part of this group and want to help welcome people to the community let us know.
• Be a liaison: August is Government Liaison Recruitment month at SMMC. Our chamber has a quick action team that looks at governmental issues (like new laws and referendums) that are facing our state and promotes information sessions for citizens. Additionally, this team will recommend stances on issues for board approval. If getting engaged politically to represent the regional business community interests you, we’re signing up new team members all month long in preparation for a busy November.
• Be a volunteer: Our SMMC office is managed by a lone staff member and office volunteers. Currently, we could use some more office volunteers to help manage guest guide mailings, answer phones, update our website and support our members.
• Tell us about your events: Our event calendar at midcoastmaine.com gets thousands of hits per year. When you are putting on a community event, please share it with our calendar. There is a submit event button on the Event Calendar page of our site.
• Topsham Fair, Aug. 7-14: Speaking of area events not to miss, the Topsham Fair is full of agricultural and family events.
• Maine Highland Games, Aug. 20, Topsham Fairgrounds: An original experience like no other. For more information, go to mainehighlandgames.org.
• See “Fiddler on the Roof” or “Mama Mia” at MSMT: An outstanding season continues at Maine State Music Theatre with “Fiddler on the Roof” playing until this Saturday, Aug. 6, or catch “Mamma Mia” running Aug. 10-27. Also don’t miss two special one-day performances with the aerialists of Two Ring Circus performing at Footlight Follies on Aug. 15, and theater for young audiences on Aug. 22 with four performances that day of Robin & Clark’s Aladdin. For more information, go to msmt.org. The final show is “The Irish and How they Got That Way” through Aug. 16- Sept. 11 (performed at Portland Stage in Portland).
• Stalk us on Facebook: Four times per week at a minimum, Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber is posting on Facebook, and since people from 2 to 102 have Facebook pages, we suggest following us to get your daily fix of community happenings — just search us.
NEW MEMBERS: Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber would like to welcome the following new members and thank them for joining our team: Brunswick Coastal Rotary Club, Wayfair, Maine Green Power, and Coffee News of Midcoast ME. We look forward to connecting you to our members and the citizens of the 16 great communities we serve.
DON’T MISS: Public forum on new Mt. Ararat High School, Aug. 3, 6:30-8 p.m.
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