Committees

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Chamber of Commerce. Elected to three-year terms, the directors are nominated by the general membership as well as by the Nominating Committee (a sub-committee of the Board). The Nominating Committee presents its slate at the Annual Meeting. The slate is then voted on by the Chamber membership.

The Nominating Committee presents a slate of officers to the entire board and the board then elects the officers. The officers of the Board of Directors comprise the Executive Committee. Members include: the Chamber President, the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board. The Executive Committee meets monthly prior to the full Board meeting.

Sub-committees of the Board of Directors are established as needed. Sub-committees have included the Strategic Development Committee and the Nominating Committee.

For more information on the Board of Directors, contact Ted Shafer, the Chamber President & CEO at 860-482-6586 or e-mail ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.

Government Relations Committee

The Government Relations Committee of Northwest Connecticut’s Chamber of Commerce meets the second Thursday of each month. The Committee works closely with the Chamber staff and regional legislators. Among the activities of the Committee are the development of an annual Legislative Agenda, presented to the State Legislative Delegation from the Northwest Corner.

Legislative alerts are distributed via email to Chamber membership.

Candidate forums are held throughout the year. Candidates for State Senate, State House of Representatives, Governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress meet with Chamber members. Following the state legislative session, a legislative reception is held to offer members a chance to speak one-on-one with their legislators and voice concerns on specific issues. The Chamber coordinates with the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and its members to attend Connecticut Business Day in Hartford. This event, held each Spring, allows businesspeople to speak with their state legislative delegation and hear the Governor address all attendees.

To find your state legislator, visit https://www.cga.ct.gov.

 

The Chairman of the Government Relations Committee:

Ted Shafer
Northwest Chamber of Commerce

 

Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.

For more information on the Government Relations Committee contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Council

The Health Council, a peer group comprised primarily of individuals and companies involved in healthcare in Northwest Connecticut, meets monthly. Meetings focus on specific areas of interest, including employee recruitment and retention, workforce development, on-the-job training programs and grants, legislative updates that affect the health care industry and facility tours.

The Chairman of the Health Council:

Joanne Borduas
Community Health & Wellness

 

Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.

For more information on the Health Council contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.

 

 

 

 

Insurance Committee

The Insurance Committee serves as a vital platform for professionals to convene and engage in open discussions concerning various aspects of health insurance. Its overarching goal is to address pertinent issues related to health insurance, with a focus on individuals both under and over the age of 65, as well as employers and non-profit organizations. This committee meets monthly.

 

The Chairman of the Insurance Committee:

Bob Twombly
Brooks, Todds & McNeil

 

Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.

For more information on the Insurance Committee contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org

 

 

 

 

 

Leads Group

Chamber Leads Groups are designed to help members build strategic alliances, identify prospects, and grow their customer base through a supportive and collaborative network. Each Leads meeting provides members with the opportunity to share insights about their business, offer testimonials, and refer potential clients to fellow group members.

Leads Group I meets on the second Monday of each month at 12:00 PM.

If you’re interested in participating in Leads Group or would like more information, please contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturers’ Coalition

The Manufacturers’ Coalition, a group comprised of individuals from manufacturing companies in the Northwest corner, meets every other month. Meetings focus on specific areas of interest including employee recruitment and retention, workforce development, on-the-job training programs and grants, legislative updates that affect manufacturers, facility tours, sharing of best practices, and the development of industry-specific curriculum for local educational institutions.

The Chairman of the Manufactures’ Coalition:

Rich DuPont
Resource Development Associates

 

Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.

For more information on the Manufacturers’ Coalition, contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Membership Committee

Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce’s Membership Committee is a group of dedicated individuals who assist the Chamber staff throughout the year. Under the Membership Committee umbrella, there are three distinct groups: Member Ambassadors, Hospitality and Marketing & Communication.

Our Member Ambassadors work with the Chamber staff to welcome new members to the organization.

The Hospitality group is visible at events assisting with registration, greeting members and serving refreshments. The Marketing & Communications sub-committee works closely with the Chamber staff to sustain and amplify the Chamber brand; to inform and promote events to members and the public; to evaluate effectiveness of marketing efforts; to create or refresh initiatives and materials; and to assist and advise the staff, Membership Committee and board. This group meets monthly.

 

The Chairman of the Membership Committee:

Sarah Langlois
Union Savings Bank

 

Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.

For more information on the Membership Committee, contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.

 

Small Business Committee

The Northwest corner is home to a great number of entrepreneurs fulfilling their dreams of owning their own businesses. Meetings generate discussion of value to each member.  This group meets the first Tuesday of the month.

The Chairman of the Small Business Committee:

Moe Chislum
Northwest Community Bank

 

Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.

For more information on the Small Business Committee contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.

Young Professionals Organization

The Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce created the Young Professionals Organization to support and expand the population of young professionals in our region through networking, community involvement and professional development.

The ultimate goal is to make Northwest Connecticut an inviting and attractive place in which young professionals can live and work. The Chamber recognizes that businesses, state and local governments, civic organizations and the community at large rely on young people to succeed their predecessors in leadership roles. Without leaders to fill vacancies or offer fresh ideas, our region would struggle to remain competitive.

 

The Chairman of the Young Professionals Organization Committee:

Dan Santorso
FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity 

 

Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.

For more information on the Young Professionals Organization contact Ted Shafer at 860-482-6586 or email ted@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.