Social Capital

Dear Friend,  Thank You to All for the Many Birthday Wishes I greatly appreciate the outpouring of well wishes and hugs over the past birthday week. It is comforting to live in a community where people take time out to extend their best. We are fortunate to have such a close feeling of support and care. Thank you.

Social Capital Several weeks ago, Molly and Hank Lambert introduced a gathering of interested Swantonians to the concept of Social Capital. The sociologist, Robert Putnam defines social capital as the asset or product of people coming together to tell their stories and share their concerns or barriers to growth. By taking time to listen to our neighbors tell their stories, we become more closely connected to who they are and to what their challenges might be. The good news is that by nature, we want to help. Great things can happen to communities that take time to communicate. Community Matters Breakfast Earlier this June, we began to host a series of Community Matters Breakfasts. They have attracted great attention and popularity, each date filling up over night. During our meetings, we have given attendees time to tell their stories while the rest of us listen and take notes. A wide variety of citizens have participated and instantly we have seen evidence of "social capital" being generated. People reach out, exchange emails and promise to follow up with support and future conversations. Putnam would be impressed. We are hosting our last, sold-out, breakfast tomorrow morning. If you have not been able to attend a breakfast and would like to see more opportunities - just respond to this email and we'll begin a new list. What Does This All Mean?  From the Chamber's view, we see common themes popping up where we can start to direct or re-direct our resources. For example, several participants expressed an interest in seeing more activities for our "young professionals." As a result, the Chamber, in conjunction with several other agencies, has breathed life back into the Young Professional movement in Franklin County. Keep your eyes and open for Zach Sheffler, our new YP coordinator, and a soon-to-be-announced upcoming event. This is just one example of the measurable social capital that has been generated through the simple task of taking time to listen to our neighbors. (BTW, what on Zach's list? Send me a note.) Did You Know? While during the first two thirds of the 20th century Americans were becoming more and more connected with one another and with community affairs, the last third of the century witnessed a startling and dismaying reversal of that trend. Beginning, roughly speaking, in the late 1960s, Americans in massive numbers began to join less, trust less, give less, vote less, and schmooze less. We need more schmoozing!

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

The Great Race

Dear Lisamarie,  What Makes THIS Race the "Great Race?" For 36 years, teams and individuals have been gathering around and in St. Albans Bay to celebrate the 4th of July weekend with fitness, family and FUN! Generations have been planning, training and strategizing on how they can finish just one step faster than the year before or just ahead of the team next door. Colors, smiles, festivities and energy all serve to make this one of the most loved events in our region. Once you have competed in this event you will always consider it one of the Greats. Not a racer? Check out our volunteer or sponsor openings and become part of the Great Race.

I Want to Compete Can you run, bike or paddle? With 32 different divisions, have we got a place for you. Four, three and two person teams can compete in the popular canoe or kayak divisions while this year we introduce an all new Standup Paddleboard category. How cool would it be to be the first competitor to win a brand new category? Or you can take on all three legs in our hotly contested Ironman/Ironwoman races. Families, teens, businesses and first timers, you're included too - we've got categories just your size. Register early and get out there and get training. Sign up on-line HERE or stop by for a paper registration.  I Want to Volunteer Great events are a direct result of great people donating their time to do great things. Starting the weekend before the race we need teams of sweepers and painters to get the course in race shape - expect to spend a couple hours with the team on Saturday morning. On race weekend, we need parking attendants, sherpas to help schlep gear, and general crowd control volunteers. Contact our office and we'll get you a place where you can make a great difference. I Want to Sponsor  Each year we are blessed with corporate sponsors that help keep our Great Race running - literally. Their donations help not only on race day but throughout the year by supporting education, lobbying and outreach programs sponsored by the Chamber. These donations truly reach back into our community. This year we have created an opportunity for more organizations to get recognition during our event. We have 16 Mile Markers on the course with dedicated space to promote you and your business. Every team will pass your sign and see your message. Click here to learn more and sign up for your sponsorship sign.  Did You Know? In honor of one of the original founders of The Great Race, the Race Committee has unanimously voted to rename the Canoe Division Championship Trophy the "A. Gould Susslin Memorial Cup." Thank you Dr. Susslin for your years of dedication and community service - you are the model of a great citizen.

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

Get Involved

Dear Friend,  Memorial Day is Not Just a DAY Last Monday we took time to pay tribute to those who have gone on before us. Veterans, family members, friends and foes, each a vivid remembrance of a time when we could communicate face to face. Let those fond memories serve you each and every day as you seek new opportunities to share what matters most to you. What we have shared in the past can serve as a constant encouragement of what we can look forward to. Share something with someone today.

Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership Stakeholder Meeting That is a mouthful but this is a very important opportunity to share ideas that can directly impact funding for our area. Several times a year, CVNHP will host "stakeholder" meetings in our county to find out what matters most to us. BTW stakeholder means - YOU! To learn more about what the CVNHP funds go to GRANTS and check out the variety of grant opportunities. But more importantly - sign up for our stakeholder meeting schedule for tomorrow afternoon at the St. Albans Historical Society and Museum. People who come to this meeting get heard - Sign Up Community Matters I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about the launch of the Community Matters Breakfast Series - but I will anyway. Since the beginning of the year, I have been reading more and more about the power of community and the art of generating a valuable community asset known as "Social Capital." Just look what is happening in Swanton. As a result of people coming together in a community setting: powerful conversations are taking place, assets are being mobilized, groups are taking action -social capital is being generated - you can feel the energy.   A "Community Matters Breakfast" is one more forum for people to come together and share their excitement and concerns. Twelve people gathering for 90 minutes to open up about things that matter most to them. Can you even begin to imagine what can happen? Our parents can remember when people got together to chat - stuff happened. Our children are going to be able to say the same thing about us. Our June 4th breakfast is already sold out. Our June 10th meeting is open but won't be for long -Register Now. Later this week two more sites will be announced and we are taking reservations for more - contact us if you would like to host a site.  The Chamber Hits the Airwaves The Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin/Grand Isle Workforce Investment Board are hosting a Channel 15 television series called; "Franklin County Focus" where we feature businesses "Right Around the Corner" from you. We will begin filming this week in Swanton. Keep your eyes and ears open for when we visit your neighborhood. If you would like us to come to your business - call! Did You Know? Beginning roughly in the late '60s, Americans in massive numbers began to join less, trust less, give less, vote less, and schmooze less. A variety of technological and economical and social changes - television, two-career families, urban sprawl, and so on - had rendered obsolete a good share of America's stock of social capital. Today, a new form of social capital is on the rise - just look out your window!  Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.   Dave Southwick