All WE Need Is Love

Dear Friend,  It's Been A Rough Weekend  Stories of hate and anger rage out of control. The streets are filled with bodies, dead, dying, hurting, crying, weeping. It is not a pretty scene. Social media is in a state of chaos. There is a feeling of separation, captivity, an exile into disparate corners. I do not claim to have any answers. Regardless of where you might stand on the issues, I just want to take a minute this morning to share the three most powerful influences in my little world over the past three days.

Martin Luther King, Jr "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it spreads it... Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."  Nelson Mandela "No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." The Prophet Jeremiah "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have scattered you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Did You Know? If each of us turned to one person toward whom we have felt the least bit of hate or anger (or even a little miffedness) and extended a hand of reconciliation, a hug of compassion or a simple word of hope - we would change the world. TODAY!

Dave Southwick

All WE Need Is Love

Dear Friend,  It's Been A Rough Weekend  Stories of hate and anger rage out of control. The streets are filled with bodies, dead, dying, hurting, crying, weeping. It is not a pretty scene. Social media is in a state of chaos. There is a feeling of separation, captivity, an exile into disparate corners. I do not claim to have any answers. Regardless of where you might stand on the issues, I just want to take a minute this morning to share the three most powerful influences in my little world over the past three days.

Martin Luther King, Jr "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it spreads it... Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."  Nelson Mandela "No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." The Prophet Jeremiah "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have scattered you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Did You Know? If each of us turned to one person toward whom we have felt the least bit of hate or anger (or even a little miffedness) and extended a hand of reconciliation, a hug of compassion or a simple word of hope - we would change the world. TODAY!

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Join or Renew Today. And, thank you for investing your support in the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

40 Mile Circle

Dear Friend,  Sphere of Influence  Take a map and draw a circle around your business or organization, let's say a circle with a radius of 40 miles. Notice something about that circle? Sure it reaches into most of Franklin and Grand Isle counties and a good chunk of Lamoille and Chittenden counties as well. But a good third of that circle is cut off by the US-Canadian border (another big chunk is in the lake and NY). So without a passport or an enhanced driver's license a large part of your sphere of influence goes untapped.

One New Friend I may have mentioned this before so forgive me, but I made it a goal that as soon as the snow and ice cleared in 2016 I was going to make one new friend north of the border. I was going to wander across and find one person I could have lunch with. Why? Because as enticing as having great cross border relationships with Montreal might sound - it is a far reach. Why not meet a next door neighbor? Good News For the past month or so, a team of Franklin County folks have been reaching across the border and making new friends. To date we have had four home and away visits and we are making friends one handshake at a time. The good news, I now have at least 20 new friends I can can call by name. And we all agree that this is a good thing for businesses on both sides of the border. We are working on bringing our new friends to town so that you can meet them and so they can see what you are up to. Ne Parle Pas Francais? Neither do I. Big deal. Can you say Bonjour or Merci? You have got a great start. I have found that if you just make one small effort - Bingo - the doors swing wide open. Want to learn more? Well good thing, cause that is how this county rocks. CCV is offering a French class for people who want to learn conversational French in a business or tourism setting. I mean how cool, not to mention, timely? I will now be able to say something a bit more relevant than "Ma mere est dans la cuisine." Sign Up Today 40 Mile Circle My 40 mile circle is starting to fill out. Join me in the adventure. Did You Know? The Canada-United States border (French: Frontière entre le Canada et les États-Unis), officially known as the International Boundary, is the longest international border in the world. Established by no less than nine international treaties, it is commonly referred to as the world's longest undefended border. Just try crossing it without reporting and you'll see just how undefended it is!

Dave Southwick

Grants, Grant, Grants

Dear Friend,  How Come That Money Doesn't Come My Way? Ever wonder why the grant opportunities that cross your desk never quite match what you are looking for? Does it seen like every grant is written for someone other than you and your organization? Are you getting discouraged with the whole funding scene? Well, have I got a deal for you!!!

CVNHP A couple of years ago, we were approached by the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership to serve as a Regional Stakeholder Coordinator for the CVNHP grant program. That means that we are directed to identify organizations within Franklin County who might be interested in grant monies the CVNHP receives from the Lake Champlain Basin Program - think; history, conservation, education, commerce and community. Things that are important to most of us. The Cool Part So this is where it gets fun. Once we have identified interested groups - we invite them to a party! And at that party - you get to tell the CVNHP coordinators how you would like to see the LCBP money spent in the future. I know you are thinking that's the fun part but wait for it... then they listen and actually write down every one of your ideas. I know, right? Could It Get Any Cooler? These parties take place on all three sides of the lake; NY, VT & QC. Once all the ideas are collected, the regional stakeholder coordinators and other LCBP/CVNHP steering committee members gather to review and rank your ideas. And I can tell you that they all get looked at. Some float to the top and get approved for grantshipdom, while others that fall a bit short might get shelved for another time and place. But again, every idea gets attention. Oh yeah, then, these grant opportunities show up on your desk and they look more appealing and a whole lot more like your organization - you apply for them and the rest is history or conservation or education, you get the picture. How Do I Sign Up? The next Stakeholders meeting is June 14th - Click Here for all the Details. Did You Know? In 2015, the LCBP awarded the CVNHP $37,948 for eight Local Heritage Grants and $25,000 for five Conservation & Community Grants.  Read More

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Join or Renew Today. And, thank you for investing your support in the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

Global Big Day = STEM

Dear Friend,  Global Big Day = STEM, WHAT? OK, stick with me, I am going to get to a point or you can jump ahead and read the punch line. Definitions: in the bird watching (birding) world a "Big <insert period of time>" is the total number of different species of birds you see in that period. For example, a Big Year is all the different birds you see in a year. See the movie. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - an educational movement to increase our student's involvement and interest in these disciplines. Now here we go!

Birding This past Saturday, May 14th was designated as the Global Big Day. Which you now understand to mean, that it is a single day where birders from around the globe (Global) record all the different birds they see. That's a lot of binoculars. Results: 13,869 people turned in 36,945 check lists, identifying 5,826 different birds. And I helped. I checked out my backyard feeders, then joined a group at the St. Albans Town Forest and then drove around a bit. All told, I saw (or heard) 46 different birds, including a Yellow-rumped Warbler - while not necessarily rare, is certainly fun to say.  STEM Two days earlier, I was able to attend the STEM Challenge Initiative Recognition Night. This is a gathering of students, teachers and local businesses who are expanding STEM awareness in our area. We saw creative, bright students celebrate their projects and accomplishments. We listened as energetic, enthusiastic educators shared their ideas for engaging more students in STEM. We applauded the business leaders for their contribution to this wonderful movement. And, we gave a standing ovation to Christine Depatie, from the Swanton Elementary School, as she was handed the Mary S. Babcock Award for Excellence in all things STEM. Dena St. Amour, Swanton principal, described Ms. Depatie as "a cross between Miss Frizzle and Bill Nye the Science Guy." I was impressed that she is getting elementary students to turn off the lights. A BIG STEM Night.  Punch Line: The Connection Tim Smith, Chair of the STEM Challenge Initiative, warned that next year the number of STEM challenge project entries would be greater and that the number of students participating would jump and that the number of educators would multiply. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yes, a GLOBAL STEM BIG DAY! Could you imagine a night where we celebrated 5,826 different STEM initiatives. Now we're talking. Did You Know? In 2012, 7.4 million employees reported working in a STEM-related field. By 2018, we could be expected to see more than 8.6 million people pursuing careers in STEM, not counting those that are self-employed. Fun facts: Mechanical engineering is the #1 major chosen by students who want to pursue a career in STEM. American Indians have the highest interest compared to other minorities in STEM subjects and careers. Females who show an interest in STEM studies choose to focus more on science education.

Dave Southwick

Spring Has Sprung

Dear Friend,  Know How I Know Spring Is Here? The same way you do. Ice is out, flowers are beginning to pop, mud, construction, a cacophony of bird songs (I stole that one from the Bird Diva), sunny days, warmth on my face, plow is put away (it's off the truck), graduation invitations, white legs, bicycle is in the shop, walked outside today and THE VT MAPLE FESTIVAL is in town. Got Maple? Check out all these other Spring Activities.

How About Those Young Professionals? Last week 20-30, 20-40 yos, took over Guy's Yard and Farm and knocked it out of the park. There is a tremendous amount of great energy being generated by this generation. They are hooking up, asking tough questions, talking solutions and making super noises for their home area. Get on board with this group - they are for real. Read more  Spring Mixer You have been wearing that parka and you have been cooped up since October. Check out BodySoul Massage this afternoon for the Chamber Mixer. Any business with Hope as an owner and Healing in their name has to be awesome. Come on by, meet some new people, share a bite and sip, see what Hope and her team have to offer and take home a soulful door prize. Tonight, 5:30, 375 Lake Road. Pay at the door. Annual Dinner One sure sign of Spring around this Chamber office is the frenzied preparation for the Annual Awards Dinner. I gotta tell ya, Lisamarie and her team go above and beyond to make this a special evening. Great decorations, fabulous food, not your ordinary silent auctions (that's right plural), awards for our incredible members and a "whoa, did I just hear that?" guest speaker. Oh yea, and I wear a coat and tie! Great opportunity for a selfie with the ED. Don't wait, Spring does not last that long. Details   Did You Know? I was the first to hear the 2016 Vermont Maple Festival Window Display winners. That almost never happens. Spoiler alert! 3rd Place - What a Yarn & Antiques; 2nd Place - Eaton's Fine Jewelry; and (drum roll please) your 2016 VMFWD Champion is: RAIL CITY SALON. woo hoo....

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Join or Renew Today. And, thank you for investing your support in the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

The Vermont Futures Project

Dear Friend, Data, Data, Data I teach an Applied Math Concepts course on the St. Albans campus of CCV. A rewarding and interesting pursuit. One of the sections we dip into is Statistics. In my experience you either love statistics or your hate 'em. I have never met anyone who says "Oh Stats, yeah, well, they're OK." Me, I love stats. Give me a graph or a pile of data and I can keep myself amused.

Why Is Data Important to Vermont? Let me introduce you to The Vermont Futures Project, a collaboration based on the collection of data that can help us see into and plan for the future. Here is what they have to say about themselves. The Vermont Futures Project believes that we need a carefully thought out vision for an economic future which provides opportunity for everyone, as they define it, grows in productivity, and yields tax revenue sufficient to meet our shared goals of fairness, environmental strength, and compassion.  The Vermont Futures Project was launched by the Vermont Chamber Foundation to build a shared vision for the  economy in collaboration with partner organizations, academic institutions, and thought leaders. We are setting a course toward a vibrant economic future through research, policy development and long-term strategies in order to realize that vision. The Vermont Futures Project is committed to addressing the challenges facing Vermont in workforce, demographics, productivity, industrial mix, and infrastructure. The Vermont Futures Project believes that Vermonters need a shared vision about the economy - one that is as strong as the vision we share for environment and for our social safety net.  Why Should I Be Interested? (Hint: answer is in bold) That's a great question and it will be on the quiz. In my opinion, data is most useful when the focus of that data hit closest to home. So, in order to get greater input from our home, "The Vermont Futures Project is convening a statewide discussion series regarding the future of Vermont with a goal of enhancing and sustaining a robust and growing economy.  We invite you to join us at the Swanton Village Municipal office Building on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM to join in this work." Register with Tim Smith at 524-2194 or Tim@fcidc.com or Kathy Lavoie at Kathy.Lavoie2@myfairpoint.net or 802-782-1924. BTW, I'll be there.   Did You Know? That 86% of all statistics are made up.

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Join or Renew Today. And, thank you for investing your support in the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick