InTouch MONTHLY NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2013

Leading

Women's

Luncheon

50 ELM STREET, WATERVILLE, ME 04901 • TEL: (207) 873-3315 • FAX: (207) 877-0087

info@midmainechamber.com • www.midmainechamber.com

Brad Fisher, Chair of the Board • Kimberly N. Lindlof, President & CEO

Highlights in this Issue:

P. 2: From the President’s Chair

P. 2: Natural Gas Course Offerings

P. 3: Increase Your Facebook Likes

P. 4: Member Events Calendar

P. 8: Member Spotlight: New

Dimensions Federal Credit Union

Inland Hospital Renovation Project

Complete By Sara Dyer

A $5.7 million renovation project at Inland

Hospital is complete and hospital staff mem-

bers are beaming with pride. “It’s wonderful

to see Inland growing for our patients and

our community!” says Tara Elliott-Greene,

RN, as she cares for a patient in the hospital

on Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.

According to John Dalton, Inland Presi-

dent and CEO, “We have created a state-of-

the-art healing environment that promotes

even better patient care and practice environ-

ment for staff.”

The renovation involved three major

parts: consolidating the medical-surgical and

intensive care units; renovating the unit’s

semi-private patient rooms to private rooms;

and giving the medical-surgical floor a new,

more efficient layout.

“We made many of the changes based on

feedback from patients and families, and al-

ready we are hearing how pleased people

are,” reports Rick Barry, RN, BSN, Vice

President of Patient Care Services. “People

appreciate the private rooms because it al-

lows for more dignified care as well as a safer

environment for patients and staff. The rooms

have state-of-the-art lifting equipment, pri-

vate bathrooms with showers, and accommo-

dations for families and visitors. Also im-

portant is that single rooms are proven to help

prevent infections.”

Design changes to the layout of the medi-

cal-surgical floor involved making two nurses

stations at either end of the unit instead of

one in the center as it is now. This efficiency

will mean nurses and other caregivers have

more time to be at the patient’s bedside.

“This is an example of how we are trans-

forming the way we deliver care in the con-

stantly changing world of healthcare,” said

Dalton. “Inland and EMHS are committed

to Waterville and we are proud to strength-

en this hospital’s role in the community as a

place where patients and families always

come first.”

A capital campaign to help fund the

modernization is in its final stages and is

expected to be complete in December, 2013.

Campaign Chair Charlie Gaunce, a Water-

ville businessman and Inland supporter for

50 years says, “Philanthropic dollars are

even more crucial in these challenging

times. I’m proud of the community’s con-

tinuing support of Inland and the future of

healthcare here in Waterville.”

As a member of EMHS, Inland Hospital of-

fers integrated, coordinated care for better

results for patients, businesses and commu-

nities. The Inland family includes 18 primary

and specialty care medical practices in

Waterville and surrounding communities, as

well as Lakewood, a 105-bed continuing care

center on the Inland campus. FMI:

www.inlandhospital.org

Tara Elliott-Greene, RN, cares for a patient in one of Inland Hospital’s newly renovated rooms in the medical-surgical unit.

Tuesday, November 19th

with Shannon Haines, executive director

of Maine Film Center

11:30 - 1PM at Best Western Plus

375 Main Street, Waterville

Contact Amy at 873-3315 or

info@midmainechamber.com to register.

- Kimberly

Page 2

From the

President’s Chair

There is one goal that all businesses

have in common: the need to have an

educated workforce. That can begin

by all of us doing our part to provide

access to books for children – even in our business-

es. If you have a waiting area, odds are that there

are children in them at least occasionally. Toys are

great, but reading materials are even better. This

doesn’t have to be costly; check out yard sales,

library book sales, Goodwill, Ken-a-Set (Skills,

Inc), Salvation Army Store, or a number of vari-

ous retailers in our region that sell children’s litera-

ture such as Marden’s, Maine Made & More or

Wal-Mart. Scattering a few books around may

tempt a child to read, or a parent to read to the child,

and we know that this leads to higher rates of litera-

cy and higher test scores. It’s a small gesture but so

easy for each of us to implement.

Waterville Rotary Club is introducing a literacy

program entitled, Rhoda Reads. It will be rolled out

in the community over the next few months thanks

to the hard work of many including Tina Chapman

of United Way of Mid-Maine and Ken Vlodek of

Yardgoods Center.

And please remember as we approach the holiday

season that there are many that cannot afford

books. They make a great donation at the various

churches, Maine Children’s Home for Little

Wanderers, Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, and

other collection spots around our region. It’s a gift

that lasts a lifetime: literacy.

With thanks,

Bowdoin Photography

Business After Hours

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

Many fabulous door prizes, 50/50 raffle & more!

Thank you to our

50/50 Sponsor:

Sponsored by:

Day’s Jewelers

88 Main Street, Waterville

November 20th

· 5:30-7PM

Propane & Natural Gas Courses Among Kennebec

Valley Community College’s Energy Services Offerings

ENERGY SERVICES

COURSES

CONTACT

HOURS SEMESTER

COURSE

DATES/TIME COST

RF1 015 EPA 608

Refrigerant for Small

Appliances Certification

12 FALL 2013 Nov. 18, 19 &

21 (5PM-9PM)

$195

PNG1 010 Propane &

Natural Gas: Basic

Principles & Practices

20 FALL 2013 DEC. 2 (M,W;

2WKS); EXAM

DEC. 14 9AM

$385

PNG1 020 Propane &

Natural Gas: Appliance

Connection & Service

80 SPRING 2014 JAN. 6 (M,W;

9WKS); EXAMS

JAN. 25, FEB.15,

MAR. 8

$1,445

PNG1 030 Propane &

Natural Gas: Applying

Basic Electricity

Principles

20 SPRING 2014 MAR. 10 (M-W;

2WKS); MAR. 26

9AM

$385

HP1 010 Mini-Split Heat

Pump

40 SPRING 2014 FEB. 17-21

8AM-5PM

$800

SP1 020 Solar PV Design

and Installation

16

24

SPRING 2014 APRIL 21-MAY 9

(Online)

MAY 15, 16, 17

(Classroom)

$800

FMI: Robin Weeks, Energy Services Administrative Coordinator, at 453-5818 or rweeks@kvcc.me.edu

Page 3

Typically when you start Face-

book marketing your first and

foremost objective is to increase

your Facebook likes. Everyone

wants more likes, right? But no

one seems to know how to get

them. Below are a two ways to help you

increase your Facebook likes and opti-

mize your Facebook marketing.

First of all, before you start any like

campaign, make sure your Facebook Page

is filled out correctly with a company

description, hours of operation, website

link(s), phone number(s) and graphics

that represent your brand.

Secondly, you should secure your

username by visiting www.fb.com/

username and selecting a username that

matches your company’s name and/or

website address. Try to avoid hyphens,

periods and abbreviations. Note that this

username is permanent, so before you hit

“confirm” make sure you proofread the

username for typos and are 100 percent

positive that this is the Facebook

username you want to use.

After selecting a username, you will

be able to use www.fb.com/yourusername

on printed materials and in digital market-

ing files. This will allow you to give a

precise address to people, ensuring that

they find your Facebook Page.

Once you have optimized your Face-

book Page with all appropriate data and

branding and secured your company’s

username, you are ready to start inviting

people to your Page. This can be done

many ways; however, I’ve listed two of

the most common ways to boost your

Facebook likes:

Invite your email con-

tacts and Facebook

friends. Under the “Build

Audience” button – found

at the top of your adminis-

trative panel on your Face-

book Page – you will see two options.

One is “Invite Email Contacts” and the

other is “Invite Friends”. You should do

both.

I often get push back from business

owners saying they don’t want to “spam”

their Facebook friends and email con-

tacts. My answer is always the same: If

you strongly believe in your business,

then feel confident about marketing it to

your online network. Chances are they

want to support your business efforts.

Inviting your email contacts and Face-

book friends is perfectly acceptable.

Note: when inviting email contacts they

will receive an email from the actual page

and not yourself.

Post engaging content. If you expect

people to like your Page, you need to post

engaging content for your fans to like,

comment and share. This content should

be posted no less than three times a week;

if you can do once a day or more you will

see better results.

Again, many professionals say this is

too much in terms of time and exposure.

My short reply is: google “EdgeRank”

and think about it from a marketing point

of view. You’ll understand why it’s im-

portant to post to you Facebook Page on a

regular basis.

Tracy O’Clair is a social media specialist

and owner of TOCmedia, a social media

and email marketing service provider.

Two Effective Ways to Increase Your

Facebook Likes By Tracy O’Clair

New OSHA Standard

with Deadline Dec. 1 By Bill McPeck

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Admin-

istration (OSHA) has rewritten its Hazard Commu-

nication Standard (HCS) to improve the quality and

consistency of hazard information, making it safer

for workers to do their jobs and easier for employ-

ers to stay competitive.

OSHA’s HCS is now aligned with the Globally

Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling

of Chemicals. This update to the HCS provides a

coherent approach to classifying chemicals and

communicating hazard information.

The new OSHA standard will be implemented in

phases, the first of which requires employers to

train employees on the new label elements and safe-

ty data sheet format. Employers must complete

employee training by December 1, 2013. To help employers complete this training, the

Safety Works program at the Maine Dept. of Labor

has developed a training program video. Employ-

ers can access it here: http://www.mccs.me.edu/

business/ghsvideo.html. Employees who watch the

complete video will be considered to have complet-

ed the required training.

If employers use the video for their training pro-

gram, it is very important that the employer record

on a list the name and date the employee completes

the video. This will serve as the record that all em-

ployees have completed the required training.

Safety Works makes Hazard Communication

training resources available here: http://

www.safetyworksmaine.com/training/

online_classes/hazard_communication/. Employers

can access new OSHA Hazard Communication

standard resources here: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/

hazcom/index.html.

Bill McPeck is a Certified Wellness Culture Coach

& Worksite Wellness Program Consultant. He is

available to help with all employee wellness, safety,

work-life and well-being needs. Contact Bill at 355-

1203 or williammcpeck@gmail.com.

Page

4

Nov. 2: Climate Adaptation Facts: A

Briefing for the Kennebec River Val-

ley Communities at Kennebec Valley

Community College. 8AM-3PM with lunch

provided. FMI: Linda Woods at

lwoods@waterville-me.gov.

Nov. 2: 7PM & 9PM Waterville Opera

House presents Bob Marley. FMI: 873-7000

or www.operahouse.org.

Nov. 6: 1-7PM Efficiency Maine Annual

Symposium & Awards, 88 Spring St., Port-

land. FMI: paul.badeau@efficiencymaine.com

or 213-4157.

Nov. 6: 8AM-12PM Grow Your Business

with Email & Social Media: Plus Facebook

Training with Tracy O’Clair of TOCmedia at

Skowhegan Municipal Building.

FMI: toclair@toc-media.com.

Nov. 6: Alfond Youth Center hosts a free

dinner presentation: “Helping Your Child

Through Grieving” in partnership with

Hospice Volunteers of the Waterville Area & Kennebec Behavioral Health. 5:30-8PM.

Reservations requested. FMI: 873-0684.

Nov. 7: Simple Strategies for Event Marketing

with Tracy O’Clair of TOCmedia at the

Waterville Public Library 10:30-12PM.

FMI: toclair@toc-media.com.

Nov. 7: 5-8PM, Friends Night Out – Kaleido-

scope making at Stained Glass Express.

FMI: info@stainedglassexpress.com.

Nov. 7: Cookie Lee Jewelry by Michelle’s

Ladies’ Night Out 5:30-8PM at Prime Cut

Salon. FMI: mginc@roadrunner.com

Nov. 8: Spectrum Generations Muskie Cen-

ter Veteran’s Luncheon at 11:30AM. Free for

veterans & open to all. FMI: (800) 282-0764

Nov. 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30PM & November 10,

17 at 2PM: Waterville Opera House presents

Fiddler on the Roof. FMI: 873-7000 or

www.operahouse.org.

Nov. 9: Kennebec Montessori School’s 26th

Annual Auction, featuring live entertainment,

dinner catered by Eric’s Restaurant, and cash

bar. 5-9PM at the Winslow VFW. Tickets

available in advance or at the door, and all are

welcome. FMI: in-

fo@kennebecmontessori.org or 453-6055.

Nov. 9: 12:55PM The Metropolitan Opera

Live in HD presents Tosca at the

Waterville Opera House. FMI: 873-7000 or

www.operahouse.org.

Nov. 10: Volunteer training & orientation 2-

4PM at the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, 19

Colby St. FMI: 872-8082 or

shelter@shelterme.org.

Nov. 12: Social Media Breakfast Central

Maine at Thomas College 7:30-9AM. Trevor

Jones of GWI on “Using Testing & Analytics

to Increase Lead Growth.” Sponsored by

TOCmedia, Little Pictures of Maine & KV

Connect. FMI: www.smbcme.com

Nov. 14: Manpower presents “Keep Your

Resume Out of the Recycle Bin: 10 Tips for

Today's Resume” (webinar) 12PM.

www.mapower.us/careerwebinars.

Nov. 15: Maine State Chamber of Com-

merce’s annual dinner, Mr. King Goes to

Washington: An Independent’s Perspective on

His First Year in Washington. Networking,

dinner &awards, & keynote speaker Sen. An-

gus King. 4:30PM at Augusta Civic Center.

FMI: www.mainechamber.org/annualmeeting.

Nov. 15-17, 22-24: ACAT presents

Our House by Theresa Rebeck.

FMI: Waterville Opera House at

873-7000 or www.operahouse.org.

Nov. 18: Maine Film Center presents Mon-

day Night Movies: Pickpocket at 7PM. World

Cinema Masterpieces in 35mm at Waterville

Opera House. FMI: mainefilmcenter.org.

Nov. 19: Dream of starting a business? Dr.

Frank Appunn of Thomas College leads sem-

inar on identifying entrepreneurial opportuni-

ties, the 1st in a series for future entrepreneurs.

6PM at REM, 93 Main St., Waterville. Free &

open to the public. FMI: shawe@thomas.edu

or aesylvester@gmail.com.

Nov. 23 & 24: 10-3PM, Messalonskee All

Sports Boosters Craft Fair at Messalonskee

High School.

Nov. 29: Waterville Main Street’s Parade of

Lights, 6PM on Main St. in downtown Water-

ville. To enter a float, download entry form at

watervillemainstreet.org & submit by Nov 8.

Nov. 23: James McMurtry at Waterville

Opera House at 8PM. FMI: 873-7000 or

www.operahouse.org.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 22: Waterville Main Street

presents Kringleville in downtown Waterville.

Parents, bring your children to visit Santa at

his Waterville home. This year Santa will have

visiting hours at REM, 93 Main St., Water-

ville. FMI: www.kringleville.com

Dec. 8: Warming Up for Christmas, an annual

Christmas concert with Steve Fotter & Friends

at Waterville Opera House at 4PM. Proceeds

benefit Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. FMI

& for tickets, 873-7000 or

www.operahouse.org.

Page 5

B&B Embroidery & Ink

Robert Kittredge

82 Libby Hill Rd., Oakland, ME 04963

465-2846 · www.bbembmaine.com

info@bbembmaine.com

Bridges Home Care

Deb Silva

58 Elm Street, Waterville, ME 04901

623-0761

spectrumgenerations.com/bridges-home-care

New Beginnings Church of God

Alan Imes

392 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901

873-1554 · www.newbeginningscog.org

church@newbeginningscog.org

Paul G. White Interior Solutions

Andrew Nadeau

50 Allen Avenue, Portland, ME 04103

329-9985· www.paulgwhite.us

andrewnadeau@paulgwhite.us

School Street Yoga

Susan Golden & Jeri Wilson

5 School Street, Waterville, ME 04901

330-1450 · www.schoolstreetyoga.com

info@schoolstreetyoga.com

Sears Hometown Store

Denise Cross

192 College Avenue, Waterville, ME 04901

872-0323 · www.searshometownstores.com

ds3163@shos.com

Waterville Area Habitat for Humanity

Holly Towle

440 Clinton Avenue, Winslow, ME 04901

441-6748 · www.watervilleareahfh.org

info@watervilleareahfh.org

The Kennebec Montessori School is pleased

to welcome Dr. Pamela Thompson to its

Board of Directors. Dr. Thompson is Associ-

ate Professor of Education at Thomas Col-

lege, and her area of research is Montessori

education and philosophy.

Welcome to Waterville Main Street’s interns: Bryan from Thomas

College and Matthew from Waterville Senior High School! If you see

them out and about, make sure to say, "Hi!"

Helen Michaud is the new Shop Local intern for the city of Waterville,

and will be visiting local businesses to talk more about this pro-

gram. FMI: www.waterville-me.gov.

Dr. Stephen Mulkey, president of Unity College, has been elected to

serve on the Board of Directors of the Natural Resources Council of

Maine.

KV Connect announced its newest Steering Committee members:

Brendan O’Keefe of O’Donnell, Lee, McCowan & Phillips and Sa-

mantha LeFebvre of Kennebec Behavioral Health. Welcome to the

team, Brendan and Sam!

Macpage would like to announce the following promotions: Benjamin

Dailey, John Guarnotta & Adam Warfel have been promoted to Senior

Manager. Hadje Esmiller, Renee Grant, Christina Nason & Patrick

O'Reilly have been promoted to Manager. Emily Baron, Rosie Ga-

vazova & Erin Hill have been promoted to Supervisor. Bethany Bou-

gie, Amy Chute, Justin Coffin, Steven Fal-

co, J. Walker Matthews, Lauren MacAl-

ister, Nicholas Norton, Michael Rankin &

Michael Santo have been promoted to Sen-

ior Accountant. MacPage would also like

to welcome new hires Cameron Hart, Julia Howland, Jay McCormick,

Denise Miller & Keiko Myer. Congratulations, everyone!

Barbara Crowley, MD, executive vice president at MaineGeneral, has

been named one of the top 20 most influential people in Maine who is

making a difference in improving health care quality and lowering cost.

The Maine Health Management Coalition recently recognized Dr.

Crowley with the award at its annual symposium.

Business partners Richard Forsley and Michael Anderson of Choice

Investments announced that Financial Advisor Christopher Markos

has joined their wealth management team. Welcome aboard!

Kennebec Behavioral Health provider Robert Hamm has won the

Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers' 2013

Social Worker of the Year Award. Hamm, who provides School Based

and Outpatient services to KBH clients in Waterville and Skowhegan,

is being honored for demonstrating his commitment to excellence in

ethical behavior and social policy.

Former Governor John McKernan has joined the U.S. Chamber of

Commerce as President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

and Senior Advisor to Chamber President & CEO Thomas Donohue.

Great news!

Page

Upcoming Events November 5: New Member Orientation 11:30-1PM at Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce

50 Elm Street, Waterville

Join us to learn more about our Chamber & how to max-

imize your membership. Free lunch provided. Please

RSVP to Amy at info@midmainechamber.com.

November 14: Business Breakfast Series 7:15-9AM at Thomas College

Oak Room, Spann Student Commons

“Leadership from the Inside Out”

with speaker Stephen Pecukonis of HRD Associates

To register, visit www.midmainechamber.com or e-

mail Christian at prog.asst@midmainechamber.com.

November 20: Business After Hours 5:30-7PM at Day’s Jewelers

88 Main Street, Waterville

Join us for networking and more. As

always, this is a great way to mix and

mingle with other business profession-

als! Remember your business cards.

No registration required. Join us!

6

Tues., Nov. 5 8 AM Business Expansion & Retention

Chamber Boardroom

Thurs., Nov. 7 12 PM Information Services

Weathervane Restaurant

Fri., Nov. 15 7:30 AM Executive Committee

Chamber Boardroom

Wed., Nov. 20 8 AM Membership Services

Chamber Boardroom

Fri., Nov. 22 7:30 AM Board of Directors

Chamber Boardroom

Thomas College breaks ground on its new

Harold Alfond Academic Center, a 36,000

square foot facility slated to open in the fall

of 2014. Thomas is also in the process of

constructing a new 108-bed residence hall.

Member Groundbreakings

& Ribbon Cuttings

Gov. LePage, along with

representatives of Mid-Maine

Chamber & the town of

Winslow, joins Maine

Technology Group for a

ribbon cutting ceremony in

celebration of its new 120

Augusta Rd. location.

Learn more about our ribbon cutting program at www.midmainechamber.com.

Kim Lindlof of Mid-Maine Chamber

and Darryl Sterling of Central Maine

Growth Council join Seth Goodall of

the SBA in honoring David Dubois,

owner of Little Caeser’s Pizza in

Waterville.

Representatives of Mid-Maine

Chamber and Waterville Main Street

join Dr. Charlie Ruff and his staff at

their Park St. office for a ribbon

cutting to celebrate its new brand,

Smile for Maine.

Page 7

The Home Base Program, a part-

nership between the Red Sox

Foundation & Massachusetts

General Hospital, is a program aimed at help-

ing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans & families

affected by combat or deployment-related

stress, like post-traumatic stress syndrome

(PTSD) & traumatic brain injury (TBI) — the

“invisible wounds of war.” Home Base Pro-

gram provides clinical care for service mem-

bers & their families & is conducting re-

search, to better understand & treat PTSD &

TBI. AT&T is a proud sponsor of the Home

Base Program, and attended the organization’s

1st major fundraising

event at Boston Sym-

phony Hall, which

helped raise more

than $1.3 million.

Fabian Oil has assumed service to customers

of Mount Blue Oil in Farmington and Wilton.

“On behalf of the entire team at Fabian, in

Waterville & Oakland, Augusta & Gardiner,

Rockland & Thomaston, Jay, Livermore &

Rumford, and now Farmington & Wilton, we

welcome our new customers to our family-

owned company,” said E.J. Fabian, CEO.

KVConnect held its 1st annual pie baking

contest at Waterville Main Street’s Harvest-

Fest recently. Congratulations go out to 1st

Place Winner: Ava Lefebvre, 2nd Place Win-

ner: Sonja Thomas and People's Choice Win-

ner: Amy Sylvester! In addition, bragging

rights for the best Harvest Soup go out to

Amici's Cucina for its potato leek soup, earn-

ing them the Frilly Ladle of Distinction from

festival goers.

ADOPT A GREENSPACE is a new program

launched by Waterville Main Street's Design

Committee. This is a great opportunity to

help improve our community landscape by

putting your beautification skills on a vacant

or yet un-loved space. Contact Jennifer at

Waterville Main Street FMI about how to get

started: 680-2055.

Maine Development

Foundation has partnered

with the University of

Maine’s School of Eco-

nomics and the Margaret

Chase Smith Policy Cen-

ter to present Personal

Income in Maine, the 2nd in a series of quarter-

ly reports analyzing critical economic indica-

tors in ME. The report is available online:

www.mdf.org/publications/Quarterly-

Economic-Report-Personal-Income-in-

Maine/691/

Local businesses are collecting food for local

food pantries through United Way of Mid-

Maine’s Pantry Project. The Pantry Project

offers a mobile collection center that business-

es use temporarily while they encourage staff

and customers to bring in and donate non-

perishable food items with the goal of keeping

shelves stocked past the holiday season. Local

companies, such as The Bank of Maine, 258

KMD, Waterville, and Maine Children’s

Home for Little Wanderers, 93 Silver St.,

Waterville, are set up to host

food drives Oct. 21-Nov.

8. United Way is seeking

additional businesses and

organizations that would like

to host the Pantry Project for

2-3 weeks at their loca-

tion. FMI: 873-0686

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine is

looking for volunteers to serve as School-

Based Coordinators for the 2013-14 school

year. One of the opportunities Big Brothers

Big Sisters offers is School-Based Mentoring

in which Bigs (high school age mentors)

spend time with Littles (elementary &

middle school students) once a week,

enjoying games and activities together

as they build a one-on-one relationship. Vol-

unteers are needed in a number of communi-

ties, including Waterville. FMI: Jessi-

ca@bbbsmidmaine.org or 593-0380.

GHM Insurance Agency announced it has

raised over $21,000 at its 21st Annual Golf

Classic held at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club to

benefit the Boys & Girls Club/YMCA of Cen-

tral Maine at the Alfond Youth Center. The

money was raised by green fees paid by the

players & sponsorships from the various in-

surance carriers represented by GHM. All

proceeds were matched by The Harold Alfond

Foundation.

Cianbro Corp., construc-

tion contractor, topped the

list of Best Places to Work

in Maine. It was honored

along with 59 other compa-

nies that made the final list

in the annual ranking over-

seen by the Society for Human Resource

Management Maine State Council. The rank-

ings are based on an evaluation of each com-

pany’s employee policies and procedures, and

responses to an employee survey. The process

was overseen by Best Companies Group,

which specializes in crafting recognition for

best places to work. Other Mid-Maine Cham-

ber member businesses included: Lg. catego-

ry -- #4 Bangor Savings Bank, #11 T-

Mobile; Sm. category -- #16 Maine State

Credit Union, #17 Maine Savings Federal

Credit Union, #23. Skowhegan Savings

Bank and #43 Bonney Staffing Center.

Congratulations to all!

Camden National Bank will be named Fi-

nancial Institution of the Year by Finance

Authority of Maine at its upcoming annual

meeting. Way to go, Camden National!

Page 8

50 Elm Street

Waterville, ME 04901

PRE-SORTED STANDARD

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PAID

PERMIT #146

Waterville, ME 04901

Have some news you would like to share? Submit a short announcement to the Chamber office by the 3rd Friday of the prior month. Inserts are also available for $125 per month. Call 873-3315 or email info@midmainechamber.com. Disclaimer: Mid-Maine Chamber’s InTouch newsletter is published monthly as a benefit to members and affiliates.

All member news is compiled and submitted solely by our members; therefore, we reserve the right to omit and/or edit as appropriate and cannot guarantee complete accuracy of

all announcements. Sponsorship inserts do not necessarily reflect the position of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.

Comparing financial institutions can be like

comparing apples to oranges – the range of

financial services offered today can make it

overwhelming to find one place to handle all

of your financial business. Fortunately for

Waterville area business owners, there is New

Dimensions Federal Credit Union - a member-

owned, financial cooperative that offers a full

array of personal and commercial banking

services to meet everyone’s financial needs.

So, what is “the difference” at New Dimen-

sions? At NDFCU, you receive the high level

of personalized service you would expect from

a small institution, but with all the convenienc-

es you would find at a large bank. By being a

financial cooperative, the credit union can of-

fer competitive rates on savings and loans,

because profits are returned to all owners. As a

member-owner at New Dimensions, you

would have a vote and voice in the credit un-

ion, unlike at large financial institutions where

stockholders call the shots.

Finding new ways to bring greater conven-

ience is a cornerstone of the credit union’s

mission. In 2011, Ed Oliver was hired as the

credit union’s Remote Mortgage Loan Officer

to bring greater flexibility to credit union

members looking for a residential or commer-

cial mortgage. Oliver is available to meet with

members at either branch location, at a real-

tor’s office, or even in the member’s own

home after business hours.

While major lenders have had to tighten

their belts in the recession, New Dimensions

FCU has continued to lend to businesses.

“Being able to lend in this environment has

been critical to our communities,” said Ryan

G. Poulin, President and CEO, “While other

lenders have had to pull back, we have been

fortunate enough to be able to step in and offer

commercial loans to small businesses who

may not have been able to borrow otherwise.”

This past year, New Dimensions FCU an-

nounced the appointment of Brad Fisher as its

Business Officer. Fisher is available to help

members with all of their business lending

needs – whether they need a building, equip-

ment, or a revolving credit line to pay for vari-

ous expenses. Brad can be contacted at 872-

2771 to discuss these services.

New Dimensions is a federally insured and

charted credit union with nearly $70 million in

assets. Credit union staff, volunteers, and

membership proudly support local causes such

as the Maine Special Olympics, the Maine

Children’s Cancer Program, and Maine’s

Credit Union Campaign to End Hunger. Learn

more at www.newdimensionsfcu.com.

At New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, There is a Difference

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