Member Notice of Past President Passing

Dear Members

Sadly, we have been informed of the passing of Margaret (Peg) Thompson.  Peg was the very first female President of the Chamber and is warmly remembered by many.  She is the mother of former Mayor Kevin Greene's wife Janet.  

The wake will be at Dalton's on Atlantic Ave in Floral Park on Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Tuesday, from 2:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00. 

Ron Keats, President - Floral Park Chamber of Commerce

Your Business & The Just 4 Women Expo

Just 4 Women Expo

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It’s called the Just 4 Women Expo, but we are inviting all business owners to be part of the excitement. Women of all ages will be signing up for the annual event to be held on March 21, 2015. Would you like to connect with the women and let them know about your product or service?

Here are some ways you can publicize your business and bring value to the women in the community. We are sure one of the choices below will be an exact fit for your marketing needs.

• Send something (a coupon, gift certificate, sample, recipe card or a promotional item) to be placed in the Just 4 Women Welcome Kit. Each participant will receive the kit as they enter the event.
• Include a higher cost item that will be included in the giant Merchant Gift Basket that will be raffled off to support Lions, an international organization serving various humanitarian causes for 97 years
• Involve your business by being a vendor (Tables cost $50.)
• Showcase your delicious samples at the Free Tasting Area
• Do a workshop sharing your expertise or talent (For example: cooking, styling tips, “how to” on health, finances, gardening, crafts, home improvement, fitness, technology or a presentation on personal or professional growth)
• Sponsor the event and be acknowledged in all Just 4 Women material - before, during and after the event. ($100) 

Let’s get started connecting your business and the Just 4 Women Expo!

ENJOY ~ LEARN ~ CONNECT

Kind Regards,
Theresa Whalen
Just 4 Women Expo Committee Chair

just4womenexpo@gmail.com  | c 516.286.8000

President's Message | January 2015 | Ron Keats

Hello Fellow Members:

If you missed it, we had a very informative general member meeting this past Thursday at Nancy's Restaurant. I picked up a number of really good business ideas, some of which I have already put into action. Want to hear more?  Be sure to make it to our February meeting on Thursday February 5th for breakfast at 830 AM, at Swing the Teapot on Verbena Ave. Register today for the discounted rate.

At the January meeting we voted to increase the number of chamber board member by 2 to a new total of 13. Two members were nominated, approved and appointed to the new posts. The board would like to welcome Stephen Wickes of One Sound Label and Marjory Giordani of Valley National Bank.  Stephen is chairperson of our Belmont Stakes Festival and Street Fair.  Marjory, already chairperson of our Finance committee will take over the position of Treasurer. Other changes on the board include Michael Jakob of Carriage Trade Insurance taking on the position of chamber Vice President. The board is thrilled with the changes and looks forward to a very productive 2015 with its new team.

We are happy/sad to announce the retirement of board member Bill Collins of NYASCO Products. Bill has sold his business here in the village and is very excited to begin his retirement in his new home out on the island.  Bill has been a valued member of the chamber and strong participant on the board. His input and dedication to our chamber will be sorely missed. Good luck Bill, we are so happy for you!  

At the most recent meeting of the board, it was decided to discontinue the Chamber Gift Certificate Program. All outstanding and valid certificates will be honored through their expiration dates.

The print directory that we have all been looking forward to will be going to print shortly and then mailed to all households in our village. Be on the look out for your copy.

Our 2015 membership drive is now underway. Expect an email or snail mail any day now.  Please apply online and apply now. You don't need the notice to renew your membership. Just follow this link and register" You can pay with PayPal online or mail in your check.
Join Us By Clicking the link: http://goo.gl/IaYGVF.

Join us on Thursday the 5th of February as our newest board members get sworn in and we enjoy a delicious breakfast at Swing the Teapot with our fellow members and friends. Register here: http://goo.gl/zeg6ZM.

Ron Keats

President's Message December 2014

2014 has certainly been a whirlwind kind of year at the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce.  

We started off the year with a mostly new board, a group with a lot of prospects and goals for our chamber. Many meetings, much planning and tons of hard work returned our members many positive events and changes. Internally we have reorganized our committees and developed committee focus with some ambitious end games. We accomplished a lot.  

Once again Cathy Grasman and her team brought us a fantastic Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival and Street Fair. Stephanie Scolieri and her committee gave away Elementary School Essay Contest Awards, and to a couple High School winners, scholarships. Mike Jakob and the Business Relations Committee have secured Jericho Turnpike Banners which will be proudly displayed this spring; they approved new village signage and worked on the beautiful hanging baskets along our major streets this summer.  

Communications are on a roll with the work of Mildred Tassone and her committee.  Expect much more from MIldred and her team as we move into 2015. Mildred's focus is to drive more valued and direct communication with you our members. I couldn't possibly leave out the fine work of Marjory Giordani and the rest of our Finance Committee. Their efforts are key to our continued philanthropic work and other projects we have in store as we continue to better our community.

A huge thank you goes out to all of those committee folks and their committee chairs.  

Thank you to past president Terry Whalen for her guidance and support all year long. And finally, thank you too to Eileen Dolan, our Business Person of the Year and our event coordinator. Theses meetings just get better and better over time.  

Do plan for yourself, to come to our next meeting on Thursday, January 8th at Nancy's Restaurant on Jericho and bring with you a business idea that you would like to share with your fellow merchants and chamber members. Come and get to know us, find out about the work in progress, meet new friends and become involved. There is no better way to help your community and your business than to be a member of our chamber and to participate in on of our many committees. It's a labor of love that certainly pays dividends.  

Join us, you'll be glad you did.

Happy New Year,

Ron Keats, President

Holiday Gathering | 2014 | Crabtree's Restaurant

Chamber members enjoyed a wonderful holiday party with our friend Dimitri and his team at Crabtree's Restaurant this past Mondayt night. A beautifully sung holiday song by board member and Treasurer Shane Parouse added that perfect warm personal touch to the festivities. We had some fun with our Secret Santa gift exchange. Some extra gifts will be going directly to the Hance Family Toys for Tots collection through Mike Jakob.  

It was really nice for so many of us to be together at this special time of year. Many thanks goes to Steven Wickes and his One Sound Label DJ team who kept us well into the holiday spirit all evening. And of course, a huge thank you to our event coordinator and Business Person of the Year Eileen Dolan. 

From the officers, the board and myself, thank you for your membership and your support. 

We all wish you a Special Holiday Season!

  

   

  

 

   

 

President's Message | November 2014

Hello Fellow Chamber Members:

This month we had one of our most informative general meetings. Our two guest speakers included the Floral Park-Bellerose Schools Superintendent and our own Event Planner, member and our 2014 Business Person of the Year, Eileen Dolan.  Our committees made their reports showing progress on many of our efforts. We were reminded of the Chamber Holiday Party on Monday December 8 at 6pm at Crabtree's Restaurant. We expect a really enjoyable party with our DJ, One Sound Label and other fun activities. Please sign up early and register online.  

The Chamber is collecting for Long Island Cares - The Harry Chapin Food Bank

We ask that you bring a non-perishable item or 2 either to the party, or drop off at anytime in LI Cares Box at The Keats Agency - Nationwide, 299 Jericho Turnpike, as they too collect every year.

The chamber had representation at the Floral Park Memorial Homecoming Parade in support of our schools. Wonderful to see and be part of such a strong school spirit!  I was also called upon to do a short presentation on our behalf at the United Methodist Church on Verbena.  It was fun interacting with the congregation and reminding them of the work we do for our members and the community.  

Meeting Report
Superintendent Opiekun spoke of a program called STEP which offers our members the opportunity to offer their business wisdom to our children.  Nice right, well you probably wonder how does this help my business. Think about it this way, possibly we could do a quick video of you for posting and SEO, a photo for the paper with a short piece about your effort, and an opportunity to speak about it to the chamber at one of our general meetings. Additionally, how nice is it just to do something meaningful for our kids. Contact the Chamber if you have interest in this program by leaving a message on the chamber phone at 516-641-1200.

Eileen Dolan did a splendid job with her presentation on the Impact of Effective Communication and Relationship Skills - The 4 Basic Personality Types. She certainly has me thinking more about each person I interact with each day, staff and clients.  I will say I had quite a few people say how pleased they were with the presentation.

We ended with the 2014 Business Person of the Year Crystal Plaque awarded to the same, Eileen Dolan. She truly earned the recognition.

There continues to be much going on. Soon the renewals for our 2105 membership will be out. We are currently working on a system to improve upon this very important chamber activity with more efficiency and accuracy. Please do watch for it.

See you at the Holiday Party on the 8th!

Your Prez,

Ron Keats 

America's Got Talent

open auditions this weekend, in Manhattan at Pier 92/94.  It's located near 12th Ave and 54th St.

We feature all types of talent on our show, from singers, musicians, and dancers to comedians, magicians, and more!  Anything that can be done within 90 seconds is welcome, even if it's too big to fit on a stage.  We'll make it happen! 

Anyone interested in auditioning should register ASAP atwww.agtauditions.com.  We also accept video submissions through our website for those who are unable to be there in person.

Let me know if you have any questions! 

Merrie

Casting Producer

America's Got Talent

818-381-4272

Follow me on Twitter for updates! @merriecastsyou