July 17, 2013

GNEMSDC  Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Classic - July 12
golf
The GNEMSDC  Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Outing is at the Lyman Orchards Golf Club on Friday, July 12.  Annual Sponsors have the choice of participating in either the Ferncroft Country Club MA outing or the Lyman Orchards Golf Club CT outing or both. 

We are asking for sponsors to provide us with the names of their guests by June 15. Due to the limited space, we will not be able to hold your slots if you do not send your names to the office by June 15.  One of the main attractions of this event is getting MBEs and Corporate members together.

If you are interested in a fun morning of golf, networking, food, drinks and relationship building please fill out the registration form and email it to Jerilynn Clarke at jclarke@gnemsdc.org
  

GNEMSDC CT Golf Classic July 12, 2013
We have reserved a block of rooms at the rate of $89.00 a night at the Fairfield Inn Wallingford -
100 Miles Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.
 To reserve a room please call (203) 284-0001 Reference Group Name: GNEMSDC
Deadline to reserve your room: June 20, 2013

 If you would like to donate any items for our very popular raffle, please contact the office (888-874-7114).                                              
 ***Volunteer  Opportunity  available  -  Contact Office***
MA Golf Outing a Success - Thank you!
MA golfThank you to our Annual Sponsors, Golf Outing Sponsors, MA Golf Committee, Staff, and Volunteers.  The MA Golf Outing was a success!  We look forward to next year.

Thank you to all the companies who made donations to our Raffle.  The raffle raised $1300 which will go towards MBE scholarships.  The companies who donated raffle items are:
 Minuteman Trucks
 GNEMSDC
Boston Red Sox
The MATLET Group
ACP Cleaning
Amica
Liberty Mutual
Millennium
The Gorton Inc. 
Bryant Associates
Tech Roofing
Comfort Essentials
Green Castle 
Advans IT 
DPV Transportation
Pinctada Banquets and Events 
Done Right Building Services

Attend How to do Business with Prince Lobel Tye LLP
Prince LobelWednesday June 26, 2013 5:00pm - 7:00pm  at Prince Lobel Tye LLP        
100 Cambridge St Suite 2200 Boston, MA 
Prince Lobel Tye LLP wants to do business with you!

Please join Prince Lobel Tye LLP and the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council for an evening of networking and opportunity. Prince Lobel, a Boston-based law firm, would like to partner with businesses and service providers that share its commitment to a diverse and community-minded workplace. By attending this event, you will have the opportunity to meet Prince Lobel partners and managers, and hear more about their interest in discovering new service providers.

Prince Lobel would like to identify certified minority owned businesses in areas such as IT, plant care, caterers and event suppliers, accountants, printers, private stenographers, subpoena services/constables, staffing agencies, car services, public relations professionals, translation services, Web designers, photographers, toner and printer suppliers, lawyers (out of state CT NH RI as referrals or business partners), investment advisors, and more.

For more information and the agenda click here.
Kindly RSVP to Allison Kemon at RSVP@PrinceLobel.com or 617 456 8191.  Click here to learn more about Prince Lobel. Click here for driving directions and parking information.
Upcoming Events
2013 GNEMSDC Expo Date and Location Set
September 24-25 at Connecticut Convention Center,  Hartford, CT
There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities.    We know how busy everyone's schedule is, but these are events often hosted by our corporate members with the expressed purpose of finding out more about you and your business with the ultimate aim, to make you a valuable supplier to their companies.  Here are some events you should consider:   
  • June 17 Free seminar on Content Marketing for Small Businesses  Additional Information
  • June 20  National Black MBA Association - Career Expo  Additional Information
  • June 20  8:30am - 12:30pm Bridgeport Regional Business Council and Housatonic Community College Customer Service Workshop Additional Information 
  • June 26 5:00pm - 7:00pm How to do Business with Price Lobel Tye LLP  100 Cambridge StreetSuite 2200  Boston, MA 02114
  • June 27 5:00-9:00pm The Greater Hartford Chapter of the National Black MBA Association - 2013 Leadership Summit  Additional Information
  • July 12, 6:30-3:00pm, GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classic: CT, Lyman Orchards Golf Club- Middlefield, CT
  • July 25, How to do business with Stop and Shop, MA
  • June 22  10:30am UnityFirst.com holds 2013 Common Ground Leadership Awards and Resource Reception at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA  Additional Information
  • August 14, 1-4:30pm, GNEMSDC 3rd Quarterly Meeting, CVS Caremark, 200 Highland Corporate Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864
  • August 19, 9-11:00am , MBE Orientation (CT),GNEMSDC Office, Bridgeport, CT
  • August 21, 8:30 -11:00am, MBE Orientation (Massachusetts), GNEMSDC Office, 100 Huntington Ave, Copley Place
  • September 24-25, GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo, Hartford Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut 06103
  • October 4 - Promising Scholars Golf Classic Laurel View Country Club, Hamden, CT (to benefit inner city New Haven high school graduates matriculating into 4-year colleges and universities.)
    October 27, - November 31,  NMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Conference, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX   
Yumi EcoSolutions, Inc. 
yumiYumi EcoSolutions, Inc. is dedicated to creating a healthier and better world now and for future generations by replacing plastics with eco-friendly products.  We recently launched theRETURN® Brand,  " The Throwaway that Goes Away"® disposable dinnerware products made from annually renewable, biodegradable, compostable and sustainable plant materials.
The Return® retail products are now available on Amazon, Zabar's in Manhattan, Tarry Market, Palmer's Market and Village Market.  Additional retail and online outlets will soon be offering these products.

Virginia P'an, Founder & CEO of Yumi EcoSolutions was a featured guest speaker at the Fairfield County Moffly Media's Women in Business event.  She was also featured in the May issue of the Greenwich, Stamford, Westport/Weston, Darien/New Canaan and Fairfield Magazines.  For more information go towww.yumieco.com or send a message to info@yumieco.com.
FYI
NMSDC Purchasing Activity Report Due
bnsdcEvery year the NMSDC asks the regional Councils to collect information on corporate member spending with certified MBEs.  It is that time of the year again.  Now we are asking for each local member of the GNEMSDC to complete this short form.  There are instructions included below.   If you have the information readily available on MBE spending, the form should not take more than 30 minutes to complete.  If  you do not have ready access to this information, this is something the GNEMSDC might be able to help you with.  Also I must say there is no shame in numbers and the information you supply is confidential.  We are not asking for the names or the specific amounts of specific contracts.  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me, 203-288-9744. 

National Members of the NMSDC will be contacted by the NMSDC for their rerports and do not have to complete this document.  Thank you for your cooperation and support.  Knowing your combined impact on minority business development is absolutely necessary for the continued success of the mission.
  
2012-2016 NMSDC Strategic Plan
bnsdc
The NMSDC is going through the most significant and important change in its structure since its founding over 40 years ago.  I am privileged to be a participant in this process.  The plan is to have the organization restructured by the end of this calendar year.  You may have heard rumors about the "New" NMSDC.  Below is the first public presentation on the The Strategic Network Restructuring. There will be more information released as the restructuring becomes clearer in coming weeks.  As we receive these public messages, we will share them with our stakeholders.  I am also happy to speak with anyone on the plan and how it will likely impact the GNEMSDC. 

Opportunities
Do You Need to Reach 2,000 MBEs and Corporate Buyers a Week?
AD
One of the great things about this newsletter technology is that we can track readership, clicks on links and forwards.  I am pleased to report that this newsletter is reaching over 2,000 readers a week.  If you are an MBE or a corporate member, this is an excellent vehicle to get your message out.  
If you are interested in becoming a GNEMSDC e-newsletter sponsor, send an email to Sarah James at sjames@gnemsdc.org.  We would like to hear from you.  This ad space will be limited to no more than five MBEs and five corporate members. 
Bridgeport Housing Authority RFQ
BPSolicitation #014-PD-13-S
CO-DEEVELOPER FOR REPLACEMENT HOUSING FOR THE MARINA VILLAGE AND THE MARINA VILLAGE APARTMENTS SITE AND VARIOUS MIXED FINANCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The Bridgeport Housing Authority (BHA) is currently seeking proposals for Co-Developer for Replacement Housing for the Marina Village and the former MarinaVillage Apartments Sites and Various Mixed Finance Development Projects.  Sealed proposal will be received until July 22, 2013 @ 3:00 PM.
 A pre-bid conference will be held at 301 Bostwick Avenue, BRIDGEPORT, CT 06605  
on June 26, 2013 @ 10:00 a.m.

Although attendance is not mandatory, bidding the project without attending conference is not in the best interest of BHA.  A complete copy of the Request for Proposal may be obtained from the purchasing department at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605 beginning on June 10, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m.  Additional questions should be emailed only to Sharon Lee, Associate AIA, Project Manager at,slee@bridgeporthousing.org  no later than July 15, 2013 @ 3:00 p.m. All answers to the questions will be posted on BHA's Website:  www.bridgeporthousing.org  Please click on the link for Opportunities and then Vendors.
Banneker Industries Earns Supplier Performance Award from  Raytheon 
bannekerNorth Smithfield, R.I. (June 5, 2013) - Banneker Industries, a supply chain management services provider, earned a 4-Star Supplier Excellence Award from Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.  Annually, Raytheon recognizes the best from among its 4,000 suppliers, and this is the fifth consecutive year that Banneker has earned the award.

 The Supplier Excellence Awards are based on three criteria: On-time delivery, quality assurance, and sustainable continuous improvement programs.

"We are honored to be recognized by Raytheon for our achievements in excellence," said Cheryl W. Snead, president and CEO.  "We pride ourselves on our world-class service, and our dedicated team works to fulfill this promise day in and day out.  We manage supply chains with precision so that our customers can focus on what they do best."

Banneker supports all of Raytheon's business units including Integrated Defense Systems; Intelligence, Information and Systems; Missile Systems; and Space & Airborne Systems. The company has had contracts with Raytheon for 21 years.

Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services.
And Finally...
Fred
I think it is time to change my photo.  If you have seen me lately, you will probably notice that there has been a slight change in my appearance.  It is not that I am getting any younger or that I have recently had laser eye surgery, or any kind of nip or tuck stuff done.  The difference is with my hair.  You can call it my second mid-life crisis. My first mid-life crisis corresponded to my youngest going off to college and leaving me an empty nester.  So I did what any self respecting 50 year old man would do that can afford it, I bought a two seater convertible sportscar.  Now tooling around with the top down has become passe. So instead of this I decided to grow something on top.  My first thought was to see if it would still grow.  It is not a slam dunk that a man of my advanced years still has the stuff to create hair.  But to my surprise, to quote Dr. Frankenstein,  "It's Alive!"  So to many of my closest friends who out of courtesy have been very polite. I can see the question mark forming over their head with the caption, "what is he thinking? Is this 1965 or something?"  Or for a few, it might even, be "He has found his hair but, has he completely lost his mind?"  The answer is no.  It is just a phase I am going through.  But I really believe that the age of the bald Michael Jordan look has run its course, and unfortunately for those men who shaved their heads for the past 25 years in attempt to channel Air Jordan,  who now can attain this look without the aid of a razor, my condolences.  But for me, the hair is growing, we will see how long it survives. But there is actually a lesson here.  We are all experiencing changes in our markets and our companies.  Many of these changes are seemingly beyond our control. There is little it seems we can do, but react and adjust.  Occasionally, it is appropriate for you to be the change agent instead on the other end of the change.  So I guess this is my little effort to control something.  In business it is best to be the changer and not the "changee".  To be the rainmaker instead of the one that is constantly getting wet.  So think about what you can change in your business to make the outcome that you desire attainable.  And if all else fails, grow your hair!
  
In your service,
   
Dr. Fred    
Fred QR