2008 Berkshire Chamber Annual Meeting

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Meeting on Friday, December 5, 2008, from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at the Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshires.

The outgoing Board Chair Jim Kolesar of Williams College will call the meeting to order at 7:30 AM in the ballroom. The agenda will include the election of directors and officers, a salute to the outgoing chair and a welcome from the incoming chair David Avery of Merrill Lynch. The 2008 Esther Quinn and Francis H. Hayden Awards will also be presented to two very deserving, community-minded individuals.

This year’s annual meeting themed “Get in the Game” is sponsored by Berkshire Bank, TD Banknorth, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Quality Printing and Blass Communications. The theme is a play on America’s favorite pastime and will update fans (Chamber members) on the Berkshire Chamber’s game plan for the future.

The Chamber’s twelve members of the month will also be presented with certificates of recognition. The 2008 members of the month are General Dynamics, “Partners Four Youth,” Berkshire Young Professionals, Berkshire Regional Employment Board, Hillcrest Educational Centers, SABIC Innovative Plastics, Winstanley Associates, Town of Adams Events Planning Committee, Bartlett’s Orchard, Suite 4 Salon, Ryan Landscaping, and the Rotary Clubs of North Adams and Pittsfield.

Tickets are $25 per person and include a breakfast buffet. The event is open exclusively to members of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. To register, please call (413) 499-4000, extension 26, e-mail choyt@berkshirechamber.com or register online at www.berkshirechamber.com.
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Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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