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Milford
Chamber wins Four National
and Statewide Awards in 2003
Three
cheers for the Milford Chamber of Commerce or perhaps it should be four!
The Milford Chamber of Commerce has been recognized on a national and
statewide level with four very prestigious awards.
First, the Chamber was recognized as runner-up for the "Award for
Excellence" (AFE). Our Chamber was chosen as one of the three top
Chambers in the United States at the National Association for Membership
Development (NAMD) /American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) National
Conference in Denver, Colorado. This means that the Milford Chamber is
one of the three best chambers of the more than 250 chambers to enter
the competition.
"This award is truly an example team effort," said Chamber Chairman
Patrick Madden, general manager Westfield Shoppingtown Connecticut Post.
"Our members and staff worked together for one of the best years
our Chamber has had."
The Award for Excellence is the highest achievement in the membership
development profession, recognizing excellence in financial performance,
member programs, internal operations, and organizational mission. The
chamber qualified and Nell Moll, Director of Membership, Opportunities
and Enthusiasm, was invited to apply for the (AFE) by placing above the
national average in net percent gain in members, member dollars and retention
for 2002.
The second round of the process examines how the principles of effective
membership development contribute to the program and management success
of a Chamber. There is an extensive application process and that process
narrows the field to only three finalists.
To become a finalist for the AFE a chamber must demonstrate its mastery
and application of membership development principles and techniques to
the chamber community and how the principles of effective membership development
contribute to the program and management success of the Chamber.
At the ACCE/NAMD Conference, the finalists are interviewed and the winner
is chosen and the award given at the final banquet.
Second, Nell Moll received a Silver Lifetime Achievement Award and "Certificate
of Achievement." The Lifetime Achievement Award program is a part
of NAMD's "Circle of Champions" sales initiative. The award
promotes the philosophy that a strong membership sales force is important
to any membership development strategy. She also received a "Certificate
of Achievement" as a top producer in the 2003 National Sales Contest.
Congratulations Nell for another fantastic year.
The third award is the "2002 Communications Excellence Award of Merit"
for our Web site, www.milfordct.com. This means that our web site, www.milfordct.com,
meets and exceeds the standards for communications excellence. The Awards
for Communications Excellence is an annual competition that recognizes
excellence in all areas of communications. It's a way for the chamber
to effectively communicate with its members, highlight initiatives, introduce
events and inform members.
According to Heather G. Wachter, Chair of the ACE Awards Committee, "The
awards program is a unique opportunity for chamber executives and chamber
professionals to gauge how they are doing in comparison to their peers
throughout the country."
This year, the award drew 295 entries from 95 different chambers. "The
Chamber is very proud to receive such an illustrious award," noted
Kathy Alagno, Chamber President and CEO. "We would like to thank
Chamber members Pat Glennon of Datatrack and James Maroney of First Choice
College Placement for their skills and hard work putting the web site
together. We all worked together to produce our award-winning site."
In May, Kathy Alagno, was honored as the "2003 Connecticut Association
of Chambers of Commerce Executive of the Year." She was nominated
for her work both locally and state wide by Chamber Chairman Patrick Madden
of Westfield Shoppingtown Connecticut Post. "Kathy has been instrumental
to the Chamber's impressive growth and success," stated Mr. Madden.
"From her outstanding level of community involvement to her commitment
to the needs of area businesses, Kathy has been a tireless champion for
the Milford Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors, and I'm sure
all of our members, congratulate Kathy on this well deserved honor."
Since joining the Chamber in 1995, Alagno has helped the chamber build
the membership to almost 800. She helped to expand the Chamber's influence
in the state legislature, support city-wide economic development, create
the Downtown Plan of Development for the City of Milford, established
a local scholarship program that awards $20,000 a year to graduating high
school seniors, and has developed a Mini-Grant program for students on
the Middle and High School level.
On a statewide level, she is the Vice President of Membership Development
for the Connecticut Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She
is a member of the Professional Standards Committee that recently established
a handbook on personnel procedures and policies for chambers of commerce
across the state.
"It is gratifying to be recognized by my peers with such a prestigious
award," said Alagno. "I find it rewarding to be able to contribute
to the Milford and State Chamber Community. The Milford business community
makes my participation possible and I thank them."
"The mission of the Milford Chamber of Commerce, as the clearinghouse
for business, is to enhance business opportunity, empower its members
and influence positive economic growth."
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