Celebrating kids, leadership conferences and ribbon cuttings: Seacoast business news

Northeast Credit Union Hosts Fifth Annual Nice Catch – Celebrating Kind Kids Initiative

PORTSMOUTH – Northeast Credit Union believes at the heart of every community are good people doing great things. That’s why Northeast has partnered with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Portland Sea Dogs to host their fifth annual Nice Catch – Celebrating Kind Kids initiative. Nice Catch recognizes and celebrates kids from New Hampshire and Maine who consistently go above and beyond to make our communities a kinder and brighter place.

“Every year our team looks forward to recognizing the kind kids of New Hampshire and Maine for all the good they are doing to make our communities better places,” shares Northeast Credit Union President and CEO, Chris Parker. “We value the great partnership we have established with our friends at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Portland Sea Dogs to create a memorable experience for these deserving kids to be celebrated on and off the field,” he continues.

Twelve kind kids will be selected this summer from nominations submitted now through May 30. Winners are invited to attend a Portland Sea Dogs or New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball game this summer, have their kindness story shared on the ballfield Jumbotron and social media, as well as receive a gift bag, courtesy of the team and Northeast Credit Union.

To learn more about the program or to nominate a kind kid, please visit necu.org/nicecatch.

Empowering Leaders- UNH Leadership Conference April 22 at Wentworth By the Sea

DURHAM – UNH Professional Development and Training is hosting the semi-annual Leadership and Management Conference on Friday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, N.H.

“2022 Leadership and Management Conference: Empowering Leaders” will prepare leaders, managers, supervisors, and project managers to address the challenges facing today’s workforce. This conference supports development of critical leadership and management skills to influence and guide a complex workforce and achieve organizational success during times of change.

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The conference kicks off with a dynamic keynote address by Jermaine Moore of the Mars Hill Group. Industry experts Amy Wood, David Lee, Gerri King, and Derek Ahl will lead sessions focused on preparing leaders for the new normal. The main topics for the conference will discuss the inner game of leadership, combating pandemic exhaustion, psychological safety, how to reform teams in a changing workplace, facilitating generational differences, and improving overall communication and culture.

“After two years of remote work and unprecedented changes in how we successfully manage organizations, this conference will provide an opportunity for leaders, supervisors, and managers to revisit the foundations of effective leadership while learning new skills for the future,” said Zainab Qari, Program Developer with UNH Professional Development and Training. “We’re looking forward to providing a platform for leaders across New Hampshire to build connections and develop new skills to support their teams as we move forward in 2022.”

The conference cost of $349 includes a complimentary breakfast and lunch, free on-site parking, and all conference materials for six break-out sessions. For more information and to register, visit training.unh.edu/leadershipconference or call 603-862-7380.

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon cutting ceremony for Rochester Child Care Center

ROCHESTER — For the past two years Rochester Child Care Center has helped support over 300 families that continued to need support through the pandemic. Thanks to increased grant funding during COVID-19, our agency was able to upgrade our front playground and upgrade storage, the first phase to commercializing the kitchen. Our agency saw a need to increase outdoor time and increase access to fresh foods.

We chose a highly reputable company to construct developmentally appropriate, nature-based play equipment for children ages 2 to 5 years old. What made this journey exciting was 20-year veteran teacher Nichole Moser designed and helped oversee the construction. Play Purpose and Bear Equipment worked months to get the equipment to the agency. In only a few days, together with Winning Landscaping, the playground came together. This new playground helps our children play freely, enhance their social skills, and explore new possibilities for fun, games and imagination!

Next, Rochester Child Care Center worked with Unified Builders to increase our capacity to store food. Together our agency was able to bring in a walk in cooler, increase storage capacity, updated washroom, and the expertise that follows, to provide consulting. Our agency now can handle the increased need for fresh foods without any of the waste. Our agency in the summer can feed up to 300 children daily for both breakfast and lunch. This expansion will allow for increased access to food even with the high demand of enrollment.

Rochester Child Care Center truly appreciates the support of Rochester, the SELA, and all of the parents and staff for their help with playground project. We wish to also thank Rochester Child Care Center’s Board of Directors including Cynthia Berry, Roxanne Bienieck, Rebecca Harris, Lynda Morgan, Suzanne Roberge, Shelly Gingras, Jessica Demers, and Seneca Bernard, administrators and staff members for their unending love and support of child care and the community.

Pictured in no particular order are: Tatjana Simon, Northeast Credit Union, Sharla Rollins, First Seacoast Bank, Janet Oliver, Unitil and the Chamber’s Chairman of the Board, Cora-Lynn Hoppe, Executive Director of Rochester Child Care Center, RCCC Board members Lynda Morgan and Shelly Gingras, Mary Henderson, Bank of New Hampshire, Paul Gatehouse, Independence Financial Advisors, Rochester Police Chief Gary Boudreau and members of Unified Builders.

Chamber Collaborative to host Economic Outlook: The view from here

PORTSMOUTH—The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth invites its members and the public to Economic Outlook 2022: The view from here presented by CIT Bank on Tuesday, April 19.

The event will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St., Portsmouth with an 8 a.m. coffee networking time for those interested. The event will also be offered virtually via Crowdcast. Registrants will receive the Crowdcast link after they register and prior to the event.

The Chamber’s chief collaborator, president and host of the Economic Outlook Ben VanCamp said, “This annual event is our opportunity to step back and think about what our economy’s strengths and weaknesses are so we can move forward stronger. This year’s panelists are outstanding and I am anxious to learn from them.” Topics to be covered will include hiring, affordable/workforce housing/the revitalization of the arts.

The forum will feature Phillip Neuhart, senior vice president, director of Market & Economic Research, First Citizens Bank & Trust Company; the new president/CEO of the Business & Industry Association, Michael J. Skelton and State Director of the Small Business Development Center Liz Gray. In addition, Caitlin Burke, a senior associate from the Boulos Company, the Rep’s co-artistic director Brandon James, and well-known Seacoast restaurateur Jay McSharry will be featured in a panel discussion.

The event is supported by CIT Bank presenting sponsor and Seacoast Repertory Theatre, the host sponsor. To register, visit PortsmouthCollaborative.org/economicoutlook.

BIA’s in-person Meet the Legislators networking reception coming April 13

CONCORD — The Business and Industry Association, New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce and leading business advocate, is excited to offer its in-person Meet the Legislators Networking Reception on Wednesday, April 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 172 North Main St., Concord.

This is an opportunity for business leaders and advocates to meet and mingle with New Hampshire’s elected officials as they move into the second half of this year’s legislative session. Lawmakers continue to work on an array of legislation important to employers, including vaccination policies, taxation, energy, affordable housing, broadband internet expansion, environmental regulations and more.

BIA will host the reception in the Holiday Inn’s ballroom, which offers plenty of space for social distancing. Masks are encouraged, but not required.

Cost to attend is $30 per person for BIA members, BIA Capitol Connect members, and members of partnering organizations; and $45 per person for non-BIA members. There is no cost for legislators and staff to attend, but registration is required for planning purposes. Cancellations accepted up to one week prior to the event. After that, substitutions are allowed. Walk-ins will be allowed based on availability, but there will be a $10 surcharge and payment is due at the door. Online registration closes Tuesday, April 12 at 3 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/MeettheLegislators.

Event sponsors are AT&T Services, BAE Systems, Eversource Energy, Fidelity Investments, Liberty and Unitil. For more information, please email Lora McMahon at [email protected].

WIN Waste Innovations receives Gold Certification from Wildlife Habitat Council for protection of Bear Creek Sanctuary

PORTSMOUTH – WIN Waste Innovations (formerly Wheelabrator Saugus), a Portsmouth-based leader in reliable waste and recycling solutions with a commitment to the future of both the planet and the local communities it serves, has received the highest-level certification available from the Wildlife Habitat Council for its protection and management of the Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Saugus.

WIN Waste was designated Gold Certified for meeting the “strict requirements” of the WHC’s certification program, which signifies leadership in corporate environmental efforts. Designees are given a Certified, Silver Certified or Gold Certified designation. WIN Waste will be recognized at the WHC 2022 Conservation Conference on June 14 to June 15 in Detroit.

“WIN’s protection and management of the Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is recognized as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Conservation Certification,” said Margaret O’Gorman, president of the WHC. “Companies achieving WHC Conservation Certification, like WIN, are environmental leaders, voluntarily supporting sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them.”

“We are particularly pleased by the Wildlife Habitat Council’s highest certification because it validates our strategy of supporting community-based causes, like Bear Creek,” said Jim Connolly, WIN Waste vice president of Environmental Compliance.

Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is a 370-acre property abutting a 2,274-acre estuary in Saugus. With WIN Waste’s support, it has blossomed into one of the largest bird migration staging areas in Northeastern Massachusetts and a habitat for more than 200 bird species, as well as other wildlife. A popular site for educational and recreational programs, it includes more than 14,000 feet of walking trails, a half-acre exhibit garden, and meeting and lecture areas.

Bear Creek is just one example of the ways in which WIN Waste supports local conservation efforts aligned with its vision for a healthier planet. Through partnerships with commercial and municipal customers, schools, local charities and others, WIN Waste becomes a force multiplier for initiatives that advance environmental protection and rejuvenation.

“We are committed to supporting initiatives that do a world of good by educating and mobilizing partners to conserve the health of our environment and local communities,” said Michelle Firmbach Nadeau, WIN Waste senior marketing strategist. “Bear Creek is a shining example of what can happen when business, environmental and community-based organizations work together in protecting our planet.”

WIN Waste supports 250 community-based organizations on projects ranging from planting urban tree canopies in Baltimore to restoring sparrow nests at Bear Creek. Projects include:

Helping communities reach carbon neutrality by preserving and increasing carbon stores in salt marshes, which have a capacity to store carbon that is 10 times greater than tropical rainforests.

Reducing energy consumption by 18 to 30 percent by integrating green infrastructure into urbanized environments.

Removing plastic from public greenspaces before they turn into highly mobile hydrocarbon pollution known as microplastics.

Introducing students, through WIN Waste’s Nesting Box Initiative, to the natural services provided to their communities by geological features, ecosystems and wildlife species.

Working with students, through WIN Waste’s At-Risk Species Program, to identify wildlife species impacted by climate change and to develop management plans to help the species adapt.

Working with students, through WIN Waste’s Migratory Wildlife Program, to identify migratory wildlife species and prime migratory staging habitats in their communities.

Introducing students, through WIN Waste’s Sustainable Living Program, to curb-to-grid waste management practices and proper recycling methods at home to better manage waste.

“Not only are we are protecting important environmental resources, but we are advancing the state-of-the-art in environmental remediation and preservation – solving environmental challenges with nature-based solutions, for example,” said Geoff Wilson, Bear Creek sanctuary manager.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Celebrating kids, leadership conferences and ribbon cuttings: Seacoast business news