Moving forward into new year

The songs of the holiday make me smile. One in particular resonates loud and clear:

“Do You Hear What I Hear?

Said the night wind to the little lamb, Do you see what I see?

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, Do you know what I know?

Said the king to the people everywhere, Listen to what I say! Pray for peace, people, everywhere…”

It reminds me that we have work to do as we review our year and usher in a New Year. “Have you learned what I learned”? Read on for some of the highlights of our year.

Major events to inform and celebrate:

⏩ WOW! Yes, the “Beauty of Business”

⏩ 2017 House Tour with the Torrington Historical Society

⏩ “Over the Edge” with Prime Time and the NW CT Arts Council

⏩ Co-Lead with the City of

Torrington on the Boston Federal Reserve Working Cities Challenge

⏩ Great Giveaway Business Expo Exciting initiatives to improve the business community:

⏩ A most effective New Chamber and re-branding effort to benefit you

⏩ Enhanced presence on social media with far-reaching effects

⏩ New ways to introduce you to your new best friends — Business With Breakfast, Restaurant in the Spotlight and favorite Business After Hours

⏩ Chamber leadership role as Director of the Workforce Investment Board’s OneStop Operation at American Job Center

⏩ Leadership as Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Employment & Training

Our affiliations remain strong:

⏩ Community Council — Representatives from Litchfield County non-profit social services meeting monthly at the Chamber

⏩ Northwest Hills Council of Governments

⏩ NW CT Economic Development Corporation

⏩ Litchfield Area Business Association

⏩ Burlington Chamber

⏩ Friends of Main Street Winsted Visibility so that you know we exist:

⏩ www.nwctchamberofcommerce.org

⏩ Chamber Directory

⏩ JoAnn Ryan in the Register, Republican and Lakeville Journal

⏩ Facebook and Twitter

⏩ TV, WSNG

⏩ Community engagement

What we have learned borrowing some thoughts from Paul S. McElroy in New Beginnings:

⏩ Always ask, “Is there a better way?” Evaluate each program

to see if more could have been accomplished

⏩ Build on the positive rather than the negative. Move forward knowing that some good will be achieved rather that not moving at all for fear of failure

⏩ the possibilities in the new rather that holding back because of some difficulties or challenges

⏩ Measure the value of actions in terms of service rather than benefit to self for our satisfaction in life will be in proportion to our contributions

⏩ Above all, remember that life is short. Make it a healthy, happy and worthwhile journey