RISBJ Volume 4, Issue 8 by Rhode Island Small Business Journal

volume four issue eight

Rhode Island Guide to

Corporate Giving and Philanthropy

R H O D E I S L A N D F O U N D AT I O N : P H I L A N T H R O P Y www.riďŹ Pwww.risbj.com OW E R S| | volume P R Ofour Gissue Rissue E eight SoneS tmag.com volume one

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from the founder Giving back to a cause that is important to you, or to the core values of your business is a great way to maintain your position in your community. With over 8,000 non-profit organizations registered as a 501c3 in the state of Rhode Island, you’ve got your choice of important, and committed organizations to support. As you read our second annual RISBJ issue featuring non-profit organizations in our state, we hope you enjoy learning more about some of the important work that is being done here in Rhode Island. Non-profit organizations employ more than 18% of people in Rhode Island. Supporting a local non-profit organization means not only supporting their cause, but also supporting non-profit economic growth. I don’t know about you, but I like the idea of encouraging more people to “do good” in our state. Supporting these mission driven locales in the form of in-kind donations, volunteering, joining a non-profit board, or helping them to promote their work through your channels is a great way to help. Depending on the size of the organization, they may rely entirely on their in-kind network to help them broaden their reach. Consider what your business might be able to do to

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supplement a non-profits needs. Most often, as with most of our businesses, it comes back to how much money they can bring in. Their mission delivery is not free. It costs money to fund their strategic plans, and organizations work diligently to create their annual goals based on the work they hope to achieve. That being said, whenever possible, they need you to help them to fundraise. As a local business owner, you have a great opportunity to help them to do this. Your reach likely expands to a network of people that organizations may not be able to reach themselves. Consider taking the time to learn about how the organization you’re supporting raises money. Can you help? How? Set a plan, set a goal, and set a stretch goal. They’ll thank you for your support, and you’ll be making a tremendous impact on your local community and improving the quality of life of others.

Gil Lantini Founder Ralph Coppolino Co-Founder Mike Casale Senior Designer Amanda Repose Managing Editor Rob Gonsalves Senior Account Manager Interns Lauren Bansbach Yadira Campos Andrea Canavan Marcella Giacoman Autumn Harrington Katherine Hickey Caitlin Williams Contributing Writers Omar Jenblat, Busy Seed Mayor Jorge Elorza Denis Robichaud Gary R. Pannone Neil Steinberg Lisa Shorr Michael Brito Tuni Schartner Amy Levesque Steve Kass Matthew R. Plain, Esq. Kristen M. Whittle, Esq. Dr. Ronald Shapiro Ronia Pegeuro Tech Force Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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Upcoming Events

Crowne Plaza The Fourth Tier Network Lunch 11:30 am 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick

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North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce Business Consulting: Tuesday’s at the NK Chamber 10:00 am 8045 Post Road, North Kingstown

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contents

volume four issue eight

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

6 Upcoming Events 9 Spotlight on Startups

10 Small Business News 16 Capital City 19 Rhode Island Philanthropy 20 Rhode Island Local Non-Profit Directory 22 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year 23 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Boy and Girl of the Year 25 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Winners 28 Philanthropy Powers 30 Adding Philanthropy to the Menu 35 Tech Force RI Meets Demand for IT Expertise 36 How a to Raise 11,000 lbs. of Canned Goods in a Single Week 38 Fiduciary Duties of a Board Member 40 To Give is Far Better Than to Receive 42 Personnel Practices 44 Teamwork Promotes Workplace Safety 47 Get a Piece of the Action! 48 Three Ways to Help Become an Expert in your Field

ON THE COVER volume four issue eight

Rhode Island Guide to

Corporate Giving and Philanthropy

50 Five Ideas to Innovate Your IT 51 Radio Talk with Steve Kass

Featured Rhode Island Guide to Corporate Giving and Philanthropy Philanthropy Powers Progress

52 Local Small Business Directory R H O D E I S L A N D F O U N D AT I O N : P H I L A N T H R O P Y www.riďŹ POW E R S| volume P R Oone G Rissue E SoneS tmag.com

48 www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

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BUSY SEED Who is behind Busy Seed and is this your first startup? BusySeed is a wonderful mix of people looking to make difference in the lives of small business owners. I, Omar Jenblat, am the founder and CEO of BusySeed and have been working with small businesses and startups for the past six years. I have led two previous startups that dealt with affiliate file hosting and developing a smart wallet, respectively. How did you come up with the concept behind BusySeed? We started in 2014 as a loyalty-based startup seeking to help merchants understand how to grow through their customer bases. In late 2014, Michel Boutros of Mike’s Calzones approached me asking for help with his business’s social media. He knew that he needed to market Mike’s through social media, but didn’t know how. After talking to a lot of small business owners, the realization became clear: social media is understood to be important but is very underutilized by merchants. Thus, BusySeed changed its focus from loyalty programs to social media management and marketing. Give a brief overview of what your company does. Business owners are constantly strapped for time, yet they know that a competitive online presence is crucial to their success. We completely alleviate small business owners of this responsibility and don’t just manage their online presence, but make it flourish and evolve. From managing their social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Google Places, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.) to making sure that their online reputation shines, we enable merchants to focus on putting bread on the table while we better their brands. Where did the name come from? Small businesses are the very seeds of our economy. Money spent in small businesses stays in the community and is used to help that community grow. Providence is a shining example of how small businesses create such a unique feel for a community. We make sure we help these seeds stay busy so that they can flourish; making everyone’s lives even better. How many clients are you currently working with or have worked with? We are currently working with ~20 local small businesses. Our clients are absolutely in love with what we do and they see how we are trying to make a difference. One in particular, Julio Fonseca of Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches and Cafe Zog, had this to say: “BusySeed has done a fabulous job at managing the social media accounts for Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches. The posts are classy, tasteful, and very professional, and the accompanying photos are just beautiful. BusySeed is a small business themselves and they embody that mindset, which means that they’re able to sympathize with all the issues that I, as a small business owner, have to deal with every day. The BusySeed team and I can relate on the same level, which is very important to me.”

What makes your business model so successful? My father came to this country from Syria about 30 years ago with nothing but the desire to work hard. My parents didn’t have a lot of money so most days, you would find me in my father’s dry cleaners sleeping on rows of rolled fabric. I grew up in a small business, and I know what small business owners have to go through to make a living. We provide cost-effective services that allow small businesses to grow without breaking the bank each month. Yet I think the biggest reason why this model works is because we get very personal with our customers. We always sit down with our customers to learn what inspired them to become a small business owner. Every customer has my personal cell phone number and we help each other grow. What is your company’s competitive advantage over other social media companies? We understand small businesses and we absolutely adore them. We don’t charge hundreds and hundreds of dollars each month for simple monitoring tools or non-unique content posting. We are local and always plan to keep local presences no matter where we expand. We don’t believe we can successfully embody our client’s ideals without being able to drink coffee with them or grab some sushi from them. Why did you start your business in Rhode Island? I grew up in Providence, RI for most of my life, so it only made sense to help my hometown. As small as Rhode Island is, it is a wonderful collection of cultures and history that can’t be found anywhere else. I want to see Providence and other Rhode Island cities grow, and the key to that is to grow the small businesses. What advice would you give to an entrepreneur looking to begin a startup? In the words of Shia Labeouf, “Just do it”. Everybody will tell you that your idea won’t work, or that it isn’t attractive, but you can’t let that sway you. If you believe you can do some good, start doing it. Your idea may change down the road, but so long as you keep believing in yourself, you will become successful. Are there any other insights you’d like to give to your clients? We at BusySeed are absolutely dedicated to small businesses and to the wonderful people who own them. We work every day to make sure merchants can worry about doing what they do best. If we can make their job easier, we know that we are doing good for the community.

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SMALL BUSINESS

NEWS

United Water Makes $20,000 Donation To Support Save The Bay’s Environmental Education And Volunteer Programs

PROVIDENCE, RI - Save The Bay executive director Jonathan Stone and Ed Wallace, executive director of the United Water Foundation, are pleased to announce a $20,000 donation from United Water Foundation to support Save The Bay’s environmental education and volunteer programs. In celebration of the gift, project managers from across United Water joined Save The Bay staff in June for a cookout and check presentation.

“We are grateful to United Water for this generous gift, which is a testament to the company’s commitment to water quality and the environmental resources of this region,” said Stone. “The students who participate in our education programs, and the beautiful beaches that our dedicated volunteers regularly clean up are the real beneficiaries here. These programs wouldn’t be possible without the support of committed partners like United Water,” he said.

“United Water is first and foremost an environmental company,” said Wallace. “We have a major presence in the New England area and care deeply about the water that breathes life in the communities we serve and our neighbor’s communities. When we find good organizations, like Save the Bay, that are working to protect these waterways, we are eager to support their cause.”

Each year, Save The Bay organizes and supports the work of more than 3,000 volunteers who pick up debris at dozens of shoreline sites, help with habitat restoration, offer administrative support, serve eco-tourists, and much more. It also presents marine science and environmental education programming to more than 15,000 schoolchildren each year to build the next generation of ambassadors for Narragansett Bay.

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SMALL BUSINESS

NEWS

Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation A w a r d s G r a n t s To P a w t u c k e t A r e a N o n - P r o f i t s

TAUNTON, MA - Bristol County Savings Bank (BCSB), through its charitable arm the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation (BCSCF), awarded grants totaling $62,000 to thirteen Pawtucket, Rhode Island area non-profit organizations during a ceremony recently at McCoy Stadium, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Foundation presented checks to the following organizations: Arts Marketplace – Pawtucket ($2,500); Bishop Keough Regional High School ($7,000); Books Are Wings ($6,500); Camp Ruggles, Inc. ($4,000); Children’s Friend and Service ($7,500); Exchange Street Open Studio Plus ($2,500); Memorial Hospital of RI ($7,500); Old Slater Mill Association ($6,000); Pawtucket Soup Kitchen ($2,000); St. Cecilia School ($1,200); The Arc of Blackstone Valley ($5,300); The Sandra Feinstein – Gamm Theatre ($5,000); and the URI Foundation on behalf of the First Star URI Academy ($5,000). Patrick J. Murray, Jr., President of the BCSCF and President & CEO of BCSB, awarded the grants to the thirteen organizations. Also participating were representatives from the BCSCFPawtucket Advisory Board and the Bank’s Pawtucket branch. “I don’t think the Foundation has ever presented so many grants at one time in Pawtucket. That tells me that there are more and more organizations doing their best to make a positive impact in and around the City,” said Murray. “Being a community bank, it is a core principle of ours to support the communities we serve so we look forward to seeing firsthand the good work these not-forprofits will do throughout the greater Pawtucket Region with the grants provided.”

the communities in which it serves. The establishment of the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation – Pawtucket Advisory Board was announced at the grand opening of the Bank’s Pawtucket office in 2001 in an effort to demonstrate the Bank’s commitment to its new market. At that time, $1 million was contributed to the Foundation to provide grants to 501(c)(3) organizations which operate exclusively for charitable purposes within the City of Pawtucket. The BCSCF has donated over $2.3 million to organizations in the Pawtucket area since its inception.

Bristol County Savings Bank has always been an active supporter in

The BCSCF was established in 1996 as part of the Bank’s 150th Anniversary

celebration. Its purpose is to fund needs that contribute to the economic and the social well-being of the people and institutions located in the greater Attleboro/Taunton Region, the greater New Bedford/Dartmouth Region and the Fall River Region of Massachusetts, as well as the Pawtucket, Rhode Island Region, with particular emphasis in the areas of education and literacy, economic development and housing for the lowto moderate-income population. Since the Foundation began, more than $14 million has been committed to hundreds of different non-profit organizations. In 2014, the BCSCF awarded $1.4 million to various 501(c)(3) organizations

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SMALL BUSINESS

NEWS

White House Has Chosen To

B e

P a r t

O f

PROVIDENCE, RI - Governor Gina Raimondo, along with the state’s Congressional delegation today announced that the White House has chosen Rhode Island to be a part of the President’s TechHire initiative, a bold multisector effort to empower Americans with the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy. TechHire cities and states work with employer partners on new ways to recruit and place applicants based on their skills, create more accelerated tech training opportunities, and invest in innovative placement programs to connect trained workers with entrepreneurial opportunities and well-paying jobs. “I’m thrilled to see Rhode Island recognized by the White House for our innovative efforts to strengthen workforce development

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T h e

P r e s i d e n t ’s

and prepare our workers with the tools they need to succeed in today’s economy and beyond,” said Raimondo. “Thanks to this recognition, we now are able to bring even more employers together to send a clear signal to the rest of the country that Rhode Island is cultivating talented, skilled workers and sparking a comeback.” As part of the selection process for the TechHire initiative, Rhode Island has assembled 18 employers, including CVS, Citizens Bank, Fidelity, and Innovex, to recruit over 2,000 candidates from fast-track tech training programs by 2018. The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, (DLT) Commerce RI, and Opportunity@Work are working with Tech Collective to develop Rhode Island’s IT workforce pipeline and train individuals through

SMALL BUSINESS

NEWS

secure $7.5 million in federal funding to support local workforce partnerships such as Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston and The Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island and help them prepare local workers for high-level jobs in technologyrelated fields. By joining the TechHire initiative, Rhode Island will also have the opportunity to compete for a portion of $100 million in federal grants that have been set aside for related job training programs. And tech companies such as Microsoft are also expected to offer training programs in conjunction with TechHire. “Rhode Island’s inclusion in this initiative will further accelerate efforts to train workers and connect them with the tech jobs that so many employers need to fill,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “It’s a big boost to our state’s job training efforts, and I thank the Obama Administration for including us.” “To help existing companies to grow and thrive, and to attract new businesses to Rhode Island, we need a well-trained workforce with 21st century skills for a 21st century economy,” said Congressman Jim Langevin, who co-chairs the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. “This designation gives our state an edge on attracting and keeping talent and I believe it will be a catalyst for economic development.”

Rhode Island

“This is a big win for Rhode Island’s working families,” said Congressman David Cicilline. “The TechHire initiative will help connect middle class Rhode Islanders with education and workforce training opportunities to ensure they have the skills they need to compete for good-paying, high-tech jobs. I look forward to building on the good work our state is doing to connect workers with new tools and resources to compete in a global economy.” DLT Director Scott Jensen will represent Rhode Island at Tuesday’s event at the White House.

bootcamp-style IT training programs, with a focus on low-income community members.

“I am excited and honored to represent Rhode Island at the White House today,” said DLT Director Scott Jensen. “The President’s TechHire initiative shows that our nation’s commitment to a sector-based, demand-driven workforce strategy starts at the very top. I look forward to working closely with the RI Commerce Corporation, Tech Collective, and some of our state’s top employers to quickly connect more applicants including women, minorities, Veterans, and at-risk and disconnected young adults to high-paying jobs in high-tech careers.”

“We need to find innovative ways to build an effective pipeline of tech talent here in Rhode Island. That means training workers and connecting them to good-paying jobs in in-demand fields. TechHire is a smart step toward strengthening our technology workforce and growing the state’s economy. It can help remove barriers to training and employment and help more motivated workers learn new technical skills and earn a good paycheck. I applaud the state and its partners for developing local strategies to connect people to jobs and opportunities,” said Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Last year, Reed and members of the Congressional delegation helped

“In addition to the initiatives of the state and Governor Raimondo, Tech Collective is proud to be working with Rhode Island IT employers and partners to promote this high-demand industry; train our incoming and current workforce; empower company advancement and growth; and connect Rhode Islander’s to viable, sustainable careers,” said Kathie Shields, executive director for Tech Collective. “The innovative, industry-led, and accessible programs recognized by TechHire are not only benchmarks of success nationally, but will also continue to foster Rhode Island’s IT industry as a significant 21st century employer and economic driver in our state.”

e c h h i r e

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www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS

NEWS

East Commerce Solutions Classic Golf Tournament Raises $114,000 To Support Boys & Girls Clubs Of Providence Youth Employment Program

PROVIDENCE, RI - With the sun shining brightly and temperatures hovering in the low 90s, more than 100 golfers descended upon TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts on July 20 for “The East Commerce Solutions Classic,” the annual golf tournament of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence. The event raised $114,000 in support of the organization’s Teen Youth Employment Program, as well as additional programming that benefits the more than 4,000 youth served annually across the Clubs’ seven Providence sites. “We could not be more thrilled with the outpouring of support for this year’s tournament, which, in turn, will directly impact the lives of young people throughout Providence by providing opportunities they otherwise would not have,” said Nicole Dufresne, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence. “It was truly a special day, and we extend our sincerest gratitude to our presenting sponsor, East Commerce Solutions, and everyone who helped make the day a resounding success.” Held at one of the top ten private golf clubs in the United States, the day began with custom club fittings for players at TPC Boston’s practice facility with course tips provided by

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Assistant Golf Professional Don Baldassare before lunch and a 12:00 p.m. shotgun start. Following the completion of the 18hole course, players cooled off in the Clubhouse, where they enjoyed cocktails, a special raffle, dinner, and awards. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence invests $3,300 per member annually to provide life-saving and educational programs, evening meals, and Workforce Development initiatives such as Teen Youth Employment, Financial Literacy Training, and Work Readiness and Occupational Skills. The organization also offers S.T.E.A.M. curriculum, which provides members with hands-on learning opportunities that increase academic skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Along with East Commerce Solutions as the presenting sponsor, many other friends of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence supported the tournament, including Cox; Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.; New England Laborers’ Tri-Funds; and Jake Kaplan’s LTD. Additionally, special food and beverage items were generously donated by Coca-Cola, Revival Brewing Company, and Whole Foods.

SMALL BUSINESS

NEWS

DiPrete Engineering Raises Over $22,000 To Help Fight Multiple Sclerosis

CRANSTON, RI - Employees and friends of DiPrete Engineering participated in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s annual Bike MS: Ride the Rhode event held June 20-21, raising a total of $22,793 that will support research to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis. This year, 15 cyclists from DiPrete Engineering’s “PT Riders”, participated in the ride along a 150-mile route that began at the Narragansett Pier School. The PT Riders were among the top five fundraising teams in Rhode Island. Since 2005, DiPrete Engineering has raised over $225,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through the Bike MS event, golf tournaments, and wine tastings. In 2012 it was honored by the Rhode Island Multiple Sclerosis Society for its efforts to support the organization and help fight the disease. “Since I have been working for the National MS Society, the PT Riders have always been in the top 10 fundraising teams,” said Megan Cutler, Development Manager. “We are always so impressed with their loyalty and we are so lucky to have them as part of the Ride the Rhode family. We are forever grateful for their PT Riders and contributors.” In addition to helping find a cure for multiple sclerosis, donations raised through the Bike MS event go toward providing direct support and financial assistance for medications and medical equipment for those living with multiple sclerosis. “We are so proud of all the cyclists and supporters who contributed to DiPrete Engineering’s fundraising effort for Bike MS: Ride the Rhode 2015,” said Dennis DiPrete, Principal of DiPrete Engineering. “For years, DiPrete Engineering has been a strong supporter of the inspiring work of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the whole office looks forward to this event each year.” Earlier in June, DiPrete Engineering hosted a wine and beer tasting event to also benefit the organization. The event featured samples from local vineyards, breweries, and restaurants including Michael Lester and Mike Bianco of MS Walker, Jim Verde of Verde Vineyards, Steven Wynn of Wine Brothers, and Westport Rivers’ owner Corey Nuffer who helped in supplying and pouring the selections of local wines. Beer samplings were provided by Proclamation Ale Co., Tilted Barn Brewery, and Buzzards Bay Brewing. Oysters and littlenecks were available by Jody King, Kevin Thibodeau of Luckyfoot Ranch provided farm-fresh salsa and relish, and

Ocean State Sandwich, using locally sourced ingredients, created finger foods. “As always, we were thrilled by the community’s support of our team,” added DiPrete. “Our firm and its employees are committed to servingNew England through fundraising for important causes and community events,” added DiPrete.

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

CAPITAL CITY | Art Partnerships In Providence What Clams Me About SMALL Manage A Remote Worker or Office SMALL BUSINESS BUSINESS || How Dear To Mom: A Taught Letter Home From ALeadership One Day Warrior

ART PARTNERSHIPS IN PROVIDENCE by Mayor Jorge Elorza

In early June, tens of thousands of people filled downtown, proud to enjoy all the many performances, cuisines, and art. The weekend of the Inaugural Providence International Arts Festival was one of my favorite moments thus far as Mayor. The city and our partners worked tirelessly to ensure that event was a success. My Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism, FirstWorks, and dozens of local corporations, foundations and businesses, set forth a powerful precedent for what the arts and partnership can achieve in Providence. Those who participated and enjoyed the festival were able to see a glimpse of the generosity of those who know and believe in the potential for arts and culture to transform places and experiences. Often, Providence is bestowed opportunity upon opportunity to earn the title of Creative Capital, and our recent ArtPlace America award is no exception. The Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism in partnership with Rhode Island LISC were recently awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to further integrate arts and culture into the city’s community and

economic development. “Illuminating Trinity,” an ambitious creative placemaking project, will reinvigorate the Southside community hub and continue to integrate the arts into all of our neighborhoods. It is fitting that Trinity Square will serve as the epicenter for this project as it represents the triad of what makes projects like these possible. Philanthropy in Providence takes many forms, but is always made up of public-private partnerships, hard work, and hope. The core of “Illuminating Trinity” will be of partnerships forged to make improvements to Grace Church Cemetery and work to build capacity and programs at the Southside Cultural Center. The Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism has built a reputation for accomplishment and awe by maximizing our city’s resources through collaboration. With AC+T, RI Black Storytellers, RI Latino Arts, the Cambodian Society, the Laotian Society, ECAS Theater, and a diverse cross-sector group of stakeholders, Trinity Square will remind us how time and effort are among the most precious gifts.

time, the most substantial investment makes no impact without hard work and strategic thinking. We were among 38 recipients of nearly 1,300 applicants for this award, and Providence is one of only two cities chosen by EmcArts and the Kresge Foundation to pilot a Community Innovation Lab. The Creative Capital has a reputation for utilizing innovative solutions to solve tough problems. This gift will allow us to act as an example for other cities who face similar challenges and demonstrate what can be done when we roll up our sleeves. All philanthropists, non-profits and volunteers know the value of dedication and effort. The Trinity Square grants reminds us that no endowment is complete without hope. The reintegration of the arts in city planning, education, and safety, all began with a vision. I am proud that the hope inherent in every ArtPlace America award will continue to bring our communities together. It is significant that national foundations are joining us in our work. I want to thank local our local philanthropic community for working with us to move Providence forward.

F FICE O THE MA OF YO

As dependent as philanthropy is to the generosity of our resident’s wealth and

IT IS FITTING THAT TRINITY SQUARE WILL SERVE AS THE EPICENTER FOR THIS PROJECT AS IT REPRESENTS THE TRIAD OF WHAT MAKES PROJECTS LIKE THESE POSSIBLE. 16 16

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To learn more visit CTI.NEIT.EDU or call 401.739.5000 x3345

One New England Tech Blvd., East Greenwich, RI 02818-1258

Rhode Island Philanthropy | SMALL BUSINESS

Rhode Island Philanthropy Nonprofits

the

Ocean

8,143

The rough number of active nonprofit organizations registered

State

Providence

has the highest amount of Public Charities is Rhode Island:

3,131

Last year, the Food Bank

distributed

9.9 million pounds of food, 2.5 million pounds of which was fresh produce

More Than

18%

Over $8 Billion is the amount of revenue public charities pumped into the Rhode Island economy

of Rhode Islanders are employed by a nonprofit organization

52.4%

of the sources of revenue for nonprofit organizations come from private sources www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

Rhode Island

L O CA L N O N - P RO Adoption Rhode Island www.adoptionri.org 2 Bradford Street Providence, RI 401-865-6000

Child & Family www.childandfamilyri.com 31 John Clarke Road Middletown, RI 401-849-2300

American Diabetes Association of New England www.diabetes.org 10 Speen Street Framingham, MA 617-482-4580

Comprehensive Community Action www.comcap.org 311 Doric Avenue Cranston, RI 401-467-9610

American Lung Association www.lung.org/associations/charters/northeast/ 260 West Exchange Street Unit 102b Providence, RI 401-421-6487 Boys and Girls www.bgcpawt.org 1 Moeller Place Pawtucket, RI 401-722-8840

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Delivering Hope www.deliveringhopenow.org 1 Main Street Wickford, RI 401-225-9205 J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center www.trudeaucenter.org 3445 Post Road Warwick, RI 401-739-2700 Kent Center www.thekentcenter.org 2756 Post Road Warwick, RI 401-691-6000

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of RI www.lls.org/rhode-island 2348 Post Road - Suite 202 Warwick, RI 401-943-8888 Meeting Street www.meetingstreet.org 1000 Eddy Street Providence, RI 401-533-9100

OFIT

D I R E C TO R Y

MS Dream Center www.msdreamcenter.org 155 Gansett Avenue Cranston, RI 401-383-8878

Providence Children’s Museum www.childrenmuseum.org 100 South Street Providence, RI 401-273-5437

The Empowerment Factory www.theempowermentfactory.org Hope Artiste Village Pawtucket, RI 401-365-1010

Muscular Dystrophy Association of RI www.mda.org/ofﬁce/rhode-island 931 Jefferson Boulevard Unit 1005 Warwick, RI 401-732-1910

RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence www.ricadv.org 422 Post Road - Suite 102 Warwick, RI 401-467-9940

United Way of Rhode Island www.uwri.org 50 Valley Street Providence, RI 401-440-0600

RI Foundation www.rifoundation.org 1 Union Station Providence, RI 401-427-4001

WaterFire Providence www.waterﬁre.org 101 Regent Avenue Providence, RI 401-237-1155

Rhode Island Community Food Bank www.rifoodbank.org 200 Niantic Avenue Providence, RI 401-942-6325

West Bay Community Action www.westbaycap.org 224 Buttonwoods Avenue Warwick, RI 401-732-4666

School One www.school-one.org 220 University Avenue Providence, RI 401-331-2497

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

e l a n i F d n a r

Eleven Local Men and Women Raise Over $350,000 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Rhode Island Chapter Man and Woman of the Year Campaign Winners of the 2015 Campaign Announced

April 25, 2015, Newport - The Rhode Island Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) wrapped up its 2015 Man & Woman of the Year competition on April 25, with a Grand Finale in Newport with Lindsey Bailer of West Warwick and Anthony DeLuise of North Scituate, coming out victorious in this 10-week fundraising competition. Both the Man and Woman of the Year, Anthony, Orthopedic Surgeon for Foundry Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Lindsey, Online Product Coordinator of Alex and Ani, together raised over $169,262.00 in its 10-week campaign. Community leaders competed for the national title of Man & Woman of the Year, an honor surrounded with a great deal of fanfare, including a fullpage ad in USA Today, but the most important reason candidates participated was for families like this year’s Boy and Girl of the Year, KJ who is 12 years old and from North Providence, and Emma, who is 15 years old and from Barrington. KJ and Emma are local children who are survivors of blood cancers and who are sources of inspiration. Together, KJ and Emma raised close to $25,000 during the ten weeks. Every dollar raised counts as one “vote.” The male and female candidates with the most “votes” were awarded the title of 2015 Man & Woman of the Year. The money raised by candidates over the ten week period is used by LLS to fund research seeking cures and better therapies, and to provide information and support so that patients have the best possible outcomes throughout their cancer experience. “We are thrilled to announce our 2015 Winners. Congratulations to Anthony and Lindsey as well as our Runners-Up Richard Ace Aceto, of GlaxoSmith Kline and Rita Maron, of Academy Players of Rhode Island. Even though there are winners, it is the collective total of the entire 11 candidates that is truly amazing. Over $350,000 raised in RI for blood cancer research and patient services program is amazing. Everyone wins when cancer loses!

MAY 17, 2014

H YAT T R E G E N C Y H O T E L & S PA One Goat Island, Newport, Rhode Island

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r a e Y e h t f o l r i G & Boy KJ Ricci, Age 12

North Providence, RI, ALL/Diagnosed December 13, 2011 KJ was diagnosed with an extremely rare type of blood cancer called Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Just ten years ago, the chance of a child surviving this type of leukemia was Exeter, RI, CML/Diagnosed November 28, 2011 very slim.

CAMERON CYR, AGE 11

Thankfully, an investigational treatment was available that would give him a good chance at beating his Leukemia. The average age of someone CML is 220 nights spent cancer. The protocol for this treatment was extraordinarily intense, with resulting in over in the hospital receiving recovering from old chemotherapy. KJ endured with months of being away from his 52 yearsorold. An 8 year being diagnosed CML home, his friends and his school, with virtually no respite from feeling sick and exhausted. Thankfully, was very rare. There is neither rhyme nor reason for him KJ’s medical team did everything in their power to keep him feeling as well as can be during treatment to have gotten thishim form of leukemia. all the while working towards making whole and healthy once again. His battle has been long but after almost three years, we are nearing the finish line and couldn’t be prouder of the young man he’s becoming.

Cameron was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous

We followed the oncologist’s recommendation and Cameron began his treatment which consisted ofKJtaking oral chemotherapy Gleevec he building Legos, and enjoysan being around his friends anddrug family,called swimming, playing which video games, reading In fact,researchers KJ has become a superhero in his own right, inspiring would have to take everycomic day books for theabout restsuper of hisheroes. life - unless discover a shot he meets his immensechromosome courage and strength, andLLS always helping or something thateveryone would keep thewith Philadelphia at bay. funded theout the other children in clinic by using his friendly smile and compassion to help take their minds off of their battle. These acts research that leadoftoheroism Gleevec and Cameron is in remission playing are just thetoday beginning, as his ultimate goal in life and is to grow up and become a scientist so that hockey, his favoritehesport. can one day help find a cure for cancer. Cameron is an incredibly strong young man who does not give up. He is a hero and Katzen, Age 15 Barrington, RI, forever. ALL/Diagnosed February 2, 2012 idol to his parents.Emma November 28, 2011, changed their lives They do not take In the beginning of February 2012, Emma was sent home from school with a high fever. The next day, time for granted and enjoy every minute they have with each other.

she could barely walk or talk, and was extremely pale. Emma’s dad took her to the doctor and they immediately sent her to Hasbro Children’s Hospital. When Emma arrived, they rushed her to the trauma center in a wheelchair. She was going in and out of consciousness. As Emma and her family found out later, Emma was septic shock. of her organs were shutting N.inKingstown, RIAll - ALL, Diagnosed May, 2007down, and especially April, 2011her liver. The doctors were thinking that she might need a transplant. Her white blood cell count was at 100, when normal In April 2011, Georgia learned that the Leukemia counts are between 5,000-15,000.

GEORGIA WETTERGREN, AGE 12

Emma was seen by many specialists, including an oncologist. That is when she was diagnosed with had returned. Georgia had “ALL” (Acute Lymphoblatic Leukemia). Emma spent 8-9been days indiagnosed the intensive care unit in a medically Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) for for the induced coma.with After that, Emma started treatment and stayed in the hospital about six weeks. Unfortunately, Emma has had many side young effects from all The of thesecond treatments,time including anaphalactic second time in her life. shock, seizures, ostio neccrosis, and a rare genetic disease called CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth-Disease). around was tougher, but not for Georgia’s spirit. CMT was a very bad side effect, as it caused her to not be able to walk, or even hold an object in her hand.

she successfully battled four years earlier in 2007

Georgia, with her parents by her side, underwent 2 years of chemotherapy, so much for Emma and she has overcome so many obstacles! Emma wants to spending half ofThings that have timeimproved in the hospital.

be a pediatric oncology nurse so that she can help patients understand the disease that she had to battle. Emma still has many operations ahead of her to repair her hips and knees, but in the end, Emma looking forward to getting back to her crafts and dancing, and says, “I HAVE BEAT CANCER”!

Georgia is playing with her little sister. She, her doctors, and her family have no doubt she will someday achieve her goal of “being a scientist just like Daddy!” Georgia loves dancing, Hello Kitty, listening to Justin Beiber and watching old re-runs of Full House – and of course spending time with her younger sister Maggie!

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

RICHARD “ACE” ACETO

ASHLEY ERLING

GABRIELLA MENDES

LINDSEY BAILER

ELIZABETH MADZIN Rentals Unlimited

Retired Administrator & Nurse at Women & Infants Hospital

ANTHONY DELUISE

DANIELA MANSELLA

LILIANA TEIXEIRA

GlaxoSmith Kline

Alex and Ani

Foundry Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

EMILIO DISPIRITO The DiSpirito Team

The Rhode Show

Bellapiccolina.com

Diesel

RENEE NERI

H&R Block

RITA MARON

Academy Players of Rhode Island

Everyone Wins When Cancer Loses! All candidate headshots are courtesy of John Borzain

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

And the Winners are…

Photo courtesy of John Borzain

Lindsey Bailer

Online Product Coordinator Alex and Ani

Photo courtesy of John Borzain

Anthony DeLuise Orthopedic Surgeon Foundry Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Woman of the Year, Lindsey Bailer, had an amazing ten week campaign. Lindsey, who is a Hodgkins Disease Survivor just celebrated five years of being cancer free! She and her campaign team utilized their fundraising pages to inform her friends and family of her story and campaign. Lindsey worked very closely with her team and put together an “AMAZING” event called “Champagne and Shells” which brought in more than $10,000 towards her campaign total. Man of the Year, Anthony DeLuise, also had an amazing ten week campaign. Anthony and his teammates each juggled working their full-time jobs and busy lives with working tirelessly on the fundraising campaign. Their range of events included: a Cut-a-thon, a St Patrick’s Day party, a 5 mile road race at beautiful Lincoln Woods, a Comedy Night, a letter writing campaign, and a Dancing with the Doctors show which raised a little over $50,000! The variety of events was helpful in getting a different range of people involved. The Rhode Island Chapter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is very honored to call Lindsey Bailer and Anthony DeLuise our Man and Woman of the Year.

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

Do You Think You Have What It Takes To Be The Next

MAN OR WOMAN OF THE YEAR? Do You Know Someone Who Could Be?? Call Carla Mulhern at: 401-943-8888 x1709 or email Carla.Mulhern@lls.org

Join LLS and sayâ&#x20AC;ŚCANCER ENDS WITH ME 26

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society would like to congratulate

Anthony DeLuise for raising over $107,000 for LLSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission!

Anthony is pictured center with Rhode Island Boy and Girl of the Year, Emma Katzen and KJ Ricci. During the 10-week Rhode Island campaign, Anthony and his team raised over $107,000 for LLS and by doing so made him the highest male fundraiser in the four year history of the campaign in Rhode Island. Because of Anthony, all the candidates and all their campaign teams, the LLS Nominating Committee, staff and local board members, LLS is making cures happenâ&#x20AC;Ś

TODAY, NOT SOMEDAY! www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS | Philanthropy Powers Progress

Philanthropy Po by Neil Steinberg

In June 1916, industrialist Jesse Metcalf launched the Rhode Island Foundation with a $10,000 gift. Thousands of donors have followed his lead over the years. While they had philanthropy in common, they had many reasons for giving. To right a wrong. To preserve a special place. To move the needle on an important issue. To provide opportunity for others. To nurture a spirit of giving in the next generation. To pay tribute to someone very special. For nearly 100 years, the Rhode Island Foundation has connected people to causes they care about in our community. We build bridges with and between philanthropists, community organizations, and government and business partners. We bring Rhode Islanders together to meet local needs and seize timely opportunities. Since 2010, Newport County nonprofits have received more than $1 million grants for everything from summer reading programs and job training to restoring Sachuest Bay and music programs. The Foundation is a collection of more than 1,400 charitable funds of all sizes. Each of these funds has a story behind it and a purpose before it. Every year, we interview those who create funds at the Foundation; we want to capture their stories so that we might preserve their legacies. Reading their stories, I am always inspired and hopeful. I have learned that the families, organizations, and companies who give do so for various reasons and with different goals, but they share an unwavering commitment to Rhode Island.

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Our donor partners know that community projects evolve over time, and that sometimes, the state’s greatest challenges offer unique opportunities for innovation and leadership. In 2014, donors stepped forward to support job training, arts programming, educational opportunities for Rhode island youth, healthy meals for the hungry, a coordinated approach to planning for climate change, and much more. As we approach the Foundation’s centennial, I am mindful of the connection between the past and the future. When Mr. Metcalf founded the Foundation all those years ago, could he have imagined that today it would be used for blended learning in public schools, patient-centered medical homes, or entrepreneurship? Without Mr. Metcalf’s leap of faith, the millions of dollars in grants we have awarded to Newport County organizations pioneering a new future or preserving our rich history would not have been possible. Together with our donors, the Foundation has the great privilege of supporting many efforts underway in different corners of the state, in different issue areas, led by different groups of people embracing the diversity of our state. Making change is not easy, and none of us can accomplish it alone. The challenges we all face cannot be solved in isolation. They are complex and often require significant resources. It’s imperative that we work in cooperation and coordination with one another. Philanthropy means “love for humanity,” and it really does arise from a selfless and optimistic kind of love. I have met philanthropists who are driven by urgency, justice, possibility,

Philanthropy Powers Progress | SMALL BUSINESS

owers

compassion, or their own life experiences. And the return of doing good â&#x20AC;&#x201C; seeing progress and impact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; feels good. There is so much to do in Rhode Island, so many worthy causes to support. Whatever you care about, whatever drives you to take action, at whatever level you can support, I hope you give back. Thank you, Rhode Island, for inspiring us and allowing us to be your partner in philanthropy. Neil Steinberg is president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.

For nearly 100 years, the Rhode Island Foundation has connected people to causes they care about in our community. www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS | Adding Philanthropy To The Menu

Adding Philanthropy

to the menu

The Blount family has been in the food business for five generations, but it is always experimenting with new products and practices. From its beginning in the 1880s when Eddie B. Blount started an oyster-packing business in West Barrington, Blount Fine Foods has re-invented itself through the years – and through the generations – from a seafood processor to a premium, prepared-foods company. Now it has also re-invented its approach to philanthropy – with a donor-advised fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. “We’ve always been involved in the community,” states Blount President F. Nelson “Todd” Blount, explaining that the company long has made product donations to food banks, soup kitchens, and charity events, especially those with ties to the communities where its employees live. Donor-advised funds at the Rhode Island Foundation enable individuals and companies like Blount’s to amplify the impact of their giving with the help of the guidance from sector experts at the Foundation on what areas of need are most critical and which organizations seem to be effective in using donated funds. “Our giving has been at the corporate level. Through this fund, I want the employees to have a say in directing the money. The goal is that we, and that includes a team of employees, will work with the Rhode Island Foundation to determine where the money will go,” Todd Blount explains. The Blount fund is already having an impact. A donation to the Foundation’s Civic Leadership Fund helps promote initiatives like Make It Happen RI and Buy Local RI that focus on building a strong economy. Blount also joined with the Foundation to co-fund a culinary business incubator in Warren.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Hope & Main gives culinary start-ups the opportunity to grow in their first two to three years without the cost of equipping their own commercial facilities. It offers shared-use, fullyequipped code-compliant kitchens and storage at belowmarket rental rates. Fees cover a number of overhead costs like utilities, cleaning, parking, trash collection and pest control. Start-ups avoid taking on the significant debt typically associated with the establishment of independent culinary startups and can focus on what really matters: building vibrant and sustainable food companies. That’s a natural for Blount. The company produces refrigerated and frozen gourmet soups, sauces, side dishes, and entrees for food service and retail, including products under the Legal Sea Foods and Panera brands. Although it has expanded beyond seafood, Blount remains the largest producer of clam chowder in New England and the largest manufacturer of lobster bisque in the country. “We needed to be value-added to survive,” Todd Blount says, adding that they put the Blount Seafood brand equity into the Blount Market in Warren and Blount Clam Shacks in Fall River, Warren, and Riverside, the latter two of which are seasonal. “The clam shacks and market are a neat way for us to hold onto our heritage, our legacy, and our name. That’s really important to us.” The company has facilities both in Fall River and its original site in Warren. Todd Blount emphasizes the firm’s local roots. “We’re still Rhode Island focused. We want to touch all parts of the state with our food and philanthropy. It’s part of our tradition, and now we’re bringing that to the employee level. But we’re not experts in that area. That’s why we need the Foundation to help us to find the best organizations to support,” he says.

Dr. Jeff Morgan invented a 3D Petri dish that is made in Rhode Island and sold around the world.

Welcome to Our Backyard, a state brimming with global industry and cutting-edge innovation, thriving entrepreneurship, world-class universities and a vibrant arts and culture scene.

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Post your great Rhode Island news and then spread the word. Invite your network to join us in celebrating whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great about our state.

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RIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEED FOR

TECH SKILLS

HAS NEVER

BEEN GREATER

Tech Force is part of the wave of change sweeping Rhode Island, creating a new destination for tech-savvy companies, and helping Rhode Island employers find the expertly-trained staff they need. Become part of the Tech Force today!

TECH

FORCE

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

TECHFORCERI.ORG

TECH FORCE RI MEETS DEMAND FOR IT EXPERTISE ABOUT TECH FORCE HOW EMPLOYERS BENEFIT

As Information Technology continues to be one of the fast growing and in-demand industries, employers’ need to hire a skilled technical workforce – a Tech Force – has never been greater. In October 2014, Rhode Island receivedTechnology $7.5 million in U.S. As Information continues to be one of the fast growing and Department of Labor (DOL) Readyin-to demand industries, employers’ need to Worka Partnership funding to address hire skilled technical workforce –a Tech Force –information has never been greater. the state’s technology (IT) In October 2014, Rhode Island received industry employment and workforce $7.5 million in U.S. Department of Labor needs.Ready The resulting is Tech (DOL) to Work initiative Partnership funding to address the state’s Force Rhode Island. information technology (IT) industry employment and workforce needs. The initiative and is Tech Force Techresulting Force programs services Rhode Island.

combine career coaching and a Tech Force programs andofservices blended learning model industrycombine career coaching and a led technical, business, and workblended learning model of industryreadiness training to prepare wellled technical, business, and workreadiness training to prepare wellrounded candidates ready to meet rounded candidates ready to meet employer need. need.Training Trainingprograms programsand employer services are free qualified candidates and services aretofree to qualified and are expected to serve 476 of candidates and are expected to serve Rhode Island’s long-term unemployed 476 of Rhode Island’s long-term

unemployed and under-employed career seekers through October 2018. In addition to connecting employers with in-demand, credentialed tech talent, employers may benefit from Tech Force through participation on under-employed the Industry Advisory and careerCouncil, seekers through October 2018. curriculum development, industry andtopresentations, interviewing Intours addition connecting employers with credentialed tech andin-demand, work-readiness workshops, talent, employers may benefit from and hosting experiential learning Tech Force through participation on the Industry AdvisoryTech Council, opportunities. Forcecurriculum recruiting development, industry tours and services to fill open positions and presentations, interviewing and workconnections to pre-qualified talent readiness workshops, and hosting experiential opportunities. are free to learning employers, and On the Tech Force recruiting services to fill Job Training are also available open positionsfunds and connections to prequalified talent are free to employers, when hiring. and On the Job Training funds are also available when hiring.

Tech Force Rhode Island is funded by

Tech Force Rhode funded to the USDOL. FundsIsland were is awarded by the USDOL. Funds were awarded toWorkforce WorkforceSolutions SolutionsofofProvidence/ Providence/ Cranston agencies Cranstonwith withpartnering partnering agencies Workforce Partnership of Greater Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island and Tech Collective.

Rhode Island and Tech Collective.

Employers have the opportunity to fill open positions with newly trained and skilled professionals in the IT field. Here are some other benefits to employers: 4Connection to pre-qualified talent 4Recruiting services to fill open positions are free to employers 4Participate on the Industry Advisory Council 4Help inform training offerings and curriculum design 4Industry speakers and tours 4Selection of participants 4Internship placements 4On the Job Training reimbursements (up to 50% of training costs for new hires)

HOW PARTICIPANTS BENEFIT Participants who are selected to enroll in the Tech Force Rhode Island program gain resources tailored specifically to their needs and skillset. Upon being accepted into the program, participants are eligible to receive: 4A dedicated career coach 4Hands-on training in a specific area of Information Technology 4Highly valued professional skill training 4Networking opportunities with professionals in Rhode Island’s IT industry 4Resume and job search assistance 4Direct job placement upon completion of training www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS | How To Raise 11,000 Lbs. Of Canned Goods In A Single Week

How to Raise 11,000 lbs. of Canned Goods

in a single week

2009 was a tumultuous year for many businesses but for Regency Cigar in East Greenwich, prosperity continued. However, the thought of thriving while many others were struggling did not feel quite right for owner Michael Correia who came from a less affluent home. So, he decided to act upon his instinct to give back to the community using the same successful formula that he uses in day-to-day business. In 2009, Regency donated 876 lbs. of canned goods to the Rhode Island Food Bank. In 2015, they became the largest private donor of canned goods by raising 11,067 lbs. in a single week! Their formula for success is clearly something for every business to model when thinking about giving back. In order to launch a successful campaign regardless of whether or not it is for-profit or not-for-profit, you must approach it in the same manner, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you focus strongly on being successful at something, you will find success,â&#x20AC;? says Mike. Mike explained the philosophy behind treating the food drive as if it was a profitable campaign. He went into saying that placing a box in the corner and hoping that people will fill the box is a kind act with selfless intentions but often times there needs to be some energy behind the intention to actually get that box filled. The process requires a two part component, first he rallies his team. Creating a standard beyond measure for his employees has trickled down to finding

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

continued success in both business and in their efforts to raising 11,000 lbs. of food. Next, he and his team rally their most loyal and generous customers. What first began as a simple food drive to help has turned into a head-to-head competition. One customer will bring in 500 lbs. of pasta while another customer is challenged to donate 500 lbs. of sauce -and so it continues. The drive is held during the busiest month of the year for most small businesses; while others are focused on driving sales, Regencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team is focused on giving back. While the initial thought to entice others to donate by offering a single cigar for every two canned goods donated has turned into a single cigar for four canned goods donated. Most of their customers generously do not accept a thing. Last year, storage for the food drive was the most difficult aspect of the week long food drive. Fortunately, this past year Regency has expanded their cigar shop into a newly designed cigar bar equipped with fine whiskeys, wines and malt scotches to accompany their high-end selection of cigars and exclusive events. Additionally, the plan is to incorporate their own aging humidor. The new expansion will leave more space for future food drives and more customers to take part. But as the company continues to grow in more ways, the food drive remains the most talked about event of the year.

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SMALL BUSINESS | Fiduciary Duties Of A Board Member For A Nonprofit Organization

Fiduciary Duties o F O R

by Gary R. Pannone

In most jurisdictions, including Rhode Island, the role of a board member for nonprofit organization seriously impact policies for governance, financial matters and the strategic planning of their organization. The authority granted to the board member carries a corresponding duty of duty of care, loyalty and obedience when acting on the behalf of the organization.

What is the “Duty of Care?”

The duty of care means that the board member must act: (a) in good faith; (b) with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise; and (c) with a reasonable belief that the action to be taken is in the best interests of the organization. 1. Good Faith - Good faith requires honesty and fair dealing and is measured by reviewing objective facts and circumstances related to the decision. 2. Ordinary Prudence and Due Diligence - Ordinary prudence means that directors need to act with “common sense and informed judgment.” Ordinary prudence does not require a director to have special skills to perform board duties; however, “diligence” requires that a director take an active interest in the organization’s activities which necessarily involves a proactive approach in making decisions on behalf of the organization and exercising oversight. Voting in favor of all requests by officers or simply “rubber stamping” recommendations made by lower levels of management does not satisfy this requirement and may subject the board member to scrutiny.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

N O

3. Best Interests of the Organization - A board member must ask, “Is the decision to be made in the best interests of the organization?” It is permissible for a director of a nonprofit organization to rely upon the expertise of management and/or outside consultants; however, prudent care requires reasonable inquiry and it is the director’s fiduciary duty to be well informed when considering and accepting the opinions of others. As a general rule those who may be relied upon in providing expertise and recommendations include officers, employees whom the director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in such matters, advice from legal counsel, accountants or outside consultants. It should be noted that board members are afforded the benefit of volunteer protection statutes and the common law “business judgment rule” when making decisions. The business judgment rule provides a rebuttable presumption that the decision made by a board or its member constituents was in the best interest of that board member’s organization. The policy and rationale behind this rule is that boards function best when informed decisions are not continually disrupted by judicial scrutiny, except of course, in cases of egregious board misconduct.

Duty of Loyalty

The duty of loyalty requires that actions taken by a board member further the organization’s goals over personal interests. This duty prohibits a

Fiduciary Duties of a Board Member for a Nonprofit Organization | SMALL BUSINESS

of a Board Member N P R O F I T

O R G A N I Z A T I O N

board member from using his or her position, or information gained from occupying such a position, to secure a personal pecuniary benefit. Statutory guidance is provided in all states dealing addressing the importance of fiduciary loyalty and identifying what constitutes a conflict of interest. Contracts made on behalf of a nonprofit corporation in which a voting board member has a financial interest may be considered void or voidable as it relates to the organization and it is also possible that the Internal Revenue Service may issue sanctions in certain transactions between nonprofit organizations and a “disqualified person.” The Internal Revenue Code defines a disqualified person as one who is or was in a position to exercise substantial influence over the affairs of the organization at any time during the five years preceding the transaction. This of course, may include, among others, past or current officers, directors, trustees, highly compensated and/or high level employees, department or project managers, major donors and vendors.

The duty of loyalty requires that actions taken by a board member further the organization’s goals over personal interests.

Nonprofit organizations should always publish a conflict of interest policy outlining the following at a minimum:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Determinations regarding conflicts; Scope of the activities to be covered; How the policy will be enforced; Training programs for board members, management and staff; and 5. Policy review periods. An effective conflict of interest policy will be tailored to the specific nature of the nonprofit organization and serves as a guide to be reviewed annually and enforced uniformly.

Duty of Obedience

The duty of obedience requires the board member to comply with both state and federal laws when acting as a board member. As a practical matter this calls for board member compliance with, among other things, tax, civil rights, and non-discrimination and employment laws. While this certainly does not mean that board members must have a law degree and be an active member of their state’s bar, it does suggest that board members should exercise good judgment (duty of care) and seek professional advice when reasonable necessary. It may require that a board adopt policies and protocol to ensure legal compliance. The duty of obedience also requires that the board member actions always be in conformance with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Conflict of Interest Policies. The board member’s actions and decisions must always be consistent with the mission statement of the organization and within its organizational Gary R. Pannone authority. Managing Partner

Pannone Lopes Devereaux & West LLC

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS | To Give Is Far Better Than To Receive!

T 0

G I V E

is far better than to receive! by Michael Brito

What does the saying, “to give is better than to receive” really mean? Maybe we should look back to our own way of conducting business for a deeper understanding of why we went into business in the first place. When we had that first idea that being an entrepreneur was real, achievable and nothing was impossible…then shortly after we heard that first “no.” We will always need others to make gains whether it be in our professional or personal lives. We live in communities with other people. If we embrace the idea that other people are involved in our lives, we will indeed be successful. If we operate as if we do not need the help of

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others, the road to success will be much more difficult. When our company applied for our MBE/DBE status certification it would have been impossible without the help of several individuals that I am still in relationship with! My life was and continues to be enhanced by helping them and being helped by them. We will always need others, no matter what we are involved in. The way we advance in our careers is actually helping others achieve as well! Looking back at goals and milestones in my business and personal life, every time I reached the next level, I was also reaching back to help someone else on the way up. Call it karma, stewardship or whatever you like but for us, this is our way of conducting business. True

success doesn’t happen without first thinking of how we are able to best serve our community. In my business, we have always hired individuals that are somehow getting looked over or simply need a break. Once hired, often times that individual will be eager to excel through various educational programs we offer or support. We also have sponsored certificate courses that teach through exclusive class-time supported by our hands-on approach. Classes are conducted at our Church and through existing Christian based programs. Most of the time, you can find a course or study group that’s already in place so reinventing the wheel isn’t an issue. We chose to conduct programs through our

To Give Is Far Better Than To Receive! | SMALL BUSINESS

We have always hired individuals that are somehow getting looked over and just need a break Church since our business is based upon a “higher principal” however, you may find that there are many other programs out there that are a fine fit for your time and talent! You will find as you progress into the “giving of yourself” mind-set that you’re the one learning the most. It’s hard to say what I’ve gained through all the various ways we’ve given of ourselves and our resources but I can say that I wouldn’t want one minute or one dime back! So, look to your community for groups in need of what your company has to offer; find a need and fill it. My Grandfather always said, “Mike, if I don’t see your impact, I don’t see your blessing.” He was a very wise man and through his love of others, showed me just how important filling the needs of our community actually fills our own life to a point of over abundance. So, go ahead, give of yourself and see what a difference it makes in the lives of those you touch and what a difference it will make in you! If you need any help getting matched with a community based program, civic group or just have a heart to reach out to your own employees and fill a need. Please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to meet with you! Live a full life, give of yourself! Michael Brito Team Member, Managing the Road Ahead www.managetheroadahead.com

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS | Personnel Practices: Philanthropy By Service

Personnel Practices P H I L A N T H RO P Y BY S E RV I C E : B E S T P R AC T I C E S F O R NO N - P RO F I T B OA R D S by Matthew R. Plain, Esq. & Kristen M. Whittle, Esq.

In addition to financial contributions, many people choose to give back to their communities by serving as board members for non-profit organizations. Board service can be a great way to get involved in the community and support wonderful organizations. However, there are some pitfalls that may catch the unwary by surprise. When serving on a board of a non-profit, directors and officers should be aware of the following best practices to ensure that their board service is positive and productive. • Ensure that the by-laws contain an indemnification provision such that the organization will indemnify the directors and officers should they be sued personally for actions taken in connection with their service. Under Rhode Island law, non-profit corporations generally have the power to indemnify their directors to the extent that the director has conducted himself or herself in good faith; that he or she reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in the best interest (or at least not opposed to the best interest) of the organization; and that he or she had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In the event of a lawsuit, directors and officers would not want to be in the unfortunate position of having to defend themselves, and to personally pay for the assistance of an attorney. • Obtain Directors & Officers Insurance. Along the same lines as an indemnification provision in the bylaws, this insurance typically provides coverage for actions taken by board members during the course of their service to the organization. In the event of a lawsuit, this insurance should cover the cost of defense (i.e., attorneys’ fees) plus a settlement or judgment against the director or officer. This coverage is separate from a general liability policy that a nonprofit organization may obtain to cover its day-to-day activities. Sometimes, a Directors & Officers insurance policy will also

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

provide coverage for employment practices liability, which would apply in case a current or former employee of the organization were to make a claim arising out of the terms of his or her employment. Otherwise, the organization should also obtain an employment practices liability policy. • Although it is not technically impermissible for non-profit board members to be paid for their service, compensated board members may be subject to greater liability under Rhode Island law. Specifically, Rhode Island law provides that no person serving without compensation as a volunteer, director, officer, or trustee of a nonprofit corporation, is liable to any person based solely on his or her conduct in the execution of the office or duty unless the conduct of the director, officer, trustee, or volunteer regarding the person asserting the liability constituted malicious, willful, or wanton misconduct. Compensated board members are not entitled to the same protections. • Non-profits should also be cautious

Personnel Practices: Philanthropy By Service | SMALL BUSINESS

compensated board members may be subject to greater liability under Rhode Island law. about employees of the organization serving as board members, which may in some circumstances be considered a conflict of interest. At the very least, employees serving on the board must recuse themselves from personnel discussions concerning their employment. Although Rhode Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laws concerning conflicts of interest for directors and officers of non-profit organizations is relatively lenient, best practice dictates full disclosure of all potential conflicts and recusal where there is the appearance of a conflict.

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Many non-profit organizationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by-laws contain provisions requiring that board members periodically review and revise the by-laws for updates. This review process should provide directors and officers an opportunity to ensure that they are fully protected to the extent permissible by law.

Matthew R. Plain, Esq. Partner, Barton Gilman LLP Kristen M. Whittle, Esq. Associate, Barton Gilman LLP

For more events and information:

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www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

T ea mwork

SMALL BUSINESS | Teamwork Promotes Workplace Safety

r o m o t e s

o r k p l a c e

The costs of workplace injuries and accidents can be incalculable, both to the victim of the injury and to the company. Those costs can include lost work time, medical expenses, reduced quality of life, the expense of addressing a safety issue, and possibly even expensive legal consequences. Safety studies in the medical and aviation industries (two of the most safety-conscious industries in the world) have shown that the most effective approach to safety is building a team culture in which every employee is enrolled in making sure that every day is “incident and injury free.” While every industry has its own guidelines and procedures for specific safety issues, here are some of the successful teamwork strategies common to nearly all industries where safety is a factor: •

Create a company culture of safety. Make sure your whole staff knows that safety is a priority, and understands what safety looks like and how to maintain it in your company.

•

Build safety conversations into the routine. Communications are important to the whole team, by means of regular safety meetings to discuss new information and problems and solutions; employee newsletters; and channels for reporting safety issues.

•

Make sure employees are informed. Keep your employees current on any changes in policies, procedures, materials, and hazards. Ignorance is a dangerous enemy of safety.

•

Provide excellent training. Make sure new employees get good training not only in correct use of equipment, but

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

a f e t y

following all safe practices. Follow up for all employees with regular reviews and practices of safety procedures. •

Emphasize employee participation. Get employees involved in hazard detection, problem solving, and decision making. Employees know their own jobs well, and know both when there’s a safety issue and how to make the situation safer. Everybody has something to contribute to a safer workplace.

•

Be responsive to employee concerns. In too many workplaces, employees who report genuine safety issues are treated as “troublemakers” or “complainers.” For your company to have a good teamwork culture, it’s essential that all supervisors and managers understand that they must treat employees’ safety concerns with respect.

•

Reinforce safe behavior. Give positive feedback—and lots of it—for safe performance, such as specific company rewards and incentives for the department or team with the best safety performance. Use positive feedback and training to correct unsafe behavior.

If you are a manager or an owner, you will want to make sure your company has these or similar safety team strategies in place. If you are an employee, consider offering to help develop some of these practices in your workplace, and show your supervisor how they will benefit the whole company. Workplace safety is a team accomplishment. Rob Levine & Associates specializes in Personal Injury throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability throughout the country. As “The Heavy Hitter” Rob Levine not only works hard on your case, but also believes in making a positive impact in the communities he serves. Through internal resources, education and volunteerism, Rob Levine & Associates strives to help prevent accidents, as well as raise awareness around the needs of our elderly and returning veterans. For more information visit www.roblevine.com, or call 401.529.1222 or toll free 800-529-1222.

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Get A Piece Of The Action! | SMALL BUSINESS

by Denis Robichaud

Welcome to my website, now what? You, your product or your organization has drawn some new online traffic but you need them to take that next step. We all know about using a “call to action”, lets talk about how we can be better at it. When we look at our value proposition canvas we can analyze the landscape to understand how to retain and incentivize our target with action-oriented content. Various philanthropic and non-profit organizations have wonderful knowledge of their target and do remarkably well with strong emotional appeals. While perhaps the greatest gain could be of an intrinsic value, at its core the action elevates their target on a psychological level. The target is elevated to a point of esteem and self actualization, as referenced in Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, while simultaneously supporting the organizations financial needs. Identifying our target partially makes us better at encouraging an action, but there is more we can do. We need to make the sale or the contribution a reality; we need to help our target make a decision, which is the tricky part. Charitywater.com has a beautiful call to action that has a constant “You can _blank_ for clean water.” with changing messaging for the blank. It supports

Identifying our target partially makes us better at encouraging an action, but there is more we can do

the general idea that you can do anything to help support their mission. They are not only helping to financially secure their mission but, suggest a unique positive experiential based call to action that supports each individual in achieving his/her intrinsic values/goals, whatever they may be. It creates a homeostasis where the relationship is almost a living and breathing bond rather than a single action. This beautiful example not only builds equity in the mission but potentially long term supporters of the cause. With strong targets and messaging comes, supportive design elements. Design that either contrasts or complements, while highlighting our pains vs. gains messaging. Often times we may find a website that is saturated with links or advertising, all trying to get us to “CLICK HERE”. This can dilute the principal action we truly want our target to focus on, so be cautious. We should always consider using colors to contrast or complement our previously defined color palette and implement artwork that continues to support our brand. Even the use of a high quality image as a background to overlay and draw attention, can make an important actionable item pop. When we design our button, we should work to focus attention and increase our chances of participation with easy and clear language that should reinforce and incentivize the gain once again. This may be a refresher for some, but it opens an opportunity for discussion in your office that you can work through as a team to define how you will work to create strong actionable messaging that targets your customers and generates new leads for your organization. Denis Robichaud Denis Robichaud Design

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS | 3 Ways To Help Become An Expert In Your Field

3 Ways To Help

e c o m e

a n

x p e r t

by Ronia Pegeuro

There are many ways to expand your knowledge. Today, a college degree is equivalent to a high school diploma. It’s a minimum requirement for most jobs, but college isn’t the only way to learn new things. Let’s face it, many business professionals do not have many hours at their disposal to dedicate to sitting in a classroom. For this reason, many colleges and universities are creating hybrid learning environments where meetings are done once a week, or even once a month, sometimes for an hour and most of the content is online. This approach is also being used in high schools with an increase of virtual curriculum. Our world is moving and molding into this new direction we call the information era. Companies are simply facilitating the process for you. Right now information is free, it’s out there, and it’s accessible. We all have the power to learn. If you’re not learning something new every day, I’m not sure what you’re doing. However, real life experience is priceless. Application of knowledge is everything. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals is powerful. Calling in experts for quick responses to complicated questions is valuable. There are numerous ways to stay informed and ahead of the competition. There are many things I do to fill up my time with in between getting work done. Here are three things that will help you become an expert in your field. Keep in mind, it’s important to create a schedule for learning new things and have some sort of regiment. Find what times work best for you and go for it.

1. PODCASTS: I love podcasts because they’re fun, educational and really convenient. I enjoy listening to podcasts in the shower, as I get ready for my day or in long car rides. If you’re short on time, a great podcast to listen to is the $100 MBA, it’s a 10-minute daily podcast that gets right to the point without a lot of extra noise. When I have more time I listen to the BiggerPockets podcast; I’ve been a member of the site for years, it’s all about real estate investing. Even if that’s not your cup of tea, they have expert guests and provide information which can be used across multiple industries.

Right now information is free, it’s out there, and it’s accessible. We all have the power to learn. 48

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i n

o u r

i e l d

2. BOOKS: There are some books that, in my opinion, should be read by everyone. Some of those include, the 4 Hour Workweek, Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Lean Startup, Who Moved My Cheese, The One Thing, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The E-Myth, etc. I love to search for these books, get some interactive pdfs printed out to follow along to, find the audiobook via Audible or find a streaming audio on YouTube. If you prefer cassette tapes and CDs, you can go on eBay or Amazon to purchase them. When you come across some free time, get stuck or frustrated with what you’re working on, or going on a flight, pick up a book or play the audiobook.

3. ON THE JOB TRAINING: Why not have the experts come to you? You can have workshops, seminars and trainings from the comfort of your office. Currently, 1.7 million dollars has been made available via The Governor’s Workforce Board to increase the skills, competitiveness and productivity of current RI employees. Companies can apply for up to 50% of training cost and no more than $45,000 per year in funding. Expert can be hired to increase your employee skill set with a 50% reimbursement as a bonus. There should be no excuses for not building up your company’s skill level. Now is the time to act. More information can be found at http://www. gwb.ri.gov/grants.html. After exposure to the listed recommendations, the next step is to be a creator. To become an expert in any of these things, the key is expanding your knowledge & assessing your lifelong accomplishments in order to be the facilitator for an on-jobtraining workshop, write a book or record a podcast series. Your time is now. Get to it! Ronia Pegeuro Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder V+R Digital

Technology For People | SMALL BUSINESS

by Ronald G. Shapiro

There are numerous reasons to obtain new technology for one’s business, academic or personal use. Two of the best reasons are that technology will improve safety and it will also improve productivity. Other reasons might be that the technology would reduce service costs, be fun to have and be great to show off to friends and customers. Looking at a glossy brochure or website may make a product appear to accomplish some, if not all, of the above objectives. While the product information may be truthful and provide a complete description of the product, it may not tell the whole story. Think about standing in line at a store to check out or calling a company for customer service and having the employee you are working with say something like, “I’m sorry that it is taking longer than usual. We are using a new computer system.” Clearly, this initial period with the new equipment is not increasing productivity. Perhaps, more seriously, consider purchasing a new car in which the controls are in different positions than you are used to. You may make errors such as washing the windows when you intend to turn on the lights. This could cause an accident. In addition to evaluating the literature a manufacturer might offer on their products, consider the following prior to investing in new technology:

1. WHO WILL BE USING THE SYSTEM? Will they be able to physically work with the new technology? If you are using touch-sensitive screens, will the screen respond to their touch easily? Will they be able to move the cursor easily? If the technology is large or heavy, will they be able to access what they need easily and safely?

5. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO TRANSFER FILES, ETC. to the new technology so that it works as well as, if not better, than the existing system? 6. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THE PEOPLE USING THE NEW SYSTEM TO LEARN IT? What will the impact be on business in

the short term?

7. WILL THE NEW SYSTEM BE SAFER, MORE PRODUCTIVE, AND/ OR MORE FUN TO USE PRESENTLY AND INTO THE LONG TERM? Is

it really ergonomically designed? (There are sometimes claims made that products are ergonomically designed even though they have never been tested, and may not be.)

8. WILL THE TOTAL ENERGY AND OTHER MAINTENANCE COSTS BE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER FOR THE NEW SYSTEM, including energy to heat, cool and light the equipment area?

9. WILL EMPLOYEE TRAVEL TIME TO GET TO THE NEW TECHNOLOGY BE INCREASED OR DECREASED? For example, direct

costs may be lowered if a few local printers are replaced by a more powerful one, but the cost of employee travel time to obtain printout might offset the equipment savings.

10. IF POSSIBLE, PILOT TEST MIGRATION TO THE NEW SYSTEM and also have typical users use the new system until they become proficient with it. Obtain their input and study their productivity gains/losses before you make a commitment to invest money or change technology. Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro Independent Consultant in Human Factors Learning & Human Resources

2. IF THE SYSTEM WILL BE USED SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH EXISTING EQUIPMENT, ARE SIMILAR BUTTONS IN THE SAME PLACE? For example, if the start button is on the left on

one piece of equipment and the stop button is on the right, and this is reversed on another piece of equipment, this may lead to errors.

3. IF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY IS REPLACING OLDER TECHNOLOGY, ARE THE CONTROLS COMPATIBLE? If not, how long will it take for

people to get used to the new controls?

4. DOES THE SAME BUTTON DO DIFFERENT THINGS AT DIFFERENT TIMES AS THE EQUIPMENT IS BEING USED? This kind of display is called a modal display and can lead to slower performance and to errors.

I’m sorry that it is taking longer than usual. We are using a new computer system. www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight 49

SMALL BUSINESS | Do You Have A Tech Strategy For Your Non-Profit?

Do You Have A Tech Strategy for Your Non-Profit?

Five Ideas To Innovate Your IT by Lisa Shorr

If you are like many nonprofits, your dependence upon technology is growing by the day. Your marketing plan must include strategies for connecting with donors and prospects via social media, online newsletters and interactive donor-centric websites.

2. Donor Management Software – Part of your Marketing

initiative must be to keep track of and cultivate new donors. Start with a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) program. Store contact information, donor-giving history, pull reports on various campaigns, manage volunteers, etc. There are several great options including Donor Perfect and Raiser’s Edge by Blackbaud.

Now is the time for nonprofits to embrace the cloud. According to Kathleen Malin, Vice President of Technology and Operations for the RI Foundation, “Moving technology to the cloud is critical for non-profits because of increased needs and tighter budgets.” By embracing the cloud, a nonprofit can benefit from the same technological advantages as much larger companies.

3. Fundraising Software – Most CRM programs contain

There are wide variety of cloud-based applications and resources available for the non-profit. The trick is knowing where to begin! What are the most important areas to focus on first? Use this list as a starting point to designing your IT strategy:

organization function without email? You are probably shaking your head a resounding no! Since Microsoft launched Office 365, which is free to nonprofits by-the-way, all organizations big and small can benefit from enterprise class email in the cloud. This means greater collaboration of information, calendar and to-do’s with none of the responsibility of an on-premise email server.

1. Websites & Bloggers for IT Advice – Where can you go for really good technology and social media advice? I asked this question of Kathleen Malin and she came back with a great list of resources: • Techsoup.org – Advice and product purchases, often with deep discounts or free! Check them out. • Idealware.org – A comprehensive site focused on helping nonprofits make good software decisions. Search reports, online training, blogs and so much more. • NTEN – Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network – • 501 Tech Club Rhode Island – A national community of folks that focus on growing nonprofits using technology. Join this group at a local level. • Bright Ideas from Bloggers – Today, bloggers hold a strong influence over consumer purchases. Looking for the latest tips and advice check out: Beth Kanter at bethkanter. org and John Haydon at johnhaydon.com. 50

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donation-processing functions. Looking to raise money for your cause? Fundraising websites such as GoFundMe.com and Kickstarter.com are designed to solicit a mass audience to help fund specific projects or events!

4. Move Your Email to the Cloud – Can you and your

5. File Sharing in the Cloud – Mobility allows a nonprofit to

grow. Programs such as Dropbox for Business, which offers a discount to nonprofits, seamlessly connects staff to remote volunteers by sharing files in the cloud. Access documents from anywhere via your laptop, tablet or smart phone. Embracing the cloud affords the nonprofit greater flexibility in reaching a much broader volunteer and donor base. No longer do you need to be beholden to multiple servers that inflate your electric bill and eat away at your operating budget. There are an abundance of websites and software programs to take advantage of. Your next donation is just a click away! Lisa Shorr VP of Marketing, Secure Future Tech Solutions www.securefuturetech.com

Radio Talk WITH STEVE KASS,

RADIO SHOW HOST ICON Having a nonprofit is extremely difficult in that there is a limited pool of giving, especially with so many nonprofits in Rhode Island. I realized that if you hit a particular button for someone and it’s a cause that they believe in, in most cases that person will give generously towards that cause. In my experience, I have found that most people are seeking to give back especially if they are in the position to do so. And, if we continue to look at a cause and find a solution we are likely to be able to foster change.

THIS IS YOUR HEALTH BENEFITS EXCHANGE. YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW IT’S GOING. Be a part of Year Two. Buy your health insurance through HealthSource RI. 1.855.840.HSRI HealthSourceRI.com HealthSource RI is the official healthcare portal for the state of Rhode Island. Copyright ® HealthSource RI logo is the trademark and service mark of HealthSource RI.

www.risbj.com | volume four issue eight

SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Local Small Business Directory BUSINESS SERVICES

DISASTER RECOVERY

The Business Develoment Company www.bdcri.com Peter Dorsey 40 Westminster Street, Suite 702 Providence, RI 401-351-3036

Lynchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cleaning & Restoration www.lynchsrestoration.com Shawn Lynch 25 Starline Way Cranston, RI 401-464-8937

Local Loyalty Partners, LLC www.loyaltyprogram.com Ernie Pitochelli 150 Midway Road Cranston, RI 02920 401-368-6911

COACHING & CONSULTING Redwood Environmental Group www.redwoodenv.com Contact: Gary Kaufman 10 Elmgrove Avenue Providence, RI 401-270-7000

PuroClean Disaster Restoration www.purocleanri.com Terri Abbruzzese 5 Minnesota Avenue Warwick, RI 401-633-5565

ENERGY Super Green Solutions www.supergreensolutions.com Robert Cagnetta 300 Quaker Lane, Box # 6 Warwick, RI 401-932-1985

FINANCE

The Growth Coach www.thegrowthcoach.com/dmarantz Daniel Marantz 33 Urso Drive Westerly, RI 401-612-4769

J.P. Matrullo Financial www.jpmatrullofinancial.com Jonathan Matrullo 10 Orms Street, Suite 410 Providence, RI 401-276-8788

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Morgan Stanley www.morganstanley.com Rick Bellows 1 Financial Plaza, 19th Floor Providence, RI 401-863-8400

Butler Realty www.butlerrealty.us Jeff Butler 655 Main Street East Greenwich, RI Scotti & Associates www.scottirealestate.com Peter Scotti 246 Hope Street Providence, RI 401-421-8888

DESIGN & MARKETING Artinium, Inc. www.artiniuminc.com Darren Marinelli 5 Division Street, Building D, 2nd Floor Warwick, RI 401-729-1997 Big Fish Results www.bigfishresults.com Tony Guarnaccia 5 Division Street Warwick, RI 401-484-8736

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The Ameriprise Financial Planning www.ameripriseadvisors.com/Eric.Coury Eric Coury 1 Citizens Plaza, S. 610 Providence, RI 401-996-7660

HEALTH & WELLNESS Aflac Allen Miller 29 Crafts Street Newton, MA 02458 617-658-1820 www.aflac.com

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Thrive Networks www.thrivenetworks.com Kevin Ellis 836 North Street, Building 300, S. 3201 Tewksburry, MA 978-243-1432

TIMIT Solutions, LLC www.timitsolutions.com Tim Montgomery 100 Randall Road, Unit 93 Wrentham, MA 02093 774-307-0652

INSURANCE Allstate Benefits www.allstate.com Jeff Davide 98 Hollis Avenue Warwick, RI 401-500-3748

PAYROLL Paychex www.paychex.com Andy Pachomski 501 Wampanoag Trail Riverside, RI 401-663-6677

RENTALS Ocean State Rentals www.oceanstaterental.net Jim Baldwin 530 Wellington Ave Cranston, RI 401-941-4002

SIGNS AA Thrifty Signs www.aathriftysign.com Linda Iannotti 221 Jefferson Boulevard Warwick, RI 401-738-8055

TELECOMMUNICATIONS Wireless Zone www.wirelesszone.com Jason Sorensen 76 Gate Road N. Kingstown, RI 401-886-8484

TRANSPORTATION A Airlines Express Limousine & Car Service, Inc. www.aairlineexpresslimousine.com Virginia Coulley P.O. Box 222 Saunderstown, RI 401-295-4380

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Better ambiance keeps guests coming back. From heating and cooling to lighting, our specialists can suggest energy saving solutions that will cut costs and improve your restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambiance.

Find energy saving solutions at ngrid.com/smallbusiness

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal These programs are funded by the energy efficiency charge on all customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gas and electric bills, in accordance with Rhode Island law.