The Greater Boston Business Council (GBBC) and TD Bank (TDB) co-sponsored the annual dinner dance cruise.  TDB is one of GBBC’s Platinum Corporate Sponsor and has made a great presence throughout New England over the past two years.  TDB has also connected with the neighborhoods throughout Greater Boston including the LGBT Community.

This year’s boat cruise was not only exceptionally special having co-sponsored this event with TDB, but also because the GBBC, for the first time, selected two non-profit organizations to be the benefactors of this year’s event.  All ticket sales and raffle donations were donated to AIDS Action Committee and Community Servings.  Two noteworthy organizations who work diligently to raise funds in order to give needed services to the LGBT Community.  The GBBC/TD Bank Dinner Dance Cruise raised $7,000 and will be split evenly between AIDS Actions Committee and Community Servicing.

Thank you TD Bank and to all who attended and made this event a Huge Success!!!

In November 2010, the GBBC present the second annual contribution to the Point Foundation, the nation’s largest GLBT scholarship program.  The GBBC feels the future of GLBT issues are set with the youth today and assisting GLBT youth to succeed is a responsibility of us all.  The GBBC is proud to be a sponsor of the Point Foundation and supporting the GLBT youth of Boston.  If you wish to join the GBBC and contribute further to the Point Foundation mission, please visit www.pointfoundation.com.

Ed Travers II

Dear GBBC Members and GLBT Community;

It is hard to believe we are well into the fourth quarter of 2010 even as summer continues to win the battle with its warmer than normal temperatures.  Regardless, the leaves are turning and it is still fall.  To accompany the many different colors we see, are the many events in the GLBT community.  The GBBC is no different, we have been busy planning our Mix and Mingle Mixer taking place tonight at 6pm, October 28th at Rudi’s Restaurant and Verve Lounge on Mass Ave, a GBBC Evening at the Theater in conjunction with our Non-Profit Affiliate member, the Huntington Theater, Thursday, November 18th and our Annual Awards for Excellence Dinner and Holiday Event, January 7, 2011 at the W Boston Hotel.  These events are planned for everyone to enjoy and participate in.  The Awards for Excellence Dinner/Holiday Event is sure to be even more wonderful this year since we added new award categories to honor.  The W Boston will be an exquisite location as well.  In addition, we scheduled the event on a Friday night to be more convenient for everyone to stay and enjoy dancing and mingling well into the evening.

Meanwhile, the GBBC’s Corporate Sponsor Program has been busier than ever.  The Corporate Sponsor Program is a membership program that attracts companies that have a strong investment with the GLBT Community and a mission to be part of it.  Corporate Sponsor members contribute to the community by partnering with the GBBC in support of promoting educational, networking and social avenues for the GLBT business community.  Together, the GBBC and our Corporate Sponsor Members make a difference in our community.  Without their support and investment it would be extremely difficult for us to provide the quality programming that we do.  Recently the GBBC was honored by a few new Corporate Sponsors.

We are very proud that TD Bank has joined the GBBC as a Platinum Corporate Sponsor.  Their presence in our city, state and region is expanding greatly and is only a testament to their drive to be plugged into the cities and towns they are in.  Over the coming months you will hear of many new programs and benefits for our members from TD Bank!

Another recently joined Corporate Sponsors is Rudi’s Resto & Verve Lounge, a Bronze Level member.  Approximately one-year ago Rudi’s Resto and Verve Lounge relocated to Mass. Ave.  Having had the honor of trying many menu items, we are very pleased to have them as a member and resource for future GBBC events.  This evening, Thursday, October 28th we will be hosting our first event at Rudi’s Resto & Verve Lounge, the GBBC Mix and Mingle Mixer to meet new and existing members of our community.  Please join us tonight and stop by.

Our third, recently new Corporate Sponsor is Principal Financial.  A national and international company vested in helping people plan for their financial future.  We are pleased to have Principal Financial join the Corporate Sponsor family and bring many new benefits in their area of expertise to the GBBC members.  Please visit the Member Benefit Page on our web site and learn more about Principal Financial and their expertise to help plan your future.

In addition to all the new Corporate Sponsors joining, we are also honored with our existing Corporate Sponsors re-newing with us.  These companies have invested in the GLBT Community for many years and we are pleased to have them be part of the GBBC as we develop new programming and events.  Recently we were pleased to learn that Massachusetts General Hospital not only renewed with the GBBC but also raise their membership status a Silver Level.  We are thrilled to have Massachusetts General Hospital, a name known globally for the medical expertise and ground breaking procedures.

Continuing, we recently learned that Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will be continuing their Bronze Level membership with the GBBC.  This will be Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s third year as a Corporate Sponsor of the GBBC.  We are very happy to have Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a name known around the world for the medical research.  We have enjoyed working with their members and certainly look forward to many more opportunities in the upcoming year.

Other Corporate Sponsors with the GBBC W Hotel (Platinum), Intersystem’s (Bronze), Sunlife Financial (Bronze), BNY Mellon (Bronze), Club Café (Bronze), Greenpark Mortgage (Bronze), and Top of the Hub (Bronze).

Together, the support and resources that all our Corporate Sponsors bring to the GBBC are invested in the Greater Boston GLBT Community.  The GBBC is proud to be working with each of them.  We are honored to be in the company of such great institutions that reside in our own back yard and support a world of diversity and acceptance.  They all foster a welcoming community of their own for the GLBT employees.  Companies such as these pave the path for future companies to join and support the GLBT Community.  We applaud each and every one of you.

Please join the Executive Board and the Board of Directors of the GBBC in congratulating our Corporate Sponsors for taking a role in GLBT history and to thank them for supporting our community.

Sincerely,

Ed Travers
President

Ed Travers II

It is very easy to take for granted many things we have in life. It’s just the nature of the human race.  We rush through each day and don’t even stop to realize what we have today, may be gone tomorrow.

As President of the GBBC, one of the largest GLBT Business Chambers in the United States, it appears that some of the work we do may be one of those things we just take for granted. The amount of hours it takes to operate a chamber of our size is staggering and to imagine that 100% of the GBBC infrastructure is operated by volunteers is even more unimaginable.  Although our membership continues to grow, recently the GBBC has had to postpone some events because of the low turnout of registrants.  After pondering this, I could only contribute this to the effects of a down economy. The reports that we are recovering is only shadowed by news of unemployment being extended to 99 weeks in some states. Yes, that is not a typo.

Today I find it important to remind the GLBT community of a few things that make up the GBBC and the many long hours put into sponsoring events.  My hope is that after you read this the GBBC won’t be something we take for granted.

Boston’s GLBT Chamber of Commerce:

• Events - the GBBC sponsors between 12 to 20 events each year with each taking an average of 8 to 10 weeks to plan, organize and implement. In addition the Events Committee also manages anywhere between 10 to 30 monthly lunch groups depending on the number of regions participating and volunteers needed. This one committee work nearly every day of the year creating and producing events that are either educational, networking or social in nature.
• Corporate Sponsorship – the GBBC fosters a professional GLBT environment that is attractive to many corporations that have diversity groups and wish to be connected to the Community.  The GBBC offers corporations many opportunities to be plugged into different facets of the GLBT Community of Boston as well as nationally. Our corporate sponsors are the very essence of giving the GBBC the ability to reach for levels within our community that would give back.
• Non-Profit Affiliate Program – the GBBC recognizes that in Boston we are home to many wonderful non-profit organizations that work diligently to provide important and critical services to the GLBT community. With this, the GBBC has created a program that was designed specifically for non-profits, allowing them to be part of the GBBC Chamber. In addition, the GBBC co-supports their initiatives and events, which can be found on our Events Calendar and newsletter. Non-Profits organizations are members of the GBBC through an invitation basis, however non-profits that wish to be considered can contact the GBBC.
• GLBT Youth Scholarship – our scholarship initiative is in its second year and we couldn’t be more proud than to contribute to a national GLBT scholarship program through the Point Foundation. Being directly connected to the future GLBT leaders is very rewarding. In part, being part of the program offers every GBBC member and corporate sponsor the chance to stand proud in supporting future leaders and today’s GLBT youth.
• Web Design and Maintenance – nearly a 24/7 operation, the GBBC has both an internal and external web management support system. Once a limited resource, the GBBC web site has many benefits and should be visited by all. Our monitored demo graphics tell us that nearly every continent and country in the world has touched our site. In addition, the daily hit rate has been has been as low as 200 visits per day and as many as 1,800 visits per day. The site also offers current GLBT news, programs, benefits, business directory, links to corporate sponsors, information and links to non-profits providing services to our community and much more.
• Media – the GBBC manages several relationships with key media companies that cross a variety media types including newspapers, magazines and internet distributions. These relationships are important in broadcasting information about the GBBC and events that we are sponsoring. It is also a means of letting people know who we are.
• Membership – the GBBC has positioned itself as an important component of the GLBT community in Greater Boston and along with all our benefits and programs has experienced a large growth in membership. With 2,200+ members in database, our membership department is very busy.
• NGLCC Membership – the GBBC is proud to be a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for over two years. Among the chambers associated with the NGLCC, the GBBC is one of the oldest and largest GLBT chambers in the country. In addition, all NGLCC benefits are also offered to all active GBBC members. Furthermore, the NGLCC offers many programs in which we are all welcome to participate in, including GLBT Business Certifications, scholarships and business awards.  Visit the NGLCC at http://www.nglcc.org to learn more about them and their benefits.
• Member Benefits – the GBBC, along with the NGLCC offer a large number of benefits from discount shipping, discount travel, medical and dental benefits to investment planning. There are several more benefits to learn about by visiting http://www.gbbc.org and http://www.nglcc.org.
• Monthly Newsletter – one of the many ways we communicate with our members and the GLBT community is by producing a monthly newsletter. If you are interested in receiving this monthly communication you can sign up for a free subscription at http://www.gbbc.org The newsletter offers an array of information from GLBT news and events, non-profit events and our corporate sponsors.
• Advocate – the GBBC continues to advocate GLBT rights both locally and nationally. In addition we support many surrounding chambers by assisting them in organizing their own chapters in their state and cities. The GBBC is all about knowledge sharing and having organizations learn from our own 20+ years experience as Greater Boston GLBT Chamber of Commerce.

And to imagine this isn’t even the whole “footprint” of the GBBC.

The importance of sharing these facts is to ask all our members, all our corporate sponsors and the entire GLBT Community of Greater Boston to step out and participate with the GBBC as well as all our affiliates and corporate sponsors.  We have existed for over 20 years for the betterment of the GLBT Community and now is the time to show your support by becoming a member and attend events we organize for you.  By doing so, you will be fueling the engines that keeps the GBBC one of the largest, oldest and most successful GLBT Chamber of Commerce in the United States.

Don’t take for granted that the fourth largest GLBT Chamber of Commerce in your very own backyard.  Show your support…become a member and meet other GLBT professionals.

Happy Summer 2010!

Ed Travers

President

Ed Travers II

Interesting how one month we are celebrating Pride in our own GLBT Community and the next month we are celebrating our independence, freedom and equal rights for all.  Somehow I find the two more than just cousins of the same concept but rather twins in the spirit for which they both stand.  Let’s see if I have this right … this fundamental concept of ”freedom for all.”

In December 1620, after a 65 day journey across the Atlantic Ocean, our founder fathers (and mothers), landed in Plymouth in what is known today as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The Mayflower carried 102 people to escape the persecution for making decisions and choices that went against what England had decided was the “norm” for everyone to follow.  These first settlers took on all the courage they could muster and fled to an unknown land where they had no idea what would great them.  Would they be harmed for wanting such freedoms, rights and independence?  They were considered radical people, fighting for a cause.  People that knew they wanted to be free from religious persecution, free to be able to do what their hearts desired and free to be themselves.  (Hey, this is a great concept)

Now call me crazy, but that whole concept of freedom, equal rights, independence, wanting to be just who we are, sounds pretty close to the struggles the GLBT community has fought for and continues to fight for today.  The irony is that where this great country started was right here in our own backyard, also where so much has been accomplished for the GLBT community.  Over 390 years, that spirit continues to carry the GLBT Community to gain the equality of life we all deserve.  Like our founder fathers and mothers, we won’t give up until we have them.

So, while going about your holiday weekend, celebrating the many freedoms we all enjoy and continue to fight for, remember that “there are more things that we all have in common, than those that divide us.”

In the spirit of Pride and Equality for All…Happy Independence Day!!!

Ed Travers
President

Ed Travers II

Dear Members of the GBBC and GLBT Community:

Happy Birthday Boston Pride! How proud can the GLBT Community be than to be celebrating 40 years of Boston Pride!

Often I feel so fortunate to be part of the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts and with the celebration of 40 years of Boston Pride, I can’t help but to think of 40 things that we are proud of right here in our own backyard.  So recently I asked the GBBC Board to come up with things that make them proud of our community.  I would like to share that list with you and hope you find many of the things that make us proud, make you proud too.

Come on this virtual walk with me of being thankful for all that we have, from rights, to our presence in our fine city/state, services, sports teams and so much more.  You too may find out how proud you are to live where you do…Boston!  (the list below is not in any order, just a download of what makes me proud and thankful)

We proud to be…

• …part of a Pride celebration that is one of the oldest in the country, 40 years and going strong!
• …living in a state that worked so hard for so many years to win the rights to marry the person we love.
• …have home to one of the largest GLBT chamber of commerce in the country…the Greater Boston Business Council (GBBC).
• …have access right in our own backyard to a world leader in GLBT health care, Fenway Community Health.
• …part of a community that is home to terrific nonprofit organizations, some world renowned, in areas of health, medical research, domestic services, the arts, and so much more.  (Please visit http://www.gbbc.org to see a listing of those nonprofits that are part of the GBBC)
• …part of a state that has a supportive state government headed by a supportive governor, Governor Deval Patrick.
• …part of a city that has an equally supportive local government and headed by a supportive mayor, Mayor Thomas Menino.
• …able to see many individuals that have dedicated themselves to the political services of all and are free to be out and proud.
• …in a city that while walking home from work in Back Bay and the South End, I can see two men or women holding hands.
• …in a city that has beautiful and wonderful gay-borhoods in which to live.
• …able to live in a place that has four beautiful seasons (even if we complain we have too much snow or it is to hot).
• …living in a state that offers one of America’s best GLBT vacation destinations, Provincetown.
• …part of a Community that is looked up to and admired by many GLBT communities in the country as a “trail blazers” for equality.
• …able to find several great companies that offer strong diversity programs for their employees.  (Please visit http://www.gbbc.org to see some of these companies listed as corporate sponsors of the GBBC)
• …able to pick up several forms of GLBT media that emphasize education and current affairs of the GLBT community, such as Boston Spirit Magazine, the Rainbow Times, Edge, Bay Windows, the Pink Pages just to name a few.
• …part of a city that is connected to the current fashion and shopping on Newbury and Boylston Street.
• …able to look beyond the city of Boston and see several GLBT friendly communities.
• …part of a city that several intelligent and open minded people that see no fences between groups of people.
• …able to have had the opportunity to attend a high-school (Newton South) that had a gay couple attend the school prom in 1992.
• …able to have had the opportunity to attend a high-school with one of the first gay-straight alliances.
• …to be part of state that has an Attorney General who is challenging the Federal gay-marriage ban.
• …able to have a restaurant/club to go to with friends, that was part of forming the GLBT community for the past 26+ year in Boston, Club Café.
• …home to the Boston Red Sox.
• …home to the Boston Celtics.
• …home to the Boston Bruins.
• …home to the New England Patriots.
• …part of a city that has wonderful support groups for all of our needs in the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender communities.
• …that has religious groups that will allow our community to be part of and worship.
• …part of a community in Boston that recognizes the importance of education and supports the GLBT youth community with scholarships from the Point Foundation (also supported by the GBBC).
• …part of a city and state that is rich in the history of our country and GLBT rights.
• …part of a city and state that has some of the world’s best colleges and universities.
• …part of a city that has some of the best restaurants in the world.
• …able to get on a bus, that turns into a boat, with people that make sounds like a duck and still learn about things in Boston I never knew.
• …in a city that was founded by people that fled their country for the purpose of equality, freedom and rights deserving to all.  (how cool is it that over hundreds of years later, Boston is the same city fighting for rights for people looking for equality, freedoms and rights deserving to all)
• …in a state that within one hour drive I can find myself either on a mountain skiing or digging my feet in the sand.
• …part of a city that is rich with stories throughout history, whether molasses running down the street, a man riding a horse tell us people in red coats are coming, or for making ways for ducklings.
• …able to find the best chowda’ in the world, right here in Boston.
• …able to walk only 10 to 15 feet to find another Dunkin Donuts.
• …able to walk through the Boston Common at lunch on a beautiful day and try to come up with a reason not to go back to work.
• …And of course, we are all proud of the 40th Boston Pride’s Birthday because Boston is a ROCKING place!

Happy 40th Birthday Boston Pride!!!  Thank you for adding to our list the many reasons it is great to be part of Boston!!!

Best Regards,
Ed Travers
President