Next meeting -- February 7, 2012
at the Ashland Library

Network and Learn and Network Some More!

ABA Meeting: Tuesday, February 7, Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front Street

• Early Networking, 6:30 - 7:00 pm, with refreshments provided by the ABA
• Meeting at 7:00 pm

The Program

The February program features Elka Troutman, who will speak about advertising opportunities through the Summer Reading Program. Last year 369 Ashland elementary school children and their parents participated. Businesses get wide exposure through the schools, parents, and local media. The Summer Reading Program is in its 15th year and is sponsored by the Ashland Library and the Friends of the Library.

In 2011 the Summer Reading Program raised more than $2,600 towards the purchase of new books, audio books, and e-books for the children’s section of the Ashland Library. All the donated books receive book plates with the sponsors’ names, so that the donors can be recognized for their generous contribution to the library. The Program also raised more than $1,200 towards the purchase of many wonderful lottery prizes for the student readers.

Also on the program is a short, inspirational film, Transforming a Community Through Local Business, on how Bellingham, WA, got 60% of their community to be aware of the “Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local” campaign and change their buying habits.

Join or renew your ABA membership today to take advantage of ABA benefits!

Join the ABA Team!
Got some ideas on how to grow the ABA? Want to help select a scholarship winner or plan activities for Ashland Day? To be nominated as an Officer or Member-at-Large for 2012-13, contact ABA VP Mike Kane, VP@AshlandBusinessAssociation.com, 508-881-8882.

Earn $25 for Each New Member You Recruit
The ABA will kick off its 2012 membership drive this month, led by Bill Gath of The Homes Connection. To find out how you can earn $25 for each new member, up to $75 toward your membership renewal, contact Bill at billgath@gmail.com, 508-989-0181, or Mike Kane at VP@AshlandBusinessAssociation.com, 508-881-8882.

Advertise in the New Ashland Street Map, Distributed to Every Household
Every other year the ABA prints a colorful, detailed street map of Ashland. This year 6,500 copies will be distributed through Ashland Directions to every residence. The remainder will be available at many public venues around town for a two-year period. This year the ABA website, www.ashlandfirst.com, will feature an electronic version of the map. Viewers will be able to zoom in to see streets and read local business ads. This is a great opportunity to get exposure for your business. See an example based on the 2010 map. To renew or purchase an ad, contact John Ellsworth at john@ashlandbusinessassociation.com, 508-231-4566. The deadline for placing ads is March 1.

Reach Consumers Through the ABA Photo Slideshow!
Have you seen the photo slideshow that runs continuously on www.ashlandfirst.com’s Home Page? Each slide links to the featured ABA member's business profile. To be part of the slideshow, send a photo or image to the ABA or contact Mike Kane at VP@AshlandBusinessAssociation.com, 508-881-8882, for more information.

ABA News
Cynthia Whitty joins the ABA team this month to help get the word out. She helped launch new products and professional services, aimed at Fortune 500 companies nationwide, for Information Mapping, Inc., headquartered in Waltham, MA. Three years ago, Cynthia launched her own business, Cynthia Whitty Communications. An Ashland resident for 27 years, Cynthia likes to grow vegetables at Ashland Community Gardens at Stone Park, a site she helped to build in 2009. She does marketing for the group, placing articles and photos regularly in the local media on educational garden talks and the building of the butterfly garden, a soon-to-be certified habitat for monarch butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Cynthia also helps to promote the library Documentary Film & Discussion Series, the annual Candidates’ Forum and Ashland’s Earth Day, and serves on the Ashland Historical Commission and the Friends of the Library board.

Cynthia would love to hear members’ thoughts for ABA programming and promotion. Contact her at cynwhitty@aol.com, 508-881-6297.

New Member
Join us in welcoming Mike Mohamed – Il Forno Restaurant.

Quote
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
- Winston Churchill