Meeting Notes from 8/18/2011 Binghamton University Small Business Center

Our guest speaker was Michelle Catan from the Binghamton University Small Business Development Center located here in Oneonta at 189 Main Street on the second floor. The center opened 2 months ago here in Oneonta. The organization began in 1984 in Binghamton and since then it has helped over 12,502 clients, saved or created 9,563 jobs and invested $162 million.

They are funded by the US SBA and the State of University of NY. It is made up of talented and dedicated NY State certified business advisers who take a personal interest in the success of your business. They help small businesses solve their problems through no cost one on one assistance in such areas as: start up assistance, business plan assistance, accounting and financials, acquisitions, marketing, woman, minority and veterans programs, and they have a client specific research center in Albany.

In the last 2 years in the Binghamton area they have had 211 clients, had a financial impact of $18,328,627, saved or created 712 jobs.

If you know someone looking to start a small business or know one that needs a little help, please pass along the following information- Michelle Catan Business Advisor, 189 Main Street 2^nd Floor, 607-432-4500 ext 208, fax 432-4506. Email her at mcatan@binghamton.edu

Meeting Notes from 8/11/2011

Our speakers this past week were Gary Russo and Jeanette Tolson from “Friends of Recovery-Delaware and Otsego” (FOR-DO).

It is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 as part of the National Recovery Advocacy Movement. It has 2 community centers one in Oneonta located at 22 Elm Street called The Turning Point and one located on Main Street Delhi. The Turning Point was opened in 2007 which is a facility that is a safe haven for people in recovery and their families provides a location for 12 step program and other recovery meetings, as well as social and educational events. They also advocate for legislation and community activities that support recovery from diseases of addiction. On average at the Turning Point they see 1016 people per month. Who are their participants and where do the referrals come from- self referrals, drug court, probation, outpatient treatment clinics, DSS, veterans including National Guard, adults with dependent children. In the United States substance abuse costs our nation more than $484 billion per year more than diabetes at $131.7 billion and cancer at $171.6 billion. Some of the barriers to recovery in Otsego County include- rural area, college town and seasonal economy, in Delaware County- rural area, no public transportation and agricultural area.

There are many ways to get involved: attend an end of month dinner, volunteer, consider making a donation not only monetarily but with items, refer family and friends to the center.

For more information contact Gary or Jeanette at 607-267-4435 or visit their website at www.friendsofrecoverydo.org

100% Attendance for July

Loree Allen, Ken Baldwin, Dick Breuninger, George Brown, Robert Davidson, Joe Fodero, Ed Forman, Les Grummons, Barbara Ann Heegan, Rosalie Higgins, Gordon Jones, Sam Koury, Dave Mattice, Sally Miglianti, Dick Miller, Bob Moyer, Charlie Nicosia,Paul Patterson, Sarah Patterson, Jim Salisbury, Helene Seldin, Alan Sessions, Lynne Sessions, George SIlvernell, Cindy Struckle, Verne Thomas, Catrina Truesdell, Dave Weaver, Sherm Whitney, Eric Wilson