Committees & Councils Standing Committees Ambassadors Committee: Member volunteers committed to welcoming new members, explaining benefits and assisting with introductions at networking and social functions. Health Care Council: Develops interactive programs designed to increase awareness and education in the community. It also provides networking programs for healthcare professionals. Insurance Council: Keeps Chamber members informed of changes and updates in legislation pertaining to the insurance industry. Legislative Affairs Council: Meets to discuss legislative concerns and to propose legislation to grow and promote the business community. The Chamber's lobbyist works closely with this committee to set its yearly agenda. Manufacturers Council: Meets regularly to identify legislative interests and concerns related to manufacturing in Connecticut. Military Affairs Council: Supports and looks out for the interests of our military community. Technology Committee: A committee of technology and related professionals. Goals include providing training programs for other Chamber members and increasing the awareness of advances in technology. Women's Business Networking Committee: More than 50% of all businesses are managed or owned by women. This committee addresses their needs and provides key networking and educational opportunities. This proactive committee coordinates networking events featuring guest speakers.   Event Committees Eastern Connecticut Auto Show Committee: Take over 400 antique cars, 25,000 visitors and over 250 flea market and food vendors and you have one of the leading antique auto shows in New England. This is one of the largest and longest running events sponsored by the Chamber. Held annually, the show involves many dedicated community volunteers. Citizen of the Year Committee: A committee charged with planning one of eastern Connecticut's biggest events of the year. The Citizen of the Year Banquet honors an outstanding person selected from the region at large that has made significant contributions to eastern Connecticut. The committee handles everything from menu planning and table decorations to program design. Golf Committee: Plans, organizes and sponsors the Chamber's Annual Golf Outing, a sold-out event every year. Whether you golf or not, your help is needed at organizing this event. From recruiting Tee Sponsors to finding registration table volunteers, there is something for everyone, as well as, a beautiful day away from the office. Holiday Gala Benefit: A fun, seasonal committee that coordinates this Gala/Auction to raise funds to benefit the children of eastern Connecticut. From seeking donation items to the final Gala evening production, this committee coordinates everything. William Crawford Distinguished Citizen Award Committee: The William Crawford Distinguished Citizen Award is periodically presented to an outstanding member of the community who has contributed to the quality of life in our region as well as to his or her neighbors. The Crawford Award Committee plans the annual Crawford Award Dinner and Presentation. Town Councils Councils assist the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut by focusing on issues specific to a town/city and promoting partnerships to address those issues. This is accomplished through monthly or quarterly meetings of members and future members. These meetings are to update businesses and citizens on items of importance to the town's/city's economic well-being. Membership in the Chamber is not required to attend council meetings; they are open to all interested parties. For additional information, please contact the Chamber at (860) 464-7373. East Lyme (This council meets as needed; meeting times and locations vary.) Co-Chair: Bill Budds, Smith Insurance Co-Chair: Mark Woods, People's United Bank Griswold (This council meets every third Friday at 7:30am. Call for location.) Chair: Demo Angelopoulos, AmericInn Lodge & Suites Groton (This council meets on an as-needed basis.) Chair: Ed DeMuzzio, CCi, Inc. Ledyard (This council meets on an as-needed basis.) Chair: Shari Hewes, Holdridge Farm Nursery Montville (This council meets on an as-needed basis.) Chair: Pam Kinder, United Community and Family Services New London (This council meets every third Wednesday at 9 a.m. Call for location.) Chair: Rich Bernardo, TEE'S Plus Norwich (This council has regularly planning meetings on the fourth Friday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at Olde Tymes Restaurant) Chair: Angelo Olivieri, Olivieiri Financial Services Waterford (This council meets on an as-needed basis.) Chair: Bob Blinderman, R. Blinderman Motor Lines Inc.