Mark LaClair

If you don’t know the book by Chris Val Allsburg, then you probably know of the movie, The Polar Express.  I’ve read the book so many times to my kids that they practically know it by heart.  Several years ago, I learned that the Polar Express Event was coming to Lincoln, NH.  So, right away, I scheduled a meeting with the producer of the event to learn more.  I met with AO Lucy, a charismatic and passionate man from North Conway, NH who explained to me that he had been producing a “Polar Express Event” in North Conway for about 10 years.  From Thanksgiving until Christmas, children were bording a train, riding to the “North Pole” while eating chocolate bars and drinking cocoa, just like the book.  And, he was in the process of opening a second event in the Lincoln area.  I learned that this extremely popular event in North Conway was really a fund-raiser for a larger cause; the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation.

The Believe in Books Literacy Foundation supports and promotes literacy initiatives across all of Northern New England.  Throughout the year, the foundation raises money to conduct literacy programs, like the “Outreach Reading” program and “Books from Birth”.  They have a fun, whimsical, yet effective, way of getting kids enthused about reading books.  In their outreach program, they have storybook characters that travel to various pre-schools in New England to read and distribute books to the children.  They’ve been to my daughters’ preschool several times…and I have the books to prove it.

When I became more involved this past year with the Lincoln Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, one of my first calls was to my friend A.O. Lucy, to see what he was up to and how I could help.  The cause for literacy is one that I am deeply committed to for obvious reasons.  We talked about the Polar Express Event, the new programs that the foundation was working on, our children, and business in general.  This past summer, I was voted onto the board of directors of the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation.

Tomorrow morning, Heather Nolen, the foundation’s leader in Lincoln, is producing its second annual “Push For Literacy“.  This fundraiser event has teams of people literally pushing a caboose 100 feet down a track to see who is fastest.  Funds raised from sponsors of this event all go toward the operation of the foundation and to its literacy programs.  I am looking forward to being the emcee of the event and having fun, while others do all the heavy pushing.  What a good time, for a great cause.

For more information about the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, the Polar Express Event, or any other fundraiser event of literacy program, feel free to contact me directly, or visit the website, www.believeinbooks.org. 

Reading is fun!

mark :: Sep.05.2008 :: Home/Family, Community, Chamber of Commerce :: No Comments »

For the past 6 weeks, I’ve been trying to wrap my arms around my new project with the chamber of commerce.  As expected, I am finding that there are a number of fires that are burning around me, some of which are minor little campfires and others that are raging infernos.  Other than burn prevention, my first priority has been to assess each challenge, catalog its importance with regard to the chamber’s mission, and determine how to approach each one.

I’m asked daily what my vision is for the Lincoln Woodstock community, and my answer is generally very positive.  I see Lincoln Woodstock as the premier White Mountain Vacation destination with a sustainable, growing economy.   Now, that is obviously a 40,000 foot macroview of the region and an ambitious dream.  The challenge for me has been how to take steps in the direction of that goal today, knowing where I would like to be in 10-15 years.  I have studied the current mission of the chamber of commerce which simply reads…

To attract new and promote existing businesses to ensure the economic vitality of Lincoln-Woodstock in cooperation with, and providing a benefit for its members’ civic, educational, traditional, financial, and environmental needs.

After 6 weeks of assessing the ’state of the chamber’, I’ve come to realize that we need to bring the organization back to basics.  I can recall when I was coaching hockey, and losing a game that we should have won, my very next practice session would be all skating drills and basic training.  I would always bring my team back to basics.  I tend to explain my thoughts using analogies, and here’s no exception. Continue Reading »

mark :: Apr.10.2008 :: Management, Chamber of Commerce :: No Comments »

This morning, representatives from the Lincoln-Woodstock, Franconia Notch, Littleton, Bethlehem, and Twin Mountain Chambers of Commerce met as a committee to explore opportunities to leverage their collective resources.  A lively discussion was had at this third committee meeting on the topics of marketing, energy conservation, tourism, event planning, and the overall strategy to work together as a committee to further the missions of each individual chamber and that of the region.

From this discussion came the resolution that a community forum, such as the one here on marklaclair.com would be a terrific way to communicate, not only amongst the committee members, but with the general public as well.  I have offered my community forum as tool for use by the committee to conduct its business.

In addition, I will continue to post articles here relating to the progress of the Joint Regional Chamber Committee (name to be discussed and decided on) and will monitor and facilitate the community forum.  Later today, I will have a copy of the minutes from that meeting here for anyone interested in following the progress.

Go To the Joint Regional Chambers of Commerce forum

View All Articles Relating to the Chambers of Commerce

mark :: Feb.20.2008 :: Marketing, Community, Chamber of Commerce :: 2 Comments »