LONGMEADOW — In honor of Women’s History Month in March and International Women’s Day on March 8, Bay Path University, Springfield Museums, and the Springfield Women’s Commission will present the fourth annual On the Move Forum on Wednesday, March 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield.

This year’s theme, “Generation Equality: Stand Up, Stand Out, RISE,” offers attendees an inter-generational, cross-cultural, gender-inclusive conversation focused on women’s rights, civic engagement, career opportunities, and wealth. Now in its fourth year, the forum explores women’s history and the advancement of women.

The On the Move Forum will engage attendees in an interactive conversation about the gaps, gains, and opportunities to advance women, empower young professionals, and inspire students. Kamilah A’vant, director of Diversity Programs for Color magazine, will be the event’s keynote speaker. The forum will also include a panel discussion, where attendees will have the opportunity to have their questions addressed by community, business, and academic leaders.

“The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote,” said Kateri Walsh, On the Move Springfield City Council Women’s Commission chairwoman. “I am proud to promote and support the advancement of women in all fields, especially as we hope to get more young women involved in civic engagement.”

Added Janine Fondon, Bay Path professor and founder of the On the Move Forum, “I look forward to engaging in this inter-generational conversation where women of all backgrounds can share their voices, insights, and leadership. There will be dialogue, networking, resource-sharing, and relationship-building. We hope to advance women by connecting the dots and helping women find tangible ways to reach their goals, build new skills, and take advantage of existing resources — all to break barriers and remove obstacles to success.”

Kay Simpson, president and CEO of the Springfield Museums, noted that “the Museums, historically known as the People’s College, are proud to be a part of the conversation orchestrated by the On the Move Forum. As a gathering place for curious people, the Museums strongly support collaborative efforts to help us all engage through authentic educational and social experiences that foster connection.”

This event is free and open to the public, and is hosted in collaboration with the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, Girls Inc. of the Valley, Arise for Social Justice, the African American Female Professors Assoc., NAMIC New England, the Rhode Island Black Film Festival, and others. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit onthemoveforum2020.eventbrite.com.

Opportunities to sponsor On the Move’s 2020 year-long series and programs are still available. For more information, contact Janine Fondon at (413) 221-7931 or [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — The nomination period for the 40 Under Forty class of 2020 has closed, and now a panel of judges has a challenging task ahead.

That’s because BusinessWest received a record haul of more than 200 unique nominations this year — an indication that, in its 14th year, the 40 Under Forty honor remains a coveted mark of distinction for this region’s young individuals who have made a mark both professionally and through community involvement.

This year’s judges include Mychal Connolly, chapter chairman of SCORE Western Massachusetts and member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2011; Jose Delgado, director of Government Affairs at MGM Springfield and member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2011; Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce; Payton Shubrick, a home office technology strategist at MassMutual and member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2019; and Donna Yetter, a principal in Commercial Services at Melanson Heath.

After the judges have completed their careful review of the nominees, the class of 2020 will be profiled in the April 27 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 25 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. This year’s event is presented by PeoplesBank and Health New England, and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Springfield. WWLP-22News is the media sponsor, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield is a partner. Other sponsorship opportunities are available.

LONGMEADOW — The National Council on Teacher Quality released its scores for the 2020 Teacher Prep Review, ranking Bay Path University’s Early Reading course content in undergraduate, traditional, elementary-education programs with an ‘A’ designation.

Reading ability is a key predictor of future educational gains and life success, and more than one-third of American children are not able to read by the fourth grade, with black and Hispanic children being disproportionately affected. Successful reading instruction is essential to achieving educational equity, yet only seven programs in Massachusetts received an ‘A’ ranking.

After reviewing course syllabi and required textbooks, programs were ranked based on the following criteria: the availability of explicit instruction on each of the five components of reading instruction — phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies; support for instruction with high-quality textbooks that accurately detail established principles of scientifically based reading practices; and evidence that teacher candidates must demonstrate mastery through in-class assignments, tests, and field work.

“Only about a quarter of educator-preparation programs nationwide received this highest rating, with Bay Path University being only one of four undergraduate programs in the state of Massachusetts to be recognized with an ‘A,’” said Ellen Rustico, Bay Path professor and chair of Education Programs, and director of Teacher Licensure. “It ensures that we are training teacher candidates with effective, evidence-based, structured literacy practices for use in the pre-K-to-12 general-education and specialized settings. The reading coursework at Bay Path links the science of reading to educational practice. Our teacher candidates are ready to make an impact on students on day one.”

The National Council on Teacher Quality is a non-partisan, not-for-profit research and policy organization that is committed to modernizing the teaching profession.

SPRINGFIELD — The American International College (AIC) Office of Diversity Education, student organization People Ready in Defense of Ebony (PRIDE), and the Assoc. of Black Business and Professionals will host a dinner and dialogue event tonight, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Schwartz Campus Center Auditorium located at 1000 State St. in Springfield.

In the U.S., black women are three to four times more likely to die from complications of childbirth than white women are. Black individuals are 70% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than white individuals are. The public is invited to attend a roundtable discussion concerning these and other health issues affecting black individuals, along with ways to improve health and wellness for the black community.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call AIC’s Office of Diversity Education at (413) 205-3352.

HOLYOKE — Steve Kaplan was awarded the Paul Harris Award by the Rotary Club of Holyoke on Feb. 18 at the Delaney House in Holyoke.

Paul Harris Fellowships are awarded as recognition for donations of $1,000 to the Foundation of Rotary International. The foundation utilizes the funds raised to support Rotary International humanitarian efforts throughout the world.

The recognitions are named in honor of Paul Harris, the Chicago businessman and visionary who formed the first Rotary club and began what has become an organization with more than 22,000 clubs and more than 1 million members. Both Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike are eligible to receive Paul Harris Fellowships. While anyone may make a donation and receive a Paul Harris recognition, the Holyoke Rotary Club has chosen to utilize its credits to honor some of its own members for their service to the club and the community.

A recipient must be a humanitarian, willingly participate in Rotary Club activities over an extended period of time, be a person whose daily actions personify the Four Way Rotary Test, display initiative, and be a leader. Consideration is given to Rotary activities at the district, national or international level; volunteer participation in civic and/or religious groups; and volunteer service to town, city, state, or federal government.

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Bar Assoc. will hold a Legal Help Hotline in conjunction with Western New England University School of Law on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The volunteers will provide legal advice on a variety of topics, including divorce and family law, bankruptcy, business, landlord/tenant matters, and real estate. Spanish-speaking attorneys will be available. Individuals needing advice should call (413) 796-2057 to speak to a volunteer.

SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported that gross gaming revenue (GGR) at MGM Springfield totaled $20.6 million in January, up from $18.9 million in December, which was its worst-ever full month.

Meanwhile, the Encore Boston Harbor casino recorded $48.6 million in GGR in January, down from $54 million in December, while Plainridge Park Casino posted $11.1 million in January, an almost $900,000 increase from December and its first monthly uptick since last spring.

MGM Springfield’s January GGR totaled included $14.9 million from slot machines and $5.7 million from from table games. The facility named a new president and chief operating officer following December’s poor numbers, replacing Michael Mathis with Chris Kelley.

MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor, category-1 resort casinos, are taxed on 25% of GGR; those monies are allocated to several specific state funds as determined by the gaming statute. Plainridge Park, a category-2 slots facility, is taxed on 49% of GGR; 82% of those taxes are paid to local aid, with 18% allotted to the Race Horse Development Fund. To date, the Commonwealth has collected approximately $547 million in total taxes and assessments from the three gaming facilities.

FLORENCE — Florence Bank’s incoming President and CEO Kevin Day said his 11 years with the bank will allow for a smooth transition for employees, customers, and the community. He stressed that he and the board are committed to keeping the bank independent.

“Where the bank is and where it is going will not change. I am 100% committed to the mutual form of ownership,” Day said. “Remaining mutual is what allows our culture to exist. As a mutual bank, we can’t be forced into a sale or merger with another bank. We have the flexibility to do what is right, not just what’s profitable.”

Drawing on the bank’s popular and unique “Always” branding, Day added, “that should give all stakeholders comfort that Florence Bank will always be Florence Bank.”

Day has 37 years in the banking industry and has been in senior management for 34. He came on board at Florence Bank in 2008 as chief financial officer, responsible for finance, facilities, and risk management. His responsibilities expanded to include compliance in 2013, residential lending in 2014, and retail banking in 2016.

When he was promoted to executive vice president, also in 2016, Day was supervising 90% of the bank’s personnel.

“I’ve been part of every major decision at the bank for 11 years,” Day said, noting that he’s been significantly involved in the bank’s expansion into Hampden County, where two branches now exist in West Springfield and Springfield; a third branch will open in Chicopee in 2020.

Immediately after earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration at UMass Amherst, Day worked for five years as a CPA for the accounting firm Arthur Young & Co. In 2016, he graduated from the Executive Development Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he is a 2018 graduate of the ABA Wharton Executive Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Day became president on Jan. 29, replacing John Heaps Jr., the longest-serving president and CEO of Florence Bank. When Heaps retires on May 1, Day will also become CEO.

Active in the community, Day is currently a member of the board of directors and the finance committee for United Way of Hampshire County, a board member for the Springfield Rescue Mission, a member of the finance committee for Westfield Evangelical Free Church, and board president for the Northeast Center for Youth and Families.

SPRINGFIELD — After collaborating with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) for 29 years, the Bank of America in May transferred three trusts totaling more than $22 million to the Valley-wide grant funder.

The move brings CFWM’s total earned assets from roughly $153 million to $175 million and bolsters its role as an enduring philanthropic leader in the Pioneer Valley.

“That the Bank of America has enough faith in us and what we can do, and in our ability to effectively administer funds, acknowledges that we are truly a leader of philanthropy in the Pioneer Valley,” said Elizabeth Sillin, trustee chair of CFWM, adding that the increase in assets will help CFWM better position itself to attract funds from partners and other granting entities outside the region to support its work.

“The more internal muscle they see that we have, the more confident they will be in investing their dollars with us,” said Sillin, a partner with the law firm Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP. “The bigger and more effective you are, the more likely it is that you are going to attract other dollars.”

Founded in 1990, CFWM administers a charitable endowment consisting of more than 600 separately identified funds totaling approximately $175 million. Some of these charitable assets are unrestricted and used to meet emerging and changing needs in the region. Others support named nonprofit organizations or provide financial support to college-bound students. Still others are donor-advised, offering flexibility to donors in timing, amount, and beneficiary of their giving. Last year, CFWM awarded $7.3 million in grants to nonprofits and $2.2 million in scholarships and interest-free loans to more than 770 area students.

The Bank of America funds will continue to support a wide variety of organizations for generations to come, from grassroots community food pantries to region-spanning arts programs — and will preserve the original donors’ wishes to support their communities in perpetuity.

The three trusts transferred from the bank to the foundation are the Eugene A. Dexter Charitable Fund, established in 1944; the Nan and Matilda Heydt Fund, established in 1960; and the Valley Charitable Trust Fund, established in 1960. All three were originally created to support and serve charitable organizations and interests with a focus on Springfield and Hampden County.

“This transfer represents decades of a dedicated, collaborative effort between the foundation and the bank and is an inspiring example of how the legacy of philanthropy can have a profound and sustainable impact,” said Katie Allan Zobel, the Community Foundation’s president and CEO.

Carol Leary, longtime president of Bay Path University and an emeritus trustee of the foundation, added that “this significant act of philanthropy will have a lasting legacy and will certainly signal to other organizations or individuals the trust that Bank of America has in the board and the leadership of the foundation.”

BOSTON — An Eversource program that pays customers to use less electricity during high-demand periods has received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Residential Program Design & Implementation by the Assoc. of Energy Services Professionals.

The award recognizes the company’s ConnectedSolutions demand-response program, which leverages customer-owned devices, such as wireless thermostats, battery storage, and electric-vehicle chargers, to reduce electric use during peak periods, when the cost and greenhouse-gas emissions of electricity in New England are at their highest.

“We’re honored to be recognized for our commitment and vision for a decarbonized grid,” said Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency Tilak Subrahmanian. “This program allows us to optimize flexible resources and harness them for energy savings on a regional level, which reduces our reliance on costlier, fossil-fueled generation. This is another example of how we’re working to help our customers better manage their energy.”

More than 9,000 customers have enrolled in the volunteer demand-response program in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Customers allow their devices to automatically communicate with Eversource during regional peak energy periods, resulting in a short reduction of power or, in the case of batteries, a reduction of the stored energy. Residential customers with eligible connected wireless thermostats, battery storage, or electric-vehicle chargers can participate and earn incentives ranging from $20 to more than $1,000 a year, depending on their connected device. The energy company anticipates that, at full enrollment, the collective ability to call on these customers during high-demand periods could have the environmental equivalent effect of taking 20,000 homes off the grid.

Eversource is looking to get thousands of customer-owned devices enrolled over the next three years, amounting to approximately 100 megawatts in total. Customers who are interested in learning more should e-mail [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — The Edvocate, an online education magazine, has named American International College (AIC) among the best colleges and universities for people with disabilities.

The Edvocate highlighted institutions that have multiple programs, policies, and measures in place to help people with disabilities succeed in higher education. AIC placed in the top 10.

“The Supportive Learning Services (SLS) program at American International College provides professional tutoring services to students, as well as assistance with study skills, organization, and time management,” the magazine noted. “Students can also take advantage of the Center for Accessibility Services and Academic Accommodations (CASAA), which provides both academic and physical accommodations.”

CASAA provides resources, training, and direct services to ensure people with disabilities have a greater opportunity to achieve their goals, while SLS is a fee-based program that helps students with learning challenges achieve their dream of completing college successfully. The second of its kind in the country, SLS celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. This comprehensive program works with the whole student academically, socially, and emotionally, by providing one-on-one tutorial assistance in addition to skills and content workshops designed to fit the unique needs of each student. In addition to helping students hone academic skills, SLS staff can assist students with organizational skills and time-management strategies that can help them modify their learning environment and maximize their strengths.

“We are pleased that the commitment of the college to provide access and opportunity for every student is recognized,” said April Voltz, AIC’s dean of Academic Success. “American International College has long appreciated that people learn differently and have varying needs in the pursuit of their education. Learning specialists in the Supportive Learning Services program provide professional tutoring and academic coaching tailored to the learning style of the individual student. The Center for Accessibility Services and Academic Accommodations collaborates with members of the institution’s diverse community to ensure that all aspects of campus life — learning, working, and living — are universally accessible.”

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney John Gannon, a partner with Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., will conduct a complimentary, informative webinar, titled “Processing the Interactive Process,” to discuss employers’ interactive-process obligations for reasonable-accommodation requests. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 12:15 to 1 p.m.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the business. Common accommodation requests include time off from work, modified working schedules, and changes to the work environment (seating, lighting, noise, etc.). Employers should engage in what is known as the ‘interactive process’ when presented with an accommodation request. This is the first step in evaluating whether a workplace accommodation can and should be offered.

“Reasonable-accommodation requests are among the most challenging compliance issues for human resource professionals,” Gannon said. “Rarely are there easy answers in this area that assure success against a legal challenge. I will go over the steps in the process and present a plan for HR to follow when evaluating and responding to reasonable-accommodation requests.”

A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Registration is required at skoler-abbott.com/training-programs.

BERNARDSTON — On Friday, May 22 at the Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston, the Greenfield Knights of Columbus, Council #133, will host its seventh annual charity golf tournament. This year, the Greenfield Council #133 recognizes the United Arc as its tournament partner.

Golfers will have the opportunity to play a course that continues to be recognized for its excellence. Golf Advisor ranked the course second on its Top Courses of Massachusetts list for 2018. Crumpin-Fox will be hosting the U.S. Open qualifier for Winged Foot on May 11, so golfers can expect the course to be at its best.

The event will be an 18-hole, four-person scramble with tee advantages for senior golfers. The entry fee of $125 per person includes greens fees, carts, lunch and dinner, and prizes for the winners. Those less inclined to tee off and who would rather enjoy the views of the 18th green while supporting a good cause can take in a meal at Zeke’s Grill. Dinner-only tickets are available for $30.

Raffles and a silent auction will feature lottery tickets, gift cards, a three-day Cape Cod vacation, Crumpin-Fox and Hopyard golf certificates, a mystery box, and more. There will also be a hole-in-one contest for a chance to win a new car.

The United Arc supports people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving the universal goals of inclusion, choice, and independence. Every year the organization provides services to individuals and their families in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties.

In addition to the United Arc, proceeds from the event will be used to fund a number of Council #133’s worthy causes in Greenfield and Franklin County, including the Pan Mass Challenge, Baystate Hospital Wheeling for Healing, Farren Hospital Gift of Light, the Greenfield Homeless Shelter, monthly community meals, honoring veterans by placing flags on graves for Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America wreaths placed on graves at Christmas, several youth sports programs, and more.

To sign up or to get more information, call Lou Grader at (413) 774-2848, Dan Arsenault at (413) 774-5258, Bob Wanczyk at (413) 774-2465, Paul Doran at (413) 774-2801, or Joe Ruscio at (413) 768-9876.

SPRINGFIELD — Scout Curated Wears started out as a local business and quickly turned into a nationwide sensation with its signature item, which converts from a wrap bracelet to a necklace. But the company is equally proud of its commitment to give back 10% of its net proceeds to support women’s organizations.

Dress for Success Western Massachusetts is one of the nonprofits that benefits from the generosity of Scout Curated Wears and owner Lora Fischer-DeWitt. “The support of Scout Curated Wears is critical to the ability of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts to impact the lives of hundreds of women in Western Massachusetts,” Executive Director Margaret Tantillo said.

Women in the Greater Springfield community benefit from both a network of support and programs developed by Dress for Success. These programs, which are designed to be responsive to both women and employers, include the Foot in the Door workforce-readiness program; the Boutique, which provides women with professional attire for interviews and employment; the Margaret Fitzgerald One-on-One mentor program; and the Professional Women’s Group, designed to promote employment retention and career advancement. 

Fischer-DeWitt changes the lives of women who come through these programs by providing an annual contribution and by sponsoring Common Threads, an annual event celebrating of the accomplishments of women who have come through Dress for Success Western Massachusetts programs. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Springfield Sheraton.