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Waltham CPA Firm Dedicates a Day of Service to Camp Clark in Plymouth

For the third consecutive year, Rodman CPAs of Waltham, MA, has teamed up to clean up the grounds of Camp Clark, an Old Colony YMCA sponsored recreation camp in Plymouth, in preparation for their summer camp youth.

Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm serving small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses throughout the greater Boston area and long-time supporter of Camp Clark, volunteered a day of service to cleaning up Camp Clark’s acreage.

On June 12th, the team of 15, which included two of the firm’s partners – Steve Rodman and Kathy Parker – spent the day preparing Camp Clark for the more than 1,000 youth campers attending camp through August. The team spent more than 100 hours mulching, planting flowers and painting.

“The Rodman team is so proactive. They really take ownership of the day,” said Derek Paiva, Executive Director of Old Colony YMCA. “What they accomplish in one day is tremendous and their efforts greatly help us prepare for camp every year.”

“It’s a pleasure to have an opportunity to give back to an organization that is dedicated to building brighter futures and inspiring campers to discover their potential,” said Steve Rodman, president.

Giving Back

Community outreach is woven into Rodman CPAs’ company culture. The firm has a dedicated volunteer outreach team led by Senior Associates Doherty and Sturm, and every staff member has an opportunity to volunteer. Over the years, Rodman CPAs has supported a number of organizations and causes including Hope and Comfort in Newton, Camp Clark in Plymouth, Rosie’s Place in Boston, Cradles to Crayons, and The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE).

About Old Colony YMCA

Serving thousands of individuals and families in 31 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts, Old Colony YMCA has provided programs, camps and services designed to help people of all ages and abilities build healthy spirits, minds, and bodies. For more information, visit the website at www.oldcolonyymca.org.

About Rodman CPAs

Rodman CPAs provides tax advisory, accounting, and business strategy to small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses. Named one of the largest accounting firms in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal, Rodman CPAs offers an innovative and strategic approach with the personal touch of a smaller regional CPA firm. For more than 50 years, Rodman CPAs has been specializing in customized accounting and tax solutions that improve business performance, processes, financial operations, and information technology.

The firm serves as a true business partner, helping clients perform and succeed during each stage of the business lifecycle. As domain experts in alternative energy, the “Green Team” at Rodman CPAs works with renewable energy producers and businesses throughout the U.S. offering tax advisory, financial, accounting services, and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) studies.

Rodman CPAs is an independent member firm of BDO Alliance USA, which enables them to expand services to clients by accessing the resources of BDO USA, LLP and other Alliance members, ensuring greater flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. For more information, visit http://www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Talking Information Center Wins National Award

In 2016, the Talking Information Center (TIC) in Marshfield, MA created and broadcast a program to share the November ballot questions. The International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) heard this broadcast and has awarded TIC the Consumer Information Program of the Year for “Massachusetts Voter Information Guide”.

TIC, the nonprofit reading service which broadcasts 24-hours a day to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise print impaired listeners throughout the state (and Massachusetts Reading Network’s South Shore affiliate) has won many awards over the past 40 years of broadcasting. The Consumer Information Program award for quality audio production was presented to TIC at the IAAIS Convention in Jacksonville, FL held June 1-3, 2017.

“We are particularly proud of this recognition because we felt that the visually impaired and reading disabled community should have easy access to our ballot questions and time to think them over before the vote,” explained Jim Bunnell, Executive Director of TIC. “Essentially, we received the voter information handbook in the mail and our Production Director jumped into action, having it on the air less than an hour later, including music and edits, which gave our listeners plenty of time to make it to the polls to cast their vote. Winning this award really shows the power of radio.”

About IAAIS

International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) is a volunteer-driven membership organization of services that turn text into speech for people who cannot see, hold or comprehend the printed word and who may be unable to access information due to a disability or health condition.

Since its formation in 1977, IAAIS (formerly the Association of Radio Reading Services) has assisted, represented and set standards of good practice for audio information services worldwide. The organizational name was updated in 1999 to reflect the advent of new technologies for producing and delivering audio and an increased need for reading services throughout the world. IAAIS currently represents 140-some services and developing services. Member services can be found throughout the United States and in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa. Many IAAIS members in the United States are associated with public radio stations, colleges, universities or libraries.

For more information about IAAIS, visit https://iaais.org.

The Hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network

TIC, a proud member of IAAIS, is the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut.

TIC programming may be accessed several ways: via live audio stream at http://www.ticnetwork.org; by utilizing a specially tuned radio receiver; through AudioNow by calling 712-832-7025 from a home or cell phone; or by smartphone app. Listeners with smartphones may download the free TIC app by typing “Talking Information Center” in Apple or in the Google Play store for Android devices.

In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind oversee TIC, which is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.

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Swim Safety Tips from Weymouth Club Aquatics Director and Navy Veteran

Summer is here and families are heading to the pools in droves. But, parents and guardians should take care to avoid distractions, which is at the top of list when it comes to keeping kids safe around any pool – at home, at a neighbor’s house and even at a public pool monitored by a lifeguard.

Navy veteran Walter A. “Pete” Peters, a USA Certified Swim Coach, Lifeguard and the Aquatics Director at the Weymouth Club, a family-friendly fitness, wellness and recreation facility catering to residents throughout the South Shore, shares important pool and swim safety tips:

Avoid distractions.The cell phone is the biggest distraction, as parents often text or check email while their children are in the pool. Siblings or other children outside of the pool can also be a distraction. Even if children are swimming in shallow water or are wearing life jackets, they must be watched at all times.

Pay attention.Things happen in an instant, especially around water. Pay close attention to children when they are on the water slides, because they can flounder, yet parents don’t realize they are in trouble because the children are in only two to three feet of water. Children can trip and fall into the pool, flip off the side of the pool or hit their head. If they fall into the water, they can breathe in water instead of air and get water in their lungs. When a non-swimmer is in the water, even in the shallow end, a parent should be within arms reach at all times.

Don’t take chances.In general, kids get excited around pools and run. Whether they are at an outdoor pool and the pavement surrounding it is hot, or at an indoor pool where the floor tiles get slippery – there is a danger of tripping and falling. The rule is no running, period.

Don’t trust pool inflatables. Anything that you blow air into, such as arm “floaties” or other pool inflatables, should not be relied on for safety. If you have a non-swimmer, be sure they are fitted with a Coast Guard approved life jacket, which is designed to put people face-up.

Check the depth.Whether you are at a pool, the ocean or any body of water, be aware of the water’s depth. At the pool, know where the deep end is. Kids tend to jump into water right away, not realizing it’s the seven-foot deep end and well over their heads.

Wear sunscreen. Avoid sunburns by ensuring that everyone is wearing sunscreen, and be sure to reapply as directed after being in the water. Parents should apply sunscreen to themselves first, then to the children (to avoid distraction), prior to allowing them in the pool.

Wait at least 15 minutes after eating. To avoid coughing or choking, as well as bloating or vomiting in the pool, make sure children stay out of the pool for at least 15 minutes after eating.

Take child safety breaks every hour. Parents should have their children take 10-minute breaks each hour to regroup with them. Make sure the children drink water to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion. Kids get tired, but won’t tell their parents, so a 10-minute break each hour also gives parents an opportunity to determine if the kids have had enough pool time.

“When it comes to aquatics at the Weymouth Club, safety comes first, then member experience. Through our aquatics safety first approach, we test the children to determine if they can swim before they are even allowed near the water,” explained Peters. “The lifeguard’s job is to enforce the rules and keep everyone safe.”

Prior to entering any of the Weymouth Club’s five pools, children 12 years old and younger, are required to take a swim test. It’s not a timed test, but rather a test to determine if a child can swim the 25-yard length of the pool without touching the bottom or sides of the pool. Children who pass the swim test are given a wristband to wear while at the pool.

Peters, who has more than 20 years of facility management, training and recruitment experience in both corporate and military environments, oversees operations, staff and activities within the Weymouth Club’s Aquatics Department. He is a Certified Swim Coach (USA and Europe), a Certified USA Swimming Stroke and Turn Official, and a Lifeguard Instructor. He is also CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard certified.

Weymouth Club’s Aquatics Department offers a wide range of activities for all ages, from WAVES (Weymouth Aquatics Values Every Swimmer) Swim School and WAVES Swim Team, to water fitness, Masters swim program, Red Cross programs, warm water therapy pool and more. To learn more, visit www.weymouthclub.com/aquatics.

About the Weymouth Club

The Weymouth Club is a family-friendly health, fitness, wellness and recreation center, owned and operated by the Goldman family since 1988. Catering to members and guests from across the South Shore, the Weymouth Club provides an environment that accommodates individuals of all ages and fitness levels in common pursuit of living a healthy and energetic life.

With 200,000 square feet of space which includes enclosed pools and tennis courts, the state-of-the-art club boasts a wide variety of programs and services ranging from nutrition, fitness, group exercise, and mind/body (yoga, Barre, Pilates), to aquatics, tennis and more. The Weymouth Club is a member of Genavix Wellness Network, a health and fitness facilities partnership focused on empowering individuals and families to take control of their wellness. The club’s “HealthyCare 90-Day Commit to Get Fit Program” is a network program, and may be partially covered by select health insurance carriers.

The W Spa, the Weymouth Club’s own full-service day spa for both members and non-members is featured on-site, along with Bay State Physical Therapy and Milton Chiropractic satellite locations. The Weymouth Club is located at 75 Finnell Drive in Weymouth MA 02188. For more information, call 781-337-4600 or visit www.weymouthclub.com.

Raising Awareness of Elder Abuse and Neglect – OCES Marched in Brockton and Plymouth

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) organized two marches during Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Over 100 participants joined OCES and the Brockton Council on Aging in a march on June 15th, and more than 75 concerned citizens joined OCES and the Plymouth Center for Active Living in a march along the Plymouth waterfront on June 22nd.

“Both marches were organized to raise awareness of the issues of elder abuse and neglect and were well-attended,” said Teresa Kourtz, LSW, Protective Services Director at OCES, the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. “The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs logged 25,000 reports in a recent fiscal year. It is estimated that 1 in 10 elders have experienced some form of abuse – physical, mental, emotional or financial – and experts in the field say that number is considered low due to under-reporting.”

Recognition Awards

Each march was followed by a luncheon that included informative guest speakers and an awards ceremony. At the Plymouth Center for Active Living, several individuals who have assisted seniors in protective services and in the town of Plymouth received recognition awards including Attorney J. Marlin Hawthorne, Chief G. Edward Bradley of the Plymouth Fire Department and Connie DiLego, a dedicated volunteer and former director of the Center for Active Living. In Brockton, Pat Foley, the Brockton Triad, and Brockton Police Officer Nicole Anderson received recognition awards.

Sponsors

OCES would like to thank the following event sponsors: Mary Cruise Kennedy Senior Center (Brockton Council on Aging); Plymouth Center for Active Living; HarborOne Bank; Roche Bros. and Shaw’s Supermarkets; the Brockton Patrolmen’s Association; Plymouth Police Relief Association (PPRA); and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

Raising Awareness

Elder abuse includes financial exploitation, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, family members (spouses, adult children, partners and others) comprise the majority of abusers. Additionally, research indicates that individuals with dementia are at even greater risk for elder abuse.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living, an estimated five million, or one in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation every year. Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as 23 cases go unreported.

OCES helps elders who have been victims of neglect or harm from a caregiver. Protective Services Workers investigate each report, and provide support, and if needed, information about resources such as medical, legal, psychological, financial and housing assistance.

If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation call the Elder Abuse Centralized Intake Unit, available 24/7 at 1-800-922-2275. All calls are confidential and will lead to thorough investigation at the local level.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 232 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

Suffolk University Undergrad is 2017 Recipient of Rodman CPAs Scholarship

Jennifer Minor, Director of Administration at Rodman CPAs with scholarship recipient John Tran

Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm serving small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses throughout the greater Boston area, recently announced thatJohn Tran of Suffolk University was selected as the 2017 recipient of the Rodman CPAs Scholarship. Tran is a resident of Dorchester, MA.

Rodman CPAs of Waltham recently contributed $2500 as a Platinum Sponsor in support of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MSCPA) Educational Foundation’s scholarship program.

The MSCPA awarded Tran, who is a BSBA degree candidate, the Rodman CPAs Scholarship for $2500 on May 17th at their “2017 Believers & Achievers Reception” held at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy.

Jennifer Minor, Director of Administration at Rodman CPAs attended the reception where a total of 50 accounting undergraduate and graduate students were awarded scholarships from the MSCPA to further their accounting education.

“We congratulate John and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Minor. “Accounting continues to be a popular career choice as there is potential for growth, an opportunity to work in a variety of fields, and the promise of job security. We are proud to support the next generation of CPAs.”

Rodman CPAs has been at the forefront of recruitment for more than 50 years, and remains on the leading edge of tuition reimbursement for a firm of their size.

MSCPA Educational Foundation

The mission of MSCPA’s Educational Foundation is to inspire and support the next generation of CPAs in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.mscpaonline.org/about/educational_foundation.

About Rodman CPAs