Ocean County College Foundation

Ocean County College Foundation College Drive, PO Box 2001 Toms River, NJ 08754-2001 (732) 255-0492 go.ocean.edu/foundation Incorporated in 1965, the Ocean County College Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and development of the College through scholarships, endowments, and capital and special projects.  The Foundation works in partnership with the College to further its efforts to make higher education accessible to all Ocean County residents, to enhance the academic environment, and to continue to provide enrichment programs which have established Ocean County College as a cultural, recreational, and learning center in Ocean County. Since its inception, scholarships have been the main focus for the Foundation.  Each year, the costs of college tuition, books, supplies, and general expenses are increasing across the United States.  Despite Ocean County College’s best effort to contain costs, many students still have a tremendous need for financial assistance.  It is the Foundation’s goal to help ensure bright futures not only for OCC students but for Ocean County, as well.  In that spirit, the Foundation has raised and distributed millions of dollars in scholarship support in the last fifty years.  Last year alone, it distributed over $500,000 to support deserving Ocean County College students.  Ocean

By |2017-04-05T12:04:30+00:00April 5th, 2017|Featured, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Ocean County College Foundation
Read More

Airbnb Information

Toms River Council OKs Limits On Short-Term Rentals, Says Ordinance Needs Adjustments - March 29, 2017 Toms River puts limits on Airbnb - March 28, 2017 Airbnb-Style Rentals Back On Toms River Council Agenda - March 28, 2017 How should Toms River regulate Airbnb? - March 21, 2017 Toms River Council Delays Vote On Short-Term Rental Ordinance - March 15, 2017

By |2017-04-04T23:06:20+00:00April 4th, 2017|Featured|Comments Off on Airbnb Information
Read More

Sometimes It’s Good to be Small

SOMETIMES IT’S GOOD TO BE SMALL                 By Ralph E. Wolff, Jersey Coast Appliance Proud to be a GTRCC member. Whether you are a one person shop working out of your home or large enough to have a brick and mortar location, it is sometimes good to be small. Small as you know is a subjective word and your definition may differ from Webster’s.  Webster defines small as “having comparatively little size.” Or minor in influence, power or rank”.  Some feel that small is a disadvantage when it comes to influence but it might just be what we need to survive. A small business is personal.  Many customers are starving for businesses that allow them to connect to something beyond the products and services they offer.  A small business has a story to tell and one that most customers can relate to.  Everyone loves a story and especially one that is honest and heartfelt.  How did you start your business?  I’ll bet that many can say that their dad or mom or someone in the family taught them the ropes and then they took over from there.  What a wonderful story, a family tradition.  It’s something to be proud of.  A

By |2017-03-16T15:44:49+00:00March 16th, 2017|Business Advice, Chamber News, Featured|Comments Off on Sometimes It’s Good to be Small
Read More

Why Collaboration is so Important

by: Kelly Fliller I recently had the opportunity of being in a room with nearly 40 leaders from all different industries and organizations, coming together to discuss ways in which we can make our community the healthiest in the state.  Businesses, non-profits, community organizations, police, township officials, school district administrators and health organizations were all represented.  Some of these people could even be considered competitors but as I watched the discussions unfold, I noticed a common theme – everyone was willing to help each other.  When one wins, we all win when it comes to making our community a better place. Groups that could possibly fight each other for a piece of the pie were talking about how they could work together to make a bigger impact.  It seemed that everyone put aside their own personal gain in order to benefit the community where they work and live.  This is collaboration. There are so many benefits of working together.  We are used to working with people inside our own organization.  When we work with people outside of our workplace, that is when the magic happens.  Here are a few of the many benefits of collaboration. 1. Creative brainstorming How many times

By |2017-03-14T16:54:49+00:00March 14th, 2017|Business Advice, Chamber News, Featured|Comments Off on Why Collaboration is so Important
Read More

The 80th Annual Walk to Washington & Congressional Dinner

After a several-year hiatus, the GTRCC was back in-action during The 80th Annual Walk to Washington & Congressional Dinner. While we didn’t ride (aka “walk”) the train, several members of the Ocean County Commerce Coalition (affectionately known as the OC3) piled into the car at 9pm on Wednesday night.  In all honesty, I was nestled in the backseat surrounded by my blanket and neckpillow because 9pm is past my bedtime. If you’re asking why we didn’t take the train, it was because we scheduled several meetings in DC early the next day and the train would have prevented us from taking those meetings. Jeremy, Lori, and I started our day at Senator Menendez’s office where we shared about the work we are doing in Ocean County.  We also discussed our willingness to support the Senator’s pro-business initiatives in any way possible.  His representative was appreciative of our efforts and we look forward to collaborating with Senator Menendez’s team in the months to come. After our Senate building visit, we made our way (via a very, very, very strange cab ride that I think we all feel fortunate that we lived to tell about) to the United States Chamber office for

By |2017-03-13T12:10:53+00:00March 13th, 2017|Chamber News, Featured|Comments Off on The 80th Annual Walk to Washington & Congressional Dinner
Read More

L-U-V from the GTRCC.

Last month, I wrote an article about productivity.  I’m curious - how many of you took me up on my challenge?  Don’t remember what it was?  Save yourself some time! Schedule an autoresponder - Let people know that you are only checking email twice a day.  Doing this will help senders problem-solve on their own, if the matter is urgent, or give you more space to respond in the future. Put your phone on airplane mode - Set aside chunks of time to get specific priorities accomplished.  Have you tried the Pomodoro Technique? Say no - a lot.  Period. I hope that you tried at least one of these suggestions (or maybe you came up with one of your own - I would love to hear if you did)! Here’s why. More time is great.  It gives us the space that we need to do the things we love.  Or as my husband says, L-U-V.  For those of you who don’t know, in addition to leading the business market with the highest growth in the USA at Apple (that’s right - I said it!), Domenick is a singer-songwriter.  When his ballads aren’t about clowns fighting or cherry bombs, they revolve

By |2017-02-14T21:45:18+00:00February 13th, 2017|Featured|Comments Off on L-U-V from the GTRCC.
Read More

The Importance of Raising Up Our Leaders

I am sure that you have heard that our Nine + Dine/Scholarship Dinner is fast-approaching!  June 13th is just around the corner (believe it or not)! After we spend a couple of hours enjoying the splendor of the Toms River Country Club that afternoon, we will be honoring two very deserving students from our Chamber family with scholarships to aid in the continuation of their educations. These two young women stood-out among nearly two dozen applicants for this year’s Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce Scholarships. Sarah comes to us via her father’s company, the Ocean County Vocational Technical School and is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire where she is studying Environmental Engineering.  She is an athlete, volunteer, and mentor.  She has been named to the Dean’s List every semester since starting at UNH.   Margit, who comes to us via her mother’s company, the Toms River Regional School System, earned her way into the high honor roll every marking period of her high school career.  She is an athlete, a musician, a volunteer, and an employee.   {I have so much to share about these two students, but you’ll have to join us on June 13th

By |2017-01-04T20:40:42+00:00May 4th, 2016|Business Advice, Events, Featured|Comments Off on The Importance of Raising Up Our Leaders
Read More

Google Grants – Free Advertising for Your Nonprofit

When your work for a nonprofit, you are always looking for free services your organization can take utilize to continue raising awareness and gain supporters for your cause. While many corporations offer services, software and other application to shows support for various nonprofits, Google AdWords may be the most valuable. If your nonprofit isn’t already taking advantage of this service, it’s time to start benefiting from a free AdWords campaign. What Are Google Grants? Simply put, Google Grants offer free in-kind AdWords advertising services to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, up to $10,000 USD worth per month. The AdWords platform offers a streamlined way to get your organization’s story and mission in front of your target audience, increasing visibility, supporters, and donations. AdWords could be a huge boost for your nonprofit. Google has placed a few restrictions on the types of ads created with the free version of AdWords: -Ads must be text-based only, no videos or images -Ads appear only on Google’s search engine results pages -All campaigns must be keyword-targeted - $2.00 USD is your max cost-per-click (CPC) What are AdWords and Why Does Your Nonprofit Need It? Not sure what Google AdWords is? It is a valuable tool that allows

By |2017-01-04T20:40:42+00:00April 1st, 2016|Business Advice, Featured, Non-Profit|Comments Off on Google Grants – Free Advertising for Your Nonprofit
Read More

Get the Squeeze on Lemonade Day 2016

Last year, we celebrated our inaugural edition of Lemonade Day Toms River.  Over 250 kids from our community developed, designed, built, and ran a lemonade stand on a beautiful July day.  In the process, they learned the best practices of business - to save, spend, and share. This year, we want to double the number of kids who participate in our 2nd annual Lemonade Day Toms River on Saturday, July 9th. In an effort to enhance the 2016 experience, Townsquare Media, along with Lemonade Day Toms River sponsors, are planning an information session at the Pine Belt Arena on Saturday, April 9th from 8:30-11am. Here’s the premise - no matter who you are: You are a parent of a child who would like more information about Lemonade Day Toms River 2016 - join us!  It’s free and there will be community businesses and nonprofits represented around the room.  The Lemonhead will be there for photo ops and backpacks will be available for pick-up (pick yours up if you have already registered for this July’s Lemonade Day OR register on-site on Saturday, April 9th).  And perhaps best of all, you can learn more about the Engage Toms River $10,000 Lemonade Day

By |2017-01-04T20:40:42+00:00March 31st, 2016|Chamber News, Events, Featured, Non-Profit|Comments Off on Get the Squeeze on Lemonade Day 2016
Read More