GraVoc in the Community

GraVoc and its staff have historically devoted a lot of their time to making a difference in the community. Within the last month, GraVoc has lent a helping hand in several different projects in Peabody, MA and beyond. A few highlights:

-Peabody Education Council: A few GraVoc employees donated some of their time and effort toward the PEC's late summer/fall activities. Projects included assisting in the design of the 2010-2011 calendar and volunteering at the Welcome Back Extravaganza at the Higgins Middle School. This upcoming Saturday, President/CEO David Gravel will be pulling the winning raffle ticket for the Red Sox Dream Day raffle. Tickets are still available, and you can indicate your interest in purchasing raffle tickets by clicking here.

-Race for Research: GraVoc sent an informal team of five to the 9th Annual Race for Research in Peabody, presented by the Progeria Research Foundation. Information security associate Dan Vassallo took first in the 5K race, narrowly defeating co-workers Connie Leaver, David Gravel, and Michael Roma. Vice President Cathy Gravel took second in her age group. It has not yet been determined whether the company will participate in the 2011 JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in Boston, but there is interest in forming a championship-caliber team if it is aligned with business goals.

-Torigian Golf Classic: Monday, GraVoc put together a foursome at the Torigian Golf Classic presented by the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce, Peabody Rotary Club, and Peabody City Council. By all accounts, the team was carried by Jason Vlacich of the Information Systems practice. Unfortunately, the team struggled slightly and only birdied one hole. However, the hole they did birdie was the one the firm sponsored.

GraVoc Associates, Inc, an active business in the North Shore community since 1994, is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to helping small businesses leverage technology to improve their profitability. Divided into the four practices of professional services, information systems, information technology, and media production, the firm operates out of an office in Peabody, MA and employs 18 full-time staff, many of which have earned MCSE and/or MCP certifications. For more information regarding the company and the services offered, please consult the archives of the GraVoc News Blog or visit http://www.gravoc.com/.

Cathy Gravel Receives Rotary Honors

GraVoc vice president Cathy Gravel knew going into last week’s Rotary banquet that she would be named the club’s president for 2009-2010.  What she did not know is that she would be named the club’s Rotarian of the Year, as well as awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow distinction.

Cathy received this award undoubtedly as a result of her tremendous efforts on several of the Peabody Rotary’s project committees.  Cathy served as the chairperson of the scholarship committee, which awarded $11,000 of scholarships to Peabody students.  She also served as chairperson and grant writer of the Safe 2 Pedal Day program, which organized an event encouraging health and bicycle safety.  During her one-year term as president, she will now oversee all of the club’s community involvement projects. 

Rotary International’s slogan is “Service Above Self,” and they are recognized worldwide as an organization that undertakes local projects as well as international efforts, such as funding surgery for children with facial deformities in the third world and eradicating polio worldwide.  Locally, the Peabody Rotary Club has received recognition for programs such as the Y It Matters program, which provides extended-day school activities for elementary school students.

The Paul Harris Fellow distinction is perhaps the highest distinction awarded to a Rotary member, as it rewards the recipient for “outstanding contributions to the ideals of Rotary.”  The award also typically involves a contribution to the international Rotary Foundation in honor of the award recipient.

The entire GraVoc organization is proud of Cathy and her contributions to the community and her embodiment of Service Above Self.