Chamber Board to Meet Thursday
Knickerbocker to Host Next GRYP Networking Event
Dale Carnegie Class Begins This Week
Return to Work is Focus of Safety Program
WE-LEaD Networking Event is March 24th
Chamber Members Urged to Nominate Individuals as “Role Models”
Low-Cost Healthcare Option Available to Chamber Members
Discount Extended on Chamber Trip to Tuscany
Registered for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic Yet?
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts

Chamber Board to Meet Thursday
The Chamber’s Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center.  Anyone wishing to address the Board should contact Joe Hurd by the end of the day tomorrow at 943-8151.

Knickerbocker to Host Next GRYP Networking Event
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will hold its next networking event on March 20th at The Knickerbocker Tavern, 3957 Sixth Avenue in Altoona. The evening will feature appetizers, a cash bar, and many opportunities to get to know other young professionals. The event is free for GRYP members and $5.00 for non-members. For more information or to make reservations, contact the Blair County Chamber of Commerce at 943-8151 or register online.
 
Dale Carnegie Class Begins This Week
The Dale Carnegie “Skills for Success” course, which had been scheduled to begin March 13th, has been postponed until this Thursday, March 20th at the Comfort Inn in Duncansville. The course is being offered in cooperation with the Blair County Chamber. For more information or to register for the course, call Jeff Davis at (814) 931-1963 or call The Chamber at (814) 943-8151.

Return to Work is Focus of Safety Program
While accident prevention is the best route that employers can take when prioritizing safety concerns, equal priority should be given to effectively returning employees to work after an injury occurs. To help meet that objective, the Blair County Chamber’s Safety Committee will be offering a workshop entitled, “How to Develop an Effective Return to Work Program.” The workshop will be held this Friday, March 21st from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. at the Hampton Inn Altoona. The presenters will be Sarah Tayts, AIC, ARM, Return to Wellness Specialist for Eastern Alliance Insurance Group; Barbara Hoover, AIC, Workers Compensation Specialist at Teeter Group; Stephanie McFarland, Account Manager at PGW/Tipton; and Don Imler, Director of HR Administration at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House. Among the topics covered by the presenters will be: Reasons to offer Return to Work, direct cost versus indirect cost of work injuries, elements of a strong Return to Work program, roles and responsibilities of an insurance carrier, preparing a cost-benefit analysis, common challenges and real-life scenarios. The cost to attend the Safety Workshop is $15 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. A continental breakfast will be included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
  
WE-LEaD Networking Event is March 24th
The Chamber’s next WE-LEaD networking event will be held on Monday, March 24th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Marzoni’s in Duncanssville. The cost is $15 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. WE-LEaD is Women Encouraging Leadership, Education and Development. Sponsor of the WE-LEaD Networking is Fanelli Willett Law Offices.
 
Chamber Members Urged to Nominate Individuals as “Role Models”
The Chamber’s “Role Models” program has been extremely successful and the original list of nominees is quickly dwindling. If you have someone in the business community who you believe is a Role Model, submit the name(s) to Joe Hurd at jhurd@blairchamber.com. All nominees must be members of the Blair County Chamber.

Low-Cost Healthcare Option Available to Chamber Members
The Blair County Chamber has partnered with Empower3 Center for Health to offer Chamber-Member employers an affordable community-based health plan for their employees. The plan features level group rates, no deductibles, no pre-existing condition exclusions, substantial prescription drug coverage with co-pays of $10 or less and the opportunity to add dental and vision coverage. Call Maureen Frucella for details.  Her number is (814) 317-5063.
 
Discount Extended on Chamber Trip to Tuscany
The Blair County Chamber, in cooperation with Classic Travel and Chamber Discoveries, has scheduled a trip to Tuscany from October 20 to 28. An informational meeting took place on February 18th. A large number of people attended and we expect to have a large contingent of travelers. If you’d like to be one of them, call The Chamber at 943-8151 for a brochure. The deadline to qualify for the $100 discount has been extended to April 1st. We’re hoping to have another informational meeting next month so keep in touch. This is a great trip at a terrific price!
 
Registered for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic Yet?
The Annual Chamber Golf Classic will be held on Monday, May 12th at Iron Masters Country Club in Ore Hill.  Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will once again be the main sponsor for this popular event which routinely sells-out several weeks prior. The Chamber’s Golf Committee is still finalizing plans for a couple special features to this year’s Classic. Registration for sponsors and golfers, however, is already underway. For more information or to register, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151 or email her.
 
Congratulations . . .
. . . to WTAJ Your News Leader which received the 2014 Community Partnership Award, presented by Operation Our Town.

Blue Card Discounts
Here are a few of the discounts you can receive with your Chamber Blue Card. Click here to see the full list of Blue Card Discounts. To have an offer listed contact The Chamber at 943-8151.    

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