Chamber Energy Program: Nine days to sign-up
Executive Committee approves membership policy change
Small business members now have access to key information
Leadership Blair County application deadline approaching
Final "Issues" program on healthcare continues this week
Chamber's trip to Ireland: Nine days of fun and history
Congratulations . . . 

Chamber Energy Program: Nine days to sign up 
As reported in an E-mail blast circulated among Chamber Members last week, the deadline for signing-up for The Chamber’s Energy Program has been extended until June 30. The extension provides members still considering the program to take a harder look at what the program entails prior to making a decision. “Go ahead, kick the tires,” joked Chamber President Joe Hurd. “This program has undergone incredible scrutiny and has passed every test. I don’t blame businesses for shopping around and being careful to get the best product. But I’m convinced that we have it.” To download an Electric Program Enrollment Form, click here.

Executive Committee approves membership policy change  
The Chamber’s Executive Committee has tightened-up the policy of enrolling members whose memberships have expired. Beginning in July, delinquent members will have up to three months to make their memberships current without being considered “inactive.” Once the three months have expired, the member will receive a call from a Chamber staff member encouraging them to pay. At the end of that fourth month, the membership goes to The Chamber’s Board of Directors for expulsion. Members who petition The Chamber to return within six months of being cut loose, can do so by making the financial obligation current. After that, the former member must re-apply as a new member.

Small business members now have access to key information  
The Chamber recognizes that many small businesses have a difficult time in things like hiring, regulatory compliance and recordkeeping.  For that reason, the organization has purchased several publications that it is willing to lend to interested Chamber Members. The publications are: Principles of Payroll Administration, Pennsylvania Human Resources Manual, Model Policies and Forms for Pennsylvania Employers, An Employer’s Guide to Employee Benefits, Guide to FMLA and ADA , Employment Verification and Employer’s Guide to Wage and Hour. To borrow a publication, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.    

Leadership Blair County application deadline approaching  
The 17th class of The Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Adult program will begin its yearlong journey into servant leadership in September. Applying to be part of that class is taking place now with the application process ending June 30. “We always have a high amount of interest at this time of the year and we still restrict our classes to twenty-four people,” explained Judy Juda, The Chamber’s Vice-President of Programming & Membership Education. “It’s important that interested people apply as soon as possible so that we can set up interviews.”  People may apply online or can secure an application by calling The Chamber at 943-8151.   

Final "Issues" program on healthcare continues this week  
The final of three “Issues” programs on Healthcare Reform, to be broadcast on the Altoona Public Access Channel, will show today and will air every Monday at 11 a.m. and every Tuesday at 9 p.m. throughout the months of June and July. The focus of this third show is on healthcare providers and includes a panel consisting of Christine Cox of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Maureen Frucella of Preferred Healthcare System, David Duncan of Blair Medical Associates, Dr. Zane Gates, and Dr. J. Grant Hormell. Carolyn Donaldson of WTAJ Your News Leader was the moderator. Sponsors of the program are: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Preferred Healthcare System and Young, Oakes, Brown & Company.   

Chamber's trip to Ireland: Nine days of fun and history  
Ever have the opportunity to spend a night in a medieval castle?  That’s just one of the many great amenities to The Chamber’s first-ever tour of Ireland . The Chamber, in cooperation with Classic Travel and Collette Vacations, has put together a nine-day excursion to the Emerald Isle that will be unsurpassed in fun and excitement. And each day, more and more people are getting the traveling bug. If you’ve always wanted to visit Ireland but didn’t think you could afford it, contact Donna Wilt at 696-3558. 

Congratulations . . .  
. . . to Home Nursing Agency which was recognized for Best Practices in Homecare and Hospice by Pennsylvania Homecare Association, the state trade association that represents home health, hospice and personal care providers across Pennsylvania.

. . . to Altoona Regional Health System’s Marketing and Communications Department which won three awards in the 27th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards Competition. The awards included a bronze for a Center for Cancer Care billboard and merits for both a Cancer Care print ad and the hospital’s Healthy Living Magazine.

. . . to Steve and Nancy Sheetz of Sheetz, Inc. who were recognized as Penn State University’s 2010 Philanthropists of the Year for the contribution they made last August to Penn State Altoona to expand its entrepreneurial studies program. 

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