August "Breakfast Club" to Focus on Cyber Bullying
NLRB, Labor Department Trying to Double-Team Employers
Chamber Members Asked to Support 814 Effort 
Higher Education is focus of Chamber Television Show 
ACE Award Nominations Being Accepted
Bring-in a New Chamber Member, Enjoy the Rewards
Congratulations...
Blue Card Discounts

August “Breakfast Club” to Focus on Cyber Bullying
At our monthly Breakfast Club on August 18th at The Casino at Lakemont Park, The Chamber will be departing from its usual business-specific topics to focus attention on a growing problem primarily aimed at young people who spend considerable time on the internet.  Craig S. LeCadre of the State Attorney General’s Office, a frequent presenter at Leadership Blair County sessions, will present, “Sticks & Stones: Cyber Bullying.”  The often-graphic presentation is a must-attend for parents and educators.  The program itself runs a little longer than most Breakfast Club presentations so this one will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at 9:15.  Corporate sponsor for the Breakfast Club is MedExpress.  The cost to attend is $16 for Chamber members and for non-members.  To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

NLRB, Labor Department to Double-Team Employers
With the 2012 elections just around the corner and Big Labor’s top priority, Card Check, dead on arrival in the 112th Congress, it was only a matter of time before the Obama Administration took drastic measures on behalf of the unions.  That appeasement is taking place in efforts undertaken by the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board.  The DOL issued a proposed rule that would vastly expand reporting obligations under the so-called “persuader” regulations, making it virtually impossible for companies to obtain the legal advice they need to safely exercise their statutory rights to express their views during union organizing campaigns.  The NLRB’s new proposal would significantly shorten the time employers have to speak with their employees about union representation, potentially shortening the entire election process to just ten (10) days from the current median of thirty-eight (38) days.  To send comments on either or both proposals, click here for DOL and here for NLRB.

Chamber Members Asked to Support 814 Effort
A hearing will be held on August 24th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ramada Altoona Conference Center for the purpose of providing the public an opportunity to weigh-in on the proposed changes to the 814 Area Code.  The public is encouraged to attend the public input hearings, where residents will have the opportunity to present remarks that will become part of the record upon which the Commission will base its final decision. For businesses and parties of the case who are attending the public hearings, the Commission offers the following list of questions as guidance. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate in public input hearings.  They include:  
      1.      Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though 
          it is not required, you may want to write out your statement,
            which can be read.
     2.      Bring copies.  If you have a written statement you would  
          like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies
          for the court reporter and several copies for the other
          participants.   
     3.      Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask
          you a question to clarify something you said.  For those
          interested in submitting written comments directly to the PUC,
          letters can be addressed to the following and reference
          Docket No. P-2009-2112925:  Mr. Robert F. Powelson,
          Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) 400
          North Street P.O. Box 3265 Harrisburg, PA  17105-3265

Higher Education is Focus of Chamber Television Program
Severe cuts in state funding for higher education is just one of several factors that colleges in the region face as they look for new and better ways to meet the needs of area students.  What’s the strategy going forward?  That will be one key discussion point as The Chamber brings top educators together for its next “Issues” program which will tape August 23rd at the Altoona Public Access Studio.  The program will then run throughout September on the Public Access Channel.  “The Role of Higher Education in Regional Development” is the title of the hour-long program that will be moderated by WTAJ’s Carolyn Donaldson.  Panelists will be: Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, Chancellor of Penn State Altoona; Dr. Wayne Powel, Provost of Saint Francis University; Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Dr. Thomas Kepple, President of Juniata College; and Dr. Thomas Foley, President of Mount Aloysius College.  Sponsorships for the program are available at just $150 each.  To sponsor, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.

ACE Award Nominations being Accepted
The Blair County Chamber’s Farm-City Committee has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 20th Annual Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award.  Activity and participation in Blair County community affairs and the promotion of Blair County agriculture are the criteria used for selection.  Nominations may be submitted by individuals, organizations, businesses, farm families and/or through self-nomination.  Nomination forms have been faxed over The Chamber’s fax network. Click here to secure a form.  For questions, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.

Bring-in a New Chamber Member, Enjoy the Rewards
Without question, the best recruiters of potential chamber members are satisfied members themselves.  And by successfully bringing-in a new member, it can yield a nice reward for the recruiter.  Simply contact a potential member and have them fill-out a membership application.  If they join, we will send you a $25 gift certificate to the Chamber-member business of your choice.  Contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com for more information.

Congratulations...
. . . to Attorney David Andrews who recently received the John C. Baker Award for Exemplary Service from the Juniata College Board of Trustees.
. . . to Melissa Huss, transportation coordinator at the Skills Vocational Training and Industrial Services Facility who has been named the recipient of the T.O.P.S. Award by Skills of Central PA.
. . . to Attorney Carl Beard who was awarded the Tri-State Area School Study Council’s Distinguished Achievement in Law Award at the 14^th Annual Dr. Samuel Francis School Law Symposium and Special Education Workshop at the University of Pittsburgh.
. . . to Wessel & Company of Johnstown which was just notified that the national publication Accounting Today has named them as the fourth best CPA firm to work for in the United States for 2010.

Blue Card Discount offers
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 Stacy Hoover at The Chamber at 943-8151.

Blair County Chamber of Commerce	Present your Blue Card and receive $1 off walkin admission to a Business After Hours event. (Not for preregistered attendees, normal walkin cost is $6.) OR Insert your company or organization's flyer into the mailing of the Blair Business Mirror for only $125. Simply drop off 1,100 copies of your flyer to the Chamber office and the Chamber staff will take care of the rest. Call today to take advantage of this offer.
Blair Mill Outlet	Present your Blue card for 10% off the entire stock, excluding clearance items. (Blue Card must be presented at the time of purchase.)
Clearfield Bank & Trust Company	Present your Blue Card to receive a free Insurance and Investment Portfolio Review. Comparable Value: $50.
Dr.'s Centar & Imler	Present your Blue Card to receive 20 percent off of spectacle lenses and frames OR receive 20 percent off of an exam and contact lens fitting. (Discount cannot be combined with any other insurance programs, coupons or courtesies.)
Durbin Companies	Present your Blue Card to receive a FREE under mounted stainless steel sink with the purchase of a solid surface, granite or quartz kitchen countertop.

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