Chamber Executive Committee to Meet Thursday
“Backbone  Bash”  Set for August 1st at Buccinese Society
Barneywood to Host GRYP Summer Bash
Sponsorships Available for Farm-City Dinner
Next Speed Networking Set for August 19th
Chamber Announces Trip to Thailand/Hong Kong in 2015
Coalition on Sustainability to Rebuild Momentum
Reminder: Membership Recruitment Can Yield Great Rewards
Low-Cost Healthcare:  The Chamber Makes It Happen
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts

Chamber Executive Committee to Meet Thursday
The Executive Committee of the Blair County Chamber’s Board of Directors will meet on Thursday at 8:00 a.m. at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center. The Executive Committee meets in June and July to approve new members and to review the organization’s financials, since the full Board doesn’t meet during those two months. Any Chamber Member who would like to bring an issue before the Executive Committee should contact Joe Hurd by noon on Tuesday at 943-8151.
 
“Backbone  Bash”  Set for August 1st at Buccinese Society
The much-anticipated “Backbone Bash,” sponsored by The Chamber’s Small Business Partners, will be held on Friday, August 1st at the Buccinese Society beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event gives representatives from small businesses the opportunity to network and, in general, have a fun and relaxing time. The cost to attend, which includes food and adult beverages is just $10/person. To help offset the cost of the Bash, which is appropriately named because small business is the “backbone” of the local economy, sponsorships are available. Door prizes are also accepted. For information on either, contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her at rlitzinger@blairchamber.com. At the present time, host sponsors for the Backbone Bash are 10 Seven Web Design and Digital Media and JMG Systems. Up to three additional host sponsorships are still available.

Barneywood to Host GRYP Summer Bash
The Backbone Bash isn’t the only Chamber “bash” taking place this summer. The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will hold its Summer Bash on August 22nd at Barneywood (327 Tee Box Road in Duncansville). The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will end at 9:00 p.m. There is also a golf component that will begin at 3:00 that day with prizes for the winning team. The cost to attend the Bash is $10 for members and $20 for non-members.  It includes food, drinks, and all activities (including golf). Door prizes will be drawn. Entertainment will be provided by Nashville recording artist Eric Husick. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.   

Sponsorships Available for Farm-City Dinner
The Blair County Chamber’s Annual Farm-City Dinner will be held at The Park at Morrisons Cove on November 6th.  The highlight of that event will be the presentation of the Agricultural Community Excellence Award to retiring State Representative Jerry Stern. Although the dinner is still a few months away, sponsorship sales have already begun which will provide Chamber Members with an inexpensive opportunity to feature their business or organization. For sponsorship information, contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her at rlitzinger@blairchamber.com. 
 
Next Speed Networking Set for August 19th
The Small Business Partners Committee has scheduled its next Speed Networking event for Tuesday, August 19, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. (please note the time is slightly different than the previous ones) in the board room of the Devorris Center. The cost will be $10 for Chamber Members and $20 for non-members. There will be a light breakfast provided. For more information or to register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151, you can also register online.

Chamber Announces Trip to Thailand/Hong Kong in 2015
The success relationship between the Blair County Chamber and Citslinc, Inc. will continue in 2015 with a trip to Thailand and Hong Kong, set for October 30th to November 7th. “The three China trips that we’ve taken with Citslinc have all been first class,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. “From talking to some other chambers who have done the Thailand/Hong Kong tour, we have a great experience to look forward to next October.” The Chamber will issue an RFP to its member travel agencies to determine where it will travel in the Spring of 2015. “We’re hoping to be able to offer a great Spring tour as well,” Hurd noted. For more information on the Thailand/Hong Kong tour, call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Coalition on Sustainability to Rebuild Momentum
The Blair County Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability took an unplanned hiatus this Spring and it intends to make up for lost time. The Coalition, which encourages businesses and schools to take more active roles in preserving the environment and working to educate consumers on the benefits of “going green,” will meet in late August to look at possible projects. The Coalition is also hoping to recruit new members. For more information or to sign-up to be on the Coalition, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
 
Reminder: Membership Recruitment Can Yield Great Rewards
Despite the best efforts of The Chamber’s dedicated staff, it’s been proven time-and-again that the best recruiters of new members to the organization are other members. “Business people want to hear the message from someone who has already invested in the organization,” reported Doug Mingle of Roaring Spring Department Store, The Chamber’s Board Chair. “It just resonates better.” There’s also a financial incentive for members who get others to join. Bring a completed membership application and a form of payment to the Chamber Office and you’ll earn a $25 gift card to the Chamber-business of your choice. “Too hard to pass-up,” Mingle pointed out. For more information on how to be a Chamber recruiter, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.

Low-Cost Healthcare:  The Chamber Makes It Happen
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.

Congratulations . . .
. . . to Window World, which has earned the rank of Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Windows and Doors from J.D. Power for the second consecutive year. Window World has a local office at 114 Vision Drive in Duncansville.
. . . to Sheetz, Inc. which was presented the Pennsylvania Psychological Association’s 2014 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award in recognition of its workplace practices promoting employee well-being and organizational performance.

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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