Legislative Action Committee to Meet Today
Pension Reform is Topic of Thursday’s “Breakfast Club”
LBC Youth Class Heading to the Cove
WE-LEaD “Lunch’N’Learn to Focus on Women and Politics
Broadcast Dates Set for “Issues” Program on City of Altoona
Information Meetings Scheduled on Chamber’s Low-Cost Healthcare Option
Safety Program to Address Workers’ Comp Mediation
Business Hall of Fame Dinner Just Two Weeks From Today
Chamber Planning Trip to Southern Destinations
Chamber Again Supporting “Operation S.O.S” Effort
Congratulations…
Blue Card Discounts
Legislative Action Committee to Meet Today
At today’s meeting of the Blair County Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee, the two candidates for State Representative in the 80th District will each spend thirty minutes making committee members aware of what their legislative priorities are as they pertain to business issues. Candidate Judy Ward will address the committee from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.; Candidate Jason Lynn will follow-up from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. The meeting, which was rescheduled from last Thursday, will be held at the Devorris Center for Business Development. For more information on the Legislative Action Committee, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Pension Reform is Topic of Thursday’s “Breakfast Club”
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is in the throes of a pension crisis that could have a dramatic impact on its ability to attract new business. One of the General Assembly’s more vocal proponents of pension reform is State Representative John McGinnis. At Thursday’s Chamber Breakfast Club, McGinnis will provide an informative presentation outlining the perils that the state faces if dramatic change doesn’t occur quickly. “Representative McGinnis gave this presentation to our Legislative Action Committee and they were blown-away by it,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. “It’s incredibly hard-hitting and something that all business people need to hear.” The Breakfast Club will be held at The Casino at Lakemont Park beginning at 7:45 a.m. The cost to attend is $16.00 for Chamber Members and $30.00 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
LBC Youth Class Heading to the Cove
The next session of the Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Youth program, set for this Wednesday, will take place in southern Blair County as the class directs its attention to Regional Appreciation and Agricultural Heritage. Among the destinations will be the Zimmerman Farm, the Kulp Farm, the Altoona-Blair County Airport and Ritchey’s Dairy. For more information on Leadership Blair County Youth, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151 or email her at jjuda@blairchamber.com.
WE-LEaD “Lunch’N’Learn to Focus on Women and Politics
This Friday, October 10th, the Blair County Chamber’s WE-LEaD (Women Encouraging Leadership, Education and Development) Committee will sponsor a Lunch’N’Learn program entitled, “Women and Pennsylvania Politics: Why So Few?” The program will focus on the reasons for reluctance on the part of women to run for office and the systematic and societal issues causing this problem. The featured speaker will be Dana Brown, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University. Brown is a doctoral candidate in American Politics and Women and Politics at Rutgers University and recently completed a year as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Allegheny College. The Lunch’N’Learn will be held at Park Hills Country Club, beginning at noon and concluding at 1:30 p.m. Kooman & Associates are the corporate sponsors of the event. The cost to attend is $25 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Broadcast Dates Set for “Issues” Program on City of Altoona
The City of Altoona is experiencing a number of key challenges and opportunities and no one understands the impact of that better than the people who have been in a position to oversee the City’s fortunes. The next Chamber “Issues” program, to be broadcast on the Altoona Public Access Channel (and then placed on You Tube), is entitled “A City in Transition: Altoona’s Quest to Move Forward.” The panel discussion format includes current Mayor Matt Pacifico and former mayors Bill Schirf, Wayne Hippo, Tom Martin and Allan Hancock. Carolyn Donaldson will be moderator. The 45-minute program will air each Monday at 9:00 p.m. and each Saturday at 9:00 a.m. throughout October. Sponsors for the program are: Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation, Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Imler’s Poultry, and The Columns.
Information Meetings Scheduled on Chamber’s Low-Cost Healthcare Option
The Blair County Chamber has partnered with Empower3 Center for Health to offer Chamber-Member employers an affordable community-based health plan for their uninsured 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. Informational meetings on the health plan will be held on October 21st at 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Call the Chamber at 943-8151 to register. There is no cost to attend.
Safety Program to Address Workers’ Comp Mediation
The mediation process for Workers’ Compensation injuries has traditionally been a source of frustration for employers who have little knowledge of what factors are essential to gain a desired resolution. To help uncomplicate the process, the Safety Committee of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and the Human Resource Association of Blair County are teaming-up to present a program entitled, “Workers’ Compensation Mediation Process.” The program will be held on October 24th from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. A breakfast buffet beginning at 7:30 a.m. precedes the start of the program. The panel of presenters for the event includes: Workers’ Compensation Judge Robert Vonada, Attorney Michael Wagner and Attorney David Consiglio. A role-playing demonstration will be part of the presentation. The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Business Hall of Fame Dinner Just Two Weeks From Today
The Blair County Business Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on October 20th at the Blair County Convention Center. Registration for that event is underway. Contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Don’t miss this event. It’s a time for local business to strut-its-stuff.
Chamber Planning Trip to Southern Destinations
After a number of successful trips outside the United States, the Blair County Chamber has decided to offer a Spring 2015 trip closer to home. The Chamber will travel by motor coach to Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia and to Monticello from April 20-26. The cost of the trip, which includes six nights lodging and a number of outstanding guided tours, is just $995-per-person. Epic Journeys, a member of The Chamber, is coordinating the trip. For more information or to secure a spot on the trip, contact Epic Journeys at (814) 266-5070 or 877-705-7030. Brochures and itineraries are available at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. The trip is open to Chamber members and non-members.
Chamber Again Supporting “Operation S.O.S” Effort
“Operation S.O.S. (Support Our Soldiers)” is beginning its 11th annual campaign and the Blair County Chamber is once again proud to assisting in the promotion of that worthwhile endeavor. During last year’s project, 503 holiday care packages were sent to soldiers serving in the 25th Signal Battalion who were stationed in Afghanistan. Once again, Smith Furniture in Duncansville will be the headquarters for the collection of donated items and monetary contributions. Visit www.smithfurniturehof.com to see a list of preferred items to be donated. Items may be dropped-off from October 27th through November 22nd.
Congratulations…
. . . to the Blair County Chamber members who were designated as “Women Making a Difference” by Pennsylvania Business Central newspaper. The honorees are: Debra Dellaposta of WPS, Inc.; Elizabeth Heggi of P. Joseph Lehman, Inc.; Beth Powell of New Pig Energy; Patricia of Altoona First Savings Bank; Sister Paula DelGrosso of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese; Lori Crownover of the Bellwood-Antis School District; Lannette Johnston of the Tyrone Regional Health Network; and Teresa Madigan of Altoona Beauty School.
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.
|
Teeter Group
|
Present your Blue Card on your purchase of your business insurance through Penn National Insurance and (depending on total group premium and claims experience) you could earn an annual dividend.
|
|
The Village at Morrisons Cove
|
Receive 15% off Dinner Purchase when you present your Blue Card at The Bistro at the Village Green (The Village at Morrisons Cove). Limit one coupon per customer per visit. *Only good with purchase of an entree.
|
|
Advanced Regional Center for Ankle & Foot Care
|
Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive $5.00 Off Spencer Flip Flops
AND/OR
receive 10% off "Advanced" Ultra insert..
|
|
Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries
|
Present your Chamber Blue card to receive 10% off rate for first month of services at the Senior Daily Living Center for new program participants
AND/OR
receive 10% off rate for first month of services from ALSM at Home for new program participants.
|
For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
|
|
October 6, 2014
|
Upcoming Events
Register online
Breakfast Club
Thursday, October 9, 2014
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
WE-LEaD Lunch 'n' Learn
Friday, October 10, 2014
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Park Hills Country Club
Register Here
Hall of Fame & General Business Awards
Monday, October 20, 2014
5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
Business After Hours
WEDNESDAY, October 22, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Altoona Beauty School
Register Here
Safety Program
Friday, October 24, 2014
8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Farm-City Dinner
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Social: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner/Program: 7:00 p.m.
The Park at Morrisons Cove
Register Here
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Week of 10/6/2014
Legislative Action Committee
Monday, October 6, 8:30 a.m.
Devorris Center
Home & Garden Show Committee
Tuesday, October 7, 8:30 a.m.
Chamber Office
Workplace Wellness Committee
Tuesday, October 7, 9:00 a.m.
TBA
Safety Committee
Wednesday, October 8, 9:15 a.m.
Devorris Center
Non-Profit Advocacy Subcommittee
Wednesday, October 8, 8:30 a.m.
Devorris Center
LBC Adult Committee
Wednesday, October 8, 3:00 p.m.
Devorris Center
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
|
|