A program designed to help employees develop and sharpen skills that relate to leading in today’s workplace environment is being offered again this Spring. The five-module Management and Leadership Certificate Program is appropriate for new or emerging leaders or existing workplace leaders, managers, and supervisors who have not previously been exposed to leadership training. The program is a collaboration between The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce and Bloomsburg University.
Sessions cover supervisor effectiveness and effective communication, understanding what motivates employees and change management, coaching, feedback, and performance management, navigating a multigenerational workforce, and conflict management. The course will include assessments, activities, and other learning enhancement components to help each participant individualize their learning experience. Participants will receive a certificate from Bloomsburg University upon completion and will have identified personal development goals to provide to their employers.
The program launched in the Fall of 2019 and is offered each Spring and Fall. Sessions for this Spring are scheduled to begin in-person Tuesday, March 8th and will be held every other week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SEKISUI KYDEX’s South Campus, ending May 3rd. The program may shift to a virtual format depending upon trends. Cost is $595 for employees of Chamber of Commerce members. Complete program details and the application are now available online.
The program qualifies for WEDnet funding for eligible employers. For eligibility information, visit wednetpa.com or contact Jennifer Williams at 570-389-4004.
In February, The Chamber of Commerce will present its annual awards at the organization’s 81st Annual Meeting. This prestigious event has a tremendous history, honoring outstanding citizens and businesses throughout the area. This year’s meeting will be the second held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting provides an opportunity to recognize organizations and individuals for their extraordinary efforts in serving the community throughout the year. This look back is to again highlight those, past and present, that have worked to make Columbia and Montour counties a great area to work, live and do business.
The Outstanding Citizen Award began in 1970. The Chamber added three more awards in 2011: Small Business, Large Business, and the Community Progress Award, which consolidated what were formerly known as the Community Class Awards. Community Progress recognizes organizations that have made significiant physical investment and improvement in a property in the area. In 2020, the Chamber added the Nonprofit of the Year award to spotlight the efforts of the many human service agencies in the area.
“The Chamber of Commerce was formed over 80 years ago by community and organizational leaders who realized that they could be more effective in strengthening the community by working together,” said Fred Gaffney, President of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce. “Today, the Chamber is well positioned to continue serving area employers and communities. The Annual Meeting is not only an opportunity for us to talk about our efforts, but celebrate some of our outstanding partner organizations and individuals.”
A history of previous award recipients is as follows:
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
- 2021: Bason Coffee & Roasting
- 2020: Marr Development
- 2019: For the Cause
- 2018: Steph’s Subs
- 2017: Freas Farm Winery
- 2016: Key Partners Realty
- 2015: Bloom Bounce
- 2014: InnoTek Computer Consulting
- 2013: Old Forge Brewing Co.
- 2012: Walkers Jewlers
- 2011: Fuel Fitness
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
- 2021: First Columbia Bank & Trust
- 2020: Atlantic Broadband
- 2019: Knoebels
- 2018: SEKISUI
- 2017: Central Columbia School District
- 2016: Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital
- 2015: Danville Child Development
- 2014: PPL Electric Utilities
- 2013: Berwick Offray
- 2012: Walkers Jewelers
- 2011: Columbia Montour Home Health/VNA
NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
- 2021: Community Giving Foundation
- 2020: AGAPE
COMMUNITY PROGRESS AWARD
- 2021: PB&J Bar
- 2020: Frosty Valley Resort
- 2019: Community Strategies Group
- 2018: LCBC Church Columbia-Montour
- 2017: Geisinger Woodbine
- 2016: Pump House Wedding & B&B
- 2015: Art of Floating
- 2014: First Keystone Community Bank
- 2013: Turkey Hill Brewing Co.
- 2012: Service 1st Federal Credit Union
- 2011: Town Camera
OUTSTANDING CITIZEN
- 2021: Area Frontline Healthcare Workers
- 2020: Lisa Makara
- 2019: Linda Brown
- 2018: Denise Stone
- 2017: Daniel Jankowski
- 2016: Mary Clapp
- 2015: Mike Monico & Travis Petty
- 2014: Tim Wagner
- 2013: Bette Grey
- 2012: Eileen Chapman
- 2011: Ramona Alley
- 2007: Rod Keller
- 2003: Bob McCoy & Paul Reichart
- 2001: James Magee
- 1997: Daniel J. Bowman
- 1993: George H. Hemingway
- 1986: Richard A. Benefield
- 1985: Roy D. Snydeer
- 1984: James G. Law
- 1983: Paul R. Everly Jr.
- 1981: Anna Mae Lehr
- 1980: George A. Thompson
- 1979: Boyd F. Buckingham
- 1978: Dorothy Jean Kimmel
- 1977: Lester Jones
- 1976: Edward T. Kitchen
- 1975: Clark B. Patterson
- 1974: Norman Hoffman
- 1973: Robert Nearing
- 1972: Marco Mitrani
- 1971: Edward F. Schuyler
- 1970: Edwin Barton
The U.S. Supreme Court today blocked a nationwide vaccine and testing mandate for large employers. It does, however, allow a vaccine mandate for more than 10 million health care workers to go into effect nationwide.
“Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly. Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category,” the unsigned opinion says.
The rule would impact some 84 million individuals and require private employers with 100 or more employees to ensure they are fully vaccinated or undergo regular testing and wear a face covering at work. There are exceptions for those with religious objections.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the private-employer rules in November. Several parts of the regulations, including a requirement for mask-wearing in the workplace by unvaccinated individuals, were set to take effect this week. However, the testing requirements weren’t scheduled to be enforced until next month.
The case will now go back into the Sixth Circuit for further consideration on the merits of the challenge consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision. Therefore, while blocked from going into effect, the ETS is not yet invalidated.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors is recommending a slate of candidates to serve on the Board beginning April, 2022. Members will vote on nominations during the annual meeting, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, on Wednesday, February 9th. Nominated to serve are:
Nominated to a 3-year term on the Board:
Jeff Cerminaro, Walker’s Jewelers
Holly Morrison, Community Giving Foundation
Chris Stamatedes, PPL Electric Utilities
Bob Stoudt, Montour Area Recreation Commission
Nominated to a 1-year term on the Board:
Megan Kiliti, Berwick Brewing
Denise Stone, eXp Realty
Karen Wood, Service 1st Federal Credit Union
Reommended to fill an unexpired, 3-year term on the Board:
Sharon Wilkin, Design Group
In accordance with the by-laws, any fifteen members may nominate an alternate ticket, or tickets, by posting the same, over their signatures, at The Chamber not later than five days prior to the annual meeting.
The officers will also be voted on by the Board at the annual meeting and the chair will appoint three additional members at that time. Nominated to serve as officers:
Chair – Chris Stamatedes, PPL Electric Utilities
Vice Chair – Bob Stoudt, Montour Area Recreation Commission
Treasurer – Denise Stone, eXP Realty
Immediate Past Chair – Dan Knorr, Bloomsburg University
President – Fred Gaffney
Events over the past couple years has caused many employees to reconsider their priorities when it comes to choosing benefits. Employers who have offered traditional benefit packages until recently are finding they may no longer be the employer of choice with an outdated benefit portfolio that doesn’t meet the evolving needs of their workers. Losing key talent is a risk few businesses can endure.
A good, solid employer sponsored medical program is still a chief concern for employees. At the same time, however, as a result of a heightened awareness of medical and financial needs due to pandemic-related factors, employees have sought to round out their coverage with benefits such as:
- Income protection (short- and long- term disability coverage)
- Critical Illness programs
- Hospital Indemnity programs
- Mental Health benefits
- Financial Wellness benefit programs
Adding these programs is neither expensive nor difficult. And for employers concerned about the impact on their operating budget, an effective solution to accommodate this shift in benefit focus without incurring additional cost is through a voluntary benefits package.
It’s no easy task to continually accommodate shifting employee benefit needs while staying within budgetary restraints, but the employer who does so will not only win the loyalty of their employees, but better position themselves as an employer of choice going forward.
The Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at cmcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Glynis Roberts at (800) 377-3539.
Berwick Area YMCA to Hold Daddy Daughter Dance
A tradition like none other, the Berwick Area YMCA will hold its annual Daddy Daughter Dance at the Berwick Golf Club on Sunday, February 27. The event will from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Young ladies can pick “a favorite male role model” to accompany her to this formal fun-filled night. This exciting night will include an energetic dj, dancing the entire time, great food, games, a photo station and a professional photographer. Lastly, there will also be balloon creations by Lanny Lee. You can purchase your tickets at the Berwick Area YMCA, calling them at 570-752-5981, or by emailing aquatic@berwickymca.org.
Is your organization prepared for disasters and emergencies? Are you confident your organization can protect the lives of everyone at your facility during a crisis? The Red Cross’ Ready Rating program is a free membership program, designed to help businesses, schools, and organizations become better prepared for disasters and other emergencies.
Participants will get immediate customized feedback and recommendations to improve preparedness. Also, you will have access to assessments, tools and resources developed by Red Cross emergency preparedness experts. There is no cost or obligation to becoming a member of the program.
You can become a member by:
Make Preparedness a Priority
- By joining today at ReadyRating.org
Take an Assessment
- Identify possible emergencies – internal or external and their potential impact to your organization. You can choose from:
- ReadyGo – Quick assessment that takes less than 5 minutes to complete
- ReadyAdvance – Detailed assessment to learn your areas for improvement
Create your EAP (Emergency Action Plan)
- Outline the steps your organization will take before, during and after an emergency
Stay Prepared
- Train your staff, practice your EAP and integrate preparedness into the culture of your organization/business
With a preparedness plan in place, you can embrace employee safety, enhance productivity, and minimize losses. Contact Edna Reinard, Disaster Program Specialist at the Red Cross for more information at Edna.Reinard@redcross.org.
The Community Giving Foundation: Berwick is pleased to announce information regarding the 2022 competitive grant round. This grant round includes the Berwick Health & Wellness Fund. The process beings now and will continue through May.
To be eligible to receive a grant, an organization must hold a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be a governmental organization. All grants must benefit the residents and communities within the defined Berwick service area. Individuals are not eligible to apply. If your organization is physically located outside of the Berwick service area, you may still apply if you will be serving residents within the service area. For information regarding the grant guidelines and service area, see details under the Berwick heading on our Grants webpage.
Grant applications will be completed and submitted through a web-based program. To access the application process, click here. Grant requests $10,000 and under must be submitted online by 11:59pm, February 17, 2022. Grant requests over $10,000 must be submitted online by 11:59pm, March 10, 2022.
If you have questions regarding the grant process, please contact Christine Orlando, Senior Program Officer, at corlando@csgiving.org or call 570-752-3930, ext. 2.
Berwick is an affiliate of the Community Giving Foundation, which manages over 300 charitable funds and makes grant investments throughout the region to improve the quality of life in the Central Susquehanna area.
The Internal Revenue Service recently issued the 2022 optional standard mileage rates which are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes.
Beginning January 1, 2022, standard mileage rates for the use of cars, vans, pickup trucks, or panel trucks will increase to 58.5 cents per business miles driven, up from 56 cents in 2021. Medical and moving rates climbed to 18 cents in 2022 up from 16 cents in 2021, while charitable organization rates remain at 14 cents per mile.
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. Increased fuel prices are one factor that has led to the change in rates.
Standard Mileage Rates
The IRS mileage rates for 2022 apply to miles driven starting January 1, 2022. These standard mileage rates are important because they provide small businesses with a framework for calculating deductible costs for operating a vehicle for business purposes.
The IRS does give taxpayers the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost recovery System (MACRS), or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle.
For more information on the IRS 2022 mileage rates, see this IRS Article.
If you would like to talk to one of our professionals in our Entrepreneurial Support & Client Accounting Segment on this topic or any other business related topic, please do not hesitate to contact them.
The post IRS Increases 2022 Mileage Rates appeared first on McKonly & Asbury.
Co-sponsoring with the Community Giving Foundation, this presentation will provide information on how to use businesses’ State taxes to support local community development activities.
Did you know that PA businesses can team up with non-profits to keep their state tax payments local? This session will explain how to do it all. This program works similarly to the EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) program.
Paul Macknosky, the featured speaker, is the primary contact for this program in the NEPA and also serves as the Regional Director for the PA Dept of Community & Economic Development.
The presentation is scheduled to be held at the Community Giving Foundation in Berwick at 725 W Front St. in Berwick on January 10th at noon. A Zoom option is available as well for those who wish to see and hear the program virtually.
Please register with Josh Nespoli at jnespoli@csgpa.org or 570-394-4905