On Tuesday, January 25, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it would be withdrawing it’s mandate that employers with at least 100 employees require vaccinations or weekly testing. The move follows the Supreme Court decision earlier this month which stated that “challengers were likely to prevail on their claims” challenging the Emergency Temporary Standard. As part of the announcement, the Biden administration said that it would be requesting that the lawsuits be dismissed.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the nominees for the organization’s 2022 Annual Awards. The awards will be presented at this year’s Annual Meeting, the 81st for the organization, being held virtually on Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 11:00 a.m. Click here to register.
This meeting provides an opportunity to recognize organizations and individuals for their extraordinary efforts in serving the community throughout the year. The Chamber will present five awards: Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Community Progress Award, and the Outstanding Citizen Award.
The Outstanding Citizen Award, the longest-tenured award, was first presented in 1970. The organization added the Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, and the Community Progress Award in 2011. The Nonprofit of the Year was first introduced in 2020.
The recipient of each award is selected by the Awards Committee. Members are as follows:
- Jeff Emanuel, Chamber Foundation Director
- Renee Gerringer, Ronald McDonald House of Danville
- Lisa Makara, Geisinger | Wilkes-Barre
- Chris Stamatedes, PPL Electric Utilities
- Jeffrey Whitenight, First Columbia Bank & Trust
- Elaine Woodland, First Keystone Community Bank
- Melanie Ziegler, FirstLight Fiber
Nominees for the 2022 Annual Awards are as follows:
Small Business of the Year
- Martz Technologies, Inc.
- Ponduce Farms
- Shanty Secrets
Large Business of the Year
- Crispin Multiplex
- Great Dane
- North Shore Railroad
- Webstaurant Store
Nonprofit of the Year
- Columbia County Traveling Library
- Berwick Area United Way
- For the Cause
- The Hand in Hand Family Resource Center
- Ronald McDonald House of Danville
Outstanding Citizen
- Lissa Bryan-Smith
- Jeff Emanuel
- Harry Mathias
- Catherine “Kay” Mentrikowski
Community Progress Award
- Northeast Training Institute
- Tri County Lumber
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center is holding a free webinar Friday, January 28th to help employers understand the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), including who qualifies, and the key questions to ask your CPA or payroll provider. The presenting firm has been able to help businesses calculate and amend their 941 filings to claim this credit. Register for this event here.
Learner objectives:
- Learn what the Employee Retention Tax Credit is
- Determine if your business qualifies
- Identify qualifying wages
- Calculate the Credit
- Know “what to ask” to your CPA or payroll provider
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.