October 2016
IN THIS ISSUE pg 2 :: New Members | Social Hour pg 3 :: Candidates Forum pg 4 :: Meet & Greet | New Resident Great Streets pg 6 :: Overtime Regulations pg 8 :: Membership Drive pg 10 :: 50 Blog Topic Ideas pg 11 :: Member Discounts
SAVE THE DATE October 10 :: Monday Office Closed October 12:: Wednesday Ambassador Committee Meeting Affton Chamber office 1:00 pm October 13 :: Thursday Monthly Membership Meeting Candidates Forum Orlando Gardens Banquet Center 11:15 am-1:00 pm October 13 :: Thursday Beer Tasting Social Hour Park Forest Apartments 6:00-7:30 pm October 15 :: Saturday Trivia Night Affton Community Center 6:30 pm Doors Open 7:00 pm Trivia October 19 :: Wednesday Economic Development Meeting Affton Chamber office 9:00 am November 9 :: Wednesday Meet & Greet Sam’s Club (4512 Lemay Ferry) 8:00-9:00 am
Saturday, October 15th Affton Community Center 9801 Mackenzie Road
Trivia NIGHT Doors open at 6:30 PM | Trivia at 7:00 PM
$160 Per Table (Maximum of 8 people) Popcorn │Beer │Soda │Water Non-Smoking Event more info on page 5 visit WWW.AFFTONCHAMBER.COM or CALL THE CHAMBER: 314-631-3100 to:
presented by
become a sponsor | reserve a table donate an item | be a volunteer
MISSION STATEMENT The Affton Chamber of Commerce exists to support the business and general interests of the greater Affton area, and to provide opportunities to network, advertise, and educate its member businesses.
Beer Tasting Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes 7529 Fleta Street
Thursday, October 13 6:00-7:30 pm
Help your host plan, RSVP at afftonchamber.com by October 7
AFFTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. John Harrison PO Box 6920 (63123) 314.631.9217 www.afftonpc.org ▪ afftonpastor@gmail.com Affton Presbyterian Church is a traditional, warm, and relaxed family of people who love the Lord and who love each other. Three years ago, our church decided we should sell our building and in June, that sale became complete. While we are in transition, it is fitting that we are meeting at the Gardenville Masonic Temple (8230 Gravois), because that is where our church first met 73 years ago. Worship is every Sunday at 10 AM, and we would love for you to come visit us. We are down to earth and we provide childcare, so come as you are and bring your kids, too! If you’d like to learn more about us, please visit our new website at www.afftonpc.org.
FRIENDS OF ERNIE TRAKAS
Ernie & Lori Trakas 3900 Butler Hill Road (63129) 314.578.7652 www.ernietrakas.com ▪ loritrakas@sbcglobal.net Ernie Trakas is the candidate for County Council District 6. On the move to stabilize and beautify South County.
GREG MANS FARMERS INSURANCE AGENCY
Greg & Lois Mans 2250 Union Road (63125) 314.283.1981 gmans@farmersagent.com We will be at the Union address until December 15, when we will be moving in to Affton Plaza! 2
HOLY CROSS ACADEMY
Dr. Amie Koenen 8874 Pardee Road (63123) 314.475.3436 www.holycross-stl.org ▪ akoenen@hca-stl.org Holy Cross Academy is a system of Catholic elementary and middle school campuses created through collaborative efforts of five parishes. It serves students from preschool through 8th grade with challenging academic programs and strong faithbased education. Holy Cross Academy is supported by the collaborative efforts of Annunciation, Our Lady of Providence, Seven Holy Founders, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Michael the Archangel Parishes. Being one of the first collaborative Catholic school systems in St. Louis, we are changing how parishes offer education to their students. Our parents and parishioners are pioneers in the effort to create a higher quality of education for students.
TRIPLE THREAT ARMORY
Scott Stephan 9422 Gravois (63123) 314.833.6695 www.triplethreatarmory.com ▪ sales@triplethreatarmory.com Triple Threat Armory stocks new firearms from top manufacturers and sells, buys, or trades used guns. We carry a large selection of brands and types of ammunition. We also have extra magazines, holsters, scopes, and more. Missouri/ Florida CCW classes are also provided. Descriptions are written by the new members. When you’re in their area, stop by or call them and welcome them to the chamber.
PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center
Candidates Forum
The candidates for these offices have been invited to participate: State Senate, District 1 County Council, District 6 State Representative, Districts 92, 93 & 94 Thursday, October 13, 2016 11:15 am Registration | 12 noon Lunch Orlando Gardens Banquet Center 4300 Hoffmeister, 63125 $15 members | $20 non-members
register at www.afftonchamber.com by Friday, October 7
meeting sponsor
PARTNERS Gold‌The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver‌American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business
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Welcome New Residents The Great Streets Gravois Report has been published and is available at http://www.ewgateway.org/ GreatStreets/Gravois_Road/gravois_road.htm A meeting will be held to present the findings in the report on Thursday, October 27 at 6:00 pm at Seven Holy Founders (6741 S. Rock Hill).
Restaurants | Churches Financial Institutions Service-Based Businesses
or any member
trying to reach new customers: You provide 200 half-page inserts & $40 and we do the rest! New Resident Mailing is sent quarterly to new homeowners in 63123 welcoming them to our area.
Wednesday, November 9 8:00-9:00 am
Sam’s Club 4512 Lemay Ferry (63129)
Drop off your 200 half-page* inserts & $40 by 1 pm on Friday, October 14. *Have so much to tell new Affton residents that you need a full sheet? Simply double the price ($80) and fold the sheets (in half or tri-fold)!
Meet & Greets are a great way for members to network! Bring a friend so they can learn how the Chamber might fit their business from those in the community who know first-hand about the benefits – other Chamber members. Help your host plan...RSVP at afftonchamber.com
Affton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Class of 2019
Annual Auction & Awards Dinner Saturday, January 21, 2017 Genesis Banquet Center
watch for more details! 4
Dr. Steve Brotherton Affton School District Capt. Jeff Fuesting St. Louis County Police, Affton-Southwest Precinct Kayla Lackner American Eagle Credit Union Sarah Pizoni Park Forest Apartment & Townhomes Dr. Eric Werner Morris Family Chiropractic
PARTNERS Bronze...Commerce Bank, Gapsch CARSTAR Collision Center, Morris Family Chiropractic, SSM Health Center-St. Clare, Syberg’s: An Eating & Drinking Company
Trivia NIGHT
TREVOR WILLINGHAM
have a product or service you can donate? silent auction or raffle items are needed
State Representative Bob Burns Commerce Bank The E & A CFO Group John G’Sell, DDS Great Southern Bank Harster Heating & Air Conditioning Midwest BankCentre Neighbors Credit Union Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes Syberg’s-an eating & drinking co.
set up, check in, sell tickets, and more | have fun & network
Beverage Sponsor | $250 | 1 available includes opportunity to provide koozies PARTNERS Committed...Burns Auto Service, Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique
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The New FSLA Regulations What they mean for your business and your employees.
summary of presentation by Jeremy M. Brenner, Armstrong Teasdale
Effective December 1, 2016, the minimum salary for exemptions is $913/ week ($47,476 annually). This has been increased from the regulations established in 2004 of $455/week ($23,660 annually). The new minimum is calculated as the 40th percentile of earnings of full-time salaried workers in the lowest-wage Census Region (currently the South). This minimum will be adjusted every three years (beginning January 1, 2020), and may increase or decrease. If your employee(s) do not meet the minimum salary for exemptions, you have 3 options: 1. Reclassify the employee and compute an hourly wage by dividing their former salary by 2,080 (40 hours/week for 52 weeks), and then pay overtime (time and a half). This is a likely budget buster and you may have to actively manage the amount of overtime that they work. Limiting hours may cause you to have to hire more employees. 2. Reclassify the employee and convert them to hourly but adjust their wages down, taking into account the same number of hours worked per week and overtime that you’ll have to pay as a result. The goal is to hold their W-2 wages steady. 3. Give a raise to bring currently exempt employees up to the salary level needed to qualify for the exemption. You may find you need to require more in terms of hours and productivity from these employees in order to make this choice cost effective. For currently exempt employees who must be reclassified to non-exempt, there are a number of considerations: how to explain the changes, morale issues, tracking hours/timekeeping, rearranging job duties, controlling/monitoring overtime, and overtime policy changes. Use of electronic devices, such as smartphones or laptops, for work-related purposes outside of regular work hours is the next issue that will be addressed by the Department of Labor.
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PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center
New Member Rev. John Harrison Affton Presbyterian Church
New Members Greg & Lois Mans Greg Mans Farmers Insurance Agency
New Members Ernie & Lori Trakas Friends of Ernie Trakas
Photos © CindysPhoto.com
Jeremy Brenner, Esq., Armstrong Teasdale presenting the new overtime regulations (see p. 6 ).
PARTNERS Gold…The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver…American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business
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Vote on November 8 Know before you go! If you live in St. Louis County, you can find out more at www.stlouisco.com/YourGovernment/Elections
IT’S MEMBERSHIP DRIVE TIME! Do you know a business that isn’t a member, but should be? This is a great time to join!
Join now and the rest of 2016 is FREE! Not sure of all the benefits of being a member?
Visit afftonchamber.com/join.html or contact us for a Membership Benefits packet.
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PARTNERS Bronze...Commerce Bank, Gapsch CARSTAR Collision Center, Morris Family Chiropractic, SSM Health Center-St. Clare, Syberg’s: An Eating & Drinking Company
AFFTON GRAVOIS BUSINESS CORRIDOR FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT Dairy Queen installed a new digital sign with the help of funding from our grant. Watch for more improvements along Gravois!
Trevor Willingham of Farmer’s Insurance for
dropping off donuts for the Chamber staff. New Teacher Welcome Bag participants: American Eagle Credit Union, Bethesda Health Group, Feed My People, Fran-Ann Engraving, Gapsch’s CARSTAR Collision Center, Great Southern Bank, Key Rex Properties, Neighbors Credit Union, Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, Village at Mackenzie Place.
September Meeting Sponsor American Eagle Credit Union. Delicious lunch at Genesis Banquet Center. Greeters Marty Carr, Deca Realty and Charlie
Merx, Merx Flooring. Speaker Jeremy M. Brenner, Esq. of Armstrong Teasdale
PARTNERS Committed...Burns Auto Service, Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique
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50 Awesome Blog Topics for Your Business by Christina R. Green, Frankjkenny.com & Event Manager Blog
Valuable content is one of the most important components of your business marketing strategy. Without it, it’s very difficult to build an audience and stand out from the competition. But constantly feeding the content machine can be draining and exhausting. Here are 50 topics (and ideas) to help your business provide valuable information for your audience. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42.
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Tell the story of your biggest challenge (personal or professional) Answer a customer service question on your blog Serve up buying tips for your product or service (such as How to Hire a Good CPA) Use a holiday to showcase someone important to you, on your staff, or in the community (think Veterans’ Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, etc.) Write a customer spotlight about who they are and how you helped them (bonus points if they’ll write it as a guest blog) Highlight a team member’s story Talk about a charity you support and why Give an alternative use for one of your products List negative things that happen when you don’t use your service or product Share a video or images of your office and team Interview a team member about a big topic in your industry or your customers’ industry “Why we love _________ and you should too” “The worst advice I’ve ever been given” “The best advice I never took” “10 things our competitors aren’t doing” “5 Misconceptions about our industry” “3 Misconceptions about our product or service” “5 Things I learned about this business from watching <insert your favorite show>” “Industry predictions for ______ years from now” Current trends “Best of the industry” (good review post in December) “5 things we wish people knew about our industry/product/service” “5 Tools you need to be using” “Why you shouldn’t be afraid to _____________” “Creative ways to get more <insert something your customers need>” “3 things that will change your mind about <insert the industry>” “Best _______ out there” (such as customer blog posts, industry information blogs, or something completely off topic but enjoyable like cat videos) “Business people who’ve inspired me” “My favorite business blogs” “Books I’ve read this year” (or those that had a profound effect on you) “Our hottest blog posts of this year” (great December topic or do one mid-way through) “Best free apps for productivity” “Who to follow” (customers, staffers, industry experts on various platforms. You could do a blog post for each of the major platforms.) Status of legislation affecting your industry “Advice for people who want to go into this business” (yours or one similar) “I did ______ for 30 days and this is what I learned” (Take a personal challenge and write about it) Share business resolutions Ask vendors or affiliates you work with for content/guest post Have a child interview you, asking his/her own questions Create a contest around your business (Betty Crocker holds recipe contests using their products, for instance. Post the top submissions. Bonus points if it involves cute kids. Parents will post everywhere and get their friends and family to like the posts.) Visit an image site like Flickr and let a picture inspire your next post “What my hobby taught me about business” CONTINUED >
PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center
Thanks to the following businesses and organizations for renewing their memberships. Year joined is in parentheses. Listed renewals are August 24 to September 22.
Shirley Eckert (2010)
The 50/50 amount of $81 was won by Matt Burke of Eagle Bank & Trust. Lorraine Sullivan, Retired Resident won a cooler bag of goodies from Ad Source One. Lois Mans of Greg Mans Farmers Insurance Agency and Russ Ahlheim of Ad Source One each won a bag chair from American Eagle Credit Union. Want to see your name mentioned here? Attend a meeting, buy 50/50 tickets & win OR donate an item for the 50/50 drawing.
ADVERTISE WITH THE AFFTON CHAMBER!
Shop Chamber Members! To take advantage of the following discounts, take along your newsletter as proof of membership or stop by the Chamber office to pick up a card showing you are a current member. Add your company to this list!!! A Plus Printing Services—10% discount on printing & copying. Ad Source One—10% discount. Crown Optical—10% off all eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses & accessories. Not valid with insurance or other discount plans. The E & A CFO Group—One month free payroll or other accounting service with 1 year commitment. Call for free quote. Extra Space Storage—Receive 5% off your monthly rent. Ask Patrick for details. F2 Garage Door Solutions—Free Installation with Purchase of Garage Armour Security Kit ($35.00 value). Fran Ann Engraving—10% off purchase from store. John G’Sell DDS—10% discount off services. Gateway Alarm, Inc.—Receive 3 months free monitoring with a new system. Gateway Tree Care—10% off services. Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique—10% discount off services. Infinity Hair Design—15% OFF your first precision haircut or color. Mehlville-Oakville Alumni Assoc—$5 discount (regularly $15) for Alumni by Choice Membership for non-alumni owned businesses Mops in Motion, Inc.—$10 discount on cleaning service of 3 hours or more. Morris Family Chiropractic—Meet the Doctor “Special”: New Patient Free Services: Consultation, Exam & Report of Findings. Park Forest Apartments—Application fee waived and 13 month lease with 1 month free. Pauline’s Place Adult Day Care, LLC—Any enrolled senior family member who is admitted for a year will receive a $10 discount with private pay attendance of 6 or more Monday to Friday hours. Southern Floral Shop—10% discount on each order, or free mylar balloon with a purchase. Ziegenhein Funeral Home—FREE METAL CASKET with "traditional" funeral service for US Veteran or paid pre-need funeral contract If you would like to see your business in this monthly column, simply offer a discount by WRITING OUT the discount and emailing or faxing it to the Chamber office. Your dues must be current.
43. 44. 45. 46. 47.
Take an old blog post and add more information and update the old stats Write a step-by-step guide on something your audience needs to know Compare your product/service with that of your competitor (use info from their website) “Why buy from us” Create a list people will want to get involved in (this often works better on Facebook) such as a travel bucket list or favorite sports team 48. “20 questions to ask to know you’re getting your moneys’ worth” 49. Give your opinion on something you’ve read 50. Recap a webinar, training, book, or other valuable resource you have attended or used. People appreciate the abbreviated knowledge. Remember, the best way to use these blog topics is to customize them for the needs of your audience. Inspiration for blogs can be found everywhere and you needn’t be limited by words. Not feeling like writing today? Try a video blog post instead. See how it does against your written content. Periodically, take note of what your audience responds to and do more of it. These are just suggestions. You take it from here. PARTNERS Gold…The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver…American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business
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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
AFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.afftonchamber.com 9815 Mackenzie Road Affton, MO 63123-5424
P AID ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT No. 3156
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers President
find out how on page 8
Carrie Carrigan Great Southern Bank President-Elect Dr. Eric Werner Morris Family Chiropractic Vice-President Dr. Steve Brotherton Affton School District Secretary Kayla Lackner American Eagle Credit Union Treasurer Dane Huxel State Farm Insurance Directors Michael Bamvakais Dill, Bamvakais & Newsham, PC Keith Brooks Sharpshooters Pit & Grill Marty Carr Deca Realty Patricia Cowan Rainmaker Sales Support Chief Jim Fritz Affton Fire Protection District Capt. Jeff Fuesting St. Louis County Police-Affton Charlie Merx Merx Flooring Sarah Pizoni Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes Tammy Scott Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique Trevor Willingham Willingham Insurance Agency Lisa Rackley Mandy Montgomery
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Executive Director Office Assistant
AFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT
Saturday, October 15th Affton Community Center 9801 Mackenzie Road
Doors open at 6:30 PM Trivia at 7:00 PM
Trivia NIGHT $160 Per Table (Maximum of 8 people)
Presenting Sponsor
Non-Smoking Event Popcorn │Beer │Soda │Water
Popcorn Sponsor
Poker Hand Sponsor
TREVOR WILLINGHAM
FOR INFORMATION, CLICK ON WWW.AFFTONCHAMBER.COM OR CALL THE CHAMBER: 314-631-3100 Return completed form and check made payable to: Affton Chamber of Commerce, 9815 Mackenzie Rd., Affton, MO 63123-5425 or Fax completed form & credit card information to 314-631-3102 We accept Discover, Mastercard, & Visa Paid by Check Credit Card Total Payment @ $160 per table___________ Credit Card #______________________________ Name_________________________________ Name of Card _____________________________ Address_______________________________ Exp. Date_____________CVV Code____________ Zip___________________________________ Billing Address #_______ Billing Zip Code _______ Phone________________________________ Signature_________________________________
Annual Awards Nomination Form Please check one. You may duplicate this form to nominate in more than one category. Deadline is October 14, 2016.
_______ I want to nominate an individual for Business Person of the Year. Recognition of a successful business leader in the Affton community; someone who has demonstrated ethical business practices, distinguished herself/himself with their dedicated & energetic leadership. This person has given her/his services to enhance the quality of business life & embodies community leadership through the combination of business, civic, & community activities.
_______ I want to nominate an individual for Citizen of the Year. Recognition of an individual who has made substantial volunteer contributions to the Affton community. with dedicated service in the interest of the Affton community.
_______ I want to nominate a business for Commercial New Construction. New construction of commercial project in 63123 & is completed during 2016, include photos.* Must be current member of the Affton Chamber of Commerce.
_______ I want to nominate a business for Commercial Renovation. Renovation project in 63123 & is completed during 2016, include photos.* Must be current member of the Affton Chamber of Commerce.
_______ I want to nominate an individual for Residential Renovation. Renovation project in 63123 & is completed during 2016, include photos.*
Nominee’s Name___________________________________________________________________________________ Company/Organization______________________________________________________________________________ Street Address_____________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip_________________________________________________ Phone:______________________________ Why do you feel this person, organization or company should be honored?*
*required—will be used to judge winner
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Submitted by:_______________________________________________________ Phone:________________________ 9815 Mackenzie Road, Affton, MO 63123 | Phone: 314.631.3100 Fax: 314.631.3102 | afftonchamber.com