The Chamber Corner, October 2013

Official Newsletter of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce

THE CHAMBER CORNER

Volume 13, Issue 10

We’re running low on goodies for the newcomer goody bags. Be sure to have your business represented. Goodies can range from pens to koozies to unique items that represent your business such as toothbrushes for dentists, flyswatters for pest control companies or lens cleaning cloths for optometrists. Please bring 25-50 of each goody to the Chamber and be sure to restock your brochures and business card too!

We’re Hiring!

The Chamber is looking for a smart, energetic, productive and organized person with good people skills to run our front office. Includes some administrative and receptionist responsibilities. Prefer marketing/mass communication background but will consider others. Must be computer savvy. Hours are negotiable, will be a full-time/ part-time position. Submit resumes and references by fax to 706-485-3277 or by email to epchamber@eatonton.com.

October 2013

Upcoming Events RSVP: 706-485-7701 | epchamber@eatonton.com Monday, Oct. 7: Taste of Eatonton from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Village at Harmony Crossing. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event.

Tickets for children ages five to 12 are available for $10, and little mouths four and under eat for free. Bring your appetite and join your favorite local restaurants for the area’s largest foodie event! The Taste of Eatonton is sponsored by Smith Communications, WMGZ/Z-97, Union-Recorder & Lake Oconee Breeze, Dock 103.9, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Putnam General Hospital, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Pinnacle Credit Union, Bug House Pest Control,The Peoples Bank, Putnam County Charter School System, Georgia Power Company and Lake Oconee Dentistry.

Thursday, Oct. 10: Business After Hours sponsored by Eatonton Elks Lodge #2549 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 135 Industrial Boulevard in Eatonton (directly across from Haband). The evening will feature food and beverage, door prizes and fun for everyone.

Tuesday, Oct. 15: Putnam Greene Young Professionals Sip n’ Bites from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mellow Mushroom located at 105 Harmony Crossing Suite 1, in Eatonton. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PutnamGreeneYP. Tuesday, Oct. 22, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating Amici Lake Oconee at 5 p.m. located at 1100 Parkside Commons Street in Greensboro. Enjoy free food samples and meet the new owners. Amici is under new ownership by the same owners as the Milledgeville location.

Come see the same great energy, food quality and service in Lake Oconee as customers have come to trust in Milledgeville.

Tuesday, Oct. 29: Coffee Connections presentation at Central Georgia Technical College, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. located at 580 James Marshall Bypass in Eatonton. Guest speaker Carrie Dietrich will give updates on Central Georgia Technical College while also giving tours. Fat burning tea and coffee and healthy chocolate cupcakes will be provided by Working on Wellness with Angie. Coffee Connections is sponsored by Georgia Power Company, Smith Communications, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Putnam General Hospital, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Pinnacle Credit Union, Bug House Pest Control, The Peoples Bank and Putnam County Charter School System.

Tuesday, Nov. 12: Legislative Breakfast from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. at The Plaza Arts Center located at 305 N. Madison Ave. in Eatonton. The Legislative Breakfast gives you the opportunity to meet with some of our state and federal elected officials or their representatives. Find out what they will be working on this session, ask questions and let them know what is important to the business people in Putnam County. The breakfast is $10 per person and includes a light breakfast. Legislative Breakfast is sponsored by AT&T, Putnam General Hospital, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Pinnacle Credit Union, Georgia Power Company, Smith Communications, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bug House Pest Control,The Peoples Bank and Putnam County Charter School System.

Tuesday, Nov. 12: Putnam Greene Young Professionals Sip n’ Bites Holiday Celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. at Crooked Pines Farm located at 355 Harmony Road in Eatonton. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PutnamGreeneYP. October 2013 / Page 2

Welcome!

New Chamber Member Gary Gerrard 219 Gilmer Street Lexington, GA 30648 (706) 296-5967

Leadership Putnam Nominations Are Open Are you interested in developing your leadership skills?

Are you a Leadership Putnam graduate that wants to share the same great experience you had with others? Nominations for the Leadership Putnam Class of 2014 are open and the Chamber is looking for great candidates.

Leadership Putnam provides instruction, information and assists citizens in developing their leadership skills and knowledge about our community. Students are selected through nominations of alumni and a nomination committee. Each class is diverse in age, race, gender and occupation.

Leadership Putnam will begin in January and will run approximately every Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. for 10 weeks. Also included in the schedule are three Saturday sessions and a weekend retreat. Throughout the program, participants will engage in a Myers-Briggs assessment, a tour of the community, a low and high ropes course at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, and various classes including Understanding Leadership, Socio-demographics, Valuing Community Diversity, Understanding Values, Conducting Successful Meetings, Effective Communications, Local Government, Group Dynamics, Economic Development and Building Communities Through Collaboration.

If you are interested in being nominated for Leadership Putnam, please contact the Chamber or a graduate from the program. Each nomination requires two signatures, with only one having to be a Leadership graduate.

Important Reminders for Your Business in October!

All Businesses Must Send Notice of Coverage

The Affordable Care Act requires employers who are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act to notify current employees about coverage options available through state and federal exchanges by October 1, 2013. Employers must notify all employees, regardless of plan enrollment status (if applicable) or whether they are part-time or full-time. For model notices, visit www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform.

For questions, contact your insurance broker.

Redesigned $100 Note Starts Circulation

The redesigned $100 note will begin circulating on Oct. 8, 2013. To see the security features in action, you can explore the interactive note by visiting www.newmoney.gov.

President Roddie Anne Blackwell attended the Governors Conference on Tourism Sept. 10-12 held in Stone Mountain.

The conference focused on tourism development and trends while also sharing best practices.

On Thursday, Sept. 5, a Company Culture Workshop was taught by Robert Betzel, Eatonton native, CEO of Infinity Network Solutions, and author of “The Company Culture Challenge” at Lake Point Community Church. Pictured, Rob Betzel talks with Susan Harper, The Peoples Bank, during the workshop.

On Wednesday, Sept. 19, Networking @ Noon was sponsored by Crooked Pines Farm at The Lodge on Lake Oconee and catered by At Your Service. Members enjoyed meeting new people with introductions and a game of Chamber trivia. Pictured, Duncan Criscoe, Crooked Pines Farm, and Melissa LeBrun, Z97, connect during the walking around part of Networking @ Noon.

The Pubic Relations Campaigns Class at Georgia College & State University has picked the Chamber as a client for the fall. The group is working to create a marketing campaign for the Chamber. The group will be reaching out to our membership for support and feedback and will also have an interactive booth at the Taste of Eatonton.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Coffee Connections was held at Spillin’ the Beans. The guest speaker was Darrell Oglesby, administrator for Putnam General Hospital. Pictured, Clayton Plane, Louie Herron Auto Sales, and Leslie Clark, Pinnacle Credit Union grab a coffee to go.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, PGYP held Sip n’ Bites at Amici Lake Oconee. Pinnacle Credit Union sponsored the food for the event. Pictured, Bryce McCuin, Jackie Greer and Jason Murray, PGYP volunteers, greet attendees as they arrive.

Insert a flyer in this newsletter for $50. Submit 350 copies and an electronic version.

October 2013 / Page 3

Switching your loan to Pinnacle Credit Union can save you money!

Bring in your monthly statement for your loan (auto, boat, RV, personal, or mortgage loan) and we will review it so you can see how we can help you save. n If you qualify for a loan and we can’t save you money, we’ll give you $25. n

Anyone who is a member or interested in becoming a member of Pinnacle Credit Union can take advantage of this offer during the month of October.

Switch to Save

(706) 485-2039 (800) 876-8887 www.pinnaclecu.org

Minimum loan balance of $5000. 0% auto loans are excluded from this offer. Copy of most recent loan statement(s) must be provided. Loan qualifying criteria must be met according to credit union policy. Loan must be closed at the credit union.

Pinnacle CU…Helping People Afford Life

The Chamber Corner, October 2013

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Eatonton, GA Permit No. 6

706-485-7701 | fax 706-485-3277 PO Box 4088 | 305 N. Madison Avenue Eatonton, GA 31024 Becky@eatonton.com www.eatontonchamber.com www.facebook.com/epchamber www.twitter.com/eatontonchamber

Chamber Staff: Roddie Anne Blackwell, President Becky Needham, Membership Manager Bonnie Simmons, Tourism Manager

Board of Directors: Lowell White, III, Chair Calvert & White Custom Homes Jay Gregory, Vice Chair Gregory Bridge Company Bryce McCuin, Treasurer Reynolds Plantation Eric Arena Putnam County Charter School System

2013 Chamber Champions!

Terri Camp Rock Eagle 4-H Center Duncan Criscoe Crooked Pines Farm Rita Daniel Eatonton Chiropractic Center Carrie Dietrich Central Georgia Technical College Brandy Huskins Huskins Law Firm LLC Wes Lewis Georgia Power Company Brett Mauldin MarbleWorks, Inc. Cynthia Wallace Real Estate Agent

Mission:

The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce is committed to the promotion, enhancement and unity of the business community, and is vested in the development of Eatonton-Putnam County as a premiere tourist destination.

Strategic Goals:

1. Support Business & Community 2. Support Tourism

Values:

Growth, Prosperity & Unity