July 2021 Business Magazine

J ul y2021

A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Nondiscriminatory in admissions, services and employment.

BUSINESS

VOL. XXXIV NO. 7 | JULY 2021

MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT Q&A:

LAKESHORE COMMUNITY SERVICES MARKS 35 YEARS

COLLABORATION KEEPS COMMUNITIES, WORKPLACES SAFE AND HEALTHY

NETWORKING AND MORE: SPECIAL COVERAGE OF MBA EVENTS, MEMBER HAPPENINGS

How you need it.

When you need it.

Where you need it.

Considered a leader in professional development and computer training for more than 25 years, the Manufacturer & Business Association offers you the ease and flexibility of onsite training for your group.

ONSITE CONVENIENCE: Nothing beats the convenience of training conducted at your facility. Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it.

CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to half-day programs, all of our courses can be tailored to address your organization’s specific needs.

FOCUSED INTERACTION: Facilitated by our training specialists, your employees’ experience is further enhanced through group discussion on key topic areas specific to your company’s work environment.

For more information about onsite training programs, contact Tracy Daggett, PHR, Manager of Professional Development Training Services at 800/815-2660, 814/833-3200 or visit mbausa.org.

FEATURES FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE

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Mission Unstoppable Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations pivoted to deliver critical programs and services.

COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

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AHN Saint Vincent and Highmark, Inc. Hospital and insurance representatives share how the organizations have worked collaboratively to keep our community and workplaces safe during the COVID crisis – and will continue to do so in the post-COVID era as well.

SPOTLIGHT Q&A | NOT-FOR-PROFIT

7 DEPARTMENTS

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BUSINESS BUZZ

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PEOPLE BUZZ

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HR CONNECTION

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HR Q&A

WHAT’S NEW

SPECIAL SECTION 21 NETWORKING AND MORE

EDITORIAL

Learn about some of the latest happenings at the MBA and its members in the region!

LEGAL BRIEF | LEADERSHIP

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AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS

READ ON THE GO! For the most current Business Magazine updates, visit mbabizmag.com

WORKPLACE TRENDS

GET ANSWERS

Contributing Writers Stacey Bruce Tracy Daggett Jezree Friend Lauren Holler

Feature Photography R. Frank Media

How to reduce risk and gain trust with a conflict-of-interest policy.

Lauren A. Holler

ON THE HILL | DEBATE

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Executive Editor Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org

Alan Benson, chief executive officer of Lakeshore Community Services, Inc. in Erie, Pennsylvania, discusses the mission and resources provided by LCS as it marks 35 years of operation in 2021.

The controversial filibuster: Why elimination would be shortsighted.

Jezree Friend

Advertising Sales Frank Mehler 814/833-3200 fmehler@mbausa.org

Additional Photography iStockphoto.com Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. printcon@erie.net

David Thornburg 814/833-3200 dthornburg@mbausa.org

On the Cover: AHN Saint Vincent, its Occupational Health Center, and Highmark have assisted area employers throughout the COVID pandemic. Shown here is the AHN Saint Vincent Mobile Medical Unit at Signal-Tech in Millcreek Township, with AHN Saint Vincent, Highmark, and Signal-Tech officials.

For full story, see page 4.

Mission Statement: The Manufacturer & Business

Association is dedicated to providing information and services to its members that will assist them in the pursuit of their business and community interests. – Board of Governors

Manufacturer & Business Association Headquarters: 2171 West 38th Street Erie, PA. 16508 Pittsburgh: 600 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 190 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 814/833-3200 |800/815-2660 | www.mbausa.org

© Copyright 2021 by the Manufacturer & Business Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial, pictorial or advertisements created for use in the Business Magazine, in any manner, without written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. The Business Magazine and Manufacturer & Business Association do not specifically endorse any of the products or practices described in the magazine. The Business Magazine is published monthly by the Manufacturer & Business Association, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie, Pa. 16508. Phone: 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660.

mbabizmag.com • JULY 2021

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Providing HOPE for Grieving Children and Families for 20 Years 814-871-6868 HighmarkCaringPlace.com

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JULY 2021 • mbabizmag.com

FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE

Mission Unstoppable

MANY ORGANIZATIONS PIVOTED TO DELIVER CRITICAL PROGRAMS, SERVICES DURING PANDEMIC

Over the past year, nonprofits and other businesses have dealt with waves of constant change and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. But, through it all, many have adjusted in order to provide critical programs and services to the communities they serve — and many have adopted these changes for the long haul.

According to a recent study published by CAF America, 97 percent of nonprofits affirmed the need to innovate in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The study surveyed 805 nonprofit organizations, 57.76 percent of which had between one and 20 employees.

According to the report, the pandemic prompted 71 percent of respondents to shift their organizational strategies to include new services or programs.

Most often, organizational strategies have been adapted during the pandemic out of necessity; however, many of these innovations proved to be successful and will remain in place permanently. Online programming is the most common at 61 percent.

Over half of respondents plan to continue their new service offerings and fundraising strategies. Partnership building is also notable, as 40 percent of respondents indicated it as a new

practice that will be sustained into the future.

and vaccinations, to keep the region and its employer safe and healthy.

Given the staying power respondents have displayed through the pandemic, over 64 percent feel confident in their ability to operate indefinitely under current conditions. In anticipation of future crises, nearly 57 percent of respondents are confident they can successfully confront whatever comes next.

We’ll also hear from organizations such as Lakeshore Community Services, which will mark 35 years in 2021, and also found ways to navigate through the pandemic in order to serve its clients.

In this issue of the MBA Business Magazine, we’ll highlight the many ways that nonprofit, not-for-profit and other organizations have provided support to the community throughout the past year. For instance, AHN Saint Vincent and Highmark, Inc. contributed numerous COVID-19 resources, from personal protection equipment, testing

The Manufacturer & Business Association is proud to have a strong nonprofit presence as part of its membership. Check out this month’s issue, which showcases many of them!

GIVE BACK!

mbabizmag.com • JULY 2021

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COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE Highmark and AHN Saint Vincent worked with community partners to reach out to minority and inner-city residents to hold COVID-19 testing and, later, vaccine clinics. Shown here is the CommunityAccessible Testing and Education (CATE) unit, along with Highmark and AHN representatives, government officials and CATE staff.

Collaboration Keeps Communities, Workplaces Safe and Healthy More than a year after COVID-19 erupted around the world, the United States is starting to experience some semblance of normalcy as restrictions are lifted and vaccination numbers rise.

Among the organizations that have worked tirelessly to keep our community and workplaces safe is Erie’s AHN Saint Vincent Hospital — part of the Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health — and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The hospital and insurer have a long history of dedication to providing high-quality health care in the region, and their collaboration on pandemic-related initiatives reinforces this mission. From education, testing and treatment, to donations and vaccinations, the two organizations have been critical to both response and recovery efforts, especially in the areas of population and occupational health.

Chris Clark, D.O, MHA, president of AHN Saint Vincent, and James Teed, vice president of Regional Markets for Highmark, are proud of what their organizations have accomplished in a year fraught with uncertainty, and have been thankful for the overwhelming support they’ve have received so far.

“I can’t tell you the countless number of letters, phone calls, and texts I have received,” Clark says. “I’m grateful for the community stepping up and recognizing our team, especially those on the front lines who were actively involved in taking care of our patients.”

Taking Action: From Testing to Treatment and Prevention

Early on, AHN Saint Vincent’s medical professionals provided vital guidance on mitigation efforts and how to identify COVID-19 symptoms. As demand grew, the hospital quickly provided essential staffing for testing sites that included AHN’s West Side Pavilion, AHN Saint Vincent Hospital and its Emergency Department, and a special testing site at the Martin Luther King Center through a partnership with the Erie County Health Department.

“The testing sites were extremely busy,” Clark says, noting that more than 16,000 COVID tests have been administered to date.

AHN Saint Vincent Hospital reacted quickly to prepare safe, isolated, negative air-flow spaces to treat over a thousand inpatients, both critical and

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JULY 2021 • mbabizmag.com

non-critical, for COVID to date. At the height of the surge locally, the hospital reported an average of 54 hospitalizations a day in December with a peak of 74 during November to early January.

Since the COVID vaccine became available, AHN Saint Vincent has administered 57,000 doses of vaccine, from a hospital-based clinic site to mobile clinics at neighborhood centers, churches, rural communities, schools, a mass vaccine site at Erie Insurance Arena, and even a clinic aboard a cargo ship docked in Erie’s port.

According to Nina Ferraro, manager of Community Affairs for Highmark Health, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield also worked with community organizations. In February and March, Highmark partnered with the Booker T. Washington Center to host vaccination clinics for 742 minority and inner city seniors and individuals. In April, 100 immigrants and refugees were vaccinated at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital.

That outreach continued through various social service organizations to facilitate the scheduling of vaccinations to another 175 city and minority residents. Among these partners were SafeNet, Mercy Center for Women, Multicultural Community Resource Center, Erie United Methodist Alliance, Inc., International Institute USCRI - Erie, St. Martin’s Center, Shiloh Baptist Church, City Mission and the Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Network.

“We know the vaccines are safe and effective, and we’re seeing significantly lower hospitalizations, so we know they’re working,” Clark says.

Clark and his team are committed to reducing that number even further through continued education and vaccination efforts that will help lower transmission rates and reach herd immunity. He encourages employers to support education efforts and to think creatively to incentivize employees to get vaccinated — i.e., recognition, paid time off or gift cards, as other businesses have done. “I’m not endorsing any particular method, but I would just encourage positive reinforcement to get people vaccinated,” he says.

“Every little bit helps.”

AHN Saint Vincent Manager of Occupational Health Maria Meeker, RN, vaccinates an employee at Plastek, while Highmark’s Jim Teed and the plant manager look on.

Highmark Health and AHN Saint Vincent brought the vaccine to the people at numerous rural, school, company, and inner-city clinics like this mass clinic where 2,000 were vaccinated at Erie Insurance Arena.

AHN Saint Vincent President Chris Clark, D.O., MHA, and Chief Nursing Officer Sallie Piazza, RN, speak to a patient who just received vaccine at a special inner-city clinic at Erie’s Booker T. Washington Center.

community quarantined individuals who needed food assistance, providing more than 300 deliveries since April 2020. Highmark also gave $75,000 in 2020 to Second Harvest Food Bank to help provide food to individuals that experience food insecurity in NWPA.

Good Deeds

Highmark, for one, has made significant contributions to keep COVID numbers down. In the wake of a nationwide shortage of personal protection equipment, the insurer committed to donating more than 1.3 million face masks across its footprint.

Before the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Highmark donated personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to school districts in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. Supplies were provided for each student and staff member for over 500 school districts in the communities Highmark serves.

Face masks also were donated to members, employer groups and healthcare professionals, including emergency medical staff (EMS). At-risk and vulnerable members, including Medicare and Affordable Care Act members, were sent free masks in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware. In the fall, community organizations in need across the regions Highmark serves also received a donation of face masks. More than 100,000 face masks were donated to 145 community organizations in total.

“EMS workers are the first on the scene, often providing initial care to COVID-19 patients or those suspected of having COVID, and we were so pleased to be able to distribute 40,000 masks and supplies of various PPE to so many of the EMS companies in the region,” says Teed. “And make no mistake about it, many others — from factory workers to classroom teachers — were also at risk, and we wanted to do everything we could to help protect them.”

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield also was integral in The Erie Community Foundation’s COVID Relief Emergency Fund to support area nonprofits. “The organizations were struggling and their consumers were struggling, so the community came together, and we were proud to be a leader in that way by donating $50,000 to the COVID relief Fund,” Teed says.

A major boost to relief efforts has been the COVID Food Box Delivery Program. In connection with the Second Harvest food Bank and Department of Health, food boxes were delivered to patient homes, along with

“EMS workers are the first on the scene, often providing initial care to COVID-19 patients or those suspected of having COVID, and we were so pleased to be able to distribute PPE to so many of the EMS companies. And make no mistake about it, many others – from factory workers to classroom teachers – were also at risk, and we wanted to do everything we could to help protect them.”

- Jim Teed, Highmark, Inc.

“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has been extremely active in supporting the northwest Pennsylvania community for more than 70 years and was so proud to be able to provide financial assistance to the community’s emergency fund and to help those in need of food through the Second Harvest Food Bank during these challenging times,” says Teed. “Being there for our members and the communities we serve is at the heart of all we do.”

Bringing Vital Support Directly to Manufacturers and Businesses

Maria Meeker, RN, manager of AHN Saint Vincent Occupational Health, is equally proud of the COVID-related support her team has provided to area businesses. Over the past year, AHN Saint Vincent’s Occupational Health team conducted temp checks, tests, fit testing for N95 masks, safety and return-to-work consultations, and most recently, onsite vaccinations with its Mobile Medical Unit.

“Time after time, we have seen that workers who have been eligible for the vaccine for some time but have not signed up for it, are there standing in line at our clinic, because we brought the vaccine to them,” she says. “This is what needs to happen to get back to living the life that we had before, so we want to encourage employers to schedule onsite clinics. We’ll take the bus anywhere, so give us a call.”

Meeker said companies can schedule clinics by calling 814/452-7879.

The team also provides valuable educational programs, prevention tools and screenings. During COVID, this was even more critical at a time when many people may have overlooked their year checkups.

Signal-Tech, a manufacturer of innovative LED signage and system solutions located in Millcreek Township, for one, has a longstanding relationship with AHN Saint Vincent and Highmark that has helped keep its team healthy and productive at this critical time. In early fall, the company worked with AHN’s Mobile Unit to host a modified, socially distanced health fair with biometric screenings and flu shots when vaccines weren’t yet available.

According to Signal-Tech HR Manager Stacy Wingerter, more than half of Signal Tech’s 50 employees participated in the Mobile Unit event. “It was very convenient, and everything was scheduled online, so it was just seamless,” she says.

Tim Lewis, president of Signal-Tech, said AHN and Highmark’s support have been invaluable to his team, especially in the COVID year. “If our employees aren’t here, it hurts our production needs,” he says. “Our No. 1 mission is to have a healthy workforce.”

According to Clark, it’s this type of support that AHN Saint Vincent and Highmark plan to continue well into post-COVID era for employers of all sizes and industries.

“This pandemic has only fueled the opportunities to provide education and consultation to area companies, and we want to continue to forge those relationships going forward,” he says.

For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

Highmark donated valuable personal protection equipment (PPE) to emergency medical staff.

For more information, visit erie.ahn.org.

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Independence.

IT’S AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO.

At Lakeshore Community Services we are dedicated to providing support that helps those facing life with intellectual disabilities and persistent mental health issues live life to the fullest. No matter how difficult the challenge, LCS is committed to listening and seeking solutions that empower people to reach for their dreams and achieve their own independence.

Would you consider a gift to the Lakeshore Annual Appeal: We See the Amazing in Everyone this year? Your gift will go directly to enhance the lives of the many people we serve. To read their stories or to donate please visit: Weseetheamazing.org

SPOTLIGHT Q&A| NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Lakeshore Community Services Marks 35 Years of Operation Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations play a vital role in our region by providing critical services that contribute to economic stability and strengthen our community in many ways. Here, Alan Benson, chief executive officer of Lakeshore Community Services, Inc. in Erie, Pennsylvania, discusses the mission and resources provided by LCS as it marks 35 years of operation in 2021.

This December marks a major anniversary for Lakeshore Community Services, Inc. Tell us how the agency got its start.

Lakeshore Community Services was created in December 1986 to provide residential services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Since that time, the agency has grown extensively to provide a wide variety of comprehensive services for over 700 individuals in Erie, Warren, McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties. Programs include Residential Community Homes, Lifesharing, Supported Living, Blended Case Management, Mobile Medication Monitoring, as well as Life Skills, Adult Training and Community Day Programs.

We are constantly looking for innovative ways to improve and broaden our services so we partnered with Genoa Pharmacy to provide full pharmacy services in our main office in Erie.

Describe the agency’s mission today.

The mission of Lakeshore Community Services, Inc., is to enhance the ability of persons with mental and physical disabilities to live as independently as possible through the acquisition of skills and utilization of services that promote each individual’s self-direction, personal worth and value. This mission’s concept has not changed since our inception.

Our leadership team is dedicated to compassion-oriented services that allow the people we serve and the staff who work for us to reach for and achieve their personal dreams and aspirations. This is facilitated through the implementation of exemplary quality care and competent fiscal responsibility.

What makes LCS and its team so unique?

As CEO, I am forever amazed at the commitment of all of LCS staff to go the extra mile. Independence is at the heart of our mission and our staff take that mission very seriously. We have a culture of caring here at LCS and, I know everyone says this, but we truly have a family here. Many of our staff have been with us 20-plus years. They care about one another and, in turn, they care deeply about the people we serve.

Additionally, all of our programmatic executive- and director-level positions started out in first-line positions in their respective fields. This really allows for informed and compassionate management and care.

How has your organization been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what is the agency’s outlook for the coming year?

Like most not-for-profits, we were hit hard. However, we were committed

to continuity of care and ensuring the health and safety of our consumers, staff and their respective families was paramount. We acquired PPE and established implementation guidelines as well as temperature checks and sanitation mitigation practices before the CDC and state required them.

We worked night and day to secure thermometers and other difficult to find supplies; in fact, we helped supply other agencies locally and across the state with these rare commodities.

As soon as a vaccine was available, we applied the same diligence, and LCS was the first agency of our kind to host vaccine clinics for our consumers and staff. Very importantly, our staff came up with dozens of creative ways to keep people engaged and calm during the required restrictions. Activities like online yoga, cooking challenges and art contests helped ensure quality of life was impacted minimally. Our dedicated staff has been tireless in mitigating the changing landscape of this pandemic, ensuring the physical health and emotional well-being of the people we serve day in and day out.

For more information, visit www.lakeshorecs.org.

mbabizmag.com • JULY 2021

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Call: (814) 870-7600 or visit: macdonaldillig.com MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP 100 State St. Suite 700, Erie, PA 16507

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LEGAL BRIEF | LEADERSHIP

Reducing Risk and Gaining Trust With a Conflict-of-Interest Policy

charitable purposes is at odds with their own financial interests. Notably, conflicts are not illegal in and of themselves.

Rather, conflicts create situations that need careful attention and a process for handling them appropriately.

Lauren A. Holler is an associate at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP. She is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment, Litigation, Business Transactions, Government Services, Education, and Charitable & Nonprofit Organizations Practice Groups.

Charitable and nonprofit organizations must manage ethical challenges to maintain public confidence in their mission and work. In recent years, that trust has been eroding. One of the often cited reasons donors say they will not give is because of a lack of confidence in the nonprofit sector. Implementing the right policies can help change that perception, starting with a conflict-of-interest policy.

Here, we’ll discuss the legal and practical considerations each nonprofit should take into account when crafting a conflictof-interest policy to reduce risk and gain public trust.

Importance of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy For risk management purposes, nonprofits must comply with ethical standards. A failure to follow ethical

governance not only harms a nonprofit’s reputation, but it may also increase its legal risks.

For instance, without a conflict-of-interest policy a nonprofit may inadvertently enter into a transaction with an interested board member or executive, which can lead to public scrutiny and even the loss of the organization’s tax-exempt status.

While it is not required, the Internal Revenue Service encourages nonprofits to adopt a conflict-of-interest policy by asking on Form 990: a) whether the nonprofit has a written policy, b) whether officers, directors and key employees are required to annually disclose interests that could give rise to conflicts, and c) how the nonprofit regularly and consistently monitors and enforces its policy. Thus, a conflict-of-interest policy is one of the most important policies for a nonprofit organization.

Defining Conflict of Interest A conflict of interest exists in any situation in which a person has a personal interest that influences or is sufficient to appear to influence the objective exercise of his or her duties as, say, an employee, an executive or board member. A conflict typically occurs where an individual’s obligation to further the nonprofit’s

Elements of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy The essence of most conflict-of-interest policies is a disclosure procedure, where the director, officer or employee of the nonprofit discloses that he or she, or any related individual or entity, has an actual or perceived conflict. If such an interest exists, the interested party does not participate in the decision-making process. At minimum, a conflict-of-interest policy should do the following: • State the policy’s purpose; • Define conflict of interest; • Describe the duty to disclose conflicts; • Identify the persons who must disclose; • Describe the procedure for disclosing conflicts; and • Describe board procedures for addressing conflicts.

Practical Tips Although the focus is primarily on financial interests, nonprofits contend with a variety of potential and perceived conflicts of interest daily. For example, board members might be involved in various activities in the community, and these affiliations are likely to collide at times. Moreover, not all conflicts are detrimental and sometimes are even unavoidable. Thus, it can even be useful to include examples of conflicts that are organization-specific in a policy.

The key for nonprofits is not to try to avoid all possible conflicts. Rather, nonprofits need to establish and follow a process for handling conflict-of-interest situations effectively to reduce risks and gain public trust. Ultimately, having a policy in place will allow a nonprofit to focus more time and energy on fulfilling its charitable purpose.

For further questions about legal matters regarding charitable and nonprofit organizations, contact Attorney Lauren A. Holler at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP at 874/870-7605 or lholler@mijb.com. mbabizmag.com • JULY 2021

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BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW COUNTRY FAIR ‘CHARITY PUMPS’ RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS

Country Fair’s 2021 charity fundraising campaign is under way.

Country Fair’s leadership selected five nonprofit organizations to become Country Fair Cares (CFC) partners in 2021 including: the Erie Humane Society, Autism Society of NWPA, Mental Health Association of NWPA, Presque Isle Partnership and Asbury Woods. Country Fair is committing a pooled fund with a minimum of $50,000, with each CFC partner receiving a minimum of $10,000. These funds will be tracked through the Country Fair “Charity Pumps.”

All Erie County Country Fair locations will have at least one pump designated as the “CFC Charity Pump.” Customers will recognize these pumps as they will be decorated much differently than the other pumps. From May 1 through October 31, 2021, two cents per gallon from the charity pumps will be allocated to the CFC program.

“This is an exciting program that Country Fair has grown over the past two years. The community has been so good to us over the past 56 years that we wanted to give back even more to them,” said Paul Rankin, vice president of Country Fair, headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Country Fair is giving back through its Country Fair Cares program, which was created in 2019, to assist 501c-3 nonprofit organizations with a pooled funding formula. The funds are tracked through Country Fair “Charity Pumps.”

The Country Fair Cares program was created in 2019 to assist 501c-3 nonprofit organizations with a pooled funding formula. Last year, CFC raised $142,277 on behalf of five local nonprofits. The Mercy Center for Women, Erie Philharmonic,

NAMI, St. Martin Center and Erie Animal Network each received $28,455.40. The program has increased each year.

For more information, visit www.countryfairstores.com.

HELP MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE With your gift during Erie Gives, you are helping:

6,200

131

Children and adults served annually

240 Students in the Elizabeth Lee Black School from 24 area school districts

Children and adults attending summer camps

310

81

Adults at 95 group homes across PA

Adults being coached for jobs in the community

Your gift will make a difference in someone’s life.

Thank you for your support!

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JULY 2021 • mbabizmag.com

PEOPLE BUZZ | AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS KNOX’S WACHTER NAMED TO LIST OF NORTHEAST TRAILBLAZERS

MACDONALD ILLIG ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNER, RECOGNITIONS

The law firm of MacDonald,Illig,Jones & Britton, LLP recently announced that Attorney Mark Kuhar has joined the firm as a partner.

Kuhar is an experienced, responsive attorney who has focused on labor and employment law and litigation his entire career. He routinely assists employers in establishing and maintaining employment policies, conducting workplace investigations, negotiating employment contracts and severance agreements, conducting engagement surveys, and training supervisors and other employees.

He also negotiates collective bargaining agreement matters with unions on behalf of employers.

Kuhar received his Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Gannon University. He is a member of the Firm’s Labor & Employment, Litigation, Education, Business Transactions, Government Services, and Manufacturing practice groups.

MacDonald Illig also announced that partners W. Patrick Delaney, Nicholas Pagliari, Lisa Smith Presta, and Roger H. Taft have been selected as 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Only 5 percent of attorneys in Pennsylvania are chosen to receive this distinction. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Delaney is a trial lawyer and has experience litigating a wide variety of matters, from shareholder disputes to personal injury. In general, the focus of his practice is commercial litigation. Delaney has litigated disputes in the federal and state courts throughout Pennsylvania and in various other jurisdictions. He has also handled numerous complex commercial disputes before arbitration tribunals, including panels convened through the American Arbitration Association and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Pagliari is chair of MacDonald Illig’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. His practice is concentrated in the areas of corporate restructuring and bankruptcy, bankruptcy related litigation and collection matters. He primarily represents corporate debtors, secured creditors, chapter 7 and chapter 11 trustees, and other entities involved in bankruptcy proceedings. He is currently serving as the president of the Erie County Bar Association.

Presta is a trial lawyer and chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. She handles complex, multi-party litigation, including breach of contract matters, fiduciary disputes, and the defense of employment claims and professional liability cases. She regularly appears in federal and state court, before administrative agencies, and in arbitration tribunals.

ERIE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

He regularly advises businesses and stakeholders regarding Opportunity Zone investments and was recently named to the The Legal Intelligencer’s 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers List and the 2020 Top 25 Attorney Influencers by Opportunity Zones Magazine.

As a member of the Governmental, Public Finance & Bonds and Business & Tax Practice Groups, and as lead for Knox Law Public Strategies, Wachter regularly advises governmental, business and nonprofit clients on highly complex legal, regulatory and public policy related matters. He also regularly provides counsel on matters related to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law to dozens of agencies throughout Western Pennsylvania.

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In addition, MacDonald Illig announced that associate Jamie Schumacher has been selected to the 2021 Pennsylvania Rising Stars list. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP is one of the largest law firms in northwest Pennsylvania.

Attorney Wachter is recognized for his role as a thought leader in the area of Qualified Opportunity Zone Development, and specifically for his work creating the Flagship Opportunity Zone Development Co. and attracting national and federal funding to Erie.

The American Lawyer is a monthly legal magazine and website published by ALM Media.

Taft is a principal trial lawyer at MacDonald Illig whose practice is focused on employment litigation, including employment discrimination and wrongful discharge cases, and complex commercial litigation. He represents clients in federal and state courts throughout Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, as well as in federal courts throughout the United States.

Schumacher is a litigator who concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial litigation, employment litigation, estate litigation, medical malpractice and insurance defense, and municipal/ordinance enforcement. Schumacher is admitted to practice law in both the federal and state courts in Pennsylvania, and she has been admitted pro hac vice in multiple other jurisdictions.

Timothy S. Wachter, a shareholder at Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., has been included in the inaugural list of The American Lawyer’s Northeast Trailblazers. The goal was to “recognize professionals who have moved the needle in the legal industry.”

1069 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009 Direct 724.371.2001 // TF 844.545.2259 spanosgroup@raymondjames.com // spanosgrp.com © 2020 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange / SIPC.

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ON THE HILL | DEBATE

The Controversial Filibuster Elimination Would Be Shortsighted

Jezree Friend is the director of Public Affairs at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

Contact him at 814/8333200, 800/815-2660 or jfriend@mbausa.org.

As political priorities shift, a focus to end the U.S. Senate filibuster has made its way to the top. A filibuster is a procedure where one or several members of the U.S. Senate debate over legislation with the intention to delay or prevent a vote of passage on a bill. The U.S. Senate cloture rule requires 60 members to end debate to move to a vote. With the U.S. Senate in a political 50-50 tie with the vice president playing tiebreaker, the 10 votes needed to put a proposal to a vote is a steep climb.

The filibuster first emerged in 1806, and leaders from both parties sought, but failed, to ban it since that time. Ironically, the opposition would filibuster the motion to ban the filibuster.

The motivation to eliminate a filibuster would be to allow a party in control of both houses of Congress and the presidency to push their political agenda without concessions to the minority party. Its existence serves as an important political check and forces the need for widespread public support to pass policy.

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A senator may engage in a filibuster by refusing to yield during debate if they continue to speak. Filibusters have included readings from Dr. Seuss, cookbooks and the phone book – remember those? Notably, the record for the longest filibuster goes to Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who in 1957 spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes.

There are exceptions to the necessity of a cloture motion which includes nominations to executive branch positions, federal judgeships, legislation which has previously been written into law, and the budget reconciliation process which approves bills addressing entitlement spending and revenue provisions.

There are two ways the filibuster can be permanently ended. The first would be to end the cloture rule, but that requires support from two-thirds of the members and would paradoxically be filibustered.

The second is referred to as the “nuclear option,” which is used to create new Senate precedent and only needs a simple majority. This process was recently implemented in 2013 and 2017 to reduce the number of votes needed to end debate on nominations.

Supporters of eliminating the filibuster could also move to weaken it by banning its use on specific motions but, ultimately, would leave the 60vote rule intact. Another tactic would be to target the “Byrd Rule” to make it

easier to include more proposals into a reconciliation bill.

After this recent public relations blitz to convince Americans the process is obsolete, the decision rests with individual senators. Even with necessary control in both houses of Congress, as we saw in 2016 with the Republicans and now with the Democrats, it is easier said than done. Sufficient motivation would require a strong issue that unites the majority party enough to justify an outright filibuster ban.

Should such an issue arise to warrant its removal after all these years, with it would include a senator’s ability to use its role as a political tool. Often, senators use it to blame opposition for inaction they are unwilling to back that are popular with some, but not all, within their own party. Think about mixed support on controversial proposals like the Green New Deal.

Lastly, filibuster removal exposes senators to the risk of a Senate, which will likely shift control in the near future.

As political majorities traditionally switch every few years, pressure to eliminate a filibuster seems shortsighted. Now, imagine if elected leaders in Washington, D.C. gave this much time and effort on those things which bring us together and move our country forward?

To learn more, visit the Government Affairs page on www.mbausa.org or contact us at 814/833-3200.

United Way of Erie County United Way of Erie County United Way of Erie County 650 East Avenue, Suite 200 Erie, PA 16503 Phone: 814/456-2937 www.UnitedWayErie.org

Living United Leads to Successful Students and Thriving Families

CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

United Way of Erie County is a local social impact organization on a mission to crush poverty in our community. We envision a collaborative community where all students succeed and all families thrive. That’s LIVING UNITED. Poverty is a complex social issue and will take significant effort to crush, but by leveraging resources smartly and working differently, equity can be realized and the insidious cycle of poverty in Erie County will be broken.

United Way is investing in leveling the playing field for low-income children and their families who face barriers to success.

Simply put, breaking the cycle of poverty means breaking down these barriers.

We believe all children should have equal opportunity to receive a quality education!

investment in the future workforce of our community.

To directly address the root causes of generational poverty, United Way brought the community schools model to Erie County in 2016. When a traditional public school is transformed into a community school, an entire culture shift takes place and resources are brought into the school building that address the specific barriers preventing students from being successful.

A community school becomes a hub, rich with resources for students and their families. Community schools represent a strategy, not a program.

There are currently 10 community schools serving more than 6,000 students and their families throughout Erie County in the Girard School District, Iroquois School District and Erie’s Public Schools.

What is a community school corporate partner?

Corporate Partners fund the Community School Directors (CSD), a critically important position. CSDs are employed by United Way (not the school district) but embedded in their respective community school, becoming the “co-pilot” to the principal and school team. Many Corporate Partners also offer valuable in-kind support in additional to their financial support. They understand this is not only an investment in our most precious human capital, but also a strategic

United Way simply could not carry out our mission of crushing poverty without dedicated corporate partners investing in this work.

To learn more and become a United Way community school corporate partner, please contact: Laurie B. Root, senior vice president at 814/456-2937 Ext. 223 or laurie@unitedwayerie.org.

Community School Corporate Partners • Accudyn Products, Inc. • American Tinning & Galvanizing • Bonnell’s Auto Group • Custom Engineering • Erie Insurance • Eriez Magnetics • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield • Lincoln Recycling • Matrix Tool, Inc. • McInnes Rolled Rings • Parker Lord • Reddog Industries, Inc. • Reed Manufacturing Company • Smith Provision Company, Inc. • Team Hardinger Transportation Company • TechnipFMC • Wabtec Corporation • Widget Financial • Women United for Community Schools

Special thanks to American Tinning & Galvanizing for making this profile possible.

mbabizmag.com • JULY 2021

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Concerned about your financial plans? Need a second opinion?

Whether you’re just starting, building your financial assets, or a long-time investor, Erie Advisors, located at Erie Federal Credit Union, will listen to your goals, offer objective advice, establish a plan for you and closely monitor your investments.

To learn more, call or contact Erie Advisors online at

www.eriefcu.org to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Chuck Molloy Financial Advisor

Dave Garres Financial Advisor

(814) 897-2500

•

3503 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16508

*Representatives are registered, securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/ SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, which is not an affiliate of the credit union. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/NCUSIF/ FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution. CBSI is a registered broker/dealer in all fifty states of the United States of America. The representative may also be a financial institution employee that accepts deposits on behalf of the financial institution.

FR-3447164.1-0221-0323

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With support from people like you, L'Arche Erie continues to boldly live our mission in a new and changing reality.

We discover ways to keep rowing together and to move our boat forward against the current.

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HR CONNECTION | WORKPLACE TRENDS SURVEY REVEALS TRENDS IN WORKPLACE GIVING

Younger U.S. professionals were more likely to give via workplace giving programs and significantly more likely to support racial and social equity causes than older professionals, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 working professionals who donated in the last year from professional services firm Deloitte.

Nearly six in 10 (58 percent) young professionals aged 18-34 gave through a workplace program in 2020, compared to 37 percent of all professional donors. When asked how the COVID-19 pandemic and its recession impacted their workplace giving, 35 percent of young professionals said they increased their donations, compared to 28 percent of all professionals.

MBA’s Supervisors Roundtable Focuses on Value of Networking

Gen Z and Millennial professionals supported racial and social equity significantly more than older professionals — with 36 percent of those 18-34 donating to the cause, compared to 12 percent of professionals aged 55 and above.

Have you ever wondered about why networking for supervisors is so important? Or which networks — in person or virtual — are important to you as a manager? Some people feel networking is considered an indulgence (i.e., chatting when you could be achieving more important things). However, effective networking marks the difference between strong leaders and merely good managers. It is also important to remember that networking is work. You can make great professional, personal organizational and social progress by leading with good networking.

The Manufacturer & Business Association has seen the benefits of supervisor networking in several key professional development areas, such as: • Identifying trends and spot opportunities • Tapping into a diverse pool of leadership experience • Helping to avoid “groupthink” • Generating innovative ideas Networks matter in both career and leadership transitions. They can provide access to unique information; access to diverse skill sets; more comprehensive, unbiased and creative views, opinions and ideas; and, ultimately, more power to you as a leader in your organization.

That is why the MBA training department has created a new monthly “Supervisors Roundtable” for graduates of its Certified Supervisory Skills Series to help them develop networking skills and leverage existing supervisor networks. It is an opportunity to join a monthly discussion group to continue building on the program’s leadership principles including communication, motivation, discipline, fairness, respect and more!

Overall, the top social causes to which professionals donated through a workplace giving program in 2020 were: • • • •

Hunger and homelessness (47 percent); Education (23 percent); Social and racial equity (20 percent); and, Specific COVID-19 relief efforts (19 percent).

REPORT: NONPROFIT SECTOR JOBS UP, BUT SLOWED

Nonprofits have recovered roughly half of the jobs lost since the start of the pandemic. But just like the overall national numbers, nonprofit job growth slowed down in April after a major rebound in March, including declines in education and health care.

According to the Center for Civil Society Studies (CCSS) at Johns Hopkins University, at the time of the report, the nonprofit sector was still on pace to return to pre-pandemic levels of employment in almost 18 months (17.7). Arts and entertainment has the longest road to recovery at 18.3 months, one of three subsectors expected to take longer than a year: religious, grant-making, civic, and professional, 13.4 months; and health care, 13.2 months.

For more information or to register, visit www.mbausa.org.

Tracy Daggett, PHR, is the manager of Professional Development Training Services at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

Contact him at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or tdaggett@mbausa.org.

INNOVATION IN WATER MANAGEMENT Offering a full range of innovative water management treatments, ProChemTech can create the perfect water treatment system for your unique facility.

CONTACT US

Visit our website to learn more.

We are your local Pennsylvania-based water treatment experts.

P: 814-265-0959 | E: Prochem@Prochemtech.com | W: prochemtech.com

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HR Q&A | GET ANSWERS AM I REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PAID SICK LEAVE TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE THEY HAVE COVID-19 OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO OR ARE CARING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WITH COVID? Currently, federal law generally does not require employers to provide paid leave to employees who are absent from work because they are sick with COVID-19, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are caring for someone with COVID-19.

Under Executive Order 13706, some federal contractors may be required to provide such leave to employees under certain circumstances, such as if the employee or a family member is sick with COVID-19 or seeking care related to COVID-19. Certain state or local laws may have different requirements, which employers must also consider when determining their obligation to provide paid sick leave.

If the leave qualifies as FMLA-protected leave, the employee may elect, or the employer may require the employee, to substitute accrued paid sick and paid vacation/personal leave for unpaid FMLA leave in some circumstances. Substitute in this case means the accrued paid leave runs concurrently with unpaid FMLA leave. Employers should encourage employees who are ill with COVID-19 to stay home and should consider flexible leave policies for their employees.

Employers are not required to provide employees with FFCRA leave after Dec. 31, 2020, but employers who choose to provide such leave between Jan. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2021 may be eligible for employer tax credits.

EEOC Opens EEO-1 Reporting Portal for 2019 and 2020 Data The portal for private-sector employers to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 2020 is now open, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced. The deadline for submissions is July 19, 2021. This data collection was previously delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EEO-1 Reporting Background Mandated under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the EEO-1 Report is an annual survey that requires certain employers to submit information about their workforces by race or ethnicity, gender and job category by March 31 every year. The EEOC uses the collected data to enforce Title VII’s prohibitions against employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin or sex.

If you need home health or hospice care, ask for us by name!

With more than 100 years of service in the Erie area, Community Nursing Services of North East works with your physician to provide a broad range of in-home health services and hospice care. Our goal is to improve the quality of life, optimize community health and enable people to remain in their homes and community.

Please support us on Erie Gives Day, Tuesday, August 10, 2021.

Zip codes where service is provided:

Erie County 16407, 16413, 16421, 16428, 16438, 16441, 16442, 16511, 16510 Crawford County 16403, 16434 Warren County 16340, 16350, 16371, 16402, 16405, 16416, 16420, 16436

7 Park Street • North East, PA 16428 (814) 725-4300 or (814) 664-7572 northeastnurses.com

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Employers Subject to EEO-1 Reporting In general, a private-sector employer is subject to EEO-1 reporting if it: • Has 100 or more employees; • Has 15-99 employees and is part of a group of employers with 100 or more employees; or • Is a federal contractor with 50 or more employees and a contract of $50,000 or more Employer Takeaway Employers should review EEO-1 reporting requirements. Those subject to reporting requirements should begin submitting 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 data in the EEO-1 portal and ensure that they complete these submissions

by July 19, 2021.

These employers should also review the EEOC’s www.eeoc.gov and EEOCdata.org for additional information.

Contact the MBA HR & Legal Hotline at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660 for more resources.

Stacey Bruce, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the director of Human Resources at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or sbruce@mbausa.org.

YMCA of Greater Erie Corporate Office: 31 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501 814/452-1432 www.ymcaerie.org

CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

At 160 Years, the Y is Here for Good Very few organizations, for profit or nonprofit, are able to be relevant, nimble, connected and valued for 160 years as the YMCA of Greater Erie. From establishing Erie County’s first library to creating a program with aim to mainstream juveniles and working alongside law makers to develop legislation to fund after-school childcare, the Y has been here for good.

Its mission remains unchanged: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

When young men migrated to urban centers from family farms looking for work, they relied on the Y for language education and job skills. When GIs got of their ships after WWII, young soldiers came to the Y as their “home away from home.” With the baby boom, families turned to the Y for childcare and family programs.

Over the years, the Y has been a leader in offering camping, swimming, basketball, night school, English as second language classes, the USO, Youth and Government, and hundreds of other important elements

of the American lifestyle — the Y is woven into the fabric of Erie County and the nation.

In early 2020, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic took the lives of thousands and infected thousands more. For an organization like the Y, one whose strength is founded in bringing people together, COVID-19 prompted the Y to quickly pivot operations and move into response mode adapting services and programs to continue serving the community during this health and economic crisis.

support children learning in a virtual and/or hybrid model.

Within just 48 hours of the governor’s stay-at-home order, the Y applied for and received an exemption waiver to offer the “essential” workforce childcare service and support families with free meals for children.

The Y moved health and well-being classes to online communities and created connections when it was necessary to be apart.

As the pandemic lingered into the school year, the Y evolved its Before & After School program into full-day remote learning to

Food insecurity for children persists, and the Y is one of the only local nonprofits to continue its feeding program and supplement school meal distribution.

There’s a bright future ahead, but the only way to get there is to evolve and adapt. Over the past 160 years, the Y has proven that by bringing together the best know-how, best people, best programs and best practices, it can reinvent itself to remain relevant and responsive to the community.

The Y’s 2019-2023 strategic plan fluidly outlines a futuristic pathway that is adaptable even in light of the current health and economic environment. The Y’s approach is nimble and rooted in financial strength to increase impact and preserve the Y for future generations. Major initiatives include: childcare and education, childhood hunger relief, chronic disease prevention programs, facilities, technology and staff.

But the Y can’t do it alone — it needs you!

To deepen your involvement in the community through the Y, contact Tammy Roche at 814/452-1432 Ext. 252.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE DIVERSE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES For more than 97 years, Loesel-Schaaf Insurance Agency, Inc. has been an independent multi-line insurance agency, offering a wide array of products and services. Growing to four separate divisions, encompassing just about every insurance need possible, the Agency has become one of the largest “one-stop shops” for businesses and individuals across the tri-state area and beyond.

“Having a professional staff averaging 25 years of insurance industry experience, we effectively solve problems for our clients,” says Doug Loesel, President.

“We have a vast reservoir of knowledge from which to draw and a team approach is often utilized. Someone on staff has most likely tackled just about any challenge and together we can find a solution.”

Because circumstances change, Loesel-Schaaf offers a complimentary review of policies, personal or business, to ensure adequate protection.

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Commercial Insurance Integrated risk management

Coverage that keeps up with your industry.

Employee Benefits

“At Loesel-Schaaf,” adds Loesel, “clients and staff proclaim, ‘We make a difference,’ in both their lives and in the community.”

Intelligent advice

Programs that support your goals.

Personal Insurance Custom-designed peace of mind

Insurance that works as hard as you do.

Individual Life & More For your peace of mind Affordable solutions that protect your lifestyle.

Medicare Options For your lifestyle and needs

Help with your Medicare choices.

LOESEL-SCHAAF INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 3537 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505-3650 Phone: 814/833-5433 Fax: 814/838-6172

People.

Activated.

At Workpartners, we call our unique approach to human capital management People Activation, and we believe it’s the key to ensuring that your company and your employees flourish.

Stress, financial worries, family issues, workplace conflict— problems like these can significantly impact your employees’ work performance and overall wellness. Offering an employee assistance program (EAP) shows your workforce you are committed to their overall well-being.

Our EAP is endorsed by the Manufacturer & Business Association, and MBA members save 10% when working with our confidential EAP services.

To find out more about our EAP services or any of our services visit work.partners/mba. For more about the MBA/Workpartners partnership, contact Keith Eller at ellerk@workpartners.com.

analytics | advocacy | absence | technology

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How do you and your employees meet your corporate social responsibility?

“Donating is awesome, but organizing a blood drive is amazing. We have employees from all over the world that donate in Erie, whether they are residents or visiting our office. It’s the easiest and most important gift that can be given.”

— Tracy Coffy, Human Resources at Logistics+

Hosting a blood drive is a great way to give your employees the chance to make a difference to family, friends & neighbors right here at home. Community Blood Bank is the exclusive supplier of blood to the hospitals in Erie County, and to many hospitals throughout Northwest Pennsylvania. We are proud to partner with hundreds of businesses and organizations across the region, and we want to be your partner too! Call (814) 456-4206 to schedule a blood drive at your location. Thirty minutes is all it takes to save 3 lives in our own community.

2646 Peach St., Erie

(814) 456-4206

www.fourhearts.org

info@fourhearts.org

mbabizmag.com • JULY 2021

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YOUR GIFT CAN MAKE A GREATER IMPACT ON ERIE GIVES! Give to your favorite nonprofit(s) on Erie Gives and a portion of the prorated match will be added to your gift!

Tuesday, August 10 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. www.ErieGives.org Make a difference with an online gift, a check, a stock gift or even your IRA minimum distribution.

Call us at 814-454-0843 with any questions.

Erie Gives is a project of The Erie Community Foundation with support from our generous sponsors.

Country Fair | ERIEBANK | Knox Law | National Fuel

Text REMIND to 814-580-5846 to receive updates about Erie Gives.

EVENTS & EXTRAS | NETWORKING & MORE

The Manufacturer & Business Association is proud to recognize our members throughout the region as well as MBA special events.

To learn more about the benefits of MBA membership, as well as upcoming programs and services, visit www.mbausa.org. the virtual Artificial y Polanski welcomes guests to facturer MBA Marketing Director Tamm event was presented by the Manu The 20.

May on ng briefi CT Intelligence IMPA nd School of Magazine and Penn State Behre ess Busin MBA , iation Assoc & Business NEFF. Engineering, and major sponsor

Representatives from the Gene Haas Foundation presented a $16,000 CNC grant and scholarship to students at McDowell Manufacturing.

Tim Kurzweg, Ph.D., of Penn State Behrend, presents on the impo rtance of data and cyber security when it come s to artificial intelligence, durin g the MBA’s IMPACT briefing. To view the presentatio n, visit www.mbausa.org.

, MBA MBA President and CEO John Krahe Mark Raimy of Immediate Past Board Chairman Manufacturing Welders Supply and McDowell open house at Adviser Kyle Bucholtz attend an facturing at the student-run McDowell Manu McDowell High School.

y plaque to Adrienne The MBA presented an anniversar of Sarah Reed Children’s Dixon, Ph.D., president and CEO the agenc y’s associate Center in Erie, and Gary Bukowski, to recognize the ent, lopm Deve for dent presi vice in operation.

Children’s Center’s 150th year

2014 Roar on the Shore Non-profit Beneficiary

A ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania

239 East 12th Street Erie, PA 16503 814-836-4153

mbabizmag.com • JULY 2021

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ERIE, PA PERMIT #199

Stick with what works.

96% of businesses that choose UPMC Health Plan stay with UPMC Health Plan.

You’ve given a lot of thought to your employees’ health coverage. And you’ve come to a familiar conclusion — nothing’s better than UPMC Health Plan. Choose us for affordable plan options. Full in-network access to UPMC along with other doctors and hospitals in the community. Access to 24/7 virtual urgent care.

Service from a designated Health Care Concierge. And digital health tools that keep up with busy lives and schedules. All this is worth sticking with, don’t you agree?

To learn more, visit UPMCHealthPlan.com/employers.

Choose. Love. Repeat.