2nd Quarter 2015
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER Building Strong Community Partnerships
The Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce Of Florida, (HACCOF) was established as a catalyst for change. Our Mission: To serve as a resource for its members, partners and businesses, dedicated to serving their needs and the economic development of the broader HaitianAmerican community. HACCOF is the leading organization to bring businesses together and acts as an advocate for Haitian and HaitianAmerican enterprises. We are the premier voice for the business community to the public, the media and government entities. HACCOF mobilizes concerned entrepreneurs across Florida, the U.S. and Haiti when important legislation and regulations are planned or debated that may potentially affect the broader Haitian business community. HACCOF promotes partnerships and alliances within communities throughout Florida and Haiti to build healthy business climates, foster investment opportunities, create employment growth, and encourage public and private sector collaboration.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Mission & Objectives Message from Exec. Director We’ve Moved! Welcome New Members! Collaboration & Community Partnerships Events April Meet & Greet Haitian Heritage Month Celebration Business Futures of the Americas “The Immigration Petitioner Died! Now What?” Immigration Flash: DACA Renewal Breakfast & Learn Event June Meet & Greet Landlord / Tenant Forum Upcoming Events Member Announcements Become a Member Thank you sponsors
Chamber Information: 1125 NE 125th Street, Suite 208 North Miami, FL 33161 Phone: (305) 733-9066 E-mail: info@haccof.com Website: www.haccof.com
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Officers, Board members, Founder & Executive Staff
A Message from our Executive Director To the Board of Directors and General Members,
OFFICERS Jeff Lozama Chairman Donard St. Jean Vice-Chair Paola Pierre, MBA, HRM Treasurer Patrick F. Martin Secretary Pierre Saliba Past Chairman BOARD MEMBERS Carl-Henry Salvant Charles Fombrun
I am truly honored to have been appointed as the Executive Director of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF). I humbly accept this position with sincere appreciation with high hopes for the future. As a member of HACCOF, I have witnessed the growth of this prestigious organization over the last few years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, Mrs. Paola Pierre. Paola has always been the epitome of professionalism and poise. She is a mentor not only to me but to many young Haitian American professionals throughout South Florida. Paola, on behalf of the HACCOF and the community as a whole, I want to thank you for your hard work and perseverance as the Executive Director and look forward to working with you as HACCOF’s treasurer. As Executive Director, my goal is to further drive the mission of HACCOF to advocate for Haitian businesses and to serve as a resource for our members, as a means to promote the economic development within Haitian communities in Florida. I believe that HACCOF has been on the right path and my goal is to further expand our outreach within the South Florida community. Over the past few decades, Haitians have excelled in establishing flourishing companies in Little Haiti to West Palm Beach and beyond. I invite the business community to use HACCOF as the vessel to strengthen the reach of their business in South Florida and Haiti. HACCOF serves to further the impact of the Haitian Diaspora in the economic development of their communities they reside and work. Furthermore, I welcome the community to join in HACCOF’s efforts to expand the Diaspora’s investment in Haiti. To successfully achieve this, the entire community must come together.
Daniel Fils-Aime Jr. Henri-Claude Müller-Poitevien Herve Bony Lucien Barrau Michaël Vorbe
Finally, I look forward to diligently working with the current and future members of HACCOF. As an organization, we are committed to showcasing up and coming young professionals, by hosting practical educational training, and providing opportunities to network and access to resources which leads to increased capital. Please help HACCOF increase our family. Invite your family, friends and neighbors to join and be part of the future of an organization which has made great strides in our community.
Munir Mourra, PHD.
Once again, I would like to thank those who faithfully believe in my ability to bring HACCOF to the next level. Together, we can achieve.
Raoul Siclait
Sincerely,
FOUNDER Philippe R. Armand, MBA
Joann Milord Joann Milord Executive Director of HACCOF
EXECUTIVE OFFICE Joann Milord Executive Director Sincerely,
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Chamber Objectives… Our Objectives:
Promoting business & economic development interest in our members. Promoting and facilitating business, professional and social relations and cooperation among our members. Forming alliances with members, business and civic leaders, other chambers, associations, agencies, government officials and foreign dignitaries to accomplish its goals. Promoting educational seminars and conferences for the improvement of our members and the betterment of our community. Hosting educational, local and international trade forums. Organize and facilitate networking programs. Engaging in dialogue, cooperation and understanding within Haitian communities.
In keeping with our objectives, HACCOF serves as the advocate for the Haitian-American community as well as a resource for consumers and businesses dedicated to serving the needs of our members and the economic development of our community.
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* Member listed through June 2015
2nd Quarter 2015
CORPORATE
MEMBER
PREFERRED MEMBERS
STAY IN TOUCH!
www.twitter.com/haccofl
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www.facebook.com/haccofl
2nd Quarter 2015
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS Soeurette Michel
REGULAR MEMBERS
Fedline Ferjuste, Esq., LL. M
Vania Laguerre, Merrill Lynch Bank of America Corp.
Barbara Raphael, MD Donald R. Liautaud
Marlyn Paris-Lawson, CRAMS Consulting, LL
Lixon Nelson Youry Destin
Michel Seguin, Alfa Publications
Kathy Lynn Pierre-Griff, Ed. D.
Evan St. Fort, Forts Funeral Home
Linda Julien, MPA
The Chamber would like to say “Thank you� to all the members who renewed their membership. Our success lies in our strength in numbers and the diversity in our members. We look forward to our continued success by connecting with you, our members. Providing you with networking opportunities, business partnerships, constructing new alliances, and involving our communities.
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Become a guest author for HACCOF HACCOF encourages all members to submit articles from their field of expertise for our quarterly newsletter. We are committed to being an information resource for our members and welcome all article suggestions. Please send all submissions to info@haccof.com. Management will review all articles before publishing. 6
2nd Quarter 2015
Member Discounts
Corporate Member: Avis Haiti Do you have a special offer to announce? Upcoming event you'd like us to promote for you? Advertising in the Chamber Newsletter is an easy way to PROMOTE your business or upcoming events. For advertising opportunities contact us at: info@haccof.com Corporate & Preferred Members: Contact us for FREE advertising opportunities available to you through your membership!
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Members Discounts
Corporate Member: Allegro Resorts Marketing Corp. 8
2nd Quarter 2015
Community Partnerships: UM: The Economic Outlook for Argentina April 21, 2015 Taste of Haiti - May 9, 2015 Haitian Heritage Month, History Bee o
May 15 & 27, 2015
Macy’s Partner Reception - May 29, 2015 Diaspora Investments in Latin America & the Caribbean - June 15-17, 2015 General Membership Networking Event March 18, 2015
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For Event Pictures Visit our Facebook Page
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A special thank you to our host for an enjoyable & successful event! 11
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Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Haitian Americans for Progress, & the Haitian Heritage Museum jointly celebrate
May 14, 2015 12
For Event Pictures Visit our Facebook Page
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“Diaspora Investments in Latin America & the Caribbean”
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2nd Quarter 2015
“Business Futures of the Americas” – June 15-17, 2015 Held in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
HACCOF Board Members & Delegations of Young Haitian-American Professionals.
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2nd Quarter 2015
ADVERTISE HERE
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2nd Quarter 2015
Patricia Elizee, Esq. Immigration and Family Attorney
The Immigration Petitioner Died!, Now what? Losing a loved one is difficult, and being told that your visa will also be lost is too much to deal with. The good news in all of this is that there are ways to prevent your visa from being taken away from you if the person who petitioned for you passes away. Key things to keep in mind to avoid this problem are that the law states that if person who files a visa petition for their relative dies, the visa will be taken away the same day the petitioner dies. Moreover, USCIS can make the decision of whether or not it is right to take away the visa based on humanitarian reasons. USCIS can only reconsider the situation if the person who was petitioned to come to the U.S asks USCIS to renew the approval. Furthermore, he/she must show proof that there is someone else who qualifies for the affidavit of support. The person who will serve as a substitute needs to live in the U.S, and be a citizen or resident. The income requirements must all be met by that person. Lastly, the substitute has to be related to the person who needs the petition to be renewed. The way this is done is by sending a final request to immigration. There is no need to pay for the request and there is no specific period of time in which this must be done. However, the request needs to be sent before USCIS cancels the visa. The request must state the reasons for renewed approval; it must contain the new financial affidavit along with all the supporting documentation, and proof that the substitute petitioner resides in the U.S. The immigrant also has the burden of clearly explaining all humanization considerations that immigration should consider. USCIS will take into consideration the effect of having the visa taken away on the family living in the U.S. In addition the age of petitioner, health status, time of residence, and ties to his or her home country will also be looked into. In the case of spouses dealing with this issue, what is needed to know is that if the spouse who petitions were to pass away, the other spouse may petition for their self through the I-360 form. The spouse who died must be have been a U.S citizen, filed an I-130 form, show marriage is genuine, and cannot have been separated legally at the time of petitioner’s death. Take into consideration that the law does not give benefits to a person who remarries after his or her spouse dies. For more information contact: Elizee Hernandez Law Firm, P.A. 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315 Miami, Florida 33131 Tel: (305) 371-8846 | Fax: (305) 371-8522 | www.elizeehernandez.com
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2nd Quarter 2015
IMMGRATION FLASH -Lody Jean, esq. DACA Renewal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an exercise in prosecutorial discretion issued by the Department of Homeland Security on June 12, 2012. To summarize, certain applicants who came to the United States before reaching their 16th birthday, have resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, have no lawful status, are in school or obtained a certificate of completion from a high school or equivalent and meet the criteria for the criminal background, can apply to defer their deportation. Applicants applied to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for DACA starting June 15, 2012. The granting of this application allowed the applicants to receive a stay of deportation for 2 years and a work permit. There was a huge influx of applicants and the decision on the applications was delayed by USCIS. The delays ranged from 6 months or even a year. DACA renewal has begun for many applicants and USCIS has been sending out renewal letters where the original granting of the application will expire in less than 100 days. Their website instructs DACA renewal applicants to submit the request to renew within 120 days of expiration. This means that those who have been granted DACA and work authorization could renew both. The work authorization, known as Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allows for many beneficial uses. Those granted EAD are able to obtain identification documents from their respective States and driver licenses. Many of us take for granted being able to obtain a driver license unless we are those that don’t have one. It is quite a relief when a DACA applicant is finally able to get his/her driver license! USCIS has a website that provides information and forms on DACA application and renewals. Visit www.uscis.gov Tip of the day: Check your DACA approval forms to see if you can send in your renewal application. As stated above, USCIS will accept your renewal forms if it is expiring in less than 120 days.
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Meet & Greet - June 11, 2015
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For Event Pictures Visit our Facebook Page
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A big
'Thank You'
to our host / sponsor
for a great event!
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Submit An Article Become a guest author HACCOF encourages all members to submit articles from their field of expertise for our quarterly newsletter. We are committed to being an information resource for our members and welcome all article suggestions. Please send all submissions to info@haccof.com. Management will review all articles before publishing. 23
2nd Quarter 2015
Happenings & Member Announcements
Patrick F. Martin, HACCOF Board Secretary A warm congratulations to Patrick F. Martin on becoming the new Labor & Employment Shareholder at the Law Offices of Greenberg & Traurig!
Do you have Member News to Share? Contact us at info@haccof.com We want to celebrate with you! 24
2nd Quarter 2015
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Corporate Membership - $750.00
Business card size advertisement on the Chamber’s Website Link from the Chamber’s website to the corporation’s website A Technical Assistance visit per year (per request) Free listing in the Chamber’s annual publication Advertisement in the Chamber’s Newsletter Listing in Chamber’s Directory Membership certificate Chamber-to-Chamber discount programs Invitation to the chamber’s Functions Quarterly newsletter
Preferred Membership - $450.00 A free referral /visit to a specialized firm (i.e. CPA/Attorney / IT, HR - per request or availability) Free listing in chamber’s annual publication Advertisement in Chamber’s newsletter Listing in Chamber’s directory Membership Certificate Chamber-to- Chamber Discount Program. Invitation to the Chamber’s functions. Quarterly newsletter
Regular Membership - $200.00
Professional Membership - $100.00 (Only for individuals)
A one-on-one consultation a year (per request) Listing in Chamber’s Directory Membership Certificate Chamber-to-Chamber Discount Program Invitation to the chamber’s functions Quarterly newsletter
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Listing in Chamber’s Directory Membership Certificate Invitation to the Chamber’s functions
2nd Quarter 2015
JOIN THE CHAMBER TODAY! Please send your completed application and membership dues to: Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida 1125 NE 125th Street, Suite 208 North Miami, FL 33161 Company Name President/Owner Contact Person
Title
Telephone
Cell Phone
Company Address
State / Zip
City Telephone
Fax
Website
Type of Business
Year Established
Business References (Business Name, Contact Person, Telephone and E-mail) 1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I hereby make application for membership in the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida. When accepted, I will abide by the Chamber’s by-laws, support the Chamber’s objectives and pay the prescribed annual membership dues until such time as I may desire to terminate by formal written notification. All Applications are subject to Board approval. Signature ____________________________________________________ Membership Investment Amount:
$ _______________
Credit Card:
Mastercard: __________
Visa: __________
Date __________________________________________
Payment: Check # _______________ Amex: __________
Name on Card: __________________________________ Credit Card # _______________________________________ Exp. Date _________ Security Code __________ Your cancelled check is your receipt. Please complete and sign the application form and attach your check made payable to: Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida. Tax ID 20-2373322
Membership Levels: Corporate: $750.00
Preferred: $450.00
Regular: $200.00
* New Members please add a first year, one-time $50.00 administrative fee. 26
Professional: $100.00
2nd Quarter 2015
A special Thank You to our sponsors and supporters:
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2nd Quarter 2015
Interested in sponsoring a Networking Event? Gain exposure by introducing yourself & your business to our friends & members at one of our monthly “Meet & Greet� events.
Contact us at: info@haccof.com For more information on this and other great chamber events, partnerships and Collaborations.
Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida 1125 NE 125th Street, Suite 208 North Miami, FL 33161
Chamber Member
Phone: (305) 733-9066 - E-mail: info@haccof.com - Website: www.haccof.com