Corridors
December 2023
MAGAZINE
In this issue: PNRC Board of Directors Election Results, The Giving Tree, Days of Giving, Community Champions, Nonprofit Spotlight, and more!
CONTENTS 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT
11 AFFINITY PARTNER CORNER
16 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS
4 WEEKLY NETWORKING 5 PNRC MEMBER OF THE MONTH 6 HOLIDAY VILLAGE MARKET 7 UPCOMING SIGNATURE EVENTS 8 COMMUNITY BUILDERS 13 PNRC AFFINITY PARTNERS 18 HOW TO STAY OFF THE (FINANCIAL) NAUGHTY LIST 21 LEGISLATIVE CORNER 23 DAYS OF GIVING 25 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 26 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS 27 EVENTS CALENDAR
14 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
30 PNRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE GIVING TREE
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
FROM the PRESIDENT
Every month, we honor a member who has made major contributions to the Chamber, its members, and the community. At this time, as the year is ending, I would like to recognize our 2023 honorees one more time. These are people, who, through their unselfishness, have made a difference. January- Greg “Skippy” Cottrell, Farmers National Bank February- Maggie Simpson, Comcast Business March- Denise Martin, Treesdale Golf & Country Club April- Felipe Valdez, Nothing Bundt Cakes May- Jan Stevens, Coldwell Banker Realty June- Rich Coyner, Minuteman Press Cranberry July- Mason Lockard, Enterprise Bank August- Niki Campbell, The Flourish Group September- Amy Schafer, Dollar Bank October- Julie Campbell, PNC Bank November- Maggie Giel-Bovaird, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh December- Retiring Board members Rich Coyner, Minuteman Press Cranberry Carolyn Keller, Curio412 Mark Prentice, Valpak of Western Pennsylvania Craig Pritts, My Benefit Advisor
Sincerely,
Jim Boltz
President, PNRC PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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2023
lendar a C s t en ber Ev m a h C on the r e t s i eg re to r e h k c Cli
Wednesday, December 6th 11:30a - 1p Tequila Jalisco - Gibsonia 5517 William Flynn Highway Gibsonia, PA 15044 Register HERE
Every Tuesday, 11:30a - 1p @ Discovery Christian Church in Mars
Every Friday, 7:30a - 9a @ Panera Bread in Wexford Want to present at a Connections Meeting? Email Kelvin Mack
Thursday, December 14th 8a - 9a Virtual via Zoom Celebrate Women in Business! Sign up HERE for the Zoom link Presenting Sponsor:
Thursday, December 21st 6p - 9p Treesdale Golf & Country Club 1 Arnold Palmer Dr Gibsonia, PA 15044 Register HERE
Zoom link for all virtual meetings will be provided after you register on the event page. Thanks to the generosity of WesBanco Bank’s Cranberry Township Branch, we are able to provide virtual networking events.
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Rich Coyner, Minuteman Press Cranberry- Rich was elected to the PNRC Board of Directors in 2021. In 2022, he served as Treasurer. During his time on the board, Rich has served and chaired the Membership Committee. He also served on the Executive Committee, Ambassador Committee and Steering Committee. In June 2023, Rich was chosen as the PNRC Member of the Month. Carolyn Keller, Curio412- Carolyn has served on the Board of Directors since 2021. In 2023, she held the office of Educational Foundation Chair. She has served on and chaired the Strategic Planning Committee and served on the Executive Committee, the Community Outreach Committee, the Farmers Market Committee, and the Steering Committee. In February 2021, Carolyn was chosen as the PNRC Member of the Month. Mark Prentice, Valpak of Western Pennsylvania- Mark has served on the PNRC Board since 2019. He has been an officer since 2020 including Board Chair in 2022. He has served on the Executive Committee, Steering Committee and Golf Committee.
Craig Pritts, My Benefit Advisor- Craig has been a member of the PNRC Board of Directors since 2020. During that time, he has served on and chaired the Ambassador Committee. He also served on the Membership Committee and the Steering Committee. PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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Upcoming PNRC Signature Events & Programs: Holiday Village Market Saturday, December 2, 2023 5:00 to 8:00p Cranberry Twp. Municipal Center Visit our website Here
2023 PNRC Holiday Social Thursday, December 21, 2023 6:00 to 9:00p Treesdale Golf & Country Club Register Here
2024 PNRC Annual Meeting Tuesday, March 19, 2024 2:00 to 4:00p Virtual Visit our website Here
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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COMMUNITY BUILDERS Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber! A Comfort Service Advantage Energy Partners, LLC AJ Technology Group Alliance for Nonprofit Resources Anchor Wave Internet Solutions Arvos Schmidtsche Schack, LLC Ashton Commons Atria at Cranberry Woods Atria McCandless Axis Business Consultants Baierl Auto Group Bethany Christian Services of Western PA Big Spring Spirits - Seven Fields Bill Few Associates, Inc. Borough of Seven Fields Bruster's of Ingomar Butler County Symphony Orchestra C. W. Howard Insurance Agency, Inc. CCK Consulting | tHRive-People Practices CHROME Federal Credit Union Clean Express Auto Wash Clearview Federal Credit Union Cole Management, Inc. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving Community Park Storage Compass Self Storage- Gibsonia Concordia of Cranberry Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh North / Cranberry Cranberry Highlands Golf Course Cranberry Messenger Service Cranberry Public Library Cranberry Supply Co. Cranberry Township Cranberry Twp. Volunteer Fire Company Cranberry Village Estates Creese, Smith, Hune & Co. LLC Cremation Society of Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh CTR Payroll Services Dairy Queen - Cranberry Daniel Novakovich Insurance Agency Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham L.L.P. Direct Payment Consultants, LLC Diversified Plan Services Inc Dollar Bank Drayer Physical Therapy - Cranberry
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Dukovich & Associates Early Years Community Learning Centers ECCA Payroll+ Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Harmarville Express Employment Professionals EZ Storage Fairfield by Marriott Pittsburgh North / McCandless Crossing Fairground Market, Inc. Farmers National Bank of Canfield First City Company-McIntyre Square First Commonwealth Bank - Wexford Flowers by Gerard Fun Fore All Family Fun Park Goddard School - Wexford Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center Green Apple Barter Guardian Storage- Hampton Guardian Storage- Ross Twp. Guardian Storage- Seven Fields Handel's of McCandless HEARTH Herbein + Company, Inc. Heritage Hospice Highmark Caring Place Hill, Barth & King LLC Holsinger House of 1000 Beers i.e. Insurance IMA | ESS Innovate E-Commerce, Inc. Instant Imprints Izzazu Salon, Spa & Blowout Bar Jason's Deli- Cranberry Twp Jeff Brooks Landscaping Joe Palmieri Construction, Inc. Juniper Grill Kawneer - An Arconic Company Kontos Mengine Law Group Landmark Properties Group Laurel Business Institute Liberty Insurance Agency Limbach Company Lisowski Tree Service and Landscaping,LLC Lou Negley's Bottled Water Inc.
Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
COMMUNITY BUILDERS Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber! Lutheran SeniorLife Mark Mashuda Excavating Inc. Mars Bank Masonic Village at Sewickley McCandless Corporate Center McCandless Floral McGuire Memorial Foundation MHY Family Services Morella & Associates Myers, Patsy & Associates, LLC NexTier Bank Nexus Financial Network, LLC NFP North Hills Family Dental North Pittsburgh Greeting Company Northland Public Library Nothing Bundt Cakes - Cranberry Oasis Senior Advisors Olive Garden/Cranberry Oliver Outdoor OMEGA Federal Credit Union- North Hills OMEGA Federal Credit Union- Wexford Organic Remedies, Inc. Owl Cleaners Inc. Pearl Insurance Agency, LLC Penn National Insurance Perform Physio, LLC Phelps Nursery PGH, North Inc. Piatt Sotheby's International Realty Pittsburgh Business Times Pittsburgh Jet Center Pittsburgh Job Corps Pittsburgh Mercy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Polesky Agency, Scott Berney - Erie Insurance Pressley Ridge Priority2Work R.M. Stoof & Associates Inc. Realty ONE Group Gold Standard Restart, Inc Richard Goettle, Inc. Richland Mall Ridge Insurance Agency, Inc.
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
Riverview Carpet & Flooring, Inc. Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA Rt 228 Auto Mall Salem Media Group Sam's Club Sarver Landscape Maintenance Company Scolieri-Beam Law Group, PC Seneca Valley School District Sherwin-Williams Cranberry Signature Settlements Services Agency Special T Electronics Specialized Staffing and Industry Recruiters, Inc. SportClips SSB Bank Staples-Cranberry Twp. Star Limousine Service Inc. Streamline Connections Strutz International Terry's Plumbing, Inc. The Arc of Butler County The Block Northway The Chadwick The Haven at North Hills The Joint...the Chiropractic Place The Lighthouse Foundation The Pavilion at Star Lake – Live Nation The Payroll Shoppe The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School The Thrasher Group, Inc. The Waters of Wexford The Wilson Group, LLC Three Rivers Paintball, Inc. Tierra Realty Management T-Mobile Toplak & Associates TownePlace Suites by Marriott Township of Hampton Township of Ross Treasure House Fashions Trib Total Media Two Men and A Truck Ultimate Granite Surfaces, Inc. UPMC Passavant Urish Popeck & Co. LLC
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COMMUNITY BUILDERS Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!
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Thank You
Vector Security Vincentian Vitalant (Central Blood Bank) Vrabel Plumbing Company, LLC Wain Landscaping, LLC Walnut Grill Wexford WesBanco Bank - Perry Highway West Penn Multi-List, Inc. Wichman Landscape Construction, LLC Wiest Asphalt Products & Paving Inc. Williams Industrial Sales Wine Concrete Products Inc. Win-Son Inc. Your CBD Store - Shaler Your CBD Store- Gibsonia Your CBD Store- North Hills
Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
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The Advantage of a Well-Designed Communication and Education Strategy in Employee Benefits Few business owners would disagree that a comprehensive employee benefit program plays a critical role in the acquisition and retention of key talent, fostering employee well-being and contributing to the overall success of a company. To ensure that employees can fully understand and appreciate the value of these offerings, effective communication and education is paramount. The importance of education and communication in employee benefit programs cannot be understated. Clear, targeted, and engaging communication combined with robust education initiatives can maximize the impact of benefit programs, enhance employee satisfaction, and drive positive health outcomes. Comprehensive and transparent communication is fundamental in ensuring that employees are well-informed about their benefit options. Employers should provide accessible, concise, and easy-to-understand information that clearly outlines the benefits available, eligibility criteria, enrollment procedures, and any changes to existing plans. By utilizing a variety of communication methods, such as emails, intranet portals, webinars, and in-person meetings, employers can reach all employees regardless of their level of benefit knowledge and proactively address potential areas of concern or confusion. Transparent communication fosters trust and empowers employees to make informed decisions about their benefits, increasing overall program participation and satisfaction. Similarly, a sound education strategy is essential to help employees fully understand the value and purpose of the benefits being provided by their employer. Offering educational resources, such as workshops, seminars, webinars, and other informative materials, provides a means for employees to more adequately grasp PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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the intricacies of their benefit packages. These initiatives can explain the importance of various benefits, outline coverage details, highlight cost-sharing responsibilities, and provide examples of how benefits can be utilized effectively. By equipping employees with this knowledge, organizations empower their workers to make informed decisions, maximize the use of available benefits, and appreciate the investment made by the company in employee well-being. Both communication and education efforts should be continuous and not limited to initial onboarding or open enrollment periods. Employers should establish a continuous feedback loop by seeking employee input and regularly communicating updates, enhancements, and new offerings within the benefits portfolio. This approach ensures that employees remain engaged, and informed, and provides the greatest opportunity for a substantial return of investment on benefit dollars spent. Additionally, conducting regular program evaluations and soliciting employee feedback through surveys or focus groups enables organizations to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to better align benefits to match employee needs and expectations. The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at pnrc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3539.
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
PNRC Affinity Partners Program Your Chamber membership is a valuable business tool that is complemented by our Affinity Program Partners who help you to save time and money. Save on everything from payroll to energy and you don’t have to spend your valuable time researching - your Chamber has done it all for you!
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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Nonprofit
Spotlight
Each holiday season, Chamber member businesses and the community join together to help individuals in need through our local nonprofits. This year, the 17 nonprofits who are participating in The Giving Tree include: Bethany Christian Services Crisis Center North Face2Face Healing Glade Run Lutheran Services InVision Human Services The Lighthouse Foundation
Lutheran Service Society MHY Family Services North Hills Affordable Housing North Hills Community Outreach Pittsburgh Job Corps
Pittsburgh Mercy Pressley Ridge Treasure House Fashions Verland Wesley Family Services Young Adult Survivors United
Pick up a tag or two at any of the locations listed below or visit the Giving Tree Square booths at the Holiday Village Market on Saturday, December 2nd, from 5 to 8p to fulfill the wish of an individual in need this holiday season. Giving Tree tags are available for pick-up at the following locations. AHN Cenci’s Wexford Cenci’s Cranberry Clear Choice Enterprise Coldwell Banker Realty ECCA Payroll Elle’s Beauty Bar Flour Power Gold Fish Swim School - Fox Chapel Gold Fish Swim School - Wexford Graze Craze HBKS Wealth Advisors Knichel Logistics Meyers, Patsy, & Associates My Dog’s Care Center My Salon Suite North Hills Dental North Park Lounge
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Northwest Savings Bank Nothing Bundt Cakes Pine Richland Youth Center Pittsburgh Optical Salon Reflections ShuBrew Soma Splash S & T Bank Tapville Social The Flourish Group Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors Three Rivers Paintball Tierra Realty Group Tuff Shed Vintage Coffee House Wilderness Chiropractic
Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Nonprofit
Spotlight
Thank you to our monetary Giving Tree Ambassadors: 2bn Contracting Brentwood Bank Dr. Kathy Selvaggi & Dr. Don Vigliotti
MinuteMan Press Michelle Myrter Vic Conrad, CFP
The community can drop off gifts through December 8th, 2023. The collection of gifts will be coordinated with each nonprofit at the Chamber offices following the last collection day.
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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The results for the 2023 PNRC Board of Directors election are in! We are truly grateful to all of the candidates and appreciate the willingness to give so generously of your time, efforts, and expertise in potentially serving as a member of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Board of Directors. The 2023 PNRC Board of Directors Ballot included three incumbent candidates and eleven new candidates, for a total of fourteen PNRC member representatives running for election to the Board of Directors. Voting was held from November 13November 24, with every PNRC member organization eligible to submit one ballot and vote for up to six of the candidates. In accordance with the PNRC Bylaws, the six candidates with the most votes were elected to serve a 3-year term, beginning on January 1, 2024. Congratulations to the candidates who were elected to serve on the PNRC Board of Directors! Tracy Armstrong – North Pittsburgh Greeting Company and Working Hands Handyman Service Donna Kline – HBKS Wealth Advisors Jada Lehman – Expense Reduction Analysts Beth Machine – Wesley Family Services Sheila Talarico – Glade Run Lutheran Services Bradley Wilkins - KeyBank Our most sincere appreciation goes to all of the candidates on the ballot for your interest in serving on the Board of Directors, and many thanks to the PNRC members who voted in the election and helped choose the leaders who will serve on the PNRC Board of Directors for the 2024-2026 term.
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
How to Stay off the (Financial) Naughty List By Lisa Hunt, U$X Federal Credit Union The holidays are fast approaching and everyone is figuring out how to make the most of the season. For many of us, it involves things like planning visits with family and friends, making travel arrangements, deciding who to shop for, and what presents to buy. However, some people are making different types of plans. They make plans for things like who are the best people to target, which phishing email to send that will get the most people to click, and what sites are the best to duplicate to fool online shoppers. Criminals make plans for the holidays just like the rest of us. Unfortunately, their planning involves how to take advantage of the distractions, goodwill, and generosity that are so prevalent at this time of year. To help keep your season merry and bright, here are a few tips to stay financially safe this holiday season. Say “BAH HUMBUG” To In-Store Credit Card Offers Think about last time you were in a store buying something. How close was the person in line next to you? Standing shoulder to shoulder with a large number of strangers is not a good place to share important personal information, which is what you are doing when applying for a store credit card in the store. While getting the store credit card to take advantage of shorter lines or a discount sounds great at first, especially in the bustle of holiday shoppers, don’t give in to temptation. Do you trust the security of the application process? What about the people around you who are listening and watching you enter all of your personal information, including your social security number?
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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It does not matter if it’s a paper or electronic application that you punch in information on a tablet that the helpful store employee provides you - the safest thing to do is avoid these offers. Looking beyond the security risk, from a financial standpoint, the amount you end up paying in interest often negates any discount you received. Many store credit cards have an APR in the mid 20% range, meaning any special discount you receive for opening the store card is lost in interest charges when you don’t pay your balance off in full every month. Have a Very Merry Christmas….with Visa and MasterCard While we just told you not to take advantage of in-store credit card offers, that doesn’t mean avoid the plastic entirely. When making your festive purchases this year, don’t reach for your debit card. Pick one or two credit cards to use for everything – the gifts, the restaurants, the larger than normal grocery trips – ALL of it. Data breaches are occurring all the time, fake websites are everywhere, skimmers are still being placed on card machines, and fraudsters are creating countless emails & texts and even making phone calls, all to steal your money. If you use your debit card, then it is your real hard earned money at risk of being stolen out of your account. By using a credit card, it’s simply a line of credit that has been compromised AND you have a longer time frame to report fraud if it occurs. Leave the debit card at home, and use one or two credit cards for your holiday purchases. You aren’t Santa Claus – Leave the Big Bag at Home. Whether it is a purse, bag, wallet, or backpack that you regularly carry, switch it up for the holidays and leave the bulky large bags at home. Don’t leave them in the car, tucked under the seat, or stashed in the trunk – leave them at home. Thieves won’t hesitate to break a window or pry open the trunk if they see you leaving a bag in the car. Criminals don’t care about damaging your car – they care about stealing the bag that they just saw you put in the trunk or cover with something. Instead, carry a small purse that has a zipper & USE the zipper. It does you no good if you leave the purse unzipped & your wallet is sitting on top of everything, making it easy for a thief to grab as they walk past. If you only carry a wallet, you still aren’t off the hook. A bulky wallet is just as much of a risk as a giant overstuffed purse or backpack. Carry your wallet in your front pocket, or in an interior jacket pocket, not in your back pocket or the outside pocket of a jacket. If you are carrying your wallet inside your jacket, be sure to keep your jacket buttoned or zipped. Regardless of if it’s a wallet or
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
a small bag, remove any items that you do not need and leave them at home. The less you carry with you during the holidays, the easier it will be for you to take care of if your bag is stolen, your wallet disappears, or your card is compromised. Think survival of the fittest…travel light, carry only you really need (one or two credit cards & your license) and leave everything else home. Be a Tech-Savvy Elf Shopping online can be a smart way to get your holiday shopping done – you avoid the holiday crowds and can enjoy a glass of holiday cheer while completing your shopping in the comfort of your own home. While there are many benefits to this scenario, you still have to protect yourself. Fraudulent websites are becoming almost impossible to distinguish from the real websites. Cybercriminals are setting up fake websites and mobile apps to take your money and/or steal your personal information. It’s no longer the random online stores that you’ve never heard of before, but happens to have the ‘must have’ item of the season - you have to be careful even with well-known sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Home Depot. These fake websites and apps so closely mirror the real thing, it is sometimes difficult even for cybersecurity experts to be able to tell if you really are getting a great Cyber Monday deal or if you just sent your credit card information to a hacker across the globe. When you are making a purchase and inputting your credit card info, make sure the URL starts with “https”, and includes an image of a lock. Your private info will be encrypted so that hackers can’t steal it. Check the security certificate to make sure the site really is what you think it is, not a fake one. Again, ALWAYS use a credit card or a secure online payment option such as PayPal. Protect your computer against spyware/malware/viruses etc. with antivirus and anti-malware programs and make sure to keep them active and up to date. Criminals constantly update their methods; we need to be just as vigilant in keeping antivirus and anti-malware software up to date. Check Your Lists Twice During the holiday season, we are spending more money than we usually do, shopping at places we don’t normally patronize, and trying to cram in as much holiday celebration as we can in a small window of time. All of this makes it EXTREMELY easy to overlook odd charges that you don’t recognize. We think it’s just some random holiday purchase that we can’t quite place, when in actuality, someone is stealing your money, and checking to see if you are paying attention. PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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Most fraud can be caught simply by monitoring accounts frequently. Pay VERY close attention to every charge that shows up. Many credit cards and bank accounts offer email or text alerts that you can customize to let you know about any charges that occur. You spend $$ at a store, and almost immediately receive an email or text that notifies you of the charge. If you don’t set up alerts, then the next best thing is to check your accounts online DAILY to ensure that all of the charges are purchases that you made. If you receive an alert for an amount you don’t remember, or if you notice a charge for a purchase or a store that you don’t recognize, DO NOT WAIT to look into it. The sooner you detect fraudulent charges and activity, the faster it can be taken care of and you can get back to merrymaking and holiday celebrations. An additional benefit to using alerts and closely monitoring your accounts – it’s easier to keep spending in check and prevent the holiday (financial) hangover that hits many people in January. Act Like a Child on Christmas Eve Be vigilant and be aware. Life isn’t like the movies, where you can tell who the bad guy is from the music playing in the background. Criminals come in all shapes and sizes and they make a living by setting a person at ease and taking advantage of the generosity of the holiday spirit. That cute little elf helping Santa at the mall, or the elderly woman you are standing beside in line could be just waiting to steal your information (or your wallet). Just because someone doesn't fit your idea of what a criminal should look like, don't assume that they aren’t ready, willing, and more than capable of turning your picture perfect holiday season into a world class disaster.
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California’s Minimum Wage Mandate for Fast-Food Businesses is Over the Top! By Eileen Anderson, Director, Government Relations, MBA
Please watch what is happening in the GOLDEN STATE of California. They are the most progressive state in the union and what starts in the west may flow east. BACKGROUND: Last year California Democrats passed a law providing for a state council with the authority to set wages, benefits, and working conditions for fastfood businesses. Businesses fought back by proposing a referendum on the November 2024 ballot to overturn the new law. Democrats retaliated by reviving an old law that set up a commission to set wages, benefits, and working conditions in ALL industries and they threatened to hold franchisees jointly liable for labor violations of franchisees. The fast-food businesses backed down. RESULT: Governor Gavin Newsome has sweeping power to regulate the fast-food industry. Editor’s note: In 2017 SMC Business Councils (now part of MBA) surveyed their members and members of several chambers of commerce. Greater than 90% paid more than minimum wage. With today’s tight labor market, how could any business get anyone to work for the minimum wage? Market forces push employers - without a mandate - to pay the going market rate for workers. The secondary issue is wage compression. A minimum wage mandate sets the stage for an increase in wages for every other experienced worker in the same business and same industry driving prices even higher. SMC Business Council’s 2017 State position papers read “If there is a desire for some sort of mandated minimum for “safety,” then it should be gradual and should remain under the market price for entry-level employees. In addition, there should be a three-year phase-in and a training wage for those under 18.
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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California’s Minimum Wage Mandate for Fast-Food Businesses is Over the Top! By Eileen Anderson, Director, Government Relations, MBA
Continued... Currently, the Pennsylvania House and Senate have several minimum wage bills. At least one has bi-partisan backing. Both House Bill 1500 and its companion bill, Senate Bill 743, sit in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee. The bills would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15.00/hour by 1/1/26 and would increase each January based on the Consumer Price Index. MBA understands that minimum wage is a complex issue and that no matter what the solution, not all on either side will agree. MBA views a minimum wage increase as a possible bargaining chip in future negotiations and we monitor the legislation since an increase would impact small businesses more than any other segment of the economy. The article below appeared in MBA’s November Hill Report. Fast-Food Sees Fast Rising Minimum Wages in California “Chipotle Mexican Grill is expecting a significant bump in labor costs next year because of a new labor law in California… Starting in April, minimum wage for fast-food workers will increase to $20 an hour from the state’s currently hourly minimum wage of $15.50… The law in California, where roughly 15% of Chipotle’s more than 3,300 restaurants are located will increase overall labor costs by between 2.5% and 3%... *The information and views expressed represent the views and opinions of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber, its staff, or the Board of Directors and does not constitute an endorsement of the content. *
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Monday, December 4th thru Friday, December 15th Your Chamber will be holding it’s annual Days of Giving this year during the first two full weeks of December. During Days of Giving, we will be offering various Chamber deals that you may capitalize on at any time during Days of Giving. Each day will feature a different deal. Here’s a sneak peek of just a few of the incredible deals you will see during the 2023 Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Days of Giving! HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Excel) event package Value $300 | Cost $150 10 tickets for Business After Hours events Value $100 | Cost $50 Advertising in monthly Corridors digital publication 50% off any advertising option you choose New Member Special Become a member of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber in December 2023 to receive 13 months of membership for the price of 12 with no new member administrative fee!
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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eMarketing Package Value $460 | Cost $230 Annual Golf Outing Package Value $1,000 | Cost $500 Women’s Leadership Roundtable Package Value $160 | Cost $80 Advertising in Monday Morning Coffee 50% off any advertising option you choose Social Media, Marketing & Nonprofit Conference Package Full-day ticket for the price of a half-day ticket
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Workforce Development By Kathleen Kuznicki, The Lynch Law Group In its role of being a thought leader and a community advocate, the PNRC has commissioned its Legislative and Economic Development Committee to record a series of videos having committee members interviewing persons from various organizations/industries to get their perspectives on Workforce Development. We hope to educate our members about the challenges businesses are facing in various industry sectors and what best practices are being implemented to resolve these challenges. I would like to highlight three more of the organizations that have participated in the project: North Hills Community Outreach-NHCO provides many different services to low-income individuals and families in need. Some of these services include Education Assistance Services that help non-traditional adult students in need reach their education goals and Employment Services that help to connect unemployed adults with a professional career counselor who assesses their skills, employment needs, and barriers to employment. Tom Baker (Executive Director) and Jacqlyn Boggs (Director of Programs and Services) discuss their mission, their collaboration with the Jewish Family Community Services, their Case Management Services and Support for job seekers, and their Educational Assistance Grant for non-traditional students. You can see their interview here: https://youtu.be/ey3dp1HR9U0 HRT Solutions-HRT Solutions is dedicated to getting the right candidates, in the right role, at the right time. They specialize in partnering with businesses to identify their organizational needs. In her interview, Jessica Eberly CEO, SPHR, SHRM-SPC discusses how job candidates are looking for flexibility with regards to working from home, pay transparency, and their new Equality Careers Job Board that is dedicated to connecting members of the LGBTQIA+ Community with opportunities from employers who’ve created excellent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. You can see her interview here: https://youtu.be/itWCrH3hUHw MEDIA-The Creative Agency has always provided full media production strategies for companies of all sizes throughout the world, and now they have a focus on helping brands in the health, wellness, fitness, and beauty industry. Their goal is to lead your already existing audience to lean into your message, so that you can attract your dream clients. Marta Sauret Greca, CEO, discusses how she is using personality tests to help employees work within their “zone of genius” to be successful and how organizations should put the same time, money, and effort they put into attracting their ideal clients to attract their new ideal employees who are a good cultural fit for their organization. You can see her interview here: https://youtu.be/FnmkUKtCchI
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Community Champions Program recognizes the goodwill, generosity, and incredible spirit of community demonstrated by those in the Pittsburgh North Region. In December, nominations will be accepted to spotlight individuals, small businesses, and non-profits that have gone above and beyond to support others, give back, and provide service to the community in 2023. Community Champions will be honored by the PNRC throughout January 2024 on our social media and in various PNRC publications, including Monday Morning Coffee and Corridors. In February 2024, one Community Champion from each category – individual, small business, and non-profit – will receive additional acknowledgment for their efforts as a Community Champion, and will be featured in the annual Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Community Resource Guide. There are so many who are quietly doing good in our community. This is your opportunity to recognize the efforts, large and small, of the individuals, small businesses, and non-profits who made the Pittsburgh North Region better in 2023. We look forward to receiving your nominations this December! Nominations will open on Monday, December 4th and run through Friday, December 22nd. Visit the Community Champions page here.
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Alicia Photography American Cancer Society Armstrong A.W. Beattie Career Center Creese, Smith, Hune, & Co. LLC Basilone Executive Search and Staffing Crisis Center North, Inc Baierl Auto Group Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham L.L.P. Borough of Seven Fields Dollar Bank - Pine Twp. Butler County Community College Dollar Bank Loan Center - Cranberry Coldwell Banker - Jan Stevens Dukovich & Associates Cole Management Inc. EZ Storage Concordia of Cranberry First City Company - McIntyre Square CORE Environmental Services Fun Fore All Family Fun Park Costco Wholesale Glade Run Foundation Cranberry Public Library Hill, Barth & King LLC Cranberry Supply Co. Holsinger Cranberry Township Huntington Bank - Wexford Creative Real Estate Development Co
Ace Handyman Services Pittsburgh North Allstate- Reuss Agency Another Level Ministries Banccard Body20 Seven Fields Bosland Electric, LLC Camp Bow Wow Cranberry Coach with Merilee Coldwell Banker - Jan Stevens Common Sense Cleaning, LLC Concordia of Cranberry Dail Digital DeMaster Dog Training Drayer Physical Therapy Edward Jones Investments- Andrew Dobies Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Harmarville Extended Stay America Premier F5 Facility Services Find Your Destination Focus-CFO
Cooperateone LLC North Hills Psychological Associates, Inc. Soma E.E. Powell & Company, Inc.
Green Apple Barter Herbein + Company, Inc. Heritage Hospice I-Clean, Inc. iR;se to Save Lives 501(c)3 Jeff Brooks Landscaping Jireh Mobile Just In Thyme Catering and Events, Inc. Leathem Creation Co. Legal Shield & Identity Theft Protection Lithia Motors, Inc. dba Baierl Auto Group Maxine's Coffee MEDIA- The Creative Agency MMC Land Management Mortgage Planning Group Muhlenkamp & Company, Inc New Directions Counseling Services, Newt & Ruby Interiors NFP Nicole Zirnsak State Farm Insurance Oil & Vinegar
Chateau Perry Apartments LeadtheGame Clean Express Auto Wash
Dr. Kathleen Kuznicki Kelvin Mack
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IMA | ESS Kawneer Cranberry - An Arconic Lifesteps McCandless Corporate Center Medicine Shoppe of Ingomar Minuteman Press - Cranberry MSA- The Safety Company North Allegheny School District North Hills Community Outreach North Hills Monthly Magazine Seneca Valley School District The Chadwick Three Rivers Paintball, Inc. Tierra Realty Management WesBanco Bank - Cranberry WesBanco Bank - Perry Highway Win-Son Inc.
PEOPLES SECURITY BANK & TRUST PGHBatteries.com Priority2Work Restore Hyper Wellness RiteRug Flooring Salem Media Group Sencak Orthodontics Sheeley Agency- Allstate Insurance Sound Advice Entertainment, LLC Spark Signs & Graphics Streamline Connections TapvilleSocial The Haven at North Hills Town Square Publications Treesdale Life - BeLocal Cranberry Truth at Work Tuff Shed Tusick & Associates Architects, Inc Verland Walnut Grill Wexford Weber Insurance Agency
POWUR Solar Cultured Travel LLC Joshua Tree Experts Ancero, LLC
Jackie Hooper Rakesh Unnithan
Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
PghNorthChamber.com | December 2023
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
PghNorthChamber.com | November 2023
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