Corridors November 2022

November CORRIDORS

From the President

Upcoming Networking Events

Member of the Month

2022 Health & Wellness Fair

Uncertainty Clouds the Holidays

Community Builders

2023 Board Nominees

2022 Holiday Village Market

Managing Holiday Stress

Affinity Programs

My Benefit Advisor

Nonprofit Spotlight Face2Face

Giving Tree Nonprofits List

November Lunchbox Session

November Events Calendar

Holiday Social Sponsorship Opportunities

2022 Board of Directors

Board of Directors Election

Every year we have an election for our Board of Directors. It is your opportunity to be involved in the process of selecting the leadership of the Chamber. It is a very important task. Your choice will be paramount in setting the direction of our organization for the next few years. Each member company gets one vote. Companies with multiple locations get a vote for each company that is listed as a member.

Jim Boltz President

In this newsletter, you will find the list of this year’s candidates. On November 8th, in a separate email, we will be sending out the ballot. You will be able to vote online or with a hard copy. Ballots will also be available at the Chamber offices.

Now, some background. We have eighteen (18) directors on the Board. All serve three year terms. The terms are staggered for continuity sake. Each board member is allowed to serve for two full terms. Every year, we elect six directors.

It is the responsibility of the directors to govern the business of the Chamber and give guidance to the President. They meet once a month. From the list of Directors, the Board Chair appoints the officers of the organization. Those include the Chair, the Chair-Elect, the Vice Chair, the Treasurer and the Secretary. All have one year terms, and those appointments must be approved by the Board. Those officers along with the Past Chair, make up the Executive Committee.

It is not easy becoming a director. First, they must be nominated as a candidate. Then, they meet with the Nominating Committee so that they understand the responsibilities and expectations. It is only, after that, that they are placed on the ballot.

Our future is in your hands. Please help us select the future leaders of our organization.

Sincerely, Jim Boltz President, PNRC

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND

1PM

PRIMANTI BROS. ALLISON PARK

4679 William Flynn Hwy, Allison Park, PA 15101 Register HERE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH 8AM-9AM

Come Celebrate Women in Business!

Virtual event via Zoom Register HERE

Every Tuesday, 11:30AM-

@ Discovery Christian Church in Mars

Want to present at a Connections Meeting?

Kelvin Mack

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH

-7PM

HOUSE OF 1000 BEERS

100 Fowler Road Suite 10, Warrendale, PA 15086 Register HERE

Zoom link for all virtual meetings will be provided after you register on the event page. Thanks to the generosity of WesBanco's Cranberry Twp Branch, we are able to provide virtual networking events.

Art Ianuzzi

“In the very short time that Art has been a member, he has made significant contributions to the chamber. Not only has been active in attending numerous events, but he has also been a volunteer when we needed his help. It is not just the chamber, that he helps. He also volunteers to help other non profits in the community. His unselfish generosity makes a difference to numerous organizations.

Jim Boltz, President PNRC

Uncertainty clouds the holidays as inflation takes a toll

Authored by: Daphne Howland, Senior Reporter | Retail Dive

Shoppers are a bit more confident and getting to their lists early, but financial worries are making the season hard to predict.

Uncertainty a mainstay for retailers in the past few years as the pandemic roiled both supply and demand is back for the holidays, with consumers and retailers alike facing higher costs.

Last year during the season, a new COVID 19 variant kept some consumers from gathering and away from stores. But in the end, with many households still benefiting from the government’s financial support, holiday sales were robust. This year, that financial cushion is gone, just as consumers grapple with what has been months of budget busting price increases on essentials.

There’s some good news in recent days. Lower fuel prices have helped boost consumer confidence to the strongest level since April, according to a Tuesday client note from Wells Fargo economists Tim Quinlan and Shannon Seery.

“Falling gasoline prices and a still tight labor market are the main reasons we have seen a recent rebound in confidence,” they said. “But as inflation persists and the Fed lifts rates to combat it, we are unlikely to see confidence approach pre pandemic levels.”

Some 40% of consumers say that inflation will affect their holiday shopping decisions somehow, according to Bankrate research.

“Overall, holiday sales won’t be terrible this year, but a lot of growth will be driven by inflation and underlying volumes will be down in many categories,” GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders said in emailed comments. “This is a very different reality to 2021 when things were booming.”

Inflation is forcing consumers to strategize, and here’s what seems to be happening.

Early shopping

In order to stretch their holiday budgets, some people are pulling out their lists ahead of schedule.

Nearly a third (29%) plan to shop a month early, and another 20% will start two months ahead, according to a survey from ad creation platform Creatopy. According to Bread Financial, 21% started in early September.

Some 46% said they plan to start holiday shopping before Halloween, though that’s down 7 percentage points from last year, according to research from AlixPartners.

“Half of holiday shoppers are expected to begin by October 31 and many seem to hope an early start will help them fight back against inflation,” Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman said in a statement.

These early birds are getting help from Amazon and Target, which have scheduled holiday sales and gift guides for early October.

Smaller budgets, less loyalty

Early shopping works fine for retailers, as long as they’re ready with the merchandise, a challenge given lingering supply chain issues. But the season is also complicated by the way inflation has created a choosey, less loyal consumer very keen on finding a deal.

A whopping 84% of holiday shoppers plan to somehow reduce the cost of their purchases, according to Bankrate. Bread Financial similarly found that inflation is affecting holiday spending plans for 83% of shoppers, driven by Gen Z and millennial consumers.

That comes in several forms: 41% are looking for coupons, discounts and sales, 40% will buy fewer things and 21% will opt for cheaper brands, Bankrate found. Large majorities are choosing where to shop based on free shipping (67%), deals or promotions (66%) and value for the price (58%), according to Creatopy.

Consumers are paying more but getting less. Half the holiday consumers surveyed by Creatopy said they’re either “somewhat worried” or “very worried” about how inflation will impact their shopping plans, though 37% say they’ll spend about the same as last year, and 46% will spend more than $200 on gifts.

A little over a third (36%) plan to spend more compared to last year, and Gen Z and millennials promise to be “holiday’s most bullish spenders,” according to Bread Financial.

Credit cards and payment plans

U.S. households have already turned to credit cards and payment plans this year to amplify their spending power.

About a third of U.S. consumers say they’re tapping their savings more than usual, while 46% say they’re investing and saving less, according to the Ipsos Forbes Advisor U.S. Consumer Confidence Tracker. Consumers piled on a record $67.1 billion in credit card debt during the second quarter alone, according to research from WalletHub.

That could rise to $110 billion for the year, per that report. Indeed, most households (78%) carry some credit card debt, with 43% holding more than $5,000 and 21% more than $10,000, according to debt management firm Beyond Finance.

That promises to swell after the holidays, as Bankrate found that 27% will go into debt to bankroll their holiday spending. Half the consumers surveyed by Beyond said they expect to pay for this year’s holiday purchases “mostly with credit cards,” and about 7% will turn to payment options like cash advances and buy now, pay later. Bread Financial found that a free gift, cardholder discount or financing by BNPL or credit card could get 86% of holiday shoppers to spend more than they planned.

“The latest credit card debt statistics indicate that the average U.S. consumer’s financial situation has the potential to get much worse before getting better,” WalletHub analyst Delaney Simchuck said in a statement. “As unemployment rates start to rise, people will find themselves with more and more debt, and if prices remain high, a lot of us will have trouble making ends meet.”

Retailers may eke out a decent holiday AlixPartners expects a “tepid” 4% to 7% year over year rise if they can meet the needs of a beleaguered consumer.

“Seasonal spending is spreading out as consumers focus on getting what they need in the moment,” Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry adviser at the NPD Group, said in a statement. “Retailers and manufacturers should prepare for Holiday 2022 to follow suit with an elongated shopping season and consumers shopping prudently to account for higher prices across retail.”

To read the full article, click HERE

COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!

Ace Handyman Services Pittsburgh North

Advantage Energy Partners, LLC

Ameriglide

Another Level Ministries

Armstrong Comfort Solutions

Arvos Schmidtsche Schack, LLC

Atria’s Restaurant & Taverm Fox Chapel

Axis Business Consultants

Banc Card of America

Bosland Electric, LLC

Butler County Symphony Butler Eagle

CCK Consulting | tHRive People Practices

CHROME Federal Credit Union

Clearview Federal Credit Union

CTR Payroll Services

Charles P. Leach Agency, Inc.

Charter Homes & Neighborhoods

Choice Restorative Medicine

Colbert Law

Coldwell Banker Jan Stevens

Cole Management, Inc.

Common Sense Cleaning, LLC

Commonwealth Charter Academy Community Bank

Compass Self Storage Gibsonia

Cranberry Highlands Golf Course

Cranberry Supply Co.

Cranberry Township Cranberry Village Estates

Crea Excavating, Inc.

Creative Real Estate Development Co. Creese, Smith, Hune & Co. LLC

Curio412, LLC

C.W. Howard Insurance Agency, Inc.

Daniel Novakovich Insurance Agency

Dented Keg Brewing Company

Direct Payment Consultants

Dollar Bank

Dukovich & Associates

Ed Cline Appraisals

Edward Jones Investments Andrew Dobies Express Employment Professionals

Fairfield by Marriott Pittsburgh North / McCandless Crossing Federated Mortgage Corp.

Find Your Destination, Travel Agency

First City Company McIntyre Square Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant Fun Fore All Family Fun Park

Goddard School Hampton Goldfish Swim School Wexford Guardian Storage Cranberry Guardian Storage Hampton Guardian Storage Ross Guardian Storage Seven Fields H2R CPA

Handel's of McCandless HEARTH

Highlander Waterproofing & Foundation Repair Hill, Barth & King LLC Holsinger

Home Depot Cranberry House of 1000 Beers

I Clean, Inc.

IMA | ESS

InVision Human Services

Innovate E Commerce, Inc.

Jason's Deli Cranberry Twp Jewelry by Alicia and Scott

Jireh Mobile

Joe Palmieri Construction, Inc.

Junior Achievement of Western PA

Just In Thyme Catering and Events, Inc.

Kress Restoration Landmark Properties Group

Laurel Business Institute

Laurelwood/West Realty Land & Development Co. Leathem Creation Co.

Legal Shield & Identity Theft Protection

COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!

Liberty Insurance Agency

Link to Visibility, LLC

Masonic Village at Sewickley

MEDIA The Creative Agency

MHY Family Services

Mainstream Boutique

Maria Valdez In Memory of Bruce Conley Mars Bank

Mascari Auto Body, Inc.

Masonic Fund Society

McCall Scanlon & Tice, LLC CPA McGuire Memorial Foundation

Morella & Associates

MSA The Safety Company

Muhlenkamp & Company, Inc.

Mullin Landscape & Winter Management Myers, Patsy, & Associates, LLC

Newt & Ruby Interiors

NexTier Bank

Nick Scotti Concrete Contractor Inc.

Nicole Zirnsak State Farm Insurance

North Hills Family Dental

North Pittsburgh Greeting Company

North Star Buick GMC

Northland Public Library

Olive Garden/Cranberry

Oliver Outdoor

OMEGA Federal Credit Union McKnight

OMEGA Federal Credit Union Wexford

Once Upon A Hero Organic Remedies, Inc.

Owl Cleaners, Inc.

Pawlowicz Dentistry

Phelps Nursery PGH, North Inc.

Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty Pittsburgh Skin Priority2Work

R.M. Stoof & Associates Inc.

Realty ONE Group Gold Standard Restart, Inc.

Right Electric, Inc.

RiteRug Flooring

Riverview Carpet & Flooring, Inc.

Rj Community Management

SERVPRO of Southern Butler County

SPARK SIGNS & GRAPHICS

Scolieri Law Group P. C. Sechler Law Firm, LLC

Sheeley Agency Allstate Insurance Special T Electronics

Specialized Staffing and Industry Recruiters, Inc.

Staples Cranberry Twp. Terry’s Plumbing, Inc.

The Arc of Butler County The Block Northway

The Chadwick

The Exercise Coach Cranberry Twp.

The Joint...the Chiropractic Place

The Lynch Law Group

The Pavilion at Star Lake Live Nation

The Payroll Shop, LLC

The Wilson Group, LLC

Thought Process Enterprises

Three Rivers Paintball, Inc.

Tierra Realty Management

TownePlace Suites

Township of Hampton

Treesdale Golf & Country Club

Treesdale Life BeLocal Cranberry

Trib Total Media

Ultimate Granite Surfaces, Inc. Vincentian Vitalant (Central Blood Bank)

Wain Landscaping, LLC Walnut Grill

Weber Insurance Agency WesBanco Bank

White Deer Run Treatment Network Win Son Inc. Wine Concrete Products Inc.

Young Adult Survivors United

Every year we have an election for our Board of Directors. It is your opportunity to be involved in the process of selecting the leadership of the Chamber. It is a very important task. Your choice will be paramount in setting the direction of our organization for the next few years. Each member company gets one vote. Companies with multiple locations get a vote for each company that is listed as a member.

In this newsletter, you will find the list of this year’s candidates. On November 8th, in a separate email, we will be sending out the ballot. You will be able to vote online or with a hard copy. Ballots will also be available at the Chamber offices.

Now, some background. We have eighteen (18) directors on the Board. All serve three year terms. The terms are staggered for continuity sake. Each board member is allowed to serve for two full terms. Every year, we elect six directors.

It is the responsibility of the directors to govern the business of the Chamber and give guidance to the President. They meet once a month. From the list of Directors, the Board Chair appoints the officers of the organization. Those include the Chair, the Chair Elect, the Vice Chair, the Treasurer and the Secretary. All have one year terms, and those appointments must be approved by the Board. Those officers along with the Past Chair, make up the Executive Committee.

It is not easy becoming a director. First, they must be nominated as a candidate. Then, they meet with the Nominating Committee so that they understand the responsibilities and expectations. It is only, after that, that they are placed on the ballot.

Our future is in your hands. Please help us select the future leaders of our organization.

The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Board of Directors is happy to announce the 2023 Board Nominees!

Candidates for Re Election:

• Lisa Hunt, USX Federal Credit Union

New Candidates for Election:

• Steve Diffenderfer, Dollar Bank

• Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher, United Way

• Ryan Kociela, BCCC

• Jon O’Data, Cremation Society of PA

• Chuck Reese, Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids

• Robert Sherwin, Bethany Christian Services

• Felipe Valdez, Nothing Bundt Cakes

• Bradley Wilkins, Key Bank

Holiday stress: A compassionate guide about holiday stress and how to manage it

Authored by: Taylor Bennett, Senior Content Strategist | Thriveworks

As the holiday season approaches, many of us feel happy, excited, cheerful, and stressed. You probably can’t tell that stress is a universal experience during the holidays. How could you? Considering all of the picture perfect photos on Instagram (highlight reels) and cheery (more like cheesy) Christmas cards. But it’s true that the holiday season isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Between traveling, cooking lavish meals, and making small talk with distant relatives (not to mention working to meet tight deadlines so that you can take a few days off to do all of the previously listed stress inducing things), you’re bound to feel overwhelmed.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. We answer some of the most common questions about holiday stress, from how to handle stress when you’re hosting to how to deal with stressful in laws. You’re encouraged to read it in full or jump to the sections that apply to you. In either case, we hope this Holiday Stress Guide helps.

What Is Holiday Stress?

Holiday stress is just as it sounds it’s stress that occurs during the holiday season, which typically refers to the months of November and December. During this time of year, people are celebrating two of the biggest holidays in the US: Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What Are Common Signs of Holiday Stress?

Holiday stress manifests like other forms of stress work stress, stress in your relationships, stress about an upcoming event. Here are a few of the most common signs or symptoms:

• Difficulty sleeping

• Tense muscles

• Jaw clenching

• Racing thoughts and/or heart

• Headaches

• Stomachaches or digestive problems

• Dizziness

• Shaking

• Irritability

If you have any combination of the above symptoms in thinking about or planning for the holidays, you re likely experiencing holiday stress. That said, you probably don’t need to consult a list of symptoms to determine whether or not you re feeling stressed about the holidays.

What Causes Holiday Stress?

Now, why are the holidays so stressful? The reason(s) you’re stressed and the reason(s) your best friend Kiana or your coworker Tommy are stressed around the holidays are likely different. They might also have a few things in common. Some of the most common causes of holiday stress include:

1. Family get-togethers: This is the main culprit of holiday stress. While spending time with family is something that many of us look forward to during the holidays, it’s also a breeding ground for stress. This goes for the hosts and the attendees. There’s a flight to catch or a long drive ahead; prepping and decorating to be done; food to be made (for hours on end); a number of relatives to catch up with (and nosey questions to dodge); the list goes on. One or two of these items alone can create feelings of stress now, put them all together, and you have a recipe for holiday stress.

2. Money: Most of us spend more money during the holidays than we do any other time of year. Think: plane tickets, gas, gifts, food, decorations. Traveling, gift giving, making those lavish dinners, and decking out the house for the holidays can add up quickly. These expenses can put a damper on your wallet and cause you to experience financial stress.

3. Gift-giving pressure: As it turns out, gifts don’t just cause financial stress. The pressure to pick out the “perfect gift” can cause stress, too. Now, some of us enjoy the whole gift giving thing in fact, our favorite part of Christmas Day is watching our friends and family members open the presents we so carefully picked out for them. But others aren’t as into it and worry about disappointing their loved ones instead.

4. Excessive commitments: Breakfast at home, 9:00 am. Lunch at Grandma’s, 11:30 am. Football watching at Dad’s, 1 pm. Early dinner at the in laws, 3 pm. Second dinner back at Dad’s, 5 pm this hectic holiday schedule might look familiar. We feel guilty if we only spend the holidays with one side of the family, so we do our very best to fit everybody in to our own stressed out detriment.

5. Lack of time: Bouncing off of the excessive commitments bit lack of time can lead to our holiday stress, too. We want (no, need) to fit Grandma, Dad, the in laws, and every other member of the family into our schedule. But the confines of time don’t always allow it. Cue more stress.

6. Unrealistic expectations: Sometimes, the stress hits just after the holidays come to a close. You so looked forward to spending time with family; you fantasized about impressing your in laws with a perfect turkey; you romanticized about sitting next to your dream man on the flight home. Whatever the fantasy or expectation, it doesn’t come true you didn’t enjoy the time spent with family because everyone argued the whole time; you didn’t impress your in laws with your turkey because it burnt to a crisp; and you didn’t sit next to your dream man on the plane, you sat next to a screaming baby. The stress that was the last few weeks sets in and you feel depressed that you don’t have the holidays to look forward to anymore (not until next year).

How Many Americans Feel Holiday Stress?

Like we said before, feeling stressed during the holidays is not unusual. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 38% said their stress level increases during the holidays. Additionally, a study in 2019 found that over ⅓ of Americans would choose to skip the holiday season due to stress.

How Do I Get Rid of Holiday Stress?

Now, to perhaps the most important question yet: How can you get rid of holiday stress? Unfortunately, you probably can’t get rid of your stress completely. However, you can learn to better manage your stress in the moment and take steps to minimize your holiday stress.

1. Talk to yourself in a calm, logical tone. Picture this: The kids are running laps around the house. Your turkey prep is way behind schedule. Aunt Linda is talking your ear off. I think we can agree, this sounds stressful. Ease this stress by talking yourself down in a calm voice. It can help to reframe the stressful situation. For example: The kids are having so much fun. Sure, your turkey is behind schedule, but that means you’ve got more time to prep the rest of the food. And Aunt Linda might be long winded, but she’s actually sharing some really heartwarming stories about your mom.

2. Practice a mindfulness exercise. There are countless mindfulness exercises out there to choose from. One of the most simple is a quick breathing exercise. Break away from your family and the food for a few minutes, and try to find a quiet space. Standing outside or sitting in the car is completely acceptable. Once you’ve found your quiet, take a deep breath in through your nose count to 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7 seconds. Then, release through your mouth for 8 seconds. Do this as many times as you need to.

3. Find someone you feel safe with. Certain family members can cause a lot of the holiday stress we experience. Your nosy parents, the stuck up mother in law, the loud and annoying children. However, certain family members can also serve as a safe space. Your empathetic sister. Your loving husband. Your compassionate mother. If you’re feeling stressed due to some of your loved ones or something else entirely, find that someone you feel comfortable and calm with. They can help you reset.

4. Make a list. If the source of your stress is everything that you still need to get done before leaving the house or welcoming others into yours, try making a list. Don’t let that infinite number of to dos swirl around in your head on repeat. Write them down on paper or, at the very least, a note on your phone. Because that infinite number of to dos isn’t actually infinite there is a tangible amount there. And once you write them down, you’ll see how many tasks you actually need to do before the holiday festivities begin. And then, but only then, can you start to prioritize and conquer.

5. Remember the “reason for the season.” When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed during the holidays, take a pause and remember your reason for the season. Remember why people (including you) get so excited for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Remember why it’s called the most magical time of year. Remember why we continue to celebrate the holidays, year after year, despite the stress we might experience. We don’t have an unequivocal answer for you. Your reason for the season is personal to you. But we can probably guess it has something to do with love, family, friends, tradition, and making memories. Now go and try to make the most of it.

To read the entire article, click HERE

Keeping Employee Benefits Simple

It’s possible to overcomplicate employee benefits.

Depending on the size, demographics and level of benefit knowledge among the people who comprise your workforce, there may be value to keeping your benefit program simple and understandable. Most employees already juggle a variety of responsibilities between home life and work life and piling on additional complications from a poorly planned or communicated benefit program without sufficient supporting resources doesn’t help.

Companies can start by showing their employees they care by developing a well thought out, consistent benefit strategy that evolves over time rather than undergoing drastic shifts from year to year. By communicating the cohesive strategy and its associated details on a regular basis through an organized, user friendly multi media campaign, employees can better understand their benefit options and make more confident, informed decisions. And by providing employees with ample and targeted resources to facilitate a smooth decision making and enrollment selection process, employers also win, since their benefit dollar expenditures will yield maximum returns and help improve employee morale and productivity.

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.

Your Chamber membership is a valuable business tool that is complemented by our Affinity Program partners who allow you to save time and money. Save on everything from payroll to energy and you do not even have to waste time researching your Chamber has done it all for you.

NONPROFIT

Nonprofit Name: Face2Face Healing

Mission: To offer life enhancing experiences for cancer patients and/or people with conditions causing disfigurement.

What impact does your organization wish to make in the world?

Our Vision is to be a regional leader in improving quality of life for everyone affected by cancer or disfigurement within our communities.

What needs would help your organization to put your mission into action?

We are always looking for sponsors and volunteers for our organization. We are also always looking for sponsors to support our patients needs:

• For $25, $50, $75 and $100 for patient transportation

• For $25, $50, $75 and $100 for patient/caregiver parking

• For $25, $50, $75 and $100 donate groceries

• For $25, $50, $75 and $100 donate gas cards

• Donate $25, $50, $75 and $100 for basic needs of a patient (examples massage, hairstyling, manicure/pedicure, housecleaning)

• For $50 donate a writing tablet

• For $100 donate hotel accommodations

• For $100 donate a meal for the patient and caregiver

• For $250 donate a Care Package

• For $500 purchase a wig

• For $500 donate an iPad

What makes you most proud of your organization’s accomplishments?

Face2Face Healing was created in response to the gap that often occurs when medicine has done all it can, but individuals are left emotionally and/or physically unable to adapt to the consequences of having a cancer diagnosis or disfigurement. Many individuals experience loneliness due to isolation and/or rejection. Regardless of why a face or body is different, the pain and distress can leave a person feeling alone, confused and unable to resume an active lifestyle. While the healing process is slightly different for each person, the goal of Face2Face Healing remains constant, empower the individual with cancer or disfigurement to see their inner beauty and give them back their voice.

Face2Face Healing creates the support necessary to give individuals dealing with any type of cancer or disfigurement the opportunity to meet and share with others who know how they feel. We create a caring, sharing and supportive environment where individuals can connect and make an investment in each other’s lives.

We value:

Integrity. We remain true to our mission and work hard to produce quality products, provide exceptional service to our constituents and maximize the support of our donors.

Excellence. We strive to provide high quality content and strategies, basing our insights on experience, knowledge and data. Leadership. We champion the importance of effective board leadership and action. It empowers boards with the knowledge of good governance practices. It encourages staff initiative and leadership and strives to be a model nonprofit organization.

Compassion. We promise to care deeply about our clients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals. We are empathetic, we are open and honest and we act with kindness, consideration and integrity at all times.

Commitment. We promise to provide the expertise and fortitude to deliver the highest standard of support to people affected by cancer and/or people with conditions causing disfigurement within our region. We are committed to working with healthcare professionals and partner organizations to ensure effective care at all times.

Expertise. We promise to continually develop our expertise, knowledge and skills to provide cutting edge psychological therapy services to people affected by cancer and/or people with conditions causing disfigurement within our region

Free Services. We are committed to securing sustainable funding to ensure that Face2Face Healing can continue to provide its services free of charge.

Nonprofit

by

Information/Donation Contact:

Name: Adrianna Deithorn Phone: (412) 913 1494

Email: adriane@face2facehealing.org

Donation Link: https://face2facehealing.org/donate/

State Transportation Update

Authored by: Eileen Anderson

Manufacturer & Business Association

Constitutional Amendments: Something to think about - Is this the way to pass “legislation”?

Senate Bill 106 proposes five separate and distinct amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

• Expand the General Assembly's power to reject regulations.

• Require government issued ID to vote.

• Require the auditor general to audit elections.

• Change the way the lieutenant governor is selected.

• Add language declaring the state constitution does not grant any right relating to abortion.

Senate Bill 106 was amended and passed along party lines in the General Assembly.

To pass constitutional amendments, the General Assembly must vote and pass proposed changes in two consecutive sessions before proposals are presented to voters. Unlike the legislative process, the bill bypasses the governor’s desk and goes directly to voters. If the bill is approved in the General Assembly in the winter 2023 session, the proposed amendments could appear on the primary election ballot as early as spring 2023

Mail-in Ballots

The Latest News - Don’t Count ‘em

“Both Pennsylvania and national Republicans have filed a lawsuit to ensure incorrectly dated mail in ballots or those missing a date are not counted in the upcoming election. The lawsuit filed late Sunday has been sent directly to the state Supreme Court, however they are not required to rule before the election. Prior to the Republicans' lawsuit, the Wolf Administration indicated that it expects counties to count undated or incorrectly dated ballots for the election even in light of the recent opinion released by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

…TO DATE OR NOT TO DATE, Greenlee Partners, 10/18/22

Last Week’s News Count ‘em

“Pennsylvania’s top ranking state elections official said a new U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding how rules for the state’s mail in ballots had been applied in a county judge election doesn’t change her agency’s guidance about counting them.

• Acting Secretary of State Chapman said county elections officials should count mail in votes that arrive in exterior envelopes with inaccurate or nonexistent handwritten dates, despite a requirement in state law.

• The U.S. Supreme Court earlier had declared as moot a decision in May by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that had said mail in ballots without a required date on the return envelope had to be counted in a 2021 Pennsylvania judge race.

• Chapman issued a statement saying the high court decision did not affect a separate, previous ruling by state Commonwealth Court in favor of counting ballots without properly dated exterior envelopes”

… “US justices reverse Pennsylvania mail in voting law decision,” Associated Press, Mark Scoloforo, 10/11/22

Last Month’s News Correct ‘em and Count ‘em

“… Pennsylvania counties can notify voters who submit mail ballots with mistakes like missing dates or signatures and help those voters resolve the issues, a state judge ruled Thursday… The decision was a loss, at least temporarily, for Republicans who have tried in recent years to stop local elections officials from helping voters fix errors with their ballots, arguing that state law hasn't been updated to allow it…”

…adapted from “Commonwealth Court rules that counties can notify voters to correct mail-in ballots,” Under the Dome, Capitolwire, 9/2/22

https://www.mbausa.org/about us/staff contacts/

North Regional

(Ambassador List as of this publication)

Join Us for Member Benefits Orientation

Learn how to make your membership work for you!

Benefits Orientation offers a quick and comprehensive look at the chamber's benefits, services, programs and events. This event is for new members and existing members looking to maximize their investment.

Thursday, November 17th 1PM-2:30PM

In person at the PNRC Wexford Office!

Please Join Us for Nonprofits North- a networking meeting to share ideas, help support each other's organizations, and develop goals for the future of Nonprofits North.

Thursday, November 10th 1:30PM-3PM In person at the PNRC Wexford Office! Register HERE!

College Bound Considerations

By: Jessika Coltz, Director of College and Career Readiness, North Catholic High School

If you have a college bound `12th grader, you have a lot to consider this time of year! High school has been a long journey for the class of 2023, but as it wraps up and you and your student are making decisions about what’s next, here are the top ten things you can be thinking about:

10. Most folks apply to about 6 schools, every single one of which is a good match. You may have heard about “reach” schools or “safety schools” but a student shouldn’t apply to any school they couldn’t happily attend.

9. Talk about resources up front. Utilize each school’s Net Price Calculator to find out what your family might be expected to pay.

8. Fill out the FAFSA on or after October 1st, and find out if any school you’re applying to requires the CSS Profile. This is a best practice even if you think you won’t qualify for federal or state aid.

7. Talk about credit and spending money and how your student will pay for incidentals.

6. Know what your 529 funds will cover it includes things like textbooks and living expenses for college students enrolled at least half time. You can also still open a 529 to use money to pay for educational expenses, tax free!

5. Think about community college BC3 and CCAC have great opportunities. If you’re planning on transferring credits eventually, work closely with transfer admissions at the school you’d like to transfer to make sure you know what credits will follow you.

courtesy of FiveThrityEight.com]

4. Has your student completed some or all of K 12 with an IEP or 504? It’s time to talk with the academic support folks in your building about a transition plan. If your student is college bound, be sure to seek out information about access and support services at schools you’re considering.

3. School isn’t just about academics it's about fun! Students involved in extracurricular activities tend to persist to graduation at higher rates than those who aren’t as involved in campus life.

2. Think about career paths rather than majors. You can be very successful in business without a business degree or be a fabulous lawyer with a chemical engineering background.

1. The most important thing you take to college is yourself know who you are and what you believe in and stick with it.

Vote to Make a Difference

In a highly charged political environment we just want to take a moment to encourage folks to vote. The general election on November 8th has some critical commonwealth offices: namely governor and US senate in addition to other commonwealth wide and local offices.

Why is it important not only to vote but to learn about the candidates? The top two reasons that stand out:

An informed electorate is the basis of a sound democracy. Casting your vote intelligently means learning about the candidates and issues.

As Americans we are incredibly fortunate to be able to vote with out fear of injury or even death. For example, unlike the Ukrainians, our votes are not being counted by soldiers going door to door.

To support informed voting I have assembled a collection of web links to information about voting, county political parties, and candidates. Just use your phone to scan the QR code to learn more about the elections on the 8th.

In addition to providing information about the elections we support economic development. Our next project is the creation of short videos about workforce development. These short, informal videos will feature interviews with local business leaders about educating, hiring, and retaining the types of employees that grow business and support a strong economy.

If you are looking for ways to become more involved, consider joining the Legislative and Economic Committee. We are a bi partisan committee whose focus is serving as a conduit of information, not lobbying. We meet, via telecom, on the second Thursday of the month. Please contact Elizabeth Blakely, Chair, eblakely@linktovisibility.com.

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Cranberry Physical Therapy, an MRS

Physical Therap

Finance of America Mortgage Firespring

First National Bank Wexford Flats

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Junior Achievement of Western PA Karen L. Vidt, CPA

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Small businesses are what keep our communities vibrant that's why a growing group of companies have come together to provide support to them during this time. Visit StandForSmall.com to learn more. #StandForSmall

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board of Directors

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Mark Prentice Chairman of the Board Valpak of Western PA

Lisa Hunt Chair Elect U$X Federal Credit Union Rakesh Unnithan Vice Chair WesBanco Bank

Tracy Armstrong Past Chair North Pittsburgh Greeting Company

Kathleen Kuznicki Foundation Chair The Lynch Law Group

Rich Coyner Treasurer Minuteman Press Cranberry Twp. Calvin Sales Secretary New York Life

Jim Boltz President Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Tom Baker North Hills Community Outreach Gary Basilone Basilone Executive Search Elizabeth Blakely Link to Visibility

Niki Campbell The Flourish Group

Andrew Chiapusio First National Bank

Carolyn Keller Curio412, LLC

Perry Latimer Butler County Tourism

Jada Lehman Expense Reduction Analysts Sally Power Treasure House Fashions Craig Pritts My Benefit Advisor

Sheila Talarico Glade Run Foundation