november–december 2016 hiring …wkchamber.org/wp-content/uploads/the-voice-nov-dec-2016.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
November – December 2016 www.wkchamber.org
2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902phone: 301-949-0080e-mail: [email protected]/WheatonKensingtonCC
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce the
voiceHiring Practices and BusinessRegulations Breakfast Mixer
Halloween costumes were optional, but few were scary! To go along with the dress-up theme, Dan Thompson ofWUDAC gave a presention about the upcoming WheatonARTS Parade planned for September 2017, highlightingthe varied Arts in and around Wheaton.
The Chamber’s Evening Halloween Mixer on October 26was at The George Apartments roof-top G Lounge. Thiswas the second time we’ve held this event there – enjoyingthe BOO-tiful view of the Capital Region, looking southdown Georgia Avenue to the District of Columbia.
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Halloween Mixer on Roof-Top Loungeof The George Apartments
Continued on page 6
The Chamber’s September 21 Breakfast Mixer gave anupdate on the County’s Hiring Practices and BusinessRegulations, and was held at Panera Bread in WestfieldWheaton Mall (upper level, near Costco).
Barbara Berschler, J.D., LL.M., of Press & Dozier, LLCgave a presentation about Hiring Practices in the County.Judith Stephenson, Small Business Navigator, Mont. CountyOffice of the County Executive, presented the results of theBusiness Services Survey, and gave some thoughts as to what projects they will be focusing on in response.
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Executive CommitteePR E S I D E N T
William Moore, IHOP 301-942-2323
VI C E-PR E S I D E N T
Mirza Donegan, Griswold Home Care –Aspen Hill-Wheaton 301-330-7646
2N D VI C E-PR E S I D E N T
Harold Weinberg, Miles Realty 301-933-6161
SE C R E TA RY
Victoria LaFleur, CornerstoneMontgomery, Inc. 240-650-8389
TR E A S U R E R
James Onder, Onder CommunicationsGroup 301-367-7023
SE R G E A N T-AT-AR M S
Kenneth Nelson, Mont. Coll. WorkforceDevelopment & Cont. Ed. 240-328-4747
IM M E D I AT E PA S T-PR E S I D E N T
Kathleen Guinan, Crossway Community301-929-2505
DirectorsAngelica Garcia, Lafayette Federal CreditUnion 202-568-0267
Omar Lazo, Los Chorros Restaurant301-455-3037
Laura-Leigh Palmer, a.s.a.p. graphics301-942-1121
Ellen Riger, EllenOriginals 301-318-7103
Paul Sexton, Edward Jones 301-933-6753
George Sydnor, Fitzgerald Auto MallWheaton 301-933-7400
Tim Wiens, Jubilee Association ofMaryland 301-949-8628 x105
Ex-Officio DirectorLuisa Montero-Diaz, Director,Mid-County Services Ctr. 240-777-8101
Administrator & Newsletter EditorVicky Surles 301-949-0080
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce
Open House and Networking ReceptionFood • Friends • Fun ALL ARE WELCOME!Wednesday, December 7, from 4:30 - 6:00 pmat MiRé Yoga / in the Rendezvous Social Dance and Fitness Center11910 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852Courtesy of Michele Gordon, Certified Svaroopa Yoga Teacher • [email protected] • MiRé-Home of Svaroopa Yoga • www.mireyoga.com
TH A N K YO U T O OU R ME M B ER RE N EWA L S!
Accounting & Tax ServicesMarinucci & AssociatesTony Marinucci, [email protected]
Automotive RepairLogan’s AutomotiveRene B. [email protected]
Community OrganizationsWheaton-Silver Spring
KiwanisKathleen [email protected]
Community ServicesGreenWheaton, Inc.Wendy [email protected]
Computer ConsultingWH ConsultingWendy K. [email protected]
Custom JewelryOrigami OwlCarol Hayden301-325-4944Happ811789@aol.comwww.CarolHayden.OrigamiOwl.com
Credit UnionSignal Financial
Federal Credit [email protected]
Government - RecyclingMontgomery County
Dept of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services
Alan Pultyniewicz240-777-6480alan.pultyniewicz@
montgomerycountymd.govwww.montgomerycountymd.
gov/recycling
Nutrition CoachTake Shape for LifeShuli Kleinman301-237-7306Shuli@ouDietMeals.comwww.CreateOptimalLiving.com
Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
Sports & Orthopaedic Therapy Services
Karim [email protected]
PlumbingR.L. Voight & Son, LLCJohn L. [email protected]
PrintingGraphic Visions AssociatesDixie Riedford301-963-8600dixieh@graphicvisions.comwww.GraphicVisions.com
RestaurantsIHOP International House
of PancakesWilliam [email protected]
RestaurantsYummy In My TummyAlexandrine [email protected]
And an updated listing for:VeterinariansGeorgia Crossing Veterinary
CenterDr. Barbara [email protected]
TH A N K Y O U T O O U R N E W M E M B E R S !
Advertising/Promotional Products
Local Door CouponsJose EcheonaWheaton, MD 20902301-237-7149Jose@LocalDoorCoupons.comwww.LocalDoorCoupons.com
Electricity (Alternate) Supplier
Electric Advisors, Inc.Michael Strotz5272 River Road, Suite 440Bethesda, MD 20816202-550-8357michael@electricadvisors.comwww.ElectricAdvisors.com
RoofingBRAX RoofingBen Matthews200 Girard Street, Suite 209Gaithersburg, MD [email protected]
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Your Donation Can Make a Huge Difference!
Holiday OnDuty
During the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and
New Year Holidays
We provide meals for these Public Safety Personnel:
• Kensington Volunteer Fire Department
• Montgomery County Police stationed in this Area
• Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad
~ PLEASE HELP AND DONATETO THIS WORTHY FUND ~
Make checks payable to:
Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce
reference:Holiday on Duty
and mail to:2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101
Wheaton, MD 20902
or Donate online: wkchamber.org/events/holiday-on-duty
For more information, contact:Committee Chair Ellen Riger
301-318-7103e-mail: [email protected]
The Wheaton Volunteer RescueSquad in conjunction with
The Wheaton & KensingtonChamber of Commerce asks foryour support for the 18th annual
Your generousdonationsof toys
(or cash forpurchasingtoys) are
delivered tolocal children for
Christmas by Santa and his helpers.We prefer unwrapped presents, because
it allows us to better match the gifts with families.
Sponsors include:Acorn Self Storage
Montgomery Housing PartnershipSherwood Associates
Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squadand
W K Chamber of Commerce
For drop-off locations and information
on how you may help, contact:
For a monetary donation, make checks out to: Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce
reference:Angels for Children
and mail to:2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101
Wheaton, MD 20902
or Donate online:wkchamber.org/events/toy-drive
Eva Dillon at 301-812-4122Montgomery Housing Partnership
Vicky Surles at 301-949-0080W&K Chamber of Commerce
* Deciding helps to avoid at a later time MontgomeryCounty, etc., finding you have misclassified the job.
Have a Carefully Thought-Out Job Description and Job Application
- Job Description: Particularize to the specific job * Don’trecycle old descriptions * Job title, essential responsibilities,skills, qualifications.- Job Application: Give notice that you will seek consent of applicant to make further inquires * Advertise job indiverse ways.- Avoid forms & screenings that may have unfair impact onany group of applicants.
Interview• Respect applicant’s privacy; May ask about actual workexperience, occupational licenses, degrees, training, reasonfor leaving prior job.• Montgomery County bans employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, age,national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability,sexual orientation, genetic status, family responsibilities,gender identify.• In Montgomery County employer may not seek information about criminal record until after interview.
Background Checks• Having obtained applicant’s consent, seek only information that is relevant to the job:* School transcript * Consumer credit history * Prioremployment * References * Criminal background (if information is relevant to job duties).• Have applicant sign a separate form giving consent to alltypes of inquiries you expect to be relevant.• All checks must be in compliance with federal, state andcounty law.• Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) (Federal), whichrequires notifying applicant of negative report findings inaccordance with the Act.• Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Law (Ban the Box - Montgomery County).
Sponsored by:
www.GriswoldHomeCare.com/Aspen-Hill-Wheaton301-330-7646
Judy also talked about the County RegulatoryReform and Excellence in Business ServicesInitiative, which has been trying to identify regulations that can be streamlined or changedto help make the Government more conduciveto business support and growth.www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ep/ebusiness-services.html
The results of the Montgomery County Business SurveyThere were 765 responses / 14 different industriesSole proprietors to businesses with more than 50 employeesand Start-ups to businesses here for more than 20 years.- Most businesses responding (43%) had 1-10 employees.- Most respondents have been in business for more than 20 years (44%)- Good variety of businesses responded, industry groupmost represented was business support & logistics (whichincludes professional and legal services)- In general, businesses are here because they live here andtheir customers are here- Among “other reasons” to locate in the county – “lack ofcorruption”- More than half said it was easy to open a business in thecounty although certain industries report more difficultythan others (retail, real estate, heath care)- Almost half do not interact with the county very often- For businesses that do interact with the county, the highest correlation is between DLC and DPS, followed by DEP and DPS- Almost half rate the county low on business friendliness,but about the same amount rate their interactions with thecounty as positive- Overall, sole proprietors feel most positive about the service they receive and larger businesses feel less positive- As a rule, younger companies have a more positive feelingthan more established companies- Nonprofit organizations are most positive about theirinteractions with the county- Lowest scores are from financial services and marketingfirmsOpportunities:• Provide more and better information and online services
- Business portal; Forms Automation• Improve customer service and responsiveness
- Culture of solutions• Improve coordination and streamline processes
- Regulatory reform
Tips on Hiring Practices for Employers in Mont. County, MDBy Barbara I. Berschler, Esquire – a gifted business attorneywho provides legal guidance, support, and coaching to her clients in business purchases, franchises, and generalbusiness matters in the county and state.Decide on the Type of Work Being Offered* Independent contractor or employee * Full time or parttime * Minimum wage or salaried employee * Contractualor “at will” employment.
September 21 Breakfast Mixer – Hiring Practices and Business RegulationsContinued from page 1
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Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce
Breakfast MixerEnergy Efficiency Opportunities
among Montgomery County Businesses
with Lindsey Shaw from the County Dept of Environmental Protection
and Sean Williamson, University of MD Environmental Finance Center
www.wkchamber.org
Lindsey and Sean will be discussing a new project that Montgomery County DEP is launching withthe University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC). They hope to engage small,resource-constrained businesses. Together, DEP and EFC are exploring barriers and opportunitiesthat the businesses in the County are experiencing – as it relates to energy efficiency upgrades andrebates. They hope to learn more about how businesses approach energy efficiency upgrades,what obstacles they may face, and how the County can better develop programs to assist.
~ Chinese Breakfast: Sweet & Savory Dim Sum; Sausage & Egg Buns ~
~ Mix & Network with Other Businesses ~
Cost is $5 in advance or online pay / or $10 at the doorRegister/Pay online at wkchamber.org/events
_________________________________________(Company Name)
_________________________________________(Phone Number)
_________________________________________(e-mail address)
Return payment to: Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101 • Wheaton, MD 20902
❏ Check ❏ Cash Total Amount $ _________ for ______ Reservations
Cost is $5 in advance or online pay / or $10 at the doorRegister/Pay online at wkchamber.org/events
_________________________________________(Attendee)
_________________________________________(Attendee)
_________________________________________(Attendee)
Our BreakfastMixers are usuallyon the fourthWednesday ofeach month.
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commercethe voice forYOUR business!www.wkchamber.orgcall: 301-949-0080fax: [email protected]
Wednesday, November 16, 2016from 8:00 – 9:30 AM
atHollywood East Café
11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton, MD 20902in Westfield Wheaton Mall / Lower Level / Restaurant Row / 240-290-9988
HollywoodEastCafe.com
301- 649 -1115www.VistaCares.com
Sponsored by:
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There was plenty of beer & wine, with appetizers and festive orange-topped desserts. Special thanks to Chamber member Michele Gordon of MiRe Yoga for helping to decorate the lounge.
The George Apartments (301-933-1999)11141 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
Halloween Mixer on Roof-Top of The George ApartmentsContinued from page 1
Sponsored by:
LindsayFord.com888-314-7537TheGeorgeApts.com
Cost is $15 in advance or online pay / or $20 at the door
Register/Pay online at wkchamber.org/events/mixers-networking-events
~ Please bring a new unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive ~Ideas: Soccer balls, board games, arts & crafts materials, gifts for babies, gifts for teens
Pick up a Drop-off Box for Toys to place at your business
Celebrate the season and join us for the Kick-off of the 18th annual ANGELS FOR CHILDREN Holiday Toy Drive.
www.wkchamber.org
Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door $5.00
of eachentrance ticket will bedonated
to the
Toy Drive!
Payment by: ❏ Check Total Amount $ __________ for ______ ReservationsPayment by: ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ AmericanExpress
Account #: ___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___
Expiration Date: ___ ___–___ ___ Name on Card: ___________________________
Sed Code: ________ Signature: _________________________________________Address Card is Issued to:______________________________________________
________________________________________(Company Name)
________________________________________(Phone Number)
________________________________________(e-mail address)
Send payment to:Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101Wheaton, MD 20902
________________________________________(Attendee)
________________________________________(Attendee)
________________________________________(Attendee)
Wheaton& KensingtonChamber of Commercethe voice forYOUR business!
www.wkchamber.orgFor registration informationcall: 301-949-0080fax: 301-949-0081email: [email protected]
www.mhpartners.org
LosChorrosRestaurant.com
Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce
invites you to a
Holiday Mixeron
Thursday, December 1, 2016from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
at
LOS CHORROS RESTAURANT2420 Blueridge Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 (301-933-1066)
~ Warm appetizers will be served ~ Cash Bar ~Sponsored by Montgomery Housing Partnership
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of CommercethevoiceforYOUR business!
Postage
website: www.wkchamber.orgwww.Facebook.com/WheatonKensingtonCCe-mail: [email protected]
A pdf of this newsletter will be posted online.
301-949-0080
2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902
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