Chamber Chatter – February 15, 2021

The Chamber Updates

We Are Busy Planning Our 2 New BIG Events

We have been busy working on our two BIG events which will be coming in 2021. Details for our 1st Annual Farmer’s Market at The Hilton Garden Inn-Owings Mills will be announced very soon.
The Market will begin in May and run through November on Wednesday’s from 10am-2pm.

If you would like to be considered to be a vendor or a sponsor reach out to Emily Winters at emily@northwestchambermd.com

We also have our 1st Annual Golf Outing which will be held at the beautiful Eagle’s Nest Country Club. This event will be on September 13th. Get your clubs out and find your team so you can start practicing as spring comes soon

There will be many sponsorship opportuities available. If you are interested in learning more contact Kathleen Dorsey at kathleen@northwestchambermd.com

Wondering How The Northwest Chamber Supports
Their Member Businesses?

The biggest to become part of a Chamber of Commerce is the support which that chamber gives its members. The Northwest Chamber prides itself on the benefits which we offer to each and every one of our valued members. Here are a few ways which we give support:

1. We show up! Above is a picture of our Executive Director and COO having happy hour at Jose Tequila’s- Owings Mills recently. And guess who they ran into?! The crew from our member Home2 Suites- Oiwngs Mills having their own happy hour. This happens more often then you know! We love visiting our members. If you would like us to come by your establishment, let us know!

2. We give you marketing and PR opportunities for FREE. Our Facebook page as well as this newsletter are popular places where people see not only what WE are up to, but also YOU- our members. Send us your news and promotions and we will push that out for you.

3. Interviews– When COVID began, we didn’t sit in a corner. We found other ways to still give value to our members. We launched our Member Interview Series and our host, Emily Winters, would love to interview YOU! These interviews are recorded and shared on Thursdays. You can use this video for your own marketing as well.

4. We listen- We want to hear from you, our membership, so we can learn what you enjoy as well as new ideas that you may have for us to become even more supportive.

5.Networking galore! Once again, COVID put a damper on all of our normal networking opportunities, but we didn’t let that get us down. We launched virtual happy hours, game nights and other fun virtual activities which can keep us safe while also meeting each other.

6. Matchmaking: Emily and Kathleen LOVE to connect our members with each other. If you would like to meet another member, contact them and they will be happy to introduce you to them.

6. Education– We launched our Webinar Wednesday series in January 2020, and it came in handy during our shutdown! We have had educational webinars on subjects such as digital marketing, mindset, financial literacy and more. If you would like to be a webinar presenter, contact Kathleen Dorsey at kathleen@northwestchambermd.com.

Members- What benefits do you want to take advantage of?
Non-Members- Join to receive this amazing support! Quartlery payment plans are available

Member Interviews:
Meet Gary McCammon
and Susan Seaman

Follow Our YouTube Channel HERE to see all of these interviews and more.

Meet Gary McCammon of Spike Consulting

Meet Gary McCammon of Spike Consulting. Gary helps families navigate the college tuition maze. Gary shares not only why he began his business, but also some fun facts too!

Meet Susan Seaman of Black Eyed Susan

Our Executive Director, Emily Winters, has a great talk with Susan Seaman, the owner of Black Eyed Susan Coffee Candy Cream & More which
offers coffees, candies, cremes & more. Their Maryland-themed gifts and baskets are always a hit! Get to know Susan by watching her interview.

Welcome Our New and Returning Members!

BB&T – Reisterstown
The Boxwood Collection
Black Eyed Susan
Bransfield Motor Company
Glyndon Gardens
Clearview Consulting
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Garry H. Slatnick, CPA

Upcoming Northwest Chamber Events

THIS THURSDAY!!
Young-At-Heart Committee’s Bingo Night

February 18th
5-6pm
Your Computer

We may not be able to network in person safely yet, BUT, we still can virtually!

Plus, the Young-at-Heart Committee always like to have fun!! So . . . . . . .
we are having a game night while we network!
And, there will be a prize!!

Pop onto this event and have a laugh or two while enjoying your favorite beverage.
You must register to attend — and you must show up to win!!

REGISTER HERE

Webinar Wednesday
Topic: ZOOM 101: The Basics and More of Zoom Meetings
February 24th
12-12:30pm
Your Computer

Zoom has become a verb; “I’m ZOOMING right now”. That means that it has become part of our daily work lives.

If you are anxious whenever someone asks to have a meeting using ZOOM because you aren’t quite sure on how to really use the platform well, this webinar is for you.

Did you know that you can add a filter so you look better on video?
Have you wondered how to create a branded virtual background of your own?
Do you know how to share your screen?

Our speaker will show you the basics of joining meetings as well as scheduling your own meetings in addition to tools and controls within ZOOM which you may not know about.

You MUST register to attend.

So join us and start off 2021 in-the-know when it comes to ZOOM!

Virtual Happy Hour- With Breakout Rooms!
Tuesday, March 9
5-6pm
Your Computer!!

Grab your favorite beverage and snack, then join us for a virtual happy hour.
We will breakout into separate virtual rooms for better networking.

The end of 2021’s 1st quarter is almost here.
Let’s start off the new year with not only new connections, but also getting to know our known connections better.

You will receive your personal link to join after you register.

Invite others! Let’s make this big!

REGISTER HERE

Member News & Offers

REMINDER: Members, send us your news, promotions and job listings. We are happy to spread the word for you!

Our Member, Glyndon Grill, has been nominated for 3 catagories in The Baltimore Magazine’s Best Restaurant Reader’s Poll, and they need your votes.

They were nominated for: Best – Burger, Bar Food, Curbside Carryout and Togo Cocktails.

We know they are winners in our book.
Help them win with The Baltimore Magazine

VOTE HERE

Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners: February Special
Happy 100 Year Anniversary to Them!

Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners turns 100 years old this year and they are offering this fantastic deal!
FREE Pickup service is available too!
410-833-5200

Rainbow Restoration of Owings Mills is Giving Back-
And They Need Your Help

Bring Your Gently Used Clothing to Their Office on March 20th

Legislative Updates

BALTIMORE COUNTY IS GETTING READY FOR 1B VACCINATIONS

In preparation of beginning Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations next week, Baltimore County has released a COVID-19 vaccine registration form that allows County residents to sign up to receive notification when they become eligible to receive a vaccine and when there are available appointments.

RELIEF ACT TO HELP WORKING MARYLANDERS
This week, the House of Delegates took a historic step with the bipartisan passage of the Recovery for the Economy, Livelihoods, Industries, Entrepreneurs, and Families (RELIEF) Act, which provides over $1.5 billion in pandemic relief. The RELIEF Act will infuse the State’s economy with $509 million in spending and provide over $1 billion in tax relief and credits.

VETO OVERRIDES IN THE HOUSE
This past week the House was able to override vetoes that Governor Hogan has placed on very important and key legislation from last session. Here are a few of the pieces of legislation the House was able to pass.

Blueprint for Maryland’s Future
The Blueprint is valuable legislation that secures a world class education for every child, regardless of zip code. On top of reinforcing the education of Maryland’s youth, this legislation also gives better support to educators and students who need it most and is a key investment in Maryland’s economic future as well.

Background Check for Long Gun Sales
This legislation closes a harmful loophole and creates critical gun safety measures that requires background checks on all long gun transfers. Also, all rifle and shotgun transfers must be done above board in Maryland. These gun safety measures will help protect Marylanders and help reduce gun related incidents.

Prescription Drug and Affordability Board
In times like these, it is important now more than ever that Marylanders are receiving their medication with no hassle and with no boosted costs. With the veto override of HB1095, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board can now be fully funded to help lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Tobacco & Digital Advertising Tax
To help promote a tobacco free Maryland, the House passed HB 732 which would increase taxes on tobacco products and electronic smoking devices. Also, tech giants like Facebook and Google will be hit with larger taxes to ensure they are paying their fair share.

BCPS to begin phased-in hybrid school reopening on Mar. 1
Families may continue full virtual instruction
Most employees to return on Feb. 16

Towson, MD – Baltimore County Public Schools released today a phased-in reopening timeline for students whose families chose hybrid learning, as well as for all employees. Hybrid learning includes two in-person learning days and three virtual learning days per week.

Families who chose hybrid learning will receive their child’s group assignment of Cohort A or Cohort B prior to their child’s return date, which varies by student group. Families also have the option to continue full virtual instruction.

The timelines and schedule changes as well as all-things about this re-opening plan can be found HERE

Subject: Fraudulent Charges on Q4 Benefit Charge Statements

Dear Employer:

As we enter 2021, the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance continues to see a record number of unemployment insurance claims filed by Marylanders whose jobs have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With this record number of unemployment insurance claims, Maryland, and states across the entire country, have seen an increase in activity by bad actors and fraudsters who aim to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by using illegally obtained data to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. Please note that there has been no breach in our BEACON unemployment system. Fraudsters are using identities and personal identifiable information stolen from prior data breaches, such as Equifax, Target, and the Federal Office of Personnel Management to file fraudulent Unemployment Insurance claims.

Specifically, the Division has seen an increase in the number of claims fraudulently filed in the names of people who are actively working. This means that claims may be fraudulently filed for your employee, even though the employee is still working for you and is not unemployed. While we continue to work with our federal partners and banking institutions to combat fraud, you will NOT be charged for any fraudulent benefits associated with your account.

The Division of Unemployment Insurance recently issued the benefit charge statement for the fourth quarter of 2020 for both contributory and reimbursing not-for-profit employers and government entities. The benefit charge statement for contributory employers is not a bill, but serves to notify contributory employers of charges against their account and identifies former employees who have received benefits during the fourth quarter of 2020. Please review your benefit charge statement to ensure that all claimant benefits charged to your account are proper and that the identified claimant is unemployed and does not currently work for you.

The benefit charge statement for reimbursing not-for-profit employers and government entities, however, is a bill for benefits charged against these employers’ accounts and identifies former employees who have received benefits during the fourth quarter of 2020. Please review your benefit charge statement to ensure that all claimant benefits charged to your account are proper and that the identified claimant is unemployed and does not currently work for you. When making a payment, please exclude any charges for those claims you are protesting. The Division will investigate your protest and will remove charges that are deemed fraudulent.

If you believe a fraudulent claim has been charged to your account, please file a benefit charge protest. The easiest and quickest way to file a protest is through your employer portal at employer.beacon.labor.md.gov. To file a request for relief of charges, click on the “Benefit Charge Functions” menu option, choose the current year and quarter for charges that you want to protest, and click the “Request Relief of Charges” button. Select the button for an employee to protest, select a “Reason for Protest”, enter a note with detail, upload any files for documentation, and then select “Submit”. Repeat for any other employee charges you wish to protest.

Chamber Chatter – February 15, 2021

The Chamber Updates

We Are Busy Planning Our 2 New BIG Events

Wondering How The Northwest Chamber Supports Their Member Businesses?

Member Interviews: Meet Gary McCammon and Susan Seaman

Welcome Our New and Returning Members!

Upcoming Northwest Chamber Events

Member News & Offers

Legislative Updates

Community Events

Members Hiring

Advertising and Marketing Opportunities with the Northwest Chamber of Commerce:

About the Northwest Chamber of Commerce

Wondering How The Northwest Chamber Supports
Their Member Businesses?

Member Interviews:
Meet Gary McCammon
and Susan Seaman