Chamber. the. Executive Director. March Calendar March 4

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1 the Chamber Volume XXXIII No. 3 Bell Tower Building Cumberland, MD March 2015 Executive Director I ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. -- Michael Jordan Change is hard. Change, by its very nature, requires us to step beyond our comfort zone and let go of something we ve become familiar with. For some it s fear of the unknown, others a fear of failure. Rational fears are understandable and even failure, after giving our best possible effort, is acceptable. Failure due to close-mindedness, inaction or lack of effort, however, is not. If we keep doing what we ve always done, we ll keep getting what we ve always got. You can t score if you don t shoot. Take the shot. March 9 th is the final date for introduction of bills without suspension of Rules in the Maryland General Assembly. With just over a month remaining in the 435 th session, March is a busy month with committee report and crossover deadlines looming. The Chamber has taken a number of positions on issues such as gas tax, reduction of corporate income tax, sick leave, highway user funds, coal tax credits, rural economic development and use of casino proceeds. A full listing of all Chamber positions is available on our website. There is still a short window of time to voice your opinion on issues affecting your business or organization. Contact the Chamber office if you have questions or need assistance with having your voice heard. Eighty percent of the Chamber s operating budget is funded by membership dues. Thank you to our members who have renewed or are renewing their membership for Your support allows your local Chamber to continue serving you as it has for over 100 years. Please support our member businesses and buy local. Thank you to American Insurance Center, Organarchy and 22 Needs A Face for hosting the February Chamber After Hours. The nearly 200 in attendance enjoyed a wonderful evening of networking and newfound awareness. The Network & Win cash pot continues to grow as New England Truss & Joist, Inc. was drawn but no one from New England Truss & Joist was present. The March Chamber After Hours is hosted by the Cumberland YMCA, 601 Kelly Road, Cumberland, on Wednesday, March 18 th with Network & Win at a whopping $2,500. Chamber After Hours are from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and Chamber members must pre-register and be present at the time of the drawing with 2015 dues in good standing to be eligible for Network & Win. The pre-registration deadline for this month s event is 5:00 pm March 12 th. We look forward to seeing you there. Lobbying and advocacy are vital to the legislative process as your voice and interest must be heard. One way to strengthen that voice is to come together and focus as a group. There is power in numbers and the Chamber is working for its members and the community every day by advocating on your behalf. Take full advantage of the lobbying power of Chambers of Commerce and let your voice be heard. Our elected officials should be accessible and willing to listen to their constituents concerns. It is up to each of us to be part of the solution and move Allegany County forward. The Chamber is a force to bring about positive change. Let s do it together! Stu Czapski Executive Director March Calendar March 4 Legislative Committee Meeting March 5 Membership Committee Mtg. March 9 Fling Committee Meeting March 11 Legislative Committee Meeting March 12 7:30 am Education Committee Meeting March 16 Leadership Allegany! Alumni Committee Meeting March 17 Leadership Allegany! Steering Committee Meeting Department of Social Services March 18 Economic Dev. Comm. Meeting Legislative Committee Meeting 5:30 pm Chamber After Hours Cumberland YMCA March 23 Member Orientation March 25 Legislative Committee Meeting March 26 Board of Directors Meeting April 1 Legislative Committee Meeting

2 Leadership Allegany! Alumni Social The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Allegany! Alumni Committee under the direction of Chairman Robert Godfrey, Friends Aware, Inc., is joining forces with the Frostburg State University Cultural Events Series on Friday, March 27 th. Cristina Pato and The Migrations Band will be performing LIVE! at StarScape at 7:30 pm in the Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall, FSU Lane University Center. Leadership Allegany! Alumni members can purchase two tickets at a discount of $15.00 each. A native of northern Spain, Cristina Pato is a master on the traditional Galician bagpipe, or gaita. She has been acclaimed by The New York Times as a virtuosic burst of energy and the BBC labeled her the Galician bagpipe diva. By blending her love of the gaita with the influences of jazz, world music and Latin sounds, she brings her Galician roots to a larger audience. Joining her are the master musicians who appeared on her 2013 album, Migrations: Victor Prieto on accordion, Edward Perez on double bass, Eric Doob on drums and percussionist John Haddonfield. For reservations please call the CES Box Office and identify yourself as a Leadership Allegany! Alumnus. CES will be providing complimentary hor d eouvres beginning at 6:30 pm in Lane University Center 113 (cash bar). Food and drinks are also available for purchase at the performance. RSVP ticket purchase deadline is March 6, New Members Please patronize these members and welcome them to the Chamber 22 Needs a Face, Inc Gas House Pike, Suite Z, Frederick, Maryland Website: Contact: Danny Farrar, President danny@soldierfit.com Category: Non-Profit Organization Description: A 501 C3 nonprofit whose mission is to end the epidemic of 22 service members and veterans taking their lives each day and to educate the masses about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Maryland Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association 401 Decatur Street, Cumberland, Maryland Fax: Website: Contact: JT Thomas, Executive Director jt@marylandneca.org Category: Contractors Electrical Description: Represent electrical contractors in the state of Maryland including Western Maryland Organarchy Reckley Lane, Oldtown, Maryland Website: Contact: Solomon Rose, Owner Category: solomonrz101@gmail.com Farm, Beer Production, Aquaculture, Brewing, Farm Expansion Plan Description: Organic farming geared towards the exploding craft beer industry Perry Wellington Realty 217 Washington Street, Cumberland, Maryland Website: Contact: Steve MacGray, Realtor smacgray@perrywellingtonrealty.com Category: Real Estate Description: Offering real estate sales, buying, investing and consulting services within the tri-state area. Helping clients with a published 4.5%commission fee. James J. Robertson Viewcrest Road SW, Cumberland, Maryland Cell Phone: Contact: James Robertson snakerobertson@aol.com Category: Individual SECU Winchester Road, LaVale, Maryland Fax: Website: Contact: Deborah Carlomany, Financial Center Manager Deborah.carlomany@secumd.com Category: Credit Union Description: Maryland s largest state credit union providing business and personal financial services for members. Studio 757 Salon and Boutique 1108 Braddock Road, LaVale, Maryland Website: Contact: Holly Burner, Owner hollyeburner@gmail.com Category: Salon and Spa, Boutique Description: Provides hair, nail, skin, makeup and massage services in a cutting edge environment.

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9 Member Profile: Ray of Hope, Inc. located at 163 N. Mechanic Street is a private 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation who has been offering support, encouragement and love through direct care services to individuals with developmental disabilities, since being established in Ray of Hope, Inc. is funded through and licensed by the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Developmental Disabilities Administration. The organization that began as a group of parents seeking better care for their disabled children has now grown to provide 17 residential care homes for 30 individuals as well as Day Program and Outreach services providing services for additional individuals. As part of residential services, Ray of Hope, Inc. provides homes that house between 1-3 individuals while serving them with staff and direct care support 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Ray of Hope, Inc. aims to provide normal living for our communities special people. In addition to the residential program Ray of Hope, Inc. has two other main focuses: Day Program and Outreach Program. The Day Program provides transportation to those in the program with appointments, jobs or who volunteer in the community and/or activities and crafts at the main Ray of Hope, Inc. 163 N. Mechanic Street Cumberland, Maryland Fax: location of N. Mechanic Street without jobs. The Outreach Program is for those who do not need 24 hour care but may need assistance attending appointments or running errands. Ray of Hope, Inc. currently employs approximately 120 full and part time staff. They pride themselves on the excellent direct care provided to the individuals they serve. All staff is required to take behavior classes and receive on going training in addition to being Med Tech, CPR and First Aid certified, while also meeting the mandatory Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) standards. More important than training is how the organization views the individuals they provide services to as their own family. Staff jobs are sometimes difficult and it takes a very compassionate, understanding and patient person to succeed in this field. The agency s motto is Be Your Best, which encompasses the belief that positive, optimistic and constructive thinking, teamwork and caring concerned on the party of staff, community individuals and organizations can significantly influence the quality and success of services to the individuals served by the program. Employees are not required to wear company uniforms or drive company provided vehicles with logos on them because the organization strives to focus on the people as individuals. Ray of Hope, Inc. wants to see full potential no matter what that may be for each person. In addition to the clients throughout Allegany County, the organization now receives referrals from across the state. Ray of Hope, Inc. gladly takes in new individuals that other organizations in Maryland may have turned down. There is always a great need for decent direct care services within our state and community. Donations and qualified applicants are always appreciated. Anyone wishing for more information, to donate or apply for employment are encouraged to visit the Ray of Hope, Inc. Administration Office located at 163 N. Mechanic Street or on the web at Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee Update The Chamber s Legislative Committee has been hard at work since the 2015 Maryland Legislative Session began last month. Jeremy Irons, Carl Belt, Inc., and Patricia Patsy Koontz, Verso Corporation Luke Mill, chair the committee charged with keeping an eye on business legislation at the local, state and federal levels. Their primary focus is on the Maryland Legislature as the laws and regulations they enact have a tremendous impact on every facet of business. They also monitor local government actions, particularly those dealing with legislative or regulatory issues. The committee reviews and discusses the impact to Western Maryland s businesses and citizens and makes a decision on whether to support or oppose the legislation. The committee reports regularly to the Chamber Board of Directors with recommendations on what stance the Chamber should take on legislative and regulatory issues. Legislative bills the committee has taken a position on include: HB155/SB642 Video Lottery Terminals Small Minority and Women- Owned Businesses Account Use of Proceeds support HB1089/SB196 Economic Development Rural Economic Development Program and One Maryland Tax Credit support HB484/SB591 Transportation - Highway User Revenue Phased Restoration support HB723 - Maryland-Mined Coal Tax Credit Repeal oppose HB251 Corporate Income Tax Rate Reduction support The committee meets on Wednesdays at in the boardroom of the Bell Tower Building during the Legislative Session and then monthly throughout the remainder of the year. The committee continually monitors a myriad of sources in determining the needs of our members but we welcome your perspective as well if you are aware of proposed legislation that affects your particular business please contact Executive Director Stu Czapski ( ) or consider joining the committee.

10 Attention: New and Existing Chamber Members Member Orientation Chamber of Commerce Monday, March 23, 2015 Who Should Attend the Orientation? Those who have recently joined and want to learn more about the workings of the Chamber Existing members who want to find out ways to become more active New employees that you would like to introduce to the Chamber Anyone seeking information on what Your Chamber can do for you Join us for a Member Orientation on Monday, March 23rd at. The format for the orientation will be informal and a complimentary lunch will be provided. The event will be held in the Boardroom of the Bell Tower Building at noon. Discover what YOUR Chamber can do for YOU! Please RSVP by contacting the Chamber directly at or by to: amy@alleganycountychamber.com. The Fling The Fling is coming back to springtime. The event will be held at Windsor Castle on Friday, April 17, The Fling promises to be another fun filled evening. The event begins at 7:00 pm and runs until 11:00 pm. Cost of admission is $10.00 per person which includes hors d oeuvres served from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A 50/50 raffle will be held and the band VELVEETA will play from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Cash Bar Beer, wine, soft drinks and water will be available for purchase all evening long. You must be 21 years of age to attend. ID s will be checked. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. Invite your friends and coworkers to join you. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Chamber office at or by ing amy@alleganycountychamber. com. Chamber After Hours Wednesday, March 18, :30 to 7:30 pm Hosted by Cumberland YMCA Inclement Weather Policy If you are wondering if a committee meeting or Chamber event will be held during inclement weather, please contact the Chamber office at The Chamber s voice mail will be programmed to include details of any cancellation or time change that may be necessary due to snow or inclement weather conditions. Member Orientation Monday, March 23, 2015 the Chamber The Chamber News is published monthly by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Bell Tower Building 24 Frederick Street, Cumberland, Maryland Fax info@alleganycountychamber.com Stuart C. Czapski, Executive Director Allegany County Chamber of Commerce 2015 Officers Chair: Maureen T. Brewer First Vice Chair: Jeremy G. Irons Second Vice Chair: Debra M. Langan Immediate Past Chair: James J. Snake Robertson