[Enews] Happy New Year 2014 Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Weekly Update January 1, 2014

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year !

Dear Members,

It is exciting to bring in 2014 while reflecting on a great year in 2013! The Otsego County Chamber grew in membership with now 140 new members to date and was honored as Chamber of the Year for New York State by the Business Council of New York. In 2014 we look forward to continued growth in membership and adding value to our members working for you everyday by brining to you more programs such as professional development seminars, a Young Entrepreneurs Academy working with grades 4-12 in our school districts on a program called “TREP$”, to kicking off our Leadership Otsego Program, and advocating for business friendly initiatives.  I have been growing regional partnerships that enhance our region through joint collaboration and advocacy efforts with neighboring Chambers of Commerce in our surrounding counties. I invite you to join The Otsego County Chamber for Small Business Lobby Day: An event the NFIB NY sets up each year.  The date is Wednesday, March 12, 2014 sign-in starting at 8:00 AM, at the Capital Mall, Albany, NY. Small Business Lobby Day is an excellent chance for Small Business people to gather and talk to the various legislators that decide the numerous regulations NYS places upon business.  I have partnered with the Greater Binghamton Chamber who has 75 businesses attending from their chamber. Please let me know by January 31, 2014 if you are able to attend on this day so I can notify the NFIB of how many businesses will be in attendance from Otsego County.  I also look forward to seeing our business community at our upcoming State of the State Breakfast on Tuesday, January 7, 2014.

State of the State Breakfast sponsored by Community Bank, NA.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center from 8:00am to 10:00am. Cost per person is $25. Networking and meet and greet with your elected officials from County, State and Federal Governments at 8:00am followed by breakfast beginning at 8:30am.  Come listen to the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s public policy agenda and the call to action from our Legislators.  To RSVP contact Shelly Giangrant by Friday, January 3, 2014 at (607) 432-4500 ext. 207 or email shelly@otsegocc.com

Bagels and Benefits

We invite you to join us for a small gathering of business representatives like yourself on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 189 Main Street on the 5^th Floor at 8:30 am.

Enjoy a complimentary bagel and coffee and meet the President/CEO,  Barbara Ann
Heegan.  She will explain the benefits of Chamber membership and how it can help your business grow and in turn helps strengthen the economy in Otsego County.

We invite you to share with us what your company does and encourage you to mingle and meet the other business representatives in attendance.

Please RSVP to Shelly Giangrant, Vice President Member Services by Thursday, January 9^th by emailing shelly@otsegocc.com or calling 607-432-4500 ext. 207

2014 Chamber Newsletter

Our Chamber newsletter “Smart Growth” will be coming to you this January. We are looking for stories to submit into this newsletter that gets distributed by mail and online to all of our members and to our mailing list that goes to 1,200 businesses. Please share any awards, anniversaries, best practices, new services that you would like our members to know about your business. No more than 250 words please. In addition, we are offering a New Year marketing opportunity to add exposure to your business for $200 please send us a business card size ad that will be printed in our newsletter, displayed on our homepage of the chamber website and you will receive 1 month on our digital LED sign located here on our building of 189 Main Street. Excellent exposure all around! Please reserve your space with Barbara Ann Heegan by Friday, January 10th by sending your ad  and story to info@otsegocc.com.

2014 Go STEM Institute
How It Works – Severe Weather & Climate Change

Current 6^th,  7^th and 8th grade students, come learn the science behind climate change and the technology and math behind forecasting the weather.
Date 
July 14 – 18, 2014
Time
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Place
SUNY Oneonta campus (Oneonta, N.Y.)
Cost
$50 and lunch will be provided.

Description
The theme for the 2013 Go STEM Institute is How It Works – Severe Weather & Climate Change.  The Institute is open to upcoming 7^th, 8^th and 9^th (current 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade) grade students who want to learn the science behind climate change and the technology and math behind accurately forecasting the weather. They will get answers to questions like:

• ·          
• ·         Why is the sky blue?
• ·         Why is climate change a big deal?
• ·         What’s the best design for a building in order for it to withstand tornado- or hurricane-force winds?
• ·         How does a meteorologist’s equipment help her forecast a storm?
• ·         How can meteorologists tell when students will likely have a snow day??

and (just for fun ;-))

• ·         What’s the difference between weather and climate? (Answer:  You can’t weather a tree, but you can climate!!)
• ·          

Students will interact with actual meteorologists, learn the basics of meteorology and, using green-screen technology, conduct an actual weather report!  Students will also learn from local business leaders about how severe weather can affect the economy and learn the creative solutions business leaders came up with to solve the problems caused by severe weather.

Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards and will be accepted until January 31, 2014.
The Distinguished Business Award sponsored by NBT Bank is given to an Otsego County business that has made a sustained and substantial impact in the community.

The Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award, established in 2002, is given to a citizen of Otsego County who has made a long-term impact on our region and who gives back to the community through their business.

Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award

Nomination Form

The Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award, established in 2002, is given to a citizen of Otsego County who has made a long-term impact on our region and who gives back to the community through their business. The recipient will be honored at the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner and Celebration of Business held Friday, March 28, 2014.  Nominee must be a resident of Otsego County.

Nominee’s Name:  ____________________________________________________________
Business:   __________________________________________________________________
Address:  ___________________________________________________________________

Nominated by:  ______________________________________________________________
Business:   __________________________________________________________________
Address:  ___________________________________________________________________

Nominee’s Community Involvement:

Supports Otsego County Chamber of Commerce:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shows leadership:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is committed to enhancing the Quality of Life in Otsego County:  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Any additional comments:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nominator’s Signature:  _______________________________________  Date:  ___________________

Nomination deadline is Friday, January 31, 2014

Please return to:

Otsego County Chamber of Commerce              Phone:  (607) 432-4500

189 Main Street, Suite 201                                         Fax:  (607) 432-4506

Oneonta, NY  13820                                                    Email:  shelly@otsegocc.com

Past Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr.
Distinguished Citizen Award Honorees

2012 Hugh Henderson

2011 Richard P. Miller, Jr.

2010 Erna Morgan McReynolds

2009 Albert Sam Nader

2008 Robert A. Harlem

2007 David Brenner

2006 William F. Streck

2005 Carl Delberta, Sr.

2004 Jane Forbes Clark

2003 Geoff Smith

Past Distinguished Citizen Award Honorees

2001 Marian Mullet

2000 Edward W. Stack

1999 William R. Davis

1998 VanNess D. Robinson

The Mission of Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is to continually improve the overall business climate in Otsego County and the region, to strive for an atmosphere that attracts investment.

Distinguished Business Award

Nomination Form

The Distinguished Business Award is given to an Otsego County business that has made a sustained and substantial impact in the community.  The award recipient will be honored at
The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner and Celebration of Business held on March 28, 2014.

Nominee must be a member of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce.

Nominee’s Name:  _______________________________________________________________________
Business:   ______________________________________________________________________________
Address:  _______________________________________________________________________________

Years in Business:  ______________________________   Number of Employees:  ____________________

Nominated by:  __________________________________________________________________________
Business:   ______________________________________________________________________________
Address:  _______________________________________________________________________________

Nominee’s Community Involvement:

Participates in the events and works toward accomplishing the mission of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce:

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Is involved in the Community:
___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Demonstrates a successful business and economic growth:      ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Any additional comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nominator’s Signature:  _______________________________________  Date:  ___________________

Nomination deadline is FRIDAY, January 31, 2014

Please return to:

Otsego County Chamber           Phone:  (607) 432-4500

189 Main Street, Suite 201                 Fax:  (607) 432-4506

Oneonta, NY  13820                            Email:  shelly@otsegocc.com

Past Distinguished Business Award Honorees

2012 At Home Care

2011 Springbrook

2010 Country Club Auto Group

2009 Northern Eagle Beverages, Inc.

2008 The Otesaga Resort Hotel

2007 Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care

2006 Arnan Development

2005 Mang Insurance / Mirabito Fuel Group

2004 Neptune Diner

2003 The Daily Star

2002 Bassett Healthcare Network

2001 Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q’s

2000 SUNY College at Oneonta

1999 A. O. Fox Hospital

The Mission of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is to continually improve the overall business climate in Otsego County and the region, to strive for an atmosphere that attracts investment.

Oneonta Community

Blood Drives

Saturday, January 4^th  

8:00am to 1:00pm

At the Main Street Baptist Church

Tuesday, January 21^st  

1:00pm to 6:00pm

At St James Episcopal Church

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visitwww.redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment to donate.

See attached flier to share in your workplace.