Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
"Power of One"
How individuals can impact the success of an overall organization
Featuring:
Dr. Edward Hammond, President of Fort Hays State University
&
Eric Burks, President of NCK Tech College
Thursday, October 10th, 2013
11:30am-1:00pm
NCK Tech Student Union Conference Room
Chamber Members $10
Non Members $12
Reservations are required and are due Friday, October 4th at 5:00pm
Cancellations are due by Wednesday, October 9th at 5:00pm in order to receive a refund.
To make reservations contact the Chamber office at 785-738-2717, email beloitchamber@nckcn.com or fill out a registration form and mail to the Chamber at
123 N Mill St, Beloit, KS 67420.
URGENT NOTICE
Re: Notice of Health Insurance Exchanges
As you may know, the health care law - the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) - requires most individuals (including children and other dependents) to carry health insurance, beginning January 1, 2014. The law also requires the establishment of a health insurance exchange in all states by October 1, 2013. The goal is that exchanges, working with private insurers, will act as a marketplace and provide "one-stop shopping" for individuals and families who may need health insurance or who seek less expensive coverage. A companion program - the Small Business Health Options Program or SHOP Exchange - will assist small businesses that want to offer insurance to their employees.
PPACA amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to require that employers provide each employee with notice about the exchanges. The notice requirement applies to employers that employ one or more employees and have at least $500,000 in business annually. The notice requirement also applies to hospitals, schools, and government agencies.
Employers must provide notice to their existing employees by October 1, 2013, and must provide notice to new employees hired on or after October 1, 2013. Each employee must receive notice, regardless of the employee's health plan enrollment status and part- or full-time employment status. Notice may be provided in writing or electronically under the Department of Labor's electronic disclosure rules.
The notice must inform the employee:
• Of the existence of the exchange, the services provided by the exchange, and contact information for the exchange.
• That he or she may be eligible for a premium tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code if (a) the employer pays less than 60 percent of the cost of health insurance offered by the employer; and (b) the employee purchases health insurance through the exchange.
• That an employee who purchases health insurance through an exchange may lose the employer's (tax-free) contribution to the cost of health insurance offered by the employer.
To satisfy this notice requirement, the Department of Labor has provided model notices on its website, at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform/. The website provides one model for employers who offer a health plan to some or all of their employees, and another model for employers who do not offer a health plan. Employers may modify the notice, as long as it meets the content requirements described above.
Have Any Exciting News to Share?
The Chamber wants to help spread the word about your business. "Noteworthy News" is your opportunity to do just that. It's a great way to inform other Chamber members about anything that's new within your organization. Fill us in on what's happening from staff changes to a new product or service. Send it to beloitchamber@nckcn.com by Thursday afternoons and I will include it in Chamber Chat!
Join us for a Pizza Hut FUNdraiser! Supporting NCK Tech Foundation Scholarship Fund.
When: Monday, September 30th from 5pm-9pm
Where: Beloit Pizza Hut @ 3001 US Hwy 24
Good for dine-in or carryout (785)-738-5706
How: 20% of your purchase will benefit the NCK Tech Foundation Scholarship Fund.
October is National Coop Month!
In October, members from more than 29,000 cooperatives nationwide will join to celebrate the advantages of cooperative membership and recognize the benefits and values of coops bring to their members and communities. Unlike other businesses, cooperatives are democratically controlled, member-owned businesses. They exist to serve their members, and that level of service remains high even during the toughest times. Instead of issuing stock or paying dividends to outside shareholders, cooperatives provide value to their members through their level of customer services and membership checks at the end of each year.
Please join your cooperatives for lunch to kickoff National Coop Month on Friday, October 4 at our Cooportunity Day Cookout at Chautauqua Park. We are serving lunch from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Proudly sponsored by Farmway Cooperative, Farmway Credit Union and Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative. We thank you for your business and most importantly we enjoy being part of this community and serving you!
Labor Market Report August 2013
The Kansas Department of Labor reported the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, unchanged from July and up from 5.8 percent in August 2012.
The unemployment figures are based largely on a survey of households in Kansas and measure the unemployment status of people who live in the state. Unemployment rates prior to 1976 are not recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as official since the methodology used at that time is not comparable to today's methods. The establishment jobs figures are derived from a survey of businesses in Kansas and measure the number of jobs in the state. Kansas labor market information is available at http://www.dol.ks.gov/LMIS/newsrelease/pr1308/pr1308.aspx.
Additional information on procedures for producing Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates is available on the BLS website at http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cesmetho.htm.
Mitchell County unemployment figures: August 2013 - 3.4%; July 2013 - 3.4%;
August 2012 - 3.4%.
Fouts Insurance Agency has Joined John Deere Insurance Company
Choosing the right coverage goes beyond choosing a policy. It starts with an agent who knows your operation, supported by industry-leading technology and a dedicated claims service team.
That's why we're proud to announce that Fouts Insurance Agency has joined John Deere Insurance Company. They have insurance experts ready to provide the personal service and experience you expect from John Deere.
Fouts Insurance Agency is also working with Carrico Implement, the local John Deere dealership, to help you maximize your precision farming equipment for government reporting, and to create a seamless claims experience.
Make an appointment or stop in to learn how Fouts Insurance Agency can meet you insurance needs.
785-738-3558
John Deere Insurance Company of Johnston, Iowa, issues crop insurance products through its Managing General Agent and affiliate, John Deere Risk Protection, Inc.. John Deere Insurance Company, John Deere Risk Protection, Inc. and Fouts Insurance Agency are equal opportunity providers. Coverage is subject to availability, terms and conditions.
The Abrams Brothers to Perform in Beloit, October 6
The Abrams Brothers are fourth-generation musicians with musical roots reaching back to their great-grandparents. Despite their age (early 20's) they have been touring together for more than a decade - and in the past few years, have become Canadian Festival favorites. They are the youngest Canadians to appear at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. They've toured Europe, and several times have performed at the Jacob's Ladder Folk Festival in Israel.
This fine trio, performing a combination of bluegrass, country and folk-rock, will be appearing at the Beloit Municipal Auditorium on Sunday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. This appearance in Beloit, Kansas is sponsored by the Beloit Area Concert Association.
The Abrams Brothers have recently released their fourth CD, Northern Redemption, which follows by a year the release of Blue On Brown, an album of songs by Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan. This record was the boys' tribute to songwriters they had always admired. Even Arlo Guthrie, the legend himself, recognized the talent of these youngsters after he heard them playing his own songs at one of his shows and thought they were "way too young to be playing that good. I know I will be hearing from The Abrams Brothers for a long time to come."
"The Abrams Brothers - John, James and cousin Elijah - playing guitar, violin and bass - have been blowing audiences across North America, Europe, and Israel for the past several years with their virtuosic playing and effortless harmonies. Fourth generation musicians whose musical roots stem back to their great-grandparents, the Abrams draw on a long family tradition of performing and recording bluegrass and folk music." - The Toronto Star.
To enjoy this fine performance by these exciting young performers, you need to contact the Beloit Area Concert Association at 785-543-2665.
They are doing it again!
Central National Bank is going PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness.
HOW CREATIVE ARE YOU????
Show everyone by entering Central National Bank's Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Enter our Best Dressed Contest!
Decorate a bra any way you would like. Enter it into our contest along with a $5.00 entry fee. You can enter as many as you would like. The more you enter the more money we raise for Breast Friends Foundation. Then tell all your friends to come in to the Beloit Branch where all the Best Dressed Bras will be displayed and vote for your bra with a $1.00 donation. Again all donations will be going to Breast Friends Foundation. So tell your friends to vote more than once! Contest will run the whole month of October.
The winner will receive a special basket of goodies relating to Breast Cancer Awareness.
The newly formed Solomon Valley Community Foundation is off to a great start towards its Founder's Campaign goal of $500,000. The Foundation is an excellent opportunity for individuals and companies to establish endowed funds which will award grants on a semi-annual basis to worthy projects in the Mitchell County area. Many of the Founding Donors to date have made gifts on an unrestricted basis while others have also desired to set up specific name funds or scholarship funds that follow the Donor's direction under a memorandum of understanding. These endowed gifts will allow annual payments of 5% to be paid out to designated causes. Commitments to date total $246,000.
The Foundation is a permanent, steady, and secure source for grants that will address present and future community needs. The Foundation is a vehicle for permanent charitable giving through current donations as well as bequests that will benefit the Mitchell County area.
Should individuals, businesses, local organizations or clubs desire to learn more about Solomon Valley Community Foundation and its efforts to benefit our communities, they can call (785) 534-1126 or contact any of the board members who are: Curt Frasier, Barb Wise, Darcel McPeak, Jim Gates, Heather Hartman, Debra Houghton, Phyllis Oetting, Mark Palen, Bob Severance, John Yeary, and Jeff Zimmer.
Check out the Solomon Valley Community Foundation on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SolomonValleyCommunityFoundation
Be a patient advocate by encouraging family and friends to donate blood. Take the first step by making an appointment to donate through the American Red Cross at the Beloit Community Blood Drive on Thursday, October 10th from 12pm to 6pm or on Friday, October 11th from 8:30am to 1:00pm at the North Central Kansas Wellness Center Gym, 3033 US Hwy 24 in Beloit
Blood donated today can make a difference in the lives of patients in this community and across the country. Increase your impact and invite others to donate with you. Every day, dedicated blood donors help countless patients receive the blood they need.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.
Calendar of Events
Saturday, September 28th - 7am - Hot N' Spicy Color Run - Glen Elder
Saturday, September 28th - 8am - Below the Dam 8th Annual Chili Cook-Off-Glen Elder
Tuesday, October 1st - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Wednesday, October 2nd - Noon - Lions Club - NCK Tech
Thursday, October 3rd - Noon - Mitchell County Tourism - Courthouse
Friday, October 4th - 8am - Beloit Business Committee - Plum Creek
Friday, October 4th - 11am-1pm - Cooportunity Day Cookout - Chautauqua Park
Monday, October 7th - 7pm - Mitchell County Fair Board - Guaranty State Bank
Tuesday, October 8th - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Tuesday, October 8th - 7pm - Cassiopeia
Wednesday, October 9th - Noon - Lions Club - NCK Tech
Thursday, October 10th - 11:30am-1pm - Chamber Luncheon - NCK Tech Student Union Conf Room
Thursday, October 10th - Noon-6pm - Blood Drive - NCK Wellness Gym
Friday, October 11th - 8:30am-1pm - Blood Drive - NCK Wellness Gym
Monday-Wednesday, October 14th - 16th - 3pm-5pm - Rotary Radio Days
Monday, October 14th - 7pm -Mitchell County Historical Society - Legion Annex
Tuesday, October 15th - Leadership Mitchell County - Arts, Tourism & Law Enforcement
Tuesday, October 15th - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Wednesday, October 16th - 9:30am - Ministerial Alliance
Wednesday, October 16th - Noon - Lions Club - NCK Tech
Thursday, October 17th - 5pm-7pm - Rotary Radio Days
Friday, October 18th - 12:30pm - SVED Board Meeting - NCRP
Tuesday, October 22nd - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Wednesday, October 23rd - Noon - Lions Club - NCK Tech
Thursday, October 24th - 4pm - Chamber Board Retreat - Location TBA
Saturday, October 26th - Cassiopeia Holiday Craft Fair - Municipal Building
At any time, please feel free to stop by the Chamber office at 123 N Mill St. or call me at 738-2717. www.beloitchamber.com
Stay up to date! Like us on Facebook! Search for Beloit Area Chamber of Commerce or click the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Beloit-Area-Chamber-of-Commerce/314284190327?fref=ts