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Mark Your Calendar, Set a Reminder!
On February 14, "Schmooza" Tickets are BOGO
February 14 is exactly 25 business days before GSSCC's 25th Anniversary SchmoozaPalooza. So, on that day,
and that day only, members who go online to purchase admission for the event will have the opportunity to register and bring a colleague for free. This is the perfect chance to bring along a client, a vendor, or someone who might be interested in becoming a Chamber member.
But wait. There's more. Members who purchase BOGO admission on February 14 will be entered into a drawing for a $250 cash prize, courtesy of our BOGO sponsor
Courtyard by Marriott - Silver Spring Downtown
.
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Young Professional's Network 101 Meeting
Interested in learning about GSSCC's Young Professionals Network and how to get involved? Come to the YPN 101 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, at the GSSCC offices (8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 203). Refreshments will be served. Please pre-register
here so that the team knows how much food and drink to bring.
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Learn to Understand, Prevent Sexual Harassment
GSSCC member employment law attorney Marc Engel,
Lerch, Early & Brewer
, will present a workshop on
Understanding and Preventing Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment
on Tuesday, February 13, at the GSSCC offices (8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 203). Informal networking over coffee begins at 8 a.m. and the program will run from 8:30 .m. to 10 a.m. This free event is open to members only. Click
here to register.
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GSSCC Asks County Executive to Sufficiently Fund SS Clean & Safe
GSSCC President Jane Redicker spoke at last weeks Montgomery County Budget Forum in Silver Spring, asking County Executive Isiah Leggett to reconsider proposed cuts to the Silver Spring Urban District "Clean & Safe" budget. Redicker pointed out that the budget and the number of Silver Spring "Red Shirts" have been stagnant over the years, despite the fact that the Central Business District has thousands more residents and employees. She said that Silver Spring needs to make sure it is in its "Sunday best" when the CEO of the next big anchor business comes to check out the Discovery building and our community. Look for the video on GSSCC's Facebook page.
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ANNAPOLIS UPDATE. . .
New Statewide Earned Sick Leave Law: With the General Assembly's override of the Governor's veto of the State Sick leave bill (HB1, set to take effect on February 11), Montgomery County employers may rightfully be confused about how to make sure they are complying with both laws. GSSCC has joined other business groups in Montgomery County to ask the Office of Human Rights (the department responsible for enforcing the County's sick leave law) for guidance on how employers having employees in multiple Maryland jurisdictions can navigate laws that have somewhat conflicting requirements. According to a letter from Attorney General Brian Frosh, in response to an inquiry from a Montgomery County General Assembly member, "to the extent that County law provides for more generous benefits, the County law will control. In the case of a conflict between HB1 (the new state law) and County law, the provisions of HB1 will govern." Late last week, the General Assembly Senate Finance Committee sent legislation to the floor seeking to delay enforcement of HB1 for another 60 days. Watch this space and your email for further information and updates.
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Join GSSCC as We Cut the Ribbon. . .
. . .for the Grand Opening of
Massage Envy's
new salon at
955 Wayne Avenue,
at 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 15. A reception will follow the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
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Power in Numbers - Learn How GSSCC's Energy Co-Op Saves You $$
Does your company pay its energy costs directly to a supplier like PEPCO or Washington Gas? Do you have a contract for energy services, but wonder whether you are getting the best deal? If so, you should know about a GSSCC member benefit that will save you money and stabilize your energy costs. You've probably been bombarded with emails, snail mail, phone calls, maybe even door knocks from companies seeking to switch you to another energy supplier. Confused? Don't know where to turn?
Join GSSCC for one of a series of webinars and learn about: regulations and consumer protection laws; the difference between the Chamber's purchasing co-op and other options; rates and contract terms; how to avoid scams; how to read your bill; and much more. These no-obligation webinars are scheduled as follows: 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13; 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20; and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27. The webinars are free, but advance registration is required. Simply go to the CQI Associates home page at www.cqiassociates.com, click on the date that you want to participate, and follow the steps to RSVP.
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Ghar-E-Kabab to Host February 21 Lunch
Join GSSCC members for a networking lunch from noon to 1:30 on Wednesday, February 21, at Ghar-E-Kabab (944 Wayne Avenue). This members only event is limited to 24 attendees, who each have the opportunity to speak for three minutes about his or her business. $25 includes appetizer and entree. Click
here to register.
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Members Connect over Coffee & Cards hosted by SOLDIERFIT
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David Hughes and Todd Williams, SOLDIERFIT, and Debbie Yedlin, Summit Group
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Beatrice Key, Key Associates, PC; Chiquita Sorrels, Caitlin Enterprises, LLC; and Marcy Silbert, J. Hilburn
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Jim Cardaci, Fitzgerald Financial Group, and Scott Egloff, Sport Chevrolet & Honda
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Patrick Gannon, Montgomery County Employees Federal Credit Union, and Tricia Bonner, UGI Energy Services
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SCAM ALERT: Callers Targeting Utility Customers
Some GSSCC members report being targeted with a five-year-old scam in which callers, claiming to be with PEPCO, say that the customer has a delinquent bill and must make an immediate payment, or service will be terminated. Customers are told to either purchase a pre-paid debit card, or call another number to make payments immediately. Some of the scammers have become so sophisticated that they are replicating the utility's phone numbers and messaging prompts.
To ward off the scammers, PEPCO advises customers to ask the caller to provide the account name, account address, account number, and amount of current balance. Anyone calling from PEPCO will be able to provide this information. If the caller cannot, it is likely that the call is not coming from PEPCO. Customers should never provide this or any personal information to a caller, but should immediately contact PEPCO at 1-202-833-7500 to report the call. Further, customers can always contact PEPCO directly to check on the status of payment, or confirm an official visit by someone who comes to the door.
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Market Your Business via Unique GSSCC E-Cast
Have your email message delivered to the inboxes of more than 1,150 individuals on GSSCC's email list. Market special promotions, share an upcoming event, drive traffic to your web site, or just let fellow members know about your organization. GSSCC will send out one e-cast per month in 2018. The cost is $200. For more information contact Alison, 301-565-3777 or
amclaughlin@gsscc.org.
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* The
Silver Spring Library will host "
Black History and Heritage," featuring Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, African Union Ambassador to the United States, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 8.
*
Rosensteel Hall (9707 Rosensteel Avenue) will host its annual beach party
from 8:00 p.m. to midnight
on Saturday, February 10. Click
here
for more information.
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The Universities at Shady Grove
(9636 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville)
is looking for
young professionals to share their career and academic experience with first-year college students at the "2nd annual Young Professional Networking Night" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, on the campus. Click here for more information.
* Kudos to
Mike's Locksmith & Security
on receiving the 2018 Best of Houzz Award for Customer Service, the 2017 Angie's List Super Service Award (4th year in a row), and
Rockville Economic Development's (REDi)
2017 Rockin' Small Business Award.
*
Congratulations to SOLDIERFIT on its one-year anniversary next Sunday, February 11.
* Shawn D. Bartley and Associates, LLC has moved to a new location. Its new offices are in Suite 328 at 8630 Fenton Street.
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See your company's news here! GSSCC is pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Please submit items via email to info@gsscc.org before close of business each Friday. Include a pdf of news releases or other flyers.
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 Upcoming GSSCC Committee/Group Meetings
*
Young Professional's Network Committee
- 4 p.m. Thursday, February 8 - "YPN 101"
* Non-Profit Team Roundtable - 9 a.m. Tuesday, February 20 at SEEC (8905 Fairview Road, Suite 300) Note new time and location.
* Economic Development Committee - 9 a.m. Thursday, February 15
* Membership Development Committee - 9 a.m. Tuesday, February 27
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About GSSCC Committee/Team Meetings:
All GSSCC members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.
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Thank you to our 2017-2018 GSSCC Partners
Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz Insurance, Inc.; Washington Adventist Hospital
Business Partners - AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Atlantech Online; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; Discovery Communications; EagleBank; Eggspectation; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd.; Linowes and Blocher, LLP; M&T Bank; Revere Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.
Partners - Adam Lowe Creative; Bell Flowers; Carlton Creative; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; IBI - Innovative Business Interiors; My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow.
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