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SFCC NEWSLETTER / July 2019 
CHAIRMAN'S NOTE

It's summertime! With the warmer weather comes added stresses on your HVAC systems, unexpected and unpredictable weather-related power outages and seasonal labor issues (extended weekends, vacations and sick (sometimes not so "sick!") days). Summer a little slower time for you? Or perhaps your work heats up as the mercury rises? No matter... do yourself, your business and everyone who depends on you a favor; develop a checklist of some basic emergency preparedness and consider routine maintenance checks of critical and backup systems (e.g. HVAC, IT cloud backup storage, essential equipment such as vehicles, tires and refrigerators). Confirm you've got sufficient and proper insurance coverage in place if/when "lightning" strikes. And, before contacting just anybody, consider calling a fellow Chamber member for help. Commitment to local "business to business" reliance may be the easiest way to see positive returns on your Chamber investment!
 
My continuing thanks to all who help our Chamber run and benefit our little slice of paradise here in south Fairfax with particular appreciation this month to our Membership Committee Chair. Tracey Wood is coordinating and kick-starting our upcoming membership drive this September. You may be hearing from us as we team up and reach out to you for help in promoting the only membership organization focused exclusively on developing South Fairfax business and community. If you've been to an SFCC event in the last three years or so, you've heard me say it, but it bears repeating - it's all about the "ROI." But you only get out of the SFCC what you put into it! Help yourself by inspiring others to join and/or re-engage with us to realize the full potential of your SFCC membership commitment!
 
On that note and on behalf of your Chamber leadership, I wish all of you, your employees (including independent contractors, of course!) and your extended families a happy and safe Independence Day holiday and prosperous summer season.

SFCC Chairman
SFCC board member Casey Whitmarsh at his State Farm table.
SFCC board member Helen Stevens and her INOVA Lorton HealthPlex team.

Workhouse Fireworks 2019
Go Off With a Big Bang

Rain cou ldn't put a damper on the region's largest pre-Independence fireworks show this past Saturday at the Workhouse Arts Center. Event goers waited out the brief downpour in the art studios, and the fireworks went off as scheduled after a day filled with entertainment, food, fun and community spirit in an event made possible by the support of many sponsors and vendors. SFCC  Chairman Tom Repczynski and Immediate Past Chair Tim Rizer and their families were spotted among the substantial crowd.
 
Community Resilience Groups Looking for New Members

Fairfax County is building a community resiliency network to provide critical assistance to people in need in the event of disaster. The focus of the program is to organize and coordinate volunteer resources to quickly and efficiently get needed assistance. The CRG is focused on existing organizations willing to coordinate their members to provide help and services. For additional information, visit the CRG web page on the Office of Emergency Management website or email  Matthew.Marquis@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Member Profile - Physicals Plus

Zita Buky was a nurse practitioner working at a family practice when she decided she wanted to be her own boss, practicing on her own terms while spending as much time with patients as they needed. She started Physicals Plus almost five years ago, offering her services to businesses, individuals and the trucking industry.  Click here to read more of the Physicals Plus story with a question and answer by SFCC member Zita Buky.
Board Member Highlight - Denise Bayliss

Denise Bayliss, a board member since 2017 and a lifelong resident of Fairfax County, brings a wealth of experience to the Chamber. Ms. Bayliss, who has lived in Mason Neck since 1984, retired from the federal government after 40 years of service with the Department of Treasury, Department of the Army and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Her fields of expertise are employee and labor relations, conflict resolution, a certified mediator and negotiator, strategic planning and customer relationship management.
 
Ms. Bayliss is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Falls of the Rappahannock Chapter, serving as her chapter's librarian and on the Committee for Women's Issues. She recently attended the June 2019 DAR Continental Congress. Ms. Bayliss is currently managing a Traffic Calming Task Group for her community, Gunston Manor Properties Association.
 
She has a devotion to ethics, character, morals and clear communications, thereby raising two exceptional sons. Michael Jr. and Bryan were both educated by the Fairfax County Public Schools and Wingate University of North Carolina. Michael is raising his family in Fairfax County and Bryan is raising his family in North Carolina and in the United States Marine Corp. She is blessed with three granddaughters Scout, Bellamy and Gryffen with a fourth granddaughter to arrive in November.
 
Ms. Bayliss enjoys her family, friends, gardening, boating, reading, walking, crafts, dancing and having fun! She strives to bring her sense of community, commitment to family and skill sets to the benefit of the Chamber and South Fairfax County.
Thirsty Thursday on Summer Break until August

There will be no Thirsty Thursday in July, but the monthly T3s will return in August and beyond with more chances to network with fellow SFCC members while enjoying some of our area's best meeting spots. Look for an email blast with details about the location for the Aug. 15 T3. The events are held on the third Thursday of the month.
Laurel Hill
Special Thanks to the Laurel Hill Golf Club

Our continuing thanks to Laurel Hill Golf Club and General Manager Ryan Carmen for offering meeting facilities free of charge to the Chamber for our monthly Board of Directors meetings throughout the year.
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Submit Items
to SFCC Calendar

Get more exposure for upcoming events sponsored by your business or organization by submitting them to the calendar on the SFCC website. It's easy. Click on NEWS & EVENTS in the navigation bar, click CALENDAR and then EVENT SUBMISSION. Here is the direct link to the calendar on the SFCC website.
Upcoming Events
Check out the calendar of events on our website www.southfairfaxchamber.org for more details .
South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce | SouthFairfaxChamber.org
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