Here at the Chamber, we can't say enough just how thankful we are for you. Without your membership, our organization would be nothing. There's power in that statement! We value the energy you bring to the table and the ways that you demonstrate value in membership throughout each and every event is remarkable.

Please note that our office will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th! We encourage you to shop local Saturday, November 30th. It's Small Business Saturday! Did you know that, on average, for every dollar that you spend on a locally-owned business 67 cents stays right here in this very community? The importance speaks for itself. CLICK HERE to visit our Member Directory and browse by category to find a small business you may not already know of!

We're also working hard on several exciting December events, even more than usual!

Monday, December 2nd , you can learn all about the Department of Labor's Overtime Pay Legislation (going into effect January 1) with this members-only event from 3:30 - 5:00pm at the Chamber! LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Tuesday, December 3rd , it's our Learning Lunch Hour with Advantage Technology. Learn all about the latest in cybersecurity and how it relates to holiday retail shopping (both in-person and online!). LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Friday, December 6th , we have a presentation from new member CEO CoSulting's Rob Nickey, "Fatal Business Errors" - customized for small businesses, in particular (but relatable to all)! LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Wednesday, December 11th , it's our monthly Eggs & Issues. This month, we'll be joined by the Washington County Sheriff's Department to provide vital information on what to do if a terror attack happens at your place of business. LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

...and that's not all! Scroll down to view our complete list of December events, also accessible HERE
Your Chamber staff,
Paul, Donna, Tim, Rod, Ashley
NEW MEMBERS
Give a warm welcome to our November additions!
C & O Taco
Various locations throughout Washington County!


CEO CoSulting
1161 Holden Rd.
Frederick, MD


Engage Diaspora Foundation, Inc.
152 W. Washington St., Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD


Ghattas Enterprises, LLC
13621 Crayton Blvd.
Hagerstown, MD


Patriot Eagle Services, LLC
7820B Wormans Mill Rd., Suite 202
Frederick, MD


QPS Employment Group
18731 North Pointe Dr.
Hagerstown, MD


Save-A-Lot Food Stores
9822 Prosperity Lane
Williamsport, MD


Mr. Randall Wagner (Individual Membership)


The Williamsport Yarn Closet, LLC (The Yarn Shop)
98 W. Washington St.
Hagerstown, MD
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
The DOL's New Overtime Rule: What You Should Know
Monday, December 2nd, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Chamber of Commerce, 1 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
In light of this important new legislation which goes into effect January 1, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring this seminar to be held in our office designed to help employers comply with the new DOL rule and protect themselves against costly wage and hour claims. Our guest speaker will be attorney Doug Desmarais from the law firm of Smith & Downey, P.A.


Learning Lunch Hour: Cybersecurity & The Holidays
Tuesday, December 3rd, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Applause Caterers, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD
Cybersecurity and the measures you and your organization should be taking to protect yourselves are ever-changing. What better time to revisit them than during the holidays, when identity theft is more present than usual? Jack Shaffer of Advantage Technology will share how you are the last line of defense. Learn about recent headlines. What are the threats to your personal information and finances? Learn tips on how to protect yourself online and in person. What do you do if you're compromised?


Fatal Business Errors: A Developmental Presentation
Friday, December 6th, 8:00 - 10:00am
Chamber of Commerce, 1 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Join us for this seminar designed for CEOs and small business owners to help discover strategies that can help them and their organizations. You're already on your journey! Now what? Rob Nickey of CEO CoSulting presents. Breakfast included!


Eggs & Issues: Threat Response Training
Wednesday, December 11th, 7:30 - 9:00am
Applause Caterers, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD
Back for December, our monthly Eggs & Issues welcomes the Washington County Sheriff's Department for a compressed version of their Threat Response Training program. Is your organization prepared for the harsh reality that we live in a world where a terror attack is a very real possibility, at any given time? Learn how to self-assess your organization to identify individual strengths and weaknesses. Learn response options for various survival situations and more! Breakfast included with this program.


Women Empowered: "Let's Get Social"
Thursday, December 12th, 7:30 - 9:00am
Chamber Office, 1 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Let's face it - women encounter completely different challenges and successes than men do in the business & non-profit world. Our Chamber of Commerce, in particular, observes the differences often! We've partnered with presenter Melissa Wilder to create this unique group for women Chamber members only. Join us and identify your particular needs as a woman. It's time to get engaged, enlightened, and empowered!


One More Customer with Eddie Peters
Tuesday, December 17th, 7:45 - 9:00am
Chamber Office, 1 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Join us for this montly presentation, featuring a re-broadcast web program from NFL Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton. This unique program also includes a presentation from a fellow Chamber member, and networking opportunities.


Coffee & Connections with River Bottom Roasters
Wednesday, December 18th, 7:30 - 9:00am
Chamber Office, 1 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Start your day with us here at the Chamber! This AM networking event features complimentary coffee from Chamber Member River Bottom Roasters and artwork for display and for sale from featured artist Scott Cantner, a partnership with the Washington County Arts Council.


Maximize Your Membership
Thursday, December 19th, 9:00 - 10:00am
Chamber Office, 1 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Whether you're a new member, or an existing member who needs a refresher. This hour-long presentation features history of the Chamber, a glimpse of the makeup of our collective membership, how you can save with members-only benefits, advertising opportunities (both free and paid) available to you as a Member, an overview of our events, and more!


B.A.S.H. (Business and Social Hour) at Eliz Restaurant & Lounge
Thursday, December 19th, 5:00 - 7:00pm
11353 Robinwood Dr., Hagerstown, MD
Our monthly "business card exchange" style event heads to new Chamber member Eliz Restaurant & Lounge for our December mixer. Open networking with door prizes, a chance for your organization to win $3,500 (our Chamber Prize Drawing), and you the individual attendee a chance to win $100. Also, enjoy complimentary food and drink for just $5 as a Chamber member.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Check out what's new with some of our members!
COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL SNAGS GUEST BARTENDERS FOR FUNDRAISER
The Washington County Community Action Council is putting the finishing touches on their guest celebrity bartender event to be held Thursday, December 5th at Hempen Hill BBQ.

Guest bartenders include BJ Goetz of Middletown Valley Bank , David Lyles of David Lyles Developers and Brandon Younger of Younger Toyota. They'll be working for tips which are direct donations to the Community Action Council. A percentage of happy hour sales, dinner and drinks will also benefit the Community Action Council.

This event is free and tickets for a raffle drawing will be available that evening until the 8pm drawing. What's the raffle item up for grabs, you may wonder? The team has put together an incredible Costa Rican Treehouse Vacation Raffle - a five night stay for two adults at Finca Bellavista Treehouse Community in Costa Rica including three meals per day per person and a $600 travel voucher.

For more information, visit www.wccac.org/fundraisers !
JENNY BAKOS TO BECOME WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY'S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Board of Trustees of Washington County Free Library has named Jenny Bakos as the county’s library system Executive Director effective December 9, 2019. Ms. Bakos replaces Mary Baykan who retired on October 31, 2019. 

Ms. Bakos is currently the Director of Blackwater Regional Library and its ten branches that serve the counties of the Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex, as well as the city of Franklin in Virginia. She grew up in Newport News and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her Master’s in Library and Information Science was awarded by the University of South Carolina. 

Jenny’s eleven-year tenure with public libraries in Virginia has included increasingly responsible positions in the Blackwater Regional Library starting as a Branch Manager I, then II. Since 2014 she has served as Library Director. She chairs the Tidewater Area Library Directors Council, is Chair of the Southern Virginia Libraries United electronically (SOVALUe), and is an active member of the Isle of Wright Workforce Development Committee. She previously worked as a Library Assistant in Hampton Public Library and as a Children’s Librarian in Suffolk Public Library. 

The Board is confident that Jenny’s vision, demonstrated leadership, and many talents will position her to lead WCFL as it builds on its successes, works to continuously enhance the services offered to patrons, and adds value to the Washington County community. 

Jenny will be officially joining WCFL on December 9, 2019. She and her husband are looking forward to relocating permanently to the area in early 2020 upon his retirement from the Navy. 

For further information, please contact Kathleen O’Connell at 301-739-3250 ext. 166 or ko01@washcolibrary.org.  
Pictured, from left, Radiography award winners Alexis Spickler, Amber Crandell, and Morgan Pitcock. 

HCC RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM STUDENTS WIN AWARDS
Three Hagerstown Community College students recently won awards during the Maryland Society of Radiologic Technologists Student Essay Competition and Ted Lynch Award recognition.

In this year’s essay competition, three HCC students won the top awards. Essay winners included Morgan Pitcock, of Clear Brook, Va., who received first place; Amber Crandell, of Hagerstown, who received second place; and Alexis Spickler, of Smithsburg, who received third place.

One student from every radiography program in Maryland is selected as the winner of the Ted Lynch Award. In addition to placing first in the essay competition, Morgan Pitcock was also this year’s Ted Lynch Award winner from HCC’s radiography program.

Students who are presented this award excel academically, have excellent attendance in the classroom and clinical setting, display professionalism, and serve as role models to all other students.

To learn more about HCC’s medical imaging programs, go to www.hagerstowncc.edu/medical-imaging
SPIRITRUST LUTHERAN'S ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND HOSPICE TREE LIGHTING PLANNED
SpiriTrust Lutheran® Home Care & Hospice invites individuals and families to attend our annual Celebration of Life service on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 , 5:30pm at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 750 Norland Avenue, Chambersburg. Anyone in the community is welcome to attend.
At the conclusion of the service the lighting of the Hospice Tree of Light is a glowing testament of gratitude for the impact our loved ones have had on our lives. Whether attending or not, you are invited to honor a loved one by dedicating a light on the tree. The gift of a light will memorialize a loved one while helping provide hospice care for a family in need. 
The annual event began in 2012, with the first tree lighting and reception held in Gettysburg on the grounds of the United Lutheran Seminary. This year’s Gettysburg Celebration of Life and Hospice Tree of Light will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 5:30pm. A third event will be held in York on Thursday, December 5, 2019, 5:30pm, at SpiriTrust Lutheran, The Village at Kelly Drive, 750 Kelly Drive, York, PA.
To make a dedication or to learn more, please call 717.854.4425 or visit www.HospiceTreeOfLight.org .  

BERLIN JOINS ANTIETAM BROADBAND TEAM
Antietam Broadband is pleased to announce that Randy Berlin has joined the company as Director of Business Services and Development , acting as chief liaison to the area business community.  Reporting directly to Brian Lynch, President Antietam Broadband, Berlin will be based in Hagerstown.  

“We are incredibly pleased to have Berlin join the Antietam team”, said Lynch. “Randy has spent the last 20 years as an entrepreneur building and selling a business. His business savvy will give Randy a huge advantage in understanding the complexities of our local business community and a great ability to relate to issues our local business leaders are experiencing.” 

Berlin has a stellar record in business leadership and sales in the telecommunications industry. In 1998, Randy founded DiscountCall.com, Inc. a facilities data management company focused on IP phone, managed voice, internet and cloud. Berlin grew this business to multi-million dollars in annual revenue before selling the company in 2019. While leading DiscountCall.com, Berlin developed business and marketing strategies that significantly impacted the bottom line. The company was recognized by Samsung Business Communication Systems as the first to develop a remote access tool which accelerated sales by 50% and put them at the forefront of dealers across the US. 

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Antietam Broadband team”, said Berlin. “This is a wonderfully vibrant community and I think my years in local business will help me to better understand the business needs in Washington County and help develop solutions for local growth. “ 

Berlin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from Virginia Tech. 
VALLEY CREDIT SERVICE, INC. PRESIDENT & CEO WINS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Valley Credit Service Inc. (VCS, Inc.) is pleased to announce that William (Bill) Hopkinson , President/CEO, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the MDHBA for his innumerable and valuable contributions to the healthcare industry as a leader, teacher, and consultant.

The MDHBA is service association of select, quality accounts receivable management companies that work together to provide educational programs and quality services for its members and the healthcare industry. This is a great honor for Bill and VCS, Inc. is very proud of his achievements.

Bill’s has more than 30 years’ experience in the receivables management industry and has been at the helm of VCS, Inc. since 1993. VCS, Inc. has been in Hagerstown since 1966 and offers services such as Debt Recovery, Pre-Collection Services, Payment Monitoring, EMR/Management Software, Insurance Billing, Tenant Services, Early Out Programs and Consulting.

VCS Inc.’s Professional Practice Management System Certification sets them apart in the debt recovery industry. VCS, Inc. designs and builds quality relationships based upon “your definition and needs”.  For more information on their services please log on to www.maxprofitsys.com or contact Donna Nead at 800-992-2312 ext. 2223. 

ONTRACK NAMES NEW DIRECTOR
A Frederick Community College official has been named executive director of OnTrack Washington County .

Kimberly Duncan , currently executive director of adult and community education, continuing education and workforce development at FCC, will begin duties with OnTrack on Dec. 16.

OnTrack is a collaborative effort that brings together community partners to better prepare local students for future job needs. It began in 2015, spearheaded by the Greater Hagerstown Committee.

In addition to her current focus on continuing education and workforce development, Duncan also has experience in Frederick County Public Schools, including early childhood education.

Duncan lives locally and has two children enrolled in Washington County Public Schools.
Do you have something to share with fellow Chamber members? Simply email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck at tim@hagerstown.org to get started on this free opportunity.
CHAMBER NEWS
ADVERTISING OPTIONS WITH EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR 2020 DIRECTORY
We've partnered with Herald-Mail Media for our upcoming 2020 Chamber Business Directory and Community Profile. This 170+ page annual publication is THE go-to resource for Washington County citizens to learn about offerings here in our community.

Consisting of three sections (Alphabetical, Who's Who, and Buyer's Guide), this publication finds its way into nearly ever waiting room and lobby and is distributed to members and office walk-ins alike, throughout the calendar year.

To get started and to learn more about available rates, please contact Brittney Hamilton at BrittneyH@herald-mail.com or 301-791-7177
2020 CHAMBER EVENT BANNER SPACES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
It's no mystery. Branding should be one of your revolving goals when it comes to your annual marketing plan! Get seen throughout every single indoor Chamber event from January through December 2020.

Premium spaces: SOLD OUT
Non-Premium spaces: $375

Interested? Simply email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck to get started at tim@hagerstown.org
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | hagerstown.org
Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 650 organizations, representing over 40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education.