THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY: |
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LEE LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON BIZ |
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Last Tuesday, Gov. Bill Lee signed Executive Order No. 63 to extend certain, targeted provisions of previous executive orders through October 30, including the authority of local governments to institute mask requirements. Remaining restrictions on businesses and gathering sizes in the 89 counties with a state-run health department have been removed.
The governor also signed Executive Order No. 64, which extends through October 30 provisions that allow for remote notarization and witnessing of documents. Executive Order No. 60, which extends through October 28 provisions that allow for electronic government meetings subject to transparency safeguards, including the requirement of live broadcasts of electronic meetings to the public beginning October 1, remains in effect.
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tnACHIEVES CELEBRATES 100,000th STUDENT |
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This fall, tnAchieves celebrates its 100,000th student enrolled in college. This milestone is made possible by the support of local volunteers across the state!
To celebrate this achievement, tnAchieves is planning a weeklong virtual celebration the week of October 5-9. This celebration includes panels from a variety of perspectives on the growth and influence of the tnAchieves program. You are invited to join in this celebration, as it promises to offer valuable insight into the program and impact of community support. Register here.
tnAchieves needs more than 9,000 volunteer mentors each fall to support students in their transition to college. In 2021, mentors will serve their students virtually using a safe online mentoring platform, tnAchieves CONNECT. This will allow volunteers to remain engaged with their community from the safety of home! Mentoring takes just one hour a month, but can have a significant impact on a student! Apply here..
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Power of a Positive Leader
Join Kevin Waters, CEO of Clear Leader Group for a workshop entitled the “Power of a Positive Leader.”
Discover how self-awareness can help you become a better leader, learn about humble confidence, and uncover what feedback is and what it is not and how to effectively give feedback.
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EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL NETWORKING |
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For those who have never participated in an online meeting, here's some useful tips.
- Please include your name and company name
- Use the option to meet others in a small group setting by participating in our breakout rooms
- Limited to 100 guests
Housekeeping Items:
- Keep microphone muted when you aren’t speaking
- Raise your hand (virtually) for a turn
- Chat is available for questions
- Look into the camera instead of looking at yourself talking on the screen
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Meet, Mingle, Lunch, Connect, Nibble, Engage and Network with other influential professionals.
Open to ALL Blount County Chamber members, but you must RSVP online . This is a Dutch Treat lunch.
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Learn more about the Blount Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member. Learn how to make the most of the benefits afforded to you by joining our webinar on October 13, 2020, at 2 p.m.
Register in advance for this meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
R E M E M B E R !
Your membership is a corporate membership. Please encourage co-workers to get involved, educated, network and promote your company via Blount Chamber events and opportunities.
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FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING SET |
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Join us October 16 at 8:30 a.m. for a virtual Federal Legislative Briefing with Congressman Tim Burchett.
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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SUPERVISORS NEED THIS INFO |
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Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
ADDRESSING RACE RELATIONS
Given recent events, including the George Floyd scenario, it is imperative that employers thoughtfully and directly address workplace related racial issues. This session will identify the most relevant issues HR professionals should consider when attempting to discuss and address such racial issues. This session will also explore strategies and best practices to be employed when dealing with race-related workplace issues.
Presented by Fred Bissinger
OSHA, leave laws, work from home and Fair Labor Standards Act
The pandemic has resulted in myriad employment law concerns for employers keeping their business running. Learn about several such legal considerations including OSHA, leave laws new and old, work from home issues, and how the Fair Labor Standards Act is implicated in multiple scenarios.
Presented by Howard Jackson
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THE DIALOGUE WITH A STEFAN |
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This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 164th installment visiting with Stefan Wilson, Benevolent Overlord of Allevia Technology, who understands that small business owners, non-profit leaders, and office managers are busy and don’t have time to think strategically about technology. Therefore, Allevia Technology can serve as your IT partner to keep your business moving forward.
Describe a your business. Allevia Technology provides managed IT services for small businesses and non-profit organizations. Our mission is to give you peace of mind when you think about technology. As your IT partner, we provide remote and on-site technical support, antivirus, back up, vendor management, telecom management, and more.
How did you get started? When I was 16 years old, I got my driver’s license, almost immediately printed up business cards and handed them out at church. I quickly discovered that I could make $25 for a 30-minute house call when my buddy working fast food couldn’t make that in an entire shift after school. That’s when the entrepreneurial bug bit me!
What is your background? In a word: passion. Passion requires interest and care. I can remember being 13 years old and looking forward to the Sunday morning newspaper - I would get the Circuit City ad and just pore over what new technology was hitting the market that week! In my specific case, I was very much self-taught, and then a 4-year stint through college at the US Attorney’s Office really helped to solidify the idea that I wanted a career in Information Technology.
Describe your customers. We enjoy working with our clients everyday to keep their business running smoothly. We serve small businesses, churches, medical offices, non-profit organizations, dentists, lawyers, architects, insurance agencies, and more.
Name three things you wish you knew when you started. 1.) If you have a subscription-type service, don’t let customers even become a customer without autopay. 2. It’s ok to say no - stay focused on what you know you can do with excellence 3. Communication and being honest will go farther with customers than almost anything else
What do you enjoy most about your business? I love empowering members of my team to help and serve our clients. Seeing positive client feedback about the Allevia team warms my heart and makes me incredibly happy!
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NEED ASSISTANCE IN
HR, MARKETING OR ACCOUNTING?
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Have you experienced supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges, a decrease in business or a business closure as a result specifically due to COVID-19
Through the CARES Act the TSBDC has received funding to hire industry professionals to provide consulting at no cost for our clients. If you need assistance in the areas of accounting, marketing and human resources contact our center!
Let our consultants help navigate the complexities of business ownership during a Pandemic.
With barriers brought on by COVID-19, we believe small businesses still need that human connection to help identify pools of opportunity. With the simple press of a button, you can find yourself meeting virtually with a consultant who wants to help you and your business succeed on every level.
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CREATE A HEALTHY WORKPLACE |
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The October 30 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.
This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Building a Trauma-Informed Workplace." How can you use the guiding principles of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) to create a psychologically healthy workplace that prioritizes employee wellness? Learn practical approaches to creating an environment that champions care, safety, and respect.
All participants will earn .5 CEUs per session for participating. They will also receive an email survey two months after workshop participation to assess application of new ideas.
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Connect Commerce Virtual Roundtable
The Connected Commerce Council (3C)is pleased to host The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) and The Center for Growth and Opportunity for a webinar to discuss the importance of technology platforms and tools for empowering Tennessee businesses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion will also cover pursuits by leaders in Washington, D.C., Tennessee, and across the country, to stifle the technology sector and prevent the industry from providing these crucial services.
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Creating Cultures that Engage and Retain Millennials and Generation Z
Join us for this interactive workshop as we present our research and practical applications for engaging your younger employees.
How Technology is Fueling the Tennessee Recovery & Growing the Tennessee Economy
Join us to discuss the importance of technology platforms and tools for empowering Tennessee businesses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Get the Facts on PPP and EIDL
Hear from SBA every Monday and Friday at noon ET until December 21. Find out what is a myth and what is a truth on SBA loans for small businesses. REGISTER HERE
October 6 at 9 a.m.
October 15 from 9:30-11 a.m.
October 20 from 9-10:30 a.m.
October 20 at 10 a.m.
October 21 at 10 a.m.
October 22 at 2 p.m.
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October 19 from 4-5 p.m.
October 20 from 1-2 p.m.
October 22 from 11 a.m.-noon
October 22 from 3-4 p.m.
October 23 from 4-5 p.m.
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Pellissippi State Community College is hosting "The Art, Science & Impact of Digital Storytelling" on Oct. 21 from 12:30-2 p.m.
This webinar will bring together thought leaders in digital production, creative services and brand storytelling, to discuss industry trends and workforce opportunities.
Session 1 will focus on the essence and purpose of strategic communications and digital engagement and will explore questions such as:
- How much is the medium still (or even more so) the message in the digital age?
- How should strategies and tactics change as digital innovation accelerates and saturates?
- Is understanding your audience more important as you aim to earn trust for your business, sell products/services to customers or persuade people to your cause - and how can authentic connections be achieved during the disruption of the COVID-19 Age?
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October 5-11
October 12-18
Save the Date
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As businesses reopen across the state, Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group released guidance for businesses. The Tennessee Pledge guidelines recommend capacity limits, spacing requirements, and frequent sanitization, among others.
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COVID-19 CASES IN BLOUNT COUNTY |
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The City of Maryville publishes a daily web page that breaks down all the COVID-19 cases in Blount County.
Bookmark it to make sure you know the facts.
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BE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING US |
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If you aren't following us on social media, you must. We are constantly updating information as each day progresses. So, give us a like and stay up-to-date as we move through this crisis.
And follow tourism updates here:
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Here's a great way to offer Member-to-Member deals using your chamber member account. Check the deals.
Members can post Coupons and Discounts to this page at no charge. Click Here
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