MEMBER CONNECT
May 19, 2020
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Today and in the weeks ahead, our back-to-business efforts will center on how we can support you and your needs for reopening under Oregon Phase I plans. We respect the complexities of a thoughtful and successful transition, and appreciate that you’re reimagining and retooling your business as fast and as best you can. We’ll call on the public to exercise patience and to be considerate of safety protocols and guidance in place. We’ll send a reminder to all that a successful back-to-business plan depends on them, and begins with a generous, mindful
stay safe, support local
re-entry.
I’d encourage you take advantage of your access to programs like this month’s
Business Boot Camp
webinar series. This is a timely opportunity to reimagine your business model. Tomorrow’s program centers on best practices for keeping your employees and your business secure and connected while working remote. There’s still time to register and we’d love to see you there!
If you haven’t already, check out our county-approved
Back to Business: A Guide to Re-Opening
designed with the small business owner in mind. The newly updated version includes guidelines for gyms and child-care facilities released last week.
Best of luck this week and remember we’re still just a phone call away
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-Vonnie Mikkelsen, President and CEO
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Business Bootcamp LIVE
Wednesday May 20 & Wednesday May 27
Virtual Zoom Webinars - FREE for Members
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Join us THIS WEDNESDAY for Session 2 of Business Boot Camp
LIVE!
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THIS WEDNESDAY:
Session 2 - Best Practices for Remote and Secure Workforce
Presented by
Robert Steck, CEO of
Partnered Solutions IT
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Now more than ever remote work and working from home has become an important tool for businesses. Tune in to discuss best practices for keeping your employees and your business secure and connected while working outside of the office.
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About Robert:
Robert Steck is the CEO and owner of Partnered Solutions, a managed IT service provider serving the Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon. Under the same roof is his other company, Ruby Porter, which is a full-service digital marketing and web development agency. Robert sits on the Eugene Active 20-30 Foundation board, he is the board secretary for Cornerstone Community Housing, as well as the Chairman for the Regional CIS Advisory committee. In response to the Coronavirus, Partnered Solutions helped transition 1,000 employees in Lane County to remote staff.
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Education & Talent Development
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Upcoming Education Meetings
May 21st, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
If you would like to join this committee meeting or if you have any questions please email our Director of Development and Talent Initiatives Paige Sharpe (
paige@springfield-chamber.org
)
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Oregon RAIN Spanish Workshop: Finanzas para negocios 101
Thursday, May 21
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Oregon RAIN is organizing their first workshop in Spanish on May 21, from 12-1pm, run by Ani Raas. Please join the workshop and help spread the word among Latinx business owners!
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Back to Business
A Guide to Re-Opening
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Last week, Lane County was approved for Phase 1 re-opening. In partnership with the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, we've put together this guideline for re-opening businesses - it contains valuable information for specific industries to follow Governor Brown's guidelines and helpful tools for employers and the general public in an easy-to-follow format.
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We've compiled a list of relevant links related to Reopening Oregon, including a document from the Governor's office, Lane County's blueprint for reopening, guidelines by sector and category, and more. You can locate them under the tab "Reopening Oregon" in our Business Resource Hub COVID-19:
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Opening Weekend Struggles
How Residents can Make the Transition Smooth: Patience, Respect, & Thoughtfulness
Residents were eager to stretch their wings over the inaugural weekend of the phase 1 reopening. In some cases, businesses eager to see their customers return were greeted with crowded conditions while employees were greeted with impatience and intolerance. Travel Lane County worked with area chambers of commerce to share a message of patience, respect and thoughtfulness over the weekend, but it looks like we can use your help in continuing to spread this message. Let's support our partners as they adjust to operating under the state's guidelines and as people adjust to their new found freedom. Feel free to use some or all of our message on your social channels.
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OSCC ACTION ALERT: Liability protections are needed to shield employers from litigation abuse during COVID-19
We are living in unprecedented times. Businesses across the country have been shuttered due to the COVID-19 health crisis in an effort to curb the impact of the virus. As employers begin to look at reopening, many are worried that an employee or customer will contract the disease and sue, claiming that they got sick because the business could have done something more to protect the person, despite following the public health guidelines for reopening. This is already happening.
Employers need assurance that there will be safe harbors in place to protect them from opportunistic lawsuits. Businesses who follow the guidelines issued by public health authorities should be able to safely provide their goods and services without the fear of crippling liability.
There is no playbook for reopening. Business owners are already facing many challenges in this uncertain economic environment. We need timely, targeted and temporary liability protections to shield employers from legal risk when following the appropriate public health guidelines to protect employees and customers.
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COVID-19 CARES Act Updates
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Watch the latest US Chamber + Inc. National Town Hall webinar for information on ongoing CARES Act legislations and small business survival strategies:
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Watch the latest short video update from Robert Killen, Director of Lane Small Business Development Center (SBDC), on Forgiveness Calculations:
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The Oregon Employment Department is providing unemployment benefits through the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. In preparation, the agency has recruited and trained staff to process PUA claims. Please access the PUA application and certification forms on the CARES Act section of the Employment Department’s COVID-19 web page:
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IRS information (English & Spanish) for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and others who need information about Coronavirus tax relief and economic impact payments:
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Legislative Advocacy
Your Business. Your Community. Your Voice.
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Today is Election Day! Ballots can be dropped off until 8pm today.
Election results will be made available to the public starting at 8:00 p.m. TODAY,
and updated throughout the evening until all ballots are processed. Elections results can be obtained at the link below:
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Government Issues & Economic Development Committees
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As the COVID-19 response continues to move rapidly at the local, state, and federal levels, we have moved our Government Issues Committee meetings to a weekly occurrence. We invite you to join us 8am Tuesday mornings via Zoom to stay on top of local, regional, and state issues of impact on business and community.
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Upcoming Government Issues Committee Meetings
Tuesday, May 26th, 8:00am, Zoom Conference
Please email Max Molzahn (max@springfield-chamber.org) or Dani Thompson (dani@springfield-chamber.org) for more information and an invitation to the Zoom Meeting.
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Member Continuity and Relief Options
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We are deeply appreciative of our members’ support to the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made to protect the health of our community, employees, and families during these unprecedented times.
Many of our members who are feeling the greatest impacts are the same local small businesses and non-profit organizations that have and will define us as a community. We are very aware of the overwhelmingly difficult decisions you may be facing. We are equally aware of the financial burdens.
To this end, we’ve established multiple COVID-19 member continuity and relief options that we think you’ll find of value, including the Membership Match Program, sponsored by Oregon Community Credit Union. If you have any questions about our COVID-19 member continuity and relief options, please reach out to our Member Services team at
max@springfield-chamber.org
.
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The Chamber Community has been stepping up, leaning in, making tough decisions, surviving, innovating, hiring, pivoting, and is deserving of support and acknowledgment. Check out some of these important updates from our Chamber members:
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Relief Nursery
is hosting a "Stuff the Truck" event for families this Saturday. People can drive through Kendall Toyota of Eugene anytime from 10 AM and 3 PM for a contactless, drop-off donation drive. Gifts support local families who are working hard to overcome challenging obstacles. Brought to you by
Kendall Auto Eugene, Eugene Emeralds
and
Heritage Distilling Company, Inc
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Hop Valley Brewing Co.
has raised $5,438 for the
Cole Parker Randall Foundation
through purchases of their Smile Stash IPA! About a year and a half ago, they teamed up with Dave & Shawna Randall to brew a beer in support of the Cole Parker Randall Foundation (CPRF), a non-profit organization they formed in memory of their son, Cole Parker Randall who passed away at just 11 weeks old from SMA - the number one genetic cause of infant mortality. That collaborative brewing session created Smile Stash IPA! A portion of Smile Stash proceeds are headed to CPRF!
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During these uncertain times, we recognize the strength and resiliency of the Springfield Chamber community. Thank you to those who have shared your story. To all our members, please help us share yours. Contact Elora Kelsh,
elora@springfield-chamber.org
for more information.
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Welcome New Chamber Members!
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High Ridge Roofing & Construction LLC
High Ridge has been doing commercial and residential roofs for decades. Our success corresponds directly to the long term satisfaction our clients. Period. That is why we go the extra mile to keep you happy from the free estimate to follow-up maintenance, and everything in between. Give us a call today and let's get started on your project!
Address:
1265 35th Street, Springfield
Phone:
(541) 357-4953
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Oregon Supreme Court puts hold on Baker County judge’s ruling declaring governor’s coronavirus orders ‘null and void’
In a late Monday ruling, the Oregon Supreme Court stepped in to put a hold on a dramatic decision by an eastern Oregon judge that declared not only Gov. Kate Brown’s restrictions on church gatherings “null and void” but all her “Stay Home Save Lives’’ coronavirus
emergency orders
.
State Supreme Court Presiding Justice Thomas A. Balmer in a
three-paragraph ruling
issued at 7:45 pm. granted the state’s emergency motion after reviewing briefs from both sides.
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State gives $929,025 to Lane County for rent relief
Oregon Housing and Community Services announced Monday it will give $929,025 to Lane County’s Community Action Agency to provide relief to renters.
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’A message of gratitude‘
With this week marking Hospital and Healthcare Workers week, PeaceHealth celebrates and commends our courageous healthcare heroes — those who provide direct patient care and support those who do.
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Member Connect | Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
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