Our Mission: To protect, enhance and promote local business by providing a voice for business at local, county and state levels.
Welcome to Bowie, Maryland!
Welcome to the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce Newsletter and to our community, one of the best places in Maryland to live, work and raise a family.

The Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce understands that in order to have a strong economic environment you must have a strong community. We are truly blessed in our community to have leaders, business owners, educators and citizens who realize that we all share in the responsibility of creating economic success and happiness within our community.

The Chamber’s goal is to work toward improving the quality of life for all through the support and commitment of its members, volunteers and committees. The Chamber is proud to sponsor events throughout the year to help support the community.

As the Executive Director, I am honored to work alongside our dedicated Board who all share the same vision, business growth and healthy community environment.

If you are not a member of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, please join us today. Your membership will benefit your business and the community. I look forward to working with everyone.

Be well,
Pauline K. Markward
Executive Director
News & Notes
Executive Committee
Terry Rogers, President
Exclusive "Presenting" Sponsor
Kaiser Permanente

The Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Kaiser Permanente as the Chamber's exclusive "Presenting" sponsor. Kaiser Permanente, commonly known simply as Kaiser, is an American integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney Garfield. Welcome!
Congratulations!
Senator Ron Watson, PhD.

On behalf of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Delegate Ron Watson, on his appointment to the Maryland State Senate. We look forward to maintaining the close working relationship with him as we have enjoyed over the last three years as our delegate.
Greater Bowie Chamber Golf Open

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 22nd Bowie Chamber Open than at the stunning Country Club at Woodmore on Monday, October 18, 2021. Whether you’re enjoying the picturesque scenery, intrigued by the course challenges or sharing laughs with your team around, we promise a fun and relaxing day on the golf course you and your colleagues won’t want to miss. Reserve your spots today!

Register Here Rain or shine event
News & Notes
Membership Development

Dear Valued Member,

Thank you for your support of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce this past year! Your membership has helped us and our partners as we bring about the changes that make our city the best place to live, work, and grow.

Your Chamber is a broad-based organization that strives to improve the commercial climate, promote planned economic and community development, and to make the greater Bowie community a place of prosperity.

The heartbeat of the Chamber is its diverse members who hold common interests, goals, and concerns related to the business environment in the Greater Bowie area. We accomplish our goals through the hard work of our outstanding members who take on volunteer positions on the Board and standing committees.

Your Chamber Membership Investment is now on an annual billing cycle. Please know that you may pay your dues electronically at www.bowiechamber.org using your unique login username and password.

Should you have questions, please contact the Chamber office by phone (301-262-0920) or email (info@bowiechamber.org) using Membership Renewal in the subject line.

Re-invest in your business and in Bowie’s future by renewing your membership today! We look forward to continuing a mutually beneficial partnership.

***** DON'T LET YOUR MEMBERSHIP LAPSE - RENEW TODAY! *****

In addition to payments by Check, your Chamber accepts payment by VISA, MasterCard & American Express. You also can pay online at www.bowiechamber.org 

FEDERAL TAX ID# 52-129555
Membership is just a CLICK away!
News & Notes
Healthcare Committee
Three New Kaiser Permanente Facilities Coming Soon

Kaiser Permanente is growing in the Mid-Atlantic region with the grand opening of three new medical centers in Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and Baltimore County:
  • Bowie Fairwood Medical Center opens this month to provide members with an array of primary and specialty care services under one roof.
  • Well by Kaiser Permanente at Friendship Heights opens fall 2021 and will be a neighborhood health center—the first of its kind in the region. This facility will focus on high-touch, in-office primary care and will leverage our digital platforms for virtual care.
  • Lutherville-Timonium Medical Center opens January 2022, replacing the Towson Medical Center. This state-of-the-art, 220,000 square-foot facility provides members with 24/7 Advanced Urgent Care, plus adult and family primary medicine, ambulatory surgery, behavioral health, and many other services.
 
These new medical centers will provide the exceptional patient experience Kaiser Permanente members have come to expect. Take a sneak peek at the new medical centers, here.
A small business owner’s FAQ guide to offering health benefits

To a small business owner, navigating the must-have’s and the nice-to-have’s of health benefits can seem daunting. Are you required to offer health care to your staff? How much will that cost you? Do the benefits of employee-sponsored health coverage outweigh the costs?
While the circumstances and specific requirements may differ from business to business, at Kaiser Permanente we know that health coverage isn’t just a benefit to the employee, but also to the business owner. Because healthier employees lead to a healthier bottom line.
In a recent article in partnership with The Washington Business Journal, we explored some basic questions that your clients and prospects might be asking about health coverage requirements. Share with them so that they can better understand topics like the following:
  • Which businesses are required to offer health benefits to their employees, and which aren’t.
  • How much small businesses are required to contribute to the cost of an employee’s health plan.
  • How to determine if they qualify for the Small Business Health Tax credit.
How To Get Kids Ready For In-Person School 

Back to school is fast approaching, and parents at your clients’ businesses are likely already starting to think about making the transition back to a (hopefully) pre-pandemic routine. 

WJLA recently interviewed child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Asha Patton-Smith to get her tips for preparing kids to go back to school after over a year or virtual and hybrid learning. Read the article here and share with clients who may be interested. 
Get Your Flu Shot!
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Health officials tell us flu shots will be especially important as we move into flu season while still in the midst of the global pandemic. Flu shots are now available for County residents through the County Health Department’s upcoming free flu shot clinics. Adults with insurance are encouraged to get vaccinated by their primary care provider or at a local pharmacy. For more information and to make an appointment for the County’s free flu shot clinics, visit http://health.mypgc.us/flu
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience more than four weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Older people and those who have certain underlying medical conditions are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and effective.

For more information, CLICK HERE
Your health matters to the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce.
Over the next few weeks we will be practicing social distancing by limiting or reducing unessential meetings.
News & Notes
Women In Business Committee
How Women Are Key to Post-Pandemic Leadership
Women are needed in leadership post-pandemic.


Covid-19 demanded more from leaders. It required the ability to adjust to social distancing and teams working from home. It demanded an understanding that work and family life had suddenly merged, with children often doing school in the same rooms where their parents attended board meetings. It asked the leaders to care more deeply for the physical and emotional well-being of the employee. 

Leaders had to find new ways to build connections and motivate individuals toward a common goal. If they weren't already, they had to listen with an empathetic ear to the challenges faced by each employee in their care. They managed workflows and scattered team members who needed direction on how to go from in-person to remote work.

It's not surprising that women took to these new challenges more readily. The women leaders who created supportive environments in the middle of chaos and crisis lifted each team member up while inspiring and supporting them where needed. They created employees who were excited to work, for their companies and felt valued and encouraged. 

Why post-pandemic recovery requires female leadership

Communication skills have always been at the top of the list of leadership traits, but they are more critical than ever. Pre-pandemic, knowing how to speak publicly and harnessing the power of body language were key. Now, learning how to use the written word to create inspiring content and clear day-to-day communication is just as vital.
 
Women stand out in their ability to communicate, be compassionate, agile and seek out compromise for the common good — all of which was made apparent throughout the pandemic.

Now, as we move forward towards recovery, these same women can not be pushed to the sidelines. The women leaders who rose to the occasion to lead us through the chaos of 2020 are the same ones who can help us move forward. 

Companies that have women CEOs benefit from the female perspective. In 2018, Deloitte Review highlighted the importance of having a diverse and inclusive workplace. Still, it took the pandemic of 2020 to see just how vital women leaders are to company sustainability and ingenuity.

New ideas come from diverse ways of seeing things, but before a board room can benefit, diversity has to be invited to stay.

Will history repeat with women leaders being pushed to the side?

During World War II, women had to step into a number of jobs while the men were away at war. The truth is those men would not have been successful if the women at home had not stepped into the roles of mechanics, truck drivers, factory workers and even put on the US military uniform to work as clerks and nurses. 

The sad truth is that when the men returned, the women were sent back to the household chores. They had proven themselves capable and were sidelined when the men returned. 

While some women were able to step more fully into the natural fit of leader in 2020, others saw their careers disappear. This was in part due to the gender pay gap where families had to make the hard decision of who would continue working and who would focus on the children's schooling. 

But as schools and businesses fully reopen, will this cycle continue?

If we truly want a strong recovery post-pandemic, then we must place more women in leadership roles. It's better for our workforce, our economy and our government. 

ENTREPRENEUR LEADERSHIP NETWORK CONTRIBUTOR
Founder & CEO of she PR
News & Notes
Corporate & Community Relations Committee
Peanut Butter Shelf

GBCC has adopted the Peanut Butter Shelf in the Bowie Interfaith Pantry. Each month the Bowie Food Pantry goes through approximately 350 jars of peanut butter. 

You can drop off your donation at the Chamber office or directly to the Bowie Food Pantry, located at 2614 Kenhill Drive, Suite 134. (GBCC Office is Suite 117.)
News & Notes
Business & Economic Development Committee
Save the Date!
Greater Bowie Chamber Golf Open
The Country Club at Woodmore
12320 Pleasant Prospect
Mitchellville, MD 20721
Monday, October 18, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Pledge your sponsorship by: September 9, 2021
Early Bird Registration Ends: September 30, 2021
In Person Networking Opportunity
Bowie Chamber 5:35 Kick Off!
Comfort Inn & Conference Center - Bowie
2nd Wednesday of the Month (October 13, 2021)
Starts at 5:35 p.m.
Cash Bar
No registration required.
Unless otherwise noted above, register online www.BowieChamber.org

For additional information call 301-262-0920 or email info@BowieChamber.org
 
72-Hour notice is required on cancellations

Bowie Business Journal
 
In conjunction with the GBCC, Bowie Business Journal (BBJ) is a cable television program designed to help Bowie business owners start and grow their business. The 30-minute show features GBCC members. If you would like to be a guest and showcase your business please email info@BowieChamber.org

News & Notes
Legislative Committee

Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr (R) appointed Del. Ronald L. Watson Jr. (D-Prince George’s) to the state Senate Friday.

“I am confident that Delegate Watson will continue to represent his constituency admirably in his new role as senator,” Hogan said in a statement. “I offer him my sincere congratulations and look forward to working with him in the upcoming legislative session.”

Watson, a first-term legislator, was unanimously nominated by the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee to fill a seat left vacant by Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Prince George’s) earlier this month.

In late June, Peters announced that he would not be seeking a fifth Senate term. Days later, Hogan appointed him to the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, prompting his resignation and Watson’s eventual Senate appointment.

Join a Chamber Committee Today!


Business & Economic Development 
Promotes business development for chamber members through seminars and best practices. Works on attracting businesses to Greater Bowie.

Membership Development
Works on expanding the Chamber membership base as well as retaining existing members.

Corporate & Community Relations 
Provides opportunities to give back to the community, both in volunteer time and financial and in-kind contributions.

Legislative
Advocates on behalf of the Chamber before the City Council, County Council and General Assembly. Informs the Board and membership of pending issues before those bodies of interest to Greater Bowie businesses.

Women In Business 
To offer useful information and networking opportunities focused on helping women to successfully meet the challenges they face in today's business world and learn how to find and maintain balance within. Sponsor events to raise funds for the Women in Business scholarship fund.

Healthcare Committee
Promotes Chamber Healthcare related businesses to the community, healthcare related networking events, bringing healthcare providers together and holds community Health Fair.




Kudos!

If your business has reached a milestone or received an award, please email the Chamber at info@bowiechamber.org. We look forward to giving kudos in Tradeline!

2021 - 2022 Board of Directors
Officers
Terry Rogers 
President
NAI Michael
Michael Oleru
Vice President
BGE
Christopher Rizzi
Secretary
Bohler
Vikki Kalitsi
Treasurer
Visiting Angels
Stephanie P. Anderson
Past President
O'Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A.
Vacant
General Counsel
Directors
Tom Zizos
Beall Funeral Home
R. Anthony Pasciuto
Byrd & Byrd, LLC
Reginald Forbes
Forbes Financial
Eddie Pounds
Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School
Brian Diemar
Kaiser Permanente
Tony Perez
LA Perez Consulting
Muriel Evans-Buck
Luminis Health
Pam Scott
M&T Bank
Craig Muckle
Marketing Consultant
Catherine Newman
Melvin J. Berman
Wanda Rogers
Realty Transaction Services Inc.
Andrew M. Roud
St. John Properties
Michael Byrd
Sydian Systems, LLC
Diane M. Polangin
Total Tax Service
Pauline K. Markward
Executive Director
Thank you!
Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce can't thank our members enough for all you do... and of course, we would love to see even more NEW members, so everyone, please try to make it part of your mission to bring in at least one new member!

For more information, contact our Membership Committee membership@BowieChamber.org.  

Start your membership today by clicking here!