MONDAY MENTIONS

McHenry Area Chamber
Weekly Newsletter
November 29, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
See what's happening this month.
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
Welcome to our newest members.
FEATURED POST
Check out resources from fellow members in our Chamber News and Knowledge.
Target Audiences and Buyer Personas are Both Important...

Do you know the difference between target audiences and buyer personas? If you're not familiar with these terms, then you may assume that they're the same thing. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. The truth is these are two...

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mchenrychamber.com
We were incredibly shocked and saddened to hear of Pete Gault's passing last week due to COVID. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
WHEN THINGS PILE UP
The leaves fell late this year.

We have a lot of trees in our yard.

We were busy.

No matter what the excuse, the result is the same. We had an embarrassingly large amount of leaf bags for our poor yard waste removal driver this week.*
Here's the thing: If you look at a single leaf, it seems small and insignificant. However, as leaves (and tasks) tend to do, it doesn't take long for them to pile up.

Here are some lessons we learned from this season that are applicable in many areas of life:

1) Value Your Time - A lawnsweeper was a great investment that saved a TON of time. Sure, we could have done it with rakes, but what normally took us 3-4 days was finished in an afternoon.

2) Ask For Help - I don't know that my 4 kids had much of a choice in the matter, but their help made an unsurmountable task possible (and WAY more fun).

3) Don't Get Overwhelmed - Don't look at the entire yard. Think of your task list as filling "one bag at a time".

4) Appreciate the Effort - Take the time to "celebrate" when you clear a hurdle, even if it's just admiring your newly clean lawn.
- Molly
*Don't worry - we tipped them!
PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE MEMBERS
CHAMBER OPPORTUNITIES
Gala Participation Opportunities
We are looking for sponsors for our 2022 Annual Gala - Bootleggers Ball: A Gangster's Getaway. If your business would like to sponsor, please contact Molly at molly@mchenrychamber.com. Click here for the sponsorship options.

Want to donate a silent auction item?  Click here for more info. Donate by December 17 to have your item displayed on our website!
 
Do you have a nomination for our Frank E. Low Award? This is the Chamber's highest honor accorded to an individual for distinguished community service.  If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please click here to download the FELA application.
Never Eat Alone Networking Lunch at Bulldog Ale House
Friday, December 3 from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm

Located at 1501 State Route 31, McHenry

Open networking for those who don't want to eat alone. Order off the menu and pay at the restaurant.
Chamber Christmas Party/Mixer at jh Events and Flowers
Tuesday, December 7 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Located at 3603 Municipal Drive, McHenry

Break out the UGLY SWEATERS - it's time for a Chamber Christmas Party! There will be an abundance of food, drinks, games, and door prizes (along with a lot of great gift items available for sale at jh Events). We look forward to a fun-filled evening!
MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
MEMBER NEWS
Vote now for the Top Workplaces in McHenry County!
What: Working for a great company or organization is more important than ever before. Whether you work remotely or at the office, a workplace that values its associates, customers and community is truly something that should be recognized. Show your support and appreciation for your workplace and others in McHenry County by participating in our Top Workplaces Reader's Choice Awards contest!
The workplaces with the most votes in each category will be named a "2021 Top Workplace." Contest results will be published in the Northwest Herald at the end of January 2022.
When: You may vote once per day per category until the voting period ends. Voting ends December 5.
Where: Vote online at http://shawnews.secondstreetapp.com/McHenry-Top-Workplaces-2021/gallery
For more info, contact: sdilg@shawmedia.com
Spirit Airlines Launches Four New Nonstop Destinations From Milwaukee
What: Spirit Airlines launched new daily nonstops from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Phoenix. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, long lines, and expensive parking of large hub airports then fly easy out of MKE today for all your business and leisure travel needs. Visit spirit.com to book.
Where: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, 5300 S. Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
For more info, contact:  info@mitchellairport.com
Get involved and give back this Christmas
What: The McHenry Area Rotary club is moving forward with this year's Secret Santa program. As always they will need hundreds of volunteers to help us to get all the toys collected, sorted, wrapped and delivered in a week's time.They will deliver nearly 10,000 toys to families in McHenry County this Christmas. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up online using the link below:
New Website!
What: Woodstock, IL: Independence Health & Therapy, an IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce the launch of their new website at www.independencehealth.org
 
Independence Health & Therapy’s mission is to promote independence and improve lives through care, education, and advocacy.
Home of the Sparrow: Holiday Gift Program 2021 with THREE Giving Opportunities!
What: Give back this holiday & help homeless women & children in our community! You can participate in any of the options within the Holiday Gift Program, which include:
1) Making a monetary online donation at www.hosparrow.org/donate,
2) Donating items from our Shelter Needs Wish List at www.hosparrow.org/how-to-help/shelter-wish-list,
3) Adopting a Family & gifting Gift Cards!
If you have questions about the Gift Program or Adopt a Family, please contact Emily Greene at EGreene@hosparrow.org or call 815-271-5444 x224.
For full details on all Holiday Giving Opportunities, visit www.hosparrow.org/holidaygiving2021.
When: Shelter Needs Wish List Item Donations Drop off Deadline: 12/30/21, Gift Program - Adopt a Family Gift Card Drop Off Deadline: 12/9/21
Where: For full details on all Holiday Giving Opportunities, visit www.hosparrow.org/holidaygiving2021
For more info, contact: Emily Greene, Development Manager (Coordinating Holiday Gift Program and Adopt a Family 2021): EGreene@hosparrow.org or call 817-271-5444 x224
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
MEMBER EVENTS
President Biden's Tax Proposals: A First Look at the Impending Changes
What: President Biden and the Democratic Party are working on legislative proposals for impending tax changes to be incorporated in the budget reconciliation bill known as the "Build America Back Better Act." The proposal would raise tax rates for corporations and individuals and make many other changes to the Internal Revenue Code.
  
Join Porte Brown Tax Partner, Mark Gallegos, for this webcast on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 2:00 PM (CST) as he dives into what these proposals look like for you and your business, where the tax legislation is currently at, and where this is going.

When: Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 2:00 PM
Where: This is a Virtual Seminar online. Click here to register.
15th Annual Holiday Inspiration Luncheon
What: Pioneer Center for Human Services is excited to announce our Holiday Inspiration Luncheon (formerly Holiday Book Review) with guest speaker Rob Johnson, leading advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Mr. Johnson is an Emmy Award winning and former WLS Ch 7 and WBBM Ch 2 news anchor/reporter, creator of his own communications company– Rob Johnson Communications and co-host of a podcast and fill-in radio host on WLS-AM. 
This is an exciting event to kick off the holiday season and socialize with hundreds of empowering women in McHenry County. Bring a friend or a group to meet others just like you making a difference in our community!
This event includes a delicious plated lunch, an inspirational speaker, grand raffle prizes, silent auction items, over 50 raffle baskets... and an opportunity to give back to Pioneer Center.
When: Friday, December 3, 2021 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Doors open at 10:45 am | $50 a ticket
For more info, contact: Lynn Kaszuba, lkaszuba@pioneercenter.org
Open Office: Ask an Advisor - 1 to 1 Meetings, 1st Come 1st Served
What: FREE Education to Benefit You and Your Finances!
VIRTUAL SEMINAR VIA ZOOM. This seminar is for general audiences, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
Presented by:
Jay Weyers & Linda Grizely
Weyers McKeever Financial Partners
Your Vision • Our Team
When: Tuesday, December 7th, 9:00am-10:00am and Thursday, December 16th, 10:00am-11:00am
Where: This is a Virtual Seminar online via Zoom
Registration is Required to Receive the Zoom Link
For more info, contact: Linda Grizely, Weyers McKeever Financial Partners, (815) 455-5292 or Grizely_Linda@nlgroupmail.com
Life Insurance with Living Benefits: There’s More to Life
What: FREE Education to Benefit You and Your Finances!
VIRTUAL SEMINAR VIA ZOOM. This seminar is for general audiences, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
Presented by:
Jay Weyers & Linda Grizely
Weyers McKeever Financial Partners
Your Vision • Our Team
When: Tuesday, November 30th, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Where: This is a Virtual Seminar online via Zoom
Registration is Required to Receive the Zoom Link
For more info, contact: Linda Grizely, Weyers McKeever Financial Partners, (815) 455-5292 or Grizely_Linda@nlgroupmail.com
Financial Planning Basics: An Overview of the Financial Planning Process
What: FREE Education to Benefit You and Your Finances!
VIRTUAL SEMINAR VIA ZOOM. This seminar is for general audiences, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
Presented by:
Jay Weyers & Linda Grizely
Weyers McKeever Financial Partners
Your Vision • Our Team
When: Thursday, December 9th, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Where: This is a Virtual Seminar online via Zoom
Registration is Required to Receive the Zoom Link
For more info, contact: Linda Grizely, Weyers McKeever Financial Partners, at (815) 455-5292 or
McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce | mchenrychamber.com