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Networking @ Noon
Software & Digital Technology
Thursday, October 22nd | Noon - 1:15p
During this Networking @ Noon, learn more about how COVID-19 has made us even more reliant on digital technologies, what specific solutions are available to support your business, and how to avoid the pitfalls of cyber crime/hacking remote work environments as you employ new technologies in your business.
Panelists include Aaron Zufall from Zufall Communications, Carol Miller from the Alliance of Manufacturing & Technology; and John Guttridge from ICS. Submit questions in advance to David Walton. |
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Women in Business Roundtable
w/ special guest Michelle Courtney Berry
Friday, October 30th | 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Let's get together in our virtual offices and homes to commiserate and support one another through all that we're trying to manage right now. We'll chat about balancing work, family, community, and home needs during this trying time.
On Friday, October 30th, special guest Michelle Courtney Berry will join us to lead us through our time together!
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Congratulations to our
Member of the Week:
Congratulations to Experience! the Finger Lakes for their award winning wine tours, and with gratitude for their numerous collaborations and efforts to help build the tourism economy in Tompkins County.
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Tompkins Weekly: Collaboration Helps Those in Recovery Obtain, Retain Jobs
The Tompkins Chamber is one of several organizations collaborating to support a healthy workforce, and develop a base of recovery friendly employers in Tompkins County. Thanks to Tompkins Weekly for covering the Healthy Workforce Consortium's work over the last year!
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Healthy Workforce Network
On-the-Job Training Grant
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the availability of an On-the-Job Training Grant through a United States Department of Labor funding award to the Healthy Workforce Network - several local organizations collaborating to support people in recovery and their employers. Grants of $2,000 are available to support an 8 week training period.
This funding award differs from past OJT grant programs in that it is intended to support people in recovery receiving educational and training supports, new job opportunities, and maintaining a recovery friendly employer base in Tompkins County and regionally. All employers interested in being considered for this program must take our survey and be willing to comply with additional program requirements.
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M & T Bank Great Big Chamber Auction: Coming in November!
The Great Big Chamber Auction is back! You likely know that the Chamber Auction is one of our single-biggest fundraisers to support our annual operating expenses not covered by membership investments.
It's also a great opportunity to support area businesses by purchasing your donation from them, and by visiting businesses for holiday shopping with your proceeds from the auction!
The Silent Auction will be virtual over a two week period, and will be restricted to gift certificates for retail, restaurant, experiences, or services which can be put in an "envelope" and mailed to the winner.
There will also be a Live Auction on Thursday, November 19th, where we gather that evening virtually (and some small groups may gather in person, too) to have a fun Live Auction together, where 10 fantastic items and experiences will be auctioned off.
All proceeds will benefit the Tompkins Chamber & CVB. We truly appreciate your support during this incredibly difficult time!
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Did you miss one of our L.E.A.R.N. Business Impacts webinars or Networking @ Noon Industry Insights events? You can watch them all right on our YouTube channel. Consider subscribing to receive updates every time we post a new video!
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Thank you to all who made our October Business After Hours spectacular! |
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Member & Local Development News |
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A Letter to Ithaca College Community from President Shirley M. Collado and Provost La Jerne Terry Cornish
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Regulatory Updates from the Business Council
Time Off to Vote
We wanted to provide a reminder regarding the state’s Time Off to Vote law, as it was subject to multiple amendments over the past several sessions, including reforms advocated for by The Business Council that were approved in this year’s state budget. New York State election law (§ 3-110) imposes several requirements on employers. All employers, regardless of size, must allow an employee up to two hours, with pay, to vote if such employee is a registered voter and “does not have sufficient time outside of his or her scheduled working hours, within which to vote on any day at which he or she may vote.” The law provides that if an four consecutive hours either between the opening of the polls and the beginning of his or her working shift, or between the end of his or her working shift and the closing of the polls, he or she is deemed to have sufficient time to vote and is not eligible for paid time off. An employee who requires time off to vote is required to notify their employer at least two days prior to election day. An employer may designate that time off must be taken either at the beginning or end of an employee’s work shift, unless otherwise mutually agreed. Given that the state has gone to ten-day advanced voting, it is unlikely that many employees will still qualify for additional paid time off to vote. Finally, not less than 10 days before election day, all employers are required to conspicuously post a notice regarding these time off provisions. (Note – many employers already satisfy this requirement as part of their general labor law postings.)
Paid Sick Leave
As you are likely aware, New York State’s new Paid Sick Leave law became effective September 30, 2020. Employees of private sector employers begin accruing leave at the rate of one hour for each 30 hours worked up to the statutory maximums for use beginning January 1, 2021. To date, the Department of Labor has yet to provide any regulations or guidance for employers as indicated in the statute. Pending that guidance, employers should be thinking about revisions to their time off policies and how this new law will impact them. As guidance becomes available, we will make that information available to employers as soon as possible.
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Local, Regional, and New York State Updates
Coverage and local info from The Voice
Updates from the Governor's Office
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COVID-19 Resources from the US Chamber
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Follow Industry Guidelines & Submit Your Affirmation:
Please visit the NY Forward website using the links below to find your industry sector guidelines whether you are an Essential Business, Phase 1, 2, 3, or 4. We continue to watch for new Guidelines and advocate for clarity for those sectors that haven't been provided reopening guidance yet.
** NYS has issued updates to existing industry guidelines. Please check back occasionally to your industry guidelines to ensure you're aware of any updates **
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Hiring?
Tompkins County has a resource for your job posting called " Workforce Redirect", intended to match job seekers with those employers that are currently hiring.
Contact Workforce Development Board Executive Director Natalie Branosky to have your business added to this page. |
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October & November
Meeting Schedule
Board of Directors
Wednesday, October 28 | 8 a.m.
Chamber Foundation
Wednesday, October 28 | 9:30 a.m.
Government & Community Affairs
Monday, November 2 | Noon - 1 p.m.
Admin & Finance/Executive Committee
Tuesday, November 17 | 8 - 9:30 a.m.
All meetings require advance registration &
will be virtual until further notice.
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Tompkins Chamber and CVB Property at East Shore Drive for Sale
Tompkins Chamber & CVB have announced that our property at East Shore Drive is listed for sale, after much consideration and decades of being headquartered at this iconic facility. We're excited to see what will come next for our organization, and for 904 E. Shore Drive. Click below for the listing information!
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Have questions?
Our team is here to help.
Note: Our offices are open by appointment - please reach out to Carly, Diane, or Jennifer if you need to visit us.
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