Chamber News Newsletter
LARGEST BUSINESS ORGANIZATION IN TUOLUMNE COUNTY
September 2014
Thank You SPI! The Tuolumne County Chamber was recently awarded a grant from the Sierra Pacific Foundation! The philanthropic arm of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) donated $2,781 to the Chamber, which will be used to purchase new computer equipment. “The Sierra Pacific Foundation recognizes the vital work of the Chamber on behalf of the business community and the fundamental role it plays in this community by providing advocacy, marketing and networking opportunities for its members,” said Mark Luster, Community Relations manager for Sierra Pacific Industries. Sierra Pacific Foundation provides scholarship grants to dependent children of SPI employees and financial support to organizations in the areas where it operates. Sierra Pacific Industries is a third-generation, family-owned and operated forest products company based in Anderson, CA. The Chamber sends a big Thank You to SPI for this very generous donation and for all its work to promote and foster a more productive business community in Tuolumne County.
Volunteers sought for Polar Express at Railtown Informational event September 5th at 6pm. Join us on September 5th, at 6PM at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, learn how you can volunteer to help with this exciting event. We are looking for volunteer greeters, servers, carpenters, decorators, hospitality, and others. Polar Express volunteers will be required to attend an all-day training, and volunteer at least 2 shifts of the event.
For more information please contact: Dave Rainwater—209-984-4408 dave.rainwater@parks.ca.gov
Mother Lode Internet (MLI) Ribbon Cutting at their new location, 197A Mono Way, Sonora.
IN THIS ISSUE Notices & Calendar
Page 3
Spotlights
Page 4
Olsen—Celebrate California
Page 5
Your 2015 Small Business Plan
Page 6
July Mixer Photos
Page 9
News from OTS & Sen. Berryhill
Page 10
Business Workshops
Page 11
New & Renewing Members
Page 12
MISSION - To provide leadership for a healthy and vibrant business environment and encourage responsible economic growth respecting Tuolumne County’s quality of life.
Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce OFFICERS Wendy Gast---------------------------------------------------President of the Board Amelia Harrison-------------------------------------------------------President Elect Jeff Redoutey------------------------------------------------------------Vice President Jim Costello-----------------------------------------------------------------GAC Chair Margaret Davis------------------------------------------------Past Chair/Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dana Mayo (JS West Propane)----------------------------------------Rep. Sonora Mark Truppner (KVML Radio)---------------------------------------Rep. Sonora Peggy Mosley (Groveland Hotel)----------------------------------Rep. Groveland Justin Myers (Caldwell Insurance)-----------------------------Rep. East Sonora Dayna Davis (Sierra Pacific Industries)------------------------Rep. Soulsbyville Jamie Lloyd (Chicken Ranch Casino)---------------------------Rep. Jamestown Sherri Langley (Black Oak Casino)-------------------------Rep. Tuolumne City Jeff Redoutey (Blue Mountain Minerals)-------------------------Rep. Columbia Amelia Harrison (Umpqua Bank)-----------------------------------Rep. At Large Margaret Davis (Junction Shopping Center)-------------------- Rep. At Large Wendy Gast (Union Democrat)--------------------------------------Rep. At Large Jim Costello (Mt. Brow Winery)------------------------------------Rep. At Large Vacant-------------------------------------------------------------------Rep. E. Sonora Brad Menary (Business First)---------------------------------- Rep. Twain Harte Teri Brockmire (Basket Diva)------------------------------- Chair, Ambassadors Nanci Sikes (Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau)--------Ex-Officio & TCVB Ron Kopf (Tuolumne County Business Council)---------------------Ex-Officio Shirley Sarno (Sonora Chamber of Commerce)----------------------Ex-Officio Steffanie Reed (Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce)--------------Ex-Officio James Nagle (Yosemite Chamber of Commerce)---------------------Ex-Officio Gary Neubert (Columbia Chamber of Commerce)------------------ Ex-Officio Constance O’Connor (Central Sierra Arts Council)---------------- Ex-Officio Joe Silva (Superintendent of County Schools)-------------------------Ex-Officio Steve Farrell (SCORE)-----------------------------------------------------Ex-Officio Thyra Lawrence (Leadership Tuolumne County)--------------------Ex-Officio Larry Cope (Economic Development Authority)---------------------Ex-Officio CHAMBER STAFF Michael Ayala----------------------------------------------CEO/Executive Director Monique Robertson-----------------Office Manager/Administrative Assistant Candice Kendall----------------Administrative Assistant & LTC Coordinator
Visit the Chamber Website
CHAMBER AFFILIATE SCORE----------------------------------------Service Corps of Retired Executives LEADERSHIP TUOLUMNE COUNTY Thyra Lawrence-------------------------------------------------------------------Chair YOUTH LEADERSHIP TUOLUMNE COUNTY Vix DeMattei-----------------------------------------------------------------------Chair Chamber News is published monthly by Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce 222 South Shepherd Street • Sonora, California 95370 (209) 532-4212 • Fax: (209) 532-8068 Email: info@tcchamber.com • Web: http://www.tcchamber.com Publisher & Editor-----------------------------------------------------Michael Ayala Design & Layout Editor--------------------------------------------Candice Kendall Editorial copy and advertising deadline is 25th of month for following month. Please note: Editorial opinions are not necessarily those of the Board of Directors or members of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce.
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SEPTEMBER 2014 3 Executive Board of Directors: Noon – Chamber 4 Ambassadors Committee: Noon – Chamber 8 SCORE: 9 a.m. – Chamber 9 Twain Harte Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 10 Transportation Committee: 9:30 a.m. – Chamber 10 Board of Directors: 11 a.m. – Chamber 15 Governmental Affairs Council: 11 a.m. – Chamber 16 Sonora Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 18 Marketing/Website Committee: Noon – Chamber 18 T. C. Chamber Mixer! 5-7 p.m. Mother Lode Internet 23 A Taste of Food, A Sip of Wine & A Touch of Business: Seven Sisters 6-8 p.m. 25 LTC/YLTC: Noon – Chamber 25 Yosemite Highway 120 Chamber’s Network Night: 5:30-7 p.m.
OCTOBER 2014 1 Executive Board of Directors: Noon – Chamber 2 Town Hall Luncheon: 11:30am-1:00pm – The Peppery 2 Ambassadors Committee: Noon – Chamber 6 Governmental Affairs Council: 11 a.m. – Chamber 8 Transportation Committee: 9:30 a.m. – Chamber 8 Board of Directors: 11 a.m. – Chamber 14 Twain Harte Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 16 Marketing/Website Committee: Noon – Chamber 16 T. C. Chamber 11th Annual Trade Faire! 5-8 p.m. Mother Lode Fairgrounds 20 Governmental Affairs Council: 11 a.m. – Chamber 21 Sonora Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 23 LTC/YLTC: Noon – Chamber 23 Yosemite Highway 120 Chamber’s Network Night: 5:30-7 p.m.
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Ambassador of the Month - Jeanne Shenefelt Jeanne first became an Ambassador to the Chamber 12 years ago as a representative for Christmas Partners, a non-profit organization operating under the umbrella of ATCAA.
Club, SRC Volunteer, and Rosey-Posey Red Hats. She enjoys water aerobics, playing Mahjong, going to the theater and to the movies, computers, and walking her little dog.
When Christmas Partners dissolved, she remained with the Chamber and became an independent non-business member. She is retired from the California State Department of Social Service, and holds a Paralegal Certificate, Real Estate License and a Psych Technician License.
In 2012, Jeanne attended the Tuolumne County Chamber’s Leadership Program where she participated in a community project to promote Dairy Product donations to the Food Bank. The project was so successful that it was repeated the following April. This is the first time that an LTC class has demonstrated their leadership skills by conducting a post graduate community project.
Prior to moving to Tuolumne County, she served as a Cultural Advisory Commissioner to the City of Santa Clara and was on the Mission City Fund Board. In addition to the TCCC Ambassadors she is currently Secretary to the Phoenix Lake Park Homeowners Association, and is active in the Sierra Foothills Women's
Why Become a Chamber Member? by Jeff Redoutey Blue Mountain Minerals is a California Company with its primary place of business located in Columbia, CA, and the vast majority of our employees are residents of Tuolumne County. We are the largest limestone producer in Northern California, with our products finding their way into goods you use in your everyday life. This includes improving the fertility of the soils that grow the world’s almonds and walnuts, the health of chickens and cattle, the quality of bottles and pane glass, and pollution reduction from power plants. We choose to belong to the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce because we think it is a great idea to support the community in which we work and live. We want our neighbors to benefit from jobs we have here in Columbia. The Chamber does so much to support our local County businesses that we like to do business with, ranging from shops that support our needs at the mine to those we like to frequent in our off time. It just makes sense to keep our hard earned dollars in the place that we live, Tuolumne County. Supporting the County Chamber of Commerce makes that idea a reality. 4
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Jeanne’s drive to stay involved with the Chamber and the Ambassadors reflects her love of community and business in Tuolumne County.
Columbia College: Business Needs, the Community & ‘Doing What Matters’ Join us and our Guest Speakers: Angela R. Fairchilds, Ph.D., President, Columbia College and Lorinda Forrest, Deputy Sector Navigator , Small Business— Central Valley & Mother Lode, San Joaquin Delta College
Registration Cost: Chamber Members—$20.00 Non-Members—$25.00
Proudly sponsored by the Junction Shopping Center
Register by September 29th
Let’s Celebrate California’s Past and Future Together Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, 12th Assembly District
On September 9, 1850, California was admitted into the Union as the 31st state, marking the birth of the mecca for economic prosperity and opportunity. Historically, the Golden State has enjoyed a reputation as a global leader in education, economics and innovation. And even though our state has seen its fair share of challenges in the last decade, I still believe in the California dream. My goal as Assembly Republican Leader will be to energize our state and restore California’s greatness by steering an effort to unify Republicans – and all Californians – around core principles that will lead to good jobs, great schools, and a more efficient, transparent government. Mexico ceded to the United States after the Mexican-American War in 1848 at the same time that gold was discovered in Coloma. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world began to settle into California’s foothills and waterways in search of economic opportunity. Those who were not gold prospectors found success in retail, lodging, shipping, or agriculture. The high rate of wealth and population growth during this time and for generations after led to a myriad of advances in technology and transportation. But years of fiscal irresponsibility and poor leadership in state government, the Great Recession of 2008 sent California’s economy into a tailspin, resulting in widespread economic devastation across the state. Much in the way that their ancestors came to California for opportunity and freedom generations ago, employers, families and individuals have fled to neighboring states. Despite reports of economic recovery, we in the Central Valley still
suffer from double-digit unemployment. Most of the jobs that are being created are low-wage and offer little opportunity for growth. Over-burdensome regulatory policies and excessive taxation are causing costs on clothing, food, utilities, and gas to continue to rise. Checks and balances are all but non-existent in state government, as Democrats hold supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature and hold every single state constitutional office. This is the environment in which I have been selected by my colleagues to be the next Leader of the Assembly Republican Caucus. It may sound depressing and many wonder why I would want to take on such a role during these challenging times, but the hardships we are facing in our state are exactly why I want to serve my caucus and Californians now. Too much is at stake for our children, our grandchildren, and our entire economy to take a back seat. Working together, we can do better! California enjoyed a century and a half of being the birthplace of innovation, job opportunity and educational excellence. If we are to allow the Great Recession to dictate the future of our state, it must be only to heed lessons learned and move forward with gumption and enthusiasm for the days ahead. Good jobs, great schools and an efficient government will get our state back on the right track, helping businesses flourish, families find good paying jobs, and making the state worthy of investment once again. We can start by celebrating California’s past and its future. I will be hosting a celebration of California’s admission into the Union, and I encourage all of you to come celebrate with me and my staff on Tuesday, September 4th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in my District Office. For more information and to R.S.V.P., please call (209) 5766425. I look forward to seeing you there! September 2014
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Time to Start Planning for 2015 in Your Small Business As the last days of summer wind down, the kids are headed back to school and the nights are getting cooler. This is the time to begin laying out your approach to a successful first quarter of 2015. Don't be like many small business owners and get caught by surprise thinking ahead and coming up with a clear direction for your small business in the new year will help you focus on execution when the calendar flips to January 1st. Here are five tips to start planning for 2015 in your small business:
2. Do a SWOT Analysis Conducting a regular SWOT analysis is one of the best ways to see the big picture and home in on specific areas of your business to improve. Things in your business change constantly. What might have worked a year ago could work against you in the future. Use this analysis to get a clear idea of where you've grown and where you've fallen short. You can also discover new areas where you might find more opportunities to make more money and grow. 3. Start Delegating Savvy small business owners know how im1. Develop Your Business Goals Once you've solidified where the opportuni- possible it is to tackle everything alone. Once ties are in your market, quantify what it will you have a clear direction in mind of where look like for your small business in terms of you want to go in Q1, hand some stuff off to your sales goals. Broad, nonspecific goals experts who can help. Whether you pass off rarely produce the kind of results you want. your blogging and SEO efforts to the marketFocus instead on 30-day sales goals, which ing team or recruit the help of a CPA to demeans you can identify your weekly sales velop your 2015 budget, delegating tasks goals. Putting numbers on your business frees you up to focus on what you do best. goals gives you a well-defined metric to reach 4. Look at the Big Picture for, and a way to design your marketing tac- Before you can plan for the future, you need a tics to achieve your sales goals. Given that solid idea of where your business is currently you're just working on Q1, decide what spe- and compare it to past growth and strategy. cific goals you want to achieve during those Figure out what your strong revenue months three months of the new year. are and look for opportunities for repeat busi-
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ness. Seeing where you've grown, improved, or possibly digressed gives you an honest glimpse into what is happening in your small business. This helps you make better plans for the future. 5. Create an Action Plan To keep everyone in your organization on the same page about how you will reach your new business goals for the quarter, create an action plan. This plan should incorporate every person involved in making these goals a reality. By defining each person's roles in working toward the goal, you create accountability. As the motivation from a new quarter and new business goal dies down, use this action plan to keep your team on target to dramatically increase your chances at success. As a business owner, it's on you to complete certain tasks that aren't necessarily your favorites, but are essential to your small business success. Having a roadmap with targeted goals and actionable steps will keep you on track for a successful 2015. Article by Melinda Emerson Author, speaker and small business coach This article was originally published under the title It's Time to Start Planning for Q1 in Your Small Business at www.succeedasyourownboss.com
“Getting it Together” Location: Mt. Brow Winery – 10850 Mt. Brow Rd., Sonora, CA Friday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 (3rd Friday each month) A Series of fun (and free) “ladies nights out” to mingle, share, learn and grow, and sample some great wine!
September 19th Personal Strengths & Self Appeal
Susan Bremer O’Neill, Author of “From Sex Appeal to Self Appeal”, will be here to help you coax your inner diva out so you can love your body and speak your truth to improve relationships. What makes ME successful? What makes ME unique? Who am I? Find out what your NATURAL talents are with the Strength Finder assessment! To take your strength finder test before our meeting please email amyf@sierranonprofit.org Hostess: Michelle Dean (209) 743-2223 September 2014
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Congratulations to all the Raffle prize winners at our August Mixer
Resolutions Skin Care & Laser Spa Raffle Prize
Donated By
Winner
Host—$200 Gift Package $40 Gift Certificate & $25 Slot Play Travel Bonanza Bag Bling Tote Bag & Bottle of Wine A Bottle of Gianelli Wine $200 Gift Package Candle & Candle Holder $25 Gift Certificate Half of the Evening’s Raffle Proceeds
Resolutions Skin Care & Laser Spa Black Oak Casino Resort AAA Insurance Jazz It Up Iron On Sparklers Mother Lode Adventures Resolutions Skin Care & Laser Spa Caldwell Insurance—Paula Cheatham Legal Shield—Gat Slor T. C. Chamber and Our Guests
Karl Rodefer Margaret Davis Dave Thoney Dave Thoney Dana Mayo Nancy Gottschall Wendy Gast Dave Thoney Don Van Pelt
Website Member Business Spotlight Jazz it Up Thank You To All Who Attended Contractor Liability ‘Job Killer’ Bill Headed to Governor A California Chamber of Commerceopposed “job killer” bill that forces one company to ensure the wage-andhour obligations of another has passed the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk. AB 1897 (R. Hernández; D-West Covina) Contractor Liability. Unfair ly imposes liability on a contr acting entity for the contractor’s wage and hour violations and lack of workers’ compensation coverage despite the lack of any evidence that the contracting entity controlled the working conditions or wages of the contractor’s employees. In opposing AB 1897, the CalChamber and a coalition of business and employer organizations has pointed out that the bill:
Holds an innocent business liable for the employment obligations of another employer Will create significant litigation
Moreover, adequate protections already exist for documented problems with contracting. Action Needed The CalChamber is urging members to contact the Governor to ask that he veto AB 1897. An easy-to-edit sample letter is available at www.calchambervotes.com. CalChamber Policy Advocate Jennifer Barerra oultines the issues with AB 1897 in this video. Article Courtesy CalChamber
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The Chamber’s August Mixer at Resolutions Skin Care & Laser Spa
Teri Brockmire—Itty Bitty Balloon Shop
Nancy Gottschall—Let’s Go! Travel
Remodel Award Winners—Mother Lode Job Training, Vicki Long & Jeff Dickason
Hostess—Debi Kampa, Resolutions Skin Care & Laser Spa
Amelia Harrison, Teri Brockmire & Bob Russell
Dana Mayo—JS West Propane
Don Van Pelt—Sonora Fuel Depot
Jan Watson—Jazz It Up Iron on Sparklers
Dave Thoney—Guest
Everyone Enjoying the Evening September 2014
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Are you Putting Your Child in Danger? Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 14-20) Urges Parents to Put Safety First No matter how busy you may be, or how short your commute, nothing is more important than taking a few extra minutes to ensure that your child is properly secured in the correct car restraint. That’s the goal of National Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from Sept. 14-20. During this week, many communities will have Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on-hand to provide free education on how to properly install and use car seats, booster seats, and seat belts for children. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), among child vehicle passengers under the age of five, an estimated 284 lives were saved by child restraints in 2012. An additional 58 children could have survived if car seats had been used 100 percent of the time. To keep your smallest passengers safe, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) offers the following car seat tips:
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how your car seat works
Pay close attention to guidelines on how to adjust your car seat’s harness for proper fit
Car seats should always be replaced following a moderate or severe crash to ensure the highest level of crash protection
If you are considering a second-hand car seat, make sure that the seat has its instruction book and check its labels for a date of manufacture and model number. You need this information to find out if there is a recall on the car seat or if the seat is too old. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit a local car seat fitting location in their community during this week and at any time throughout the year. Fitting locations and more information on proper, safe car seat installation can be found by clicking the car seat section at www.safercar.gov. For more information on other traffic safety related efforts, visit the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) at www.ots.ca.gov or follow OTS on Twitter, @OTS_CA.
Water Update Issues related to water have dominated the 2014 legislative session. Recently a $7.5 billion water bond was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. The next stop: the November ballot where the voters will weigh in on the bond. Coming to agreement on the bond was truly a bipartisan effort, and wouldn’t have been possible without all of the hard work done in 2009 by Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) and others involved in those negotiations. For over 10 years Cogdill and other stakeholders tirelessly worked to develop a compromise that worked for the myriad of competing water interests. The framework of that effort was our starting point this year. In all the back slapping and self-congratulations, I wanted to acknowledge the people, especially Dave Cogdill, for actually making this year’s successful water negotiations possible. Water Bond: Key components of the measur e include $2.7 billion for water storage. This figure represents nearly 40% of the total bond amount. Other issues addressed in the bond include protection of existing water rights, area of origin protections, as well as funding 10
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for watershed protection, restoration and state settlements, safe drinking water, regional water reliability, groundwater sustainability and a $100 million commitment from the governor and the Assembly Speaker for cross-connectivity of the Central Valley, which will bring much needed water relief to the hardest hit areas in the region. Groundwater: Ther e ar e two bills still pending in the legislatur e, Senate Bill 1168 (D-Pavley) and Assembly Bill 1739 (D-Dickenson) that deal with groundwater management. Currently I oppose both bills for a variety of reasons. I do not support the concept of the state taking control over local groundwater issues, especially, as is the case in these bills, when there is a one-size-fits-all approach to how to manage groundwater. Issues in the Central Valley are completely different than those in the mountain counties. I also believe that the state’s current inability to store enough water in rainy years has greatly impacted groundwater use. Historically, when California increased surface storage, groundwater problems were dramatically reduced. The storage component is addressed in the current water bond, therefore I think this legislation is premature.
Your Success. Powered by Free and confidential small business mentoring to new and existing businesses Face to face or online at www.TCSCORE.org Marketing and sales Finding new business Starting a new business Improving operations efficiency Expanding your company Hiring the right employees Managing the cash flow
“Not just for startups” Small Business Workshop at Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce 222 South Shepherd St., Sonora, CA ( Check out www.TCSCORE.org )
$20 per attendee
November 6, 2014 9:00-11:00 am “Checklists and Planning for Going into Business”
Call 532-4316 for further information
Essential Business Compliance Records & How to Keep Them This class will help small business owners understand what records they are required to keep to be in compliance with the constantly changing rules and methods for keeping those records. It will cover Payroll, Accounts Receivable and Payable, as well as general business record keeping.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Sonora Fire Department 201 S. Shepherd St. Sonora, CA 95370 2pm to 4pm Sign up today! Register at: www.alliancesbdc.com/tuolumne-county-trainings or call: 209.567.4910
September 2014
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Academy Mortgage Conifer Communications Inc. Sonora Dentist - Dr. Paul Berger, DDS Strategic Management
Avalon Care Center-Sonora*
Mike Ayala, Non-Business Assoc.*
Benites Distributing Co.
Morelia Restaurant
Best Western PLUS Sonora Oaks Hotel* Columbia College
Mr. Stor-All* Oak Valley Community Bank*
Cutler-Segerstrom Insurance Agency*
Runway Xchange*
Flavin & Associates, Inc.*
Sierra Resource Management, Inc.
Homeowners Coalition Mobile Home Parks*
Sierra Waldorf School Sonora Aladdin Motor Inn & Conference Center
Inns of California-Sonora*
Jeanne Shenefelt, Non-Business Associate* JS West Hardware & Lumber
Sonora Regional Medical Center*
Maximum Living, Inc.
Storer Coachways* Sun Waelty Auto Service Inc.*
Maynords CDRC, Inc.
Underhill Sales
Mercer Caverns
Yosemite Pines RV Park*
Mathiesen Memorial Health Clinic*
*Contributor to Chamber programs and activities