November–December 2016 Hiring …wkchamber.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Voice-Nov-Dec-2016.pdf · gave a presentation about Hiring Practices in the County. ... Origami Owl Carol Hayden

November – December 2016 www.wkchamber.org

2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902phone: 301-949-0080e-mail: wkchamber@wkchamber.orgwww.facebook.com/WheatonKensingtonCC

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce the

voiceHiring Practices and BusinessRegulations Breakfast Mixer

Halloween costumes were optional, but few were scary! To go along with the dress-up theme, Dan Thompson ofWUDAC gave a presention about the upcoming WheatonARTS Parade planned for September 2017, highlightingthe varied Arts in and around Wheaton.

The Chamber’s Evening Halloween Mixer on October 26was at The George Apartments roof-top G Lounge. Thiswas the second time we’ve held this event there – enjoyingthe BOO-tiful view of the Capital Region, looking southdown Georgia Avenue to the District of Columbia.

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Halloween Mixer on Roof-Top Loungeof The George Apartments

Continued on page 6

The Chamber’s September 21 Breakfast Mixer gave anupdate on the County’s Hiring Practices and BusinessRegulations, and was held at Panera Bread in WestfieldWheaton Mall (upper level, near Costco).

Barbara Berschler, J.D., LL.M., of Press & Dozier, LLCgave a presentation about Hiring Practices in the County.Judith Stephenson, Small Business Navigator, Mont. CountyOffice of the County Executive, presented the results of theBusiness Services Survey, and gave some thoughts as to what projects they will be focusing on in response.

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Executive CommitteePR E S I D E N T

William Moore, IHOP 301-942-2323

VI C E-PR E S I D E N T

Mirza Donegan, Griswold Home Care –Aspen Hill-Wheaton 301-330-7646

2N D VI C E-PR E S I D E N T

Harold Weinberg, Miles Realty 301-933-6161

SE C R E TA RY

Victoria LaFleur, CornerstoneMontgomery, Inc. 240-650-8389

TR E A S U R E R

James Onder, Onder CommunicationsGroup 301-367-7023

SE R G E A N T-AT-AR M S

Kenneth Nelson, Mont. Coll. WorkforceDevelopment & Cont. Ed. 240-328-4747

IM M E D I AT E PA S T-PR E S I D E N T

Kathleen Guinan, Crossway Community301-929-2505

DirectorsAngelica Garcia, Lafayette Federal CreditUnion 202-568-0267

Omar Lazo, Los Chorros Restaurant301-455-3037

Laura-Leigh Palmer, a.s.a.p. graphics301-942-1121

Ellen Riger, EllenOriginals 301-318-7103

Paul Sexton, Edward Jones 301-933-6753

George Sydnor, Fitzgerald Auto MallWheaton 301-933-7400

Tim Wiens, Jubilee Association ofMaryland 301-949-8628 x105

Ex-Officio DirectorLuisa Montero-Diaz, Director,Mid-County Services Ctr. 240-777-8101

Administrator & Newsletter EditorVicky Surles 301-949-0080

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce

Open House and Networking ReceptionFood • Friends • Fun ALL ARE WELCOME!Wednesday, December 7, from 4:30 - 6:00 pmat MiRé Yoga / in the Rendezvous Social Dance and Fitness Center11910 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852Courtesy of Michele Gordon, Certified Svaroopa Yoga Teacher • 302-236-9146bliss3630@hotmail.com • MiRé-Home of Svaroopa Yoga • www.mireyoga.com

TH A N K YO U T O OU R ME M B ER RE N EWA L S!

Accounting & Tax ServicesMarinucci & AssociatesTony Marinucci, CPA301-942-2266Tony@MarinucciCPA.comwww.MarinucciCPA.com

Automotive RepairLogan’s AutomotiveRene B. Guzman301-946-0600LoganAutomotive@comcast.net

Community OrganizationsWheaton-Silver Spring

KiwanisKathleen Thompson301-949-5319wssKiwanis@gmail.comwww.wssKiwanis.org

Community ServicesGreenWheaton, Inc.Wendy Howard301-946-5091info@GreenWheaton.orgwww.GreenWheaton.org

Computer ConsultingWH ConsultingWendy K. Howard301-946-5091WKHoward@whconsults.comwww.whconsults.com

Custom JewelryOrigami OwlCarol Hayden301-325-4944Happ811789@aol.comwww.CarolHayden.OrigamiOwl.com

Credit UnionSignal Financial

Federal Credit Union301-933-9100myescas@sfonline.orgwww.sfonline.org

Government - RecyclingMontgomery County

Dept of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services

Alan Pultyniewicz240-777-6480alan.pultyniewicz@

montgomerycountymd.govwww.montgomerycountymd.

gov/recycling

Nutrition CoachTake Shape for LifeShuli Kleinman301-237-7306Shuli@ouDietMeals.comwww.CreateOptimalLiving.com

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Sports & Orthopaedic Therapy Services

Karim Wassef301-946-7717info@Sports-pt.comwww.Sports-pt.com

PlumbingR.L. Voight & Son, LLCJohn L. Seymour301-946-6100info@rlvoight.comwww.rlvoight.com

PrintingGraphic Visions AssociatesDixie Riedford301-963-8600dixieh@graphicvisions.comwww.GraphicVisions.com

RestaurantsIHOP International House

of PancakesWilliam Moore301-942-2323ihop522@verizon.netwww.IHOPwheaton.com

RestaurantsYummy In My TummyAlexandrine Bouhewa301-949-0000Panawebouhewa@yahoo.comwww.YummyInMyTummy.net

And an updated listing for:VeterinariansGeorgia Crossing Veterinary

CenterDr. Barbara Muhlbacher301-962-1902info@gcvetcenter.comwww.gcvetcenter.com

TH A N K Y O U T O O U R N E W M E M B E R S !

Advertising/Promotional Products

Local Door CouponsJose EcheonaWheaton, MD 20902301-237-7149Jose@LocalDoorCoupons.comwww.LocalDoorCoupons.com

Electricity (Alternate) Supplier

Electric Advisors, Inc.Michael Strotz5272 River Road, Suite 440Bethesda, MD 20816202-550-8357michael@electricadvisors.comwww.ElectricAdvisors.com

RoofingBRAX RoofingBen Matthews200 Girard Street, Suite 209Gaithersburg, MD 20877301-448-9400ben@braxroofing.comwww.BraxRoofing.com

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Your Donation Can Make a Huge Difference!

Holiday OnDuty

During the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and

New Year Holidays

We provide meals for these Public Safety Personnel:

• Kensington Volunteer Fire Department

• Montgomery County Police stationed in this Area

• Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad

~ PLEASE HELP AND DONATETO THIS WORTHY FUND ~

Make checks payable to:

Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce

reference:Holiday on Duty

and mail to:2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101

Wheaton, MD 20902

or Donate online: wkchamber.org/events/holiday-on-duty

For more information, contact:Committee Chair Ellen Riger

301-318-7103e-mail: exquisiteladyel@comcast.net

The Wheaton Volunteer RescueSquad in conjunction with

The Wheaton & KensingtonChamber of Commerce asks foryour support for the 18th annual

Your generousdonationsof toys

(or cash forpurchasingtoys) are

delivered tolocal children for

Christmas by Santa and his helpers.We prefer unwrapped presents, because

it allows us to better match the gifts with families.

Sponsors include:Acorn Self Storage

Montgomery Housing PartnershipSherwood Associates

Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squadand

W K Chamber of Commerce

For drop-off locations and information

on how you may help, contact:

For a monetary donation, make checks out to: Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce

reference:Angels for Children

and mail to:2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101

Wheaton, MD 20902

or Donate online:wkchamber.org/events/toy-drive

Eva Dillon at 301-812-4122Montgomery Housing Partnership

edillon@mhpartners.orgor

Vicky Surles at 301-949-0080W&K Chamber of Commerce

wkchamber@wkchamber.org

* Deciding helps to avoid at a later time MontgomeryCounty, etc., finding you have misclassified the job.

Have a Carefully Thought-Out Job Description and Job Application

- Job Description: Particularize to the specific job * Don’trecycle old descriptions * Job title, essential responsibilities,skills, qualifications.- Job Application: Give notice that you will seek consent of applicant to make further inquires * Advertise job indiverse ways.- Avoid forms & screenings that may have unfair impact onany group of applicants.

Interview• Respect applicant’s privacy; May ask about actual workexperience, occupational licenses, degrees, training, reasonfor leaving prior job.• Montgomery County bans employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, age,national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability,sexual orientation, genetic status, family responsibilities,gender identify.• In Montgomery County employer may not seek information about criminal record until after interview.

Background Checks• Having obtained applicant’s consent, seek only information that is relevant to the job:* School transcript * Consumer credit history * Prioremployment * References * Criminal background (if information is relevant to job duties).• Have applicant sign a separate form giving consent to alltypes of inquiries you expect to be relevant.• All checks must be in compliance with federal, state andcounty law.• Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) (Federal), whichrequires notifying applicant of negative report findings inaccordance with the Act.• Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Law (Ban the Box - Montgomery County).

Sponsored by:

www.GriswoldHomeCare.com/Aspen-Hill-Wheaton301-330-7646

Judy also talked about the County RegulatoryReform and Excellence in Business ServicesInitiative, which has been trying to identify regulations that can be streamlined or changedto help make the Government more conduciveto business support and growth.www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ep/ebusiness-services.html

The results of the Montgomery County Business SurveyThere were 765 responses / 14 different industriesSole proprietors to businesses with more than 50 employeesand Start-ups to businesses here for more than 20 years.- Most businesses responding (43%) had 1-10 employees.- Most respondents have been in business for more than 20 years (44%)- Good variety of businesses responded, industry groupmost represented was business support & logistics (whichincludes professional and legal services)- In general, businesses are here because they live here andtheir customers are here- Among “other reasons” to locate in the county – “lack ofcorruption”- More than half said it was easy to open a business in thecounty although certain industries report more difficultythan others (retail, real estate, heath care)- Almost half do not interact with the county very often- For businesses that do interact with the county, the highest correlation is between DLC and DPS, followed by DEP and DPS- Almost half rate the county low on business friendliness,but about the same amount rate their interactions with thecounty as positive- Overall, sole proprietors feel most positive about the service they receive and larger businesses feel less positive- As a rule, younger companies have a more positive feelingthan more established companies- Nonprofit organizations are most positive about theirinteractions with the county- Lowest scores are from financial services and marketingfirmsOpportunities:• Provide more and better information and online services

- Business portal; Forms Automation• Improve customer service and responsiveness

- Culture of solutions• Improve coordination and streamline processes

- Regulatory reform

Tips on Hiring Practices for Employers in Mont. County, MDBy Barbara I. Berschler, Esquire – a gifted business attorneywho provides legal guidance, support, and coaching to her clients in business purchases, franchises, and generalbusiness matters in the county and state.Decide on the Type of Work Being Offered* Independent contractor or employee * Full time or parttime * Minimum wage or salaried employee * Contractualor “at will” employment.

September 21 Breakfast Mixer – Hiring Practices and Business RegulationsContinued from page 1

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Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce

Breakfast MixerEnergy Efficiency Opportunities

among Montgomery County Businesses

with Lindsey Shaw from the County Dept of Environmental Protection

and Sean Williamson, University of MD Environmental Finance Center

www.wkchamber.org

Lindsey and Sean will be discussing a new project that Montgomery County DEP is launching withthe University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC). They hope to engage small,resource-constrained businesses. Together, DEP and EFC are exploring barriers and opportunitiesthat the businesses in the County are experiencing – as it relates to energy efficiency upgrades andrebates. They hope to learn more about how businesses approach energy efficiency upgrades,what obstacles they may face, and how the County can better develop programs to assist.

~ Chinese Breakfast: Sweet & Savory Dim Sum; Sausage & Egg Buns ~

~ Mix & Network with Other Businesses ~

Cost is $5 in advance or online pay / or $10 at the doorRegister/Pay online at wkchamber.org/events

_________________________________________(Company Name)

_________________________________________(Phone Number)

_________________________________________(e-mail address)

Return payment to: Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101 • Wheaton, MD 20902

❏ Check ❏ Cash Total Amount $ _________ for ______ Reservations

Cost is $5 in advance or online pay / or $10 at the doorRegister/Pay online at wkchamber.org/events

_________________________________________(Attendee)

_________________________________________(Attendee)

_________________________________________(Attendee)

Our BreakfastMixers are usuallyon the fourthWednesday ofeach month.

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commercethe voice forYOUR business!www.wkchamber.orgcall: 301-949-0080fax: 301-949-0081wkchamber@wkchamber.org

Wednesday, November 16, 2016from 8:00 – 9:30 AM

atHollywood East Café

11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton, MD 20902in Westfield Wheaton Mall / Lower Level / Restaurant Row / 240-290-9988

HollywoodEastCafe.com

301- 649 -1115www.VistaCares.com

Sponsored by:

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There was plenty of beer & wine, with appetizers and festive orange-topped desserts. Special thanks to Chamber member Michele Gordon of MiRe Yoga for helping to decorate the lounge.

The George Apartments (301-933-1999)11141 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

Halloween Mixer on Roof-Top of The George ApartmentsContinued from page 1

Sponsored by:

LindsayFord.com888-314-7537TheGeorgeApts.com

Cost is $15 in advance or online pay / or $20 at the door

Register/Pay online at wkchamber.org/events/mixers-networking-events

~ Please bring a new unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive ~Ideas: Soccer balls, board games, arts & crafts materials, gifts for babies, gifts for teens

Pick up a Drop-off Box for Toys to place at your business

Celebrate the season and join us for the Kick-off of the 18th annual ANGELS FOR CHILDREN Holiday Toy Drive.

www.wkchamber.org

Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door $5.00

of eachentrance ticket will bedonated

to the

Toy Drive!

Payment by: ❏ Check Total Amount $ __________ for ______ ReservationsPayment by: ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ AmericanExpress

Account #: ___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___

Expiration Date: ___ ___–___ ___ Name on Card: ___________________________

Sed Code: ________ Signature: _________________________________________Address Card is Issued to:______________________________________________

________________________________________(Company Name)

________________________________________(Phone Number)

________________________________________(e-mail address)

Send payment to:Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101Wheaton, MD 20902

________________________________________(Attendee)

________________________________________(Attendee)

________________________________________(Attendee)

Wheaton& KensingtonChamber of Commercethe voice forYOUR business!

www.wkchamber.orgFor registration informationcall: 301-949-0080fax: 301-949-0081email: wkchamber@wkchamber.org

www.mhpartners.org

LosChorrosRestaurant.com

Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce

invites you to a

Holiday Mixeron

Thursday, December 1, 2016from 6:00 – 8:00 PM

at

LOS CHORROS RESTAURANT2420 Blueridge Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 (301-933-1066)

~ Warm appetizers will be served ~ Cash Bar ~Sponsored by Montgomery Housing Partnership

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of CommercethevoiceforYOUR business!

Postage

website: www.wkchamber.orgwww.Facebook.com/WheatonKensingtonCCe-mail: wkchamber@wkchamber.org

A pdf of this newsletter will be posted online.

301-949-0080

2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902

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