November – December 2016 www.wkchamber.org 2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101 Wheaton, Maryland 20902 phone: 301-949-0080 e-mail: [email protected]www.facebook.com/WheatonKensingtonCC Wheaton & K ensington Chamber of Commerce the voice Hiring Practices and Business Regulations Breakfast Mixer Halloween costumes were optional, but few were scary! To go along with the dress-up theme, Dan Thompson of WUDAC gave a presention about the upcoming Wheaton ARTS Parade planned for September 2017, highlighting the varied Arts in and around Wheaton. The Chamber’s Evening Halloween Mixer on October 26 was at The George Apartments roof-top G Lounge. This was the second time we’ve held this event there – enjoying the BOO-tiful view of the Capital Region, looking south down Georgia Avenue to the District of Columbia. Mixer photos courtesy of Vicky Surles Halloween Mixer on Roof-Top Lounge of The George Apartments Continued on page 6 The Chamber’s September 21 Breakfast Mixer gave an update on the County’s Hiring Practices and Business Regulations, and was held at Panera Bread in Westfield Wheaton Mall (upper level, near Costco). Barbara Berschler, J.D., LL.M., of Press & Dozier, LLC gave a presentation about Hiring Practices in the County. Judith Stephenson, Small Business Navigator, Mont. County Office of the County Executive, presented the results of the Business Services Survey, and gave some thoughts as to what projects they will be focusing on in response. Mixer photos courtesy of Vicky Surles Continued on page 4
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November – December 2016 www.wkchamber.org
2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902phone: 301-949-0080e-mail: [email protected]/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
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 • [email protected] • MiRé-Home of Svaroopa Yoga • www.mireyoga.com
* 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).
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
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