Membership Matters

Membership Matters
News from the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce

May 11, 2010

In this Issue:

NEXT WEEK: Lessons in Leadership from Coach Jim Tressel
Welcome New Members
Member News
Wage Survey Begins
Maple Avenue Comments Encouraged
What Health Reform Means to YOUR Business
Workers Comp Information Online
Customize & Expand Your Member Listing
National Tourism Week
Safety Training for Group Rating Participants
Stars & Stripes Event Needs Your Support
Final Friday Presentation: It's a Crime!
Monthly Survey Results

SEMINAR NEXT WEEK: Lessons in Leadership from Coach Jim Tressel
Coach Jim Tressel's leadership style and philosophy have been captured in his book, and now they are brought to you in this 3 hour seminar by the same name. The seminar has received rave reviews from attendees across the state, and chamber members now have the opportunity to experience it here in our own community.

The seminar will be held on May 20 from 9 am to 12 noon at Eaglesticks. Reservations are required and can be made by sending an email to kirvin@zmchamber.comor by calling our office at 455-8282. Admission is $20 per person for chamber members and $75 for non members.

The qualities that make a good coach and a good football program great have been documented by the Ohio State University Leadership Center through the creation of this unique leadership training seminar that has been designed to meet the needs of businesses and other organizations.

Although Coach Tressel himself will NOT be present, he will join you via a DVD recording to talk about the main points of his leadership approach. Beth Flynn from the OSU Leadership Center will facilitate the program, lead the discussion, and provide additional content.

For more information about the seminar visit this link.

Welcome New Members

Please join us in welcoming the Chamber's newest members:

Doug Rider Consulting

Eyemart Express

Longaberger Golf Club

Main Events Party Rental

Muskingum County Farm Bureau

North Muskingum Auto Repair/Sidwell Excavating

Operation Spirit Inc.

Orkin Pest Control

Schimmel Fitness

Sota Technologies

Stokes Family Window Cleaning

Vision First

To find out more about these new members visit www.zmchamber.com and click on the Membership Directory.

Member News

Ohio Stoneware was recently recognized by the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA) for Economic Development. They received their 2010 Excellence Award for Small Business.

Coconis Furniture is opening a new store at Maple and Adair Avenues. The ribbon cutting is on Friday at 10 am.

Send us your news so we can publish it in this space! Send to tpoorman@zmchamber.com.

Wage Survey Begins

You are invited to participate in the annual Wage & Benefit Survey, which is an important tool for all area businesses. The survey is sponsored by the Muskingum Growth Partnership, the Port Authority, and the Muskingum Valley Human Resource Management Association.

The survey results can be used to compare your pay rates and benefit levels to other area employers and to make budget plans for the following year. The results are also used as a resource by new businesses considering locating here. Your business data will not be shared publicly - the results do not include any company names.

To complete the survey visit www.zmchamber.com and find the wage survey button in the left margin of the homepage.

Have Your Say on Maple Avenue

As Maple Avenue improvements enter phase 2, you might want to know what is planned and how you can express your views about it. Here's a link to the ODOT website that describes the project. The site includes diagrams and maps of the planned changes to Maple Avenue. The public comment period for phase 2 ends May 16 so act now if you want to provide input. Your comments can be mailed to ODOT District 5 at 9600 Jacksontown Road, Jacksontown, OH 43030.

What Health Care Reform Means to Your Business: May 27th

Join us for this presentation on what business owners and managers should expect now that the federal health care reform bill has become law. Carrie Haughawout will explain the new law and discuss what businesses should be doing now to take advantage of its provisions and deal with its impacts. As the law moves into the implementation stage you will want to know about the deadlines, requirements, savings, costs, and more. Admission is FREE to representatives of chamber member businesses; non member fee is $25 per person

Please RSVP to kirvin@zmchamber.com or call 455-8282

Thursday, May 27, 10 am to 11:30 am
John McIntire Public Library
Auditorium - Lower Level
220 North Fifth Street, Zanesville, Ohio

Presenter:
Carrie Haughawout
Director, Ohio Small Business Council
Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Co-Sponsored by the Muskingum Valley Human Resource Management Association and the
Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce

Workers Compensation Information Online
The Chamber's website has a new section on workers compensation and workplace safety. Visit this page to learn about how you can save on your workers comp and make your workplace safer. Included is information on group rating, safety council, discount programs and grant programs.

Chamber Members Invited to Monthly Art Walk

The Artist Colony of Zanesville and the Zanesville Downtown Association hold an art walk downtown on the first Friday of each month, and it is the perfect "business after hours" networking opportunity for chamber member businesses.

Its fun, its casual, the artwork is first class, and the large turnout makes it a great place to interact with others and promote your business.

You can start the evening at the gallery or venue of your choice, and make your way around town at your own pace. There are of course a variety of antique stores, restaurants, and other businesses open, too, and the monthly entertainment line up includes adult comedy and music. There is also a shuttle bus courtesy of Zandex if you get tired of walking.

Again, this is a great networking opportunity, and we are encouraging members that are seeking more chances to network to attend. Mark your calendar for the next art walk on June 4.

Customize and Expand Your Member Listing

As a member of the Chamber, one of your long-time benefits has been a free listing in the Chamber's online Membership Directory and Buyers Guide, also known as "Commerce". But you also have the opportunity to greatly expand and upgrade your listing to include much more information about your business - almost like your own mini web page - and this service is also free of charge! Here's how and why to do this.

Safety Training for Group Rating Participants

If you are in Group Rating for workers compensation and you have had a claim, you are probably required to meet the new two hour safety training requirement. Go to this link to learn about this requirement.

National Tourism Week

This week, Muskingum County is recognizing National Tourism Week with its "Explore Your Own Backyard" initiative. National Tourism Week is a time when we focus on the impact of travel and tourism in Muskingum County.

National Tourism Week focuses on local tourist attractions and emphasizes that area residents do not need to go far for entertainment as there are so many unique activities available in Muskingum County.

Travel and tourism is one of the largest industries in Muskingum County supporting more than 2,600 direct and indirect jobs. Direct sales by travelers visiting Muskingum County totals more than $175 million. In recognition of the economic, social and cultural impact of travel and tourism in Muskingum County, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Convention and Visitors Bureau announces its plans for observing National Tourism Week through Saturday.

Tune into WHIZ AM and WHIZ FM and WYBZ Monday through Friday and listen, learn and have a chance to win prize packages. As part of the campaign, local radio stations will give away prizes donated by tourism-related businesses.

In addition to the media blitz, The National Road Zane Grey Museum and the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site are offering $2 off admission during the week and The Wilds is offering $7 off admission.

Go to www.visitzanesville.com for more information.

Stars & Stripes on the River

Dear Chamber Members,

Previously you received a letter of sponsorship in the mail for the annual Stars & Stripes on the River event. This is our community's major July Fourth celebration. The Jaycees are in great need of your support in order to continue this terrific event, which we organize strictly as a community service.

The event is made possible by both city support and private contributions, and our private fund raising is suffering this year. The funding issues have been documented on both WHIZ TV and in the Times Recorder. The need is real - we cannot hold the event this year unless donations increase - and the cause is important so we hope you will help us insure that we again have a great Independence Day celebration.

Any support you can lend would be greatly appreciated. Please send donations to: Zanesville Jaycees, PO Box 1283, Zanesville, Ohio 43702-1283.

Also, here is more information on Stars & Stripes sponsorships.

Sincerely,

The Zanesville Jaycees

Final Friday Membership Meeting

Mark your calendars for the Final Friday Membership Meeting on May 28, at 8:00 am at the Welcome Center. County Prosecutor Mike Haddox will be talking about crime and its impact on your businesses. Networking will also take place at the meeting. RSVP to jriddle@zmchamber.com or 455-8282 if you plan to attend.

Latest Monthly Survey Results

The Chamber conducts monthly surveys of members, asking how they handle certain challenges and issues in their businesses. The objective is to help members know what other area businesses are doing to address the same matters. Here are the results of the surveys conducted to-date.

The results of the latest survey - conducted in April - can be found at that link too. That survey asked what your biggest business challenges are right now. Thanks to all those that participated!