January 20, 2010
Email: [email protected] January 20, 2010 MISSION STATEMENT Recognizing that economic development and community cohesiveness is an ongoing process. The mission of the Selah Chamber of Commerce is to promote business development, community awareness and activities. Our goal is develop the business core of Selah as a valuable commodity in Yakima County. Website : www.selahchamber.org Facebook: selahchamber Around Town………... Soon there will be some changes in Selah. I have been told that one business is moving into a larger location and a New Business is moving into town….. River Ridge Golf Course was under water this week due to the warm weather that came our way. The water has receded and they are again preparing their course. New in Town….Taqueria Los Primos #4 located at 103 N 1st Street. Specializing in Mexican Cuisine. GENERAL MEETING Correction: Christmas Residential Lighting Winner Tuesday, January 25 Selah Civic Center 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM My apologies to Ben Graf. When the winners were announced I reported that Dick Graf had won for Best Residential when in fact it was Ben. Congratulations Ben! Speaker Dr Steven Chestnut Superintendent Selah School District Topic: Selah School Bond Spotlight Viking Video /Think & Throw Dinner Lasagna, Salad, Bread, Dessert & Beverage $9.00 50/50 Drawing $1 Each or 6 tickets /$5.00 SEE YOU THERE! How to Hire a Tax Preparer Article Written by Debbie L Sklar Whether you don't have enough time or you aren't proficient at tax preparation, you might want to consider getting an expert. If you pay someone to prepare your tax return, the IRS urges you to choose that preparer wisely. Taxpayers are legally responsible for what’s on their tax returns, even if they are prepared by someone else. So, it is important to choose carefully when hiring an individual or firm to prepare your return. Most return preparers are professional, honest and provide excellent service to their clients. Here are a few points to keep in mind when choosing someone else to prepare your return from the IRS: 1. Check the person’s qualifications. Ask if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics. New regulations require all paid tax return preparers including attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents to apply for a preparer tax identification number—even if they already have one—before preparing any federal tax returns in 2011. 2. Check on the preparer’s history. Check to see if the preparer has a questionable history with the Better Business Bureau and check for any disciplinary actions and license status through the state boards of accountancy for certified public accountants; the state bar associations for attorneys; and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility for enrolled agents. 3. Find out about their service fees. Avoid preparers who base their fees on a percentage of your refund or those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. 4. Make sure the tax preparer is accessible. Make sure you will be able to contact the tax preparer after the return has been filed, even after the April due date, in case questions arise. 5. Provide all records and receipts needed to prepare your return. Most reputable preparers will request to see your records and receipts and will ask you multiple questions to determine your total income and your qualifications for expenses, deductions and other items. BOARD MEETING Wednesday, February 9 Yakima Valley Credit Union 12:00 -1:00 6. Never sign a blank return. Avoid tax preparers that ask you to sign a blank tax form. 7. Review the entire return before signing it. Before you sign your tax return, review it and ask questions. Make sure you understand everything and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return before you sign it. 8. Make sure the preparer signs the form and includes their PTIN. A paid preparer must sign the return and include his or her PTIN as required by law. Although the preparer signs the return, you are responsible for the accuracy of every item on your return. The preparer must also give you a copy of the return. www.selahchamber.org Page 2 The Increasing Call for Work-Life Balance Article from Bloomberg Business Week Work-life balance is now the second most important driver of employee attraction and commitment, says CEB research The economic downturn has placed tremendous pressure on employees over their long-term job security. Employees are responding by seeking out employers that offer a better work-life balance, and research shows they work harder for those that do. In the current economic environment, work life balance now ranks as one of the most important workplace attributes—second only to compensation, according to research conducted by the Corporate Executive Board among more than 50,000 global workers. And employees who feel they have a better work-life balance tend to work 21% harder than those that don't. The critical need to ensure an adequate work-life balance for employees in the downturn is largely being neglected by employers as more and more pressure is put onto employees. In 2006, 53% of employees felt they had a good work-life balance; that number fell to 30% in the first quarter of 2009. Several misconceptions prevent organizations from optimizing their ability to deliver on the work-life balance promise. For example, most organizations mistakenly provide costly services, such as an on-site gym or health-care services when, in fact, fewer than 20% of employees actually value these types of benefits. Instead, the best organizations recognize that the most appreciated service they can provide their employees is the "gift of time." In fact, more than 60% of the employees polled in the CEB study identified flexible schedules as the most important work-life practice their employer could provide. In addition, most organizations focus on the actual consumption of work-life services they offer. Ironically, boosting workforce productivity does not hinge on employees actually participating in the work-life services offered by their employer. Employees just need to be reassured that the service is there and that they have the option to participate if they want to. In other words, the option value of work-life balance practices is more important at improving employee effort than the actual consumption of those same work-life balance practices. The fact that nearly 60% of HR executives polled felt satisfied with the work-life services of their organization, while just 16% of employees felt the same, illustrates a fundamental disconnect when it comes to work-life benefits. The companies who most effectively address and close that gap stand the best chance of achieving the high levels of employee attraction and retention they seek. 2010 -2011 Board of Directors President Jean Brown Work Source Yakima Eric Skoien Les Schwab Jeff Hagler City of Selah Parks Director / Tourism Launee Wolverton Yakima National Bank 1st Vice President Danene Betts Yakima Valley Credit Union 2nd Vice President LTC Mike Daniels Yakima Training Center Stacy Dwarshius Police Chief City of Selah Shawnee Olson Gay Parker Capitol Theatre Yakima Valley Business Journal Brooke Geiger Edward Jones Secretary Janet Engle US Bank Treasurer Mike Reese Sentinel Computers Lisa Bertelsen Selah’s Wednesday Market Chris Scacco Selah School Distinct Board Meetings Not Pictured: Donna Garner Government Relations: Gay Parker, LTC Mike Daniels, Jeff Hagler, Jean Brown, Chris Scacco, Donna Garner Community Events: Danene Betts, Lisa Bertelsen, Stacy Dwarshius, Launee Wolverton, Shawnee Olson Member Relations: Janet Engle, Eric Skoien, Brooke Geiger, Shirley Wasilewski, Shawnee Olson, Mike Reese Yakima Valley Credit Union 12:00 -1:00 PM Wednesday, February 9 Wednesday, March 9 Wednesday, April 13 Wednesday, May 11 June Board Retreat Website : www.selahchamber.org Page 3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Chamber General Meetings Business After Hours Civic Center - Legion Room North Park Lodge 659 N Wenas Road Thursday, March 24 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM EVENING MEETING Tuesday, January 25 6:00 PM Tuesday, February 22 Tuesday, March 22 Tuesday, April 26 Tuesday, May 24 Business Before Hours Pastime Bar 125 E Naches Ave Thursday, April 21 7:00 – 8:00 AM Chamber Events Potato Feed “This Spuds for You” Friday, May 20 Civic Center 5:00-8:00 PM Selah City Council Meetings Lodging Tax Advisory Committee 2nd & 4th Monday of Month 10:00 - 11:00 AM City Hall Tuesday, January, 25 Tuesday, February 8 Tuesday, February 22 Tuesday, March 8 Tuesday, March 22 Selah Stars Dinner & Awards Selah Civic Center Friday, September 9 CIVIC CENTER EVENTS Meetings Open to Public 4:00 -5:00 PM January 24, February 14, February 28, March 14, March 28 American Red Cross Blood Draw February 17 2:00 –6:00 PM CHAMBER BUSINESS TIP 12 tips for business success The right attitude gives you an edge over the competition What's important to the success of small-business owners and entrepreneurs? Knowledge, skill and talent. However, many competitors have the same traits you do. The key to beating the competition and achieving success is mental, reflected in one's attitude, totally controlled by the individual and requires no cash. This holds true in most human endeavors besides business— in sports, the arts and politics. How many times have we seen the underdog team or player win over the more talented opponent? The difference is often attitude. These 12 attitude attributes can put you in the right mindset for achieving entrepreneurial success. Have passion for your business Work should be fun. Your passion will help you overcome difficult moments and persuade people to work for you and want to do business with you. Passion can't be taught. When it wanes, as it surely will in difficult times, take some quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a week, take inventory of all the reasons you started the business and why you like being your own boss. That should renew your passion. 2. Set an example of trustworthiness People have confidence in trustworthy individuals and want to work for them in a culture of integrity. The same is true for customers 3. Be flexible, except with core values I t's a given that your plans and strategies will change as time goes on. This flexibility for rapid change is an inherent advantage of small over large business. However, no matter the pressure for immediate profits, do not compromise on core values. 4. Don't let fear of failure hold you back Failure is an opportunity to learn. All things being equal, venture capitalists would rather invest money in an individual who tried and failed founding a company than in someone who never tried. 5. Make timely decisions I t's okay to use your intuition. Planning and thought are good. But procrastination leads to missed opportunity. 6. The major company asset is you Take care of yourself. Your health is more valuable than the most expensive machinery or computer software for the company. You don't have to choose between your family or your company, play or work. Maintain your health for balance and energy, which will, in turn, enhance your mental outlook. 7. Keep your ego under control Don't take profits and spend them on expensive toys to impress others. Build a war chest for unexpected needs or opportunities. This also means hearing out new ideas and suggestions no matter how crazy they sound. 8. Believe You need to believe in yourself, in your company, and that you will be successful. This confidence is contagious with your employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers and everyone you deal with. 9. Encourage and accept criticism graciously. Admit your mistakes. You need to constantly work on convincing your employees that it's OK — even necessary —to state their honest opinions even it if conflicts with the boss's opinion. Just stating it once or putting it in a mission statement won't cut it for most people. 10. Maintain a strong work ethic Your employees will follow your lead. It will also help you beat your competition by outworking them, particularly when your product or service is very similar. 11. Rebound quickly from setbacks There surely will be plenty of ups and downs as you build the business. Learn from the setbacks and move on. You can't change the past. 12. Periodically get out of your comfort zone to pursue something important Many times you will feel uncomfortable in implementing a needed change in technology people, mission, competing, etc. For the company and you to grow personally, you sometimes have to step out of your comfort zone. Many organizational and leadership shortcomings can be overcome or mitigated with the good attitudes described above. All can be learned except passion, which comes from within. Take time out of your hectic schedule to periodically reflect on these attributes. You may be inspired to act. Article Written by Bob Reis Bob Reiss is the author of " Bootstrapping 101." Copyright © 2011 Entrepreneur.com, Inc. January 20, 2010 PO Box 415 216 S 1st Street Selah, WA 98942 www..selahchamber.org Facebook: Selah Chamber of Commerce Email: [email protected] Thank you to all of our Members Classic Photography for your continuous support. 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