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 The Fort Brewerton/Greater Oneida Lake Chamber would like to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. At the Annual Meeting in November, elections were held and we are happy to bring you the Chamber Officers and Board Members for 2022 Officers President – Colette O’Mara – Berkshire Hathaway CNY Realty Vice President – Sharon Bauer – Hastings Lions Club Treasurer – Brenda Weissenberg – Affordable Business Solutions 3 Year Board MembersJohn Andrews – Pathfinder BankJennell Thurn – Treasure Lilly IncBryan Maether – Maether Law Firm2 Year Board MembersMara Wegerski – Wegerski Law FirmThomas Anthis – Eastern Shore AssociatesNate Skinner – H.G. Ellis Agency1 Year Board MembersDaniel Walsh – Central Square Family ChiropracticLouis Schmunk – Royal Flush PortablesEx Officio – George DeRousie – Cruise Planners Chamber Administrator – Debbie Bilello – Virtual Office Solutions  The Annual Wine Tasting Event is back!Join us for this popular event and enjoy: Wine tasting from Grace Tyler Vineyards ** Light Dinner ** Networking, ** Silent Auction Items ** Live Auction Items Friday, February 11, 2022 6:30 PM Divine Mercy Parish Pre-registration is requested by Friday February 4th. Pre-registration ticket is a bottle of wine (bring to event) and $10 per person for members (register in advance on the website). Walk-in Registration at the door will be $15 per person and a bottle of wine. Non-members are welcome as guests of members and should be registered with the host member. We are still accepting donations of auction items and themed baskets. Please contact the chamber office at 315-668-3408 or by email at info@oneidalakechamber.com to make a donation. Register for Wine Tasting Event  BBB Webinar Series: Access to Capital We look forward to serving our members for the coming year with a little more activity and hopefully a little less COVIDJoin Better Business Bureau’s Melanie McGovern as we welcome Matthew Kennedy from Empire State Development’s Division for Small Business and Technology Development. Matt will discuss New York State’s Small Business Loan programs and major technical assistance programs, including: o NYS Contract Reporter o Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers, and o Business Mentor NY. These programs are designed to help NY businesses grow and thrive. There will be a short presentation and time for Q&A. Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Click here to register for this event****Regional Visitors Guide**** Sponsored by the Chamber and produced by Eagle Newspapers The Chamber will be developing a Visitors Guide for 2022 for our chamber region through Eagle Newspapers. This guide will include a directory of members and will also offer advertising opportunities for all businesses in the region as it focuses on our region from a tourism perspective . The guide will have a lifespan of two years and is expected to be published in the Spring 2022. Each member will have the opportunity to have a supply of Guides at their place of business. Members will be listed in both an alphabetical listing and a category listing at no charge. Members will also have the first opportunity to choose prime advertising space in the guide. The advertising rates will be available shortly. Advertising will also be offered to non-members at a higher rate which will include one year of membership in the chamber. The Guide will offer information of attractions and places of interest in our region as well as government and other local services. We are still working out the details with the publisher and will send them as soon as we have them. The office will be providing a current member list to Eagle News as they solicit advertising from the business community. Your renewal will serve as proof of membership to qualify for the lower advertising rates. Please make every effort to update your profile on the website or return the application that will be sent with your renewal so your profile is as accurate as possible for the directory. Please contact the chamber office if you have questions. 315-668-3408 or info@oneidalakechamber.com |
How did your business do in 2021? Can you answer these questions? More importantly, are you Excited about the Answers?How much money did you make? How much did you keep?Did you take a reasonable salary from your business?Is your tax money set aside to pay your taxes for 2021?Are your books up to date?With the Profit First Cash Flow management system, you will know your Financial Position every single month! You can download the first two chapters of the Profit First book absolutely FREE, along with other useful resources in our Profit First Starter Pack by visiting our website https://www.voscny.com/profit-first/ Virtual Office Solutions is a firm that works with business owners like you to bring Clarity and Confidence to your financial position.Bookkeeping andCash flow management are key!  Profit First is a book by Mike Michalowicz. As a Profit First Certified Firm, we teach a “Pay yourself first” cash flow methodology which ensures you’re compensated, and that your company has cash reserves to pay taxes. Using this system, your company will generate profit that can be used to celebrate the success of the company or pay down any debt. We work with you to provide Financial Clarity so you can make better decisions for your business. Have questions? Feel free to reach out or schedule a free discovery session to get the answers you need. Debbie Debbie Bilello, Profit Advisor Virtual Office Solutions 315-380-8280 debbie@voscny.com www.voscny.com  Calendar of Chamber Events All events tentative unless time and location are noted, subject to change. February 11 Annual Wine Tasting Event 6 pm, Divine Mercy Parish April 20 Business After Hours June 22 Education Awards July 3 Fireworks on the River 9:30 pm, Brewerton August 17 Summer Social / Business After Hours October 30 Trick or Treat Drive Boo November 16 Annual Meeting with Election of Officers December 21 Christmas Social  Next Small Business Training Class to be HeldOnline in January SUNY Oswego’s Business Resource Center will host a small business training class for those interested in expanding or starting a small business in Oswego County. Classes will be held Monday, January 24th through Friday, January 28th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, January 31st and Tuesday, February 1st from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm online through SUNY Oswego’s Business Resource Center. This certificate program provides training that covers such topics as how to write a business plan, how to obtain financing, accounting and tax issues, business insurance, legalities, marketing, and other basic business start-up issues. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in low-interest financing to expand or start their business in Oswego County. Online training is provided by Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisors, as well as other area business professionals. The program is coordinated by SUNY Oswego’s Business Resource Center, with promotional and scholarship support provided by the City of Fulton Community Development Agency, the City of Oswego Community Development Office, and Operation Oswego County. Tuition for the program is $50 and includes all materials. Limited scholarships are available for this class. For more information, or to register for the class, call SUNY Oswego’s Business Resource Center at (315) 312-3493. Registration and payment will be done online at oswego.edu/sbdc. Staff Changes at Operation Oswego County  Teresa Woolson Retires from Operation Oswego CountyAfter over 38 years of working for Operation Oswego County, Inc., Teresa Woolson retired as of December 31, 2021. Ms. Woolson joined Operation Oswego County in 1983 where she worked as the Administrative Coordinator for many of those years.As a graduate of Leadership Oswego County, Ms. Woolson has served on many boards in Oswego County. Ms. Woolson is currently co-chair of the Oswego County Opioid Response Consortium and is a member of the Farnham, Inc. board of directors and nominating committee. She also serves on the Oswego County Suicide Prevention Coalition, as well as several other boards addressing substance abuse and suicide prevention. Most notably, Ms. Woolson is the founder and president of The Victor Orlando Woolson (VOW) Foundation, Inc., an organization devoted to educating the public about the dangers of synthetic drugs. Ms. Woolson received a Woman of Distinction award from Senator Patty Ritchie in 2014. “We will truly miss Teresa,” said OOC executive director L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD. “She has been such an asset to our economic development team and has played an essential and critical role in implementing and delivering programs that have helped so many businesses across Oswego County for so many years.” A farewell event was held recently in her honor. Family, co-workers, colleagues, plus OOC and COIDA board members, were in attendance for the dinner at Steamers. Ms. Woolson resides in Scriba with her husband George. She looks forward to continuing to head the VOW Foundation, volunteer and take cruises with her family. Weaver Joins Operation Oswego County StaffErin Weaver recently joined Operation Oswego County, Inc. (OOC) as the Administrative Assistant and Receptionist.  Weaver, a native of Oswego, is a graduate of Cayuga Community College. For the last nine years, she has worked for Port City Family Medicine. Prior to that, Weaver worked for Oswego Health. Outside of work, Weaver spends her time raising her two young children. “We are very pleased to welcome Erin to our economic development team,” said OOC executive director L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD. “It will be a change from healthcare that we believe she will find both challenging and rewarding.” OOC Promotes Karen Perwitz to Administrative Coordinator  Operation Oswego County, Inc. (OOC) recently announced the promotion of Karen Perwitz to Administrative Coordinator. She will be responsible for the OOC, Operation Oswego County Foundation, County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency and Oswego County Civic Facilities Corporation record keeping and reporting to state and federal agencies. She will also monitor financing portfolios and help coordinate required audits. Ms. Perwitz joined OOC in 2007 as Administrative Secretary. Over the years, she has taken on many responsibilities beyond those required in her role.“We are very pleased to see Karen move into this new role,” said OOC executive director L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD. “She knows our business well and is ready for the challenges of this new position.” Ms. Perwitz received a bachelor’s degree from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, near her home town. She moved to Oswego County after accepting her first professional job in the area. Ms. Perwitz is a graduate of Leadership Oswego County and has served on several boards since. She is currently serving on the board of directors for Fulton Block Builders and the United Way of Oswego County. Ms. Perwitz is also a NYS licensed Notary.   Can You Help with either of these requests?WE NEED A BARGE! If you have any resources or contacts where the chamber can rent a barge, please let us knowAs with EVERYTHING … the cost of fireworks has increased. This event has been and will continue to be a business and community member sponsored event. Please watch for our mailings for requests for donations in the near future. Please consider donating to this event if you are able.Jason Bronner of Rosie’s Corner in Brewerton is the Fireworks Chairperson. Stop in and see him if you have ideas. If you prefer you can contact the chamber office at 315-668-3408 or by email at info@oneidalakechamber.com. We look forward to working with the community to bring this event back this year!    $4.5 Million Dollar Giveback Another Year, Another Giveback!Empower Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors declared a $4.5 million bonus dividend and interest rebate! All Empower members in good standing will receive a portion of this huge $4.5 million-dollar giveback! This brings Empower’s total Giveback amount to $44 million-dollars over 14 years! Note: The amount will be automatically credited to members on January 1st. Giveback represents a percentage of savings dividends earned1 and a rebate on the loan interest paid2 for 2021.Are you a member of Empower Federal Credit Union? Did you receive a giveback this year? Check out your December 2021 statement to see what you may have received. See the attached flyer for more info.Not a member? Contact Lauri Hoover at 315.728.3474 or lhoover@empowerfcu.com to open your account. A membership share account along with a $1.00 par deposit is required. Then you can take advantage of all the products and services Empower Federal Credit Union has to offer. Let your family members know they can also take advantage of credit union membership.Do you have children or grandchildren? Sign them up for our Dollar Dog Program (ages 0-12) or our Teen Zone Program (ages 13-18) – great way to get them started saving in the new year!Wondering if you will get a TAX REFUND this year? Let EMPOWER TAX SERVICES, LLC prepare your taxes.Tax Professionals – Enrolled Agents on staff to assist with tax preparationSubmit On-line – visit empowerfcu.com/tax to upload tax documents electronicallyExtended Hours (evening & weekend hours available)Competitive Pricing at $127*, including member discount *additional discounts available. 50+ members with direct deposit at Empower receive additional $25 discount.If you would like to set up an appointment, email Lauri Hoover at lhoover@empowerfcu.com or call me at 315.728.3474 and I’ll help you get set up. See the attached flyer for more information.Have you reviewed your auto/homeowners/renters insurance policy?Why not start off the year with a no-cost quote from our 30+ insurance companies. Let EMPOWER INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC do the shopping for you in 2022. Please email your declaration pages to Lauri Hoover at lhoover@empowerfcu.com, and I will have an insurance representative contact you and see if we can save you money. Note: We can also do motorcycles, RVs, snowmobiles, etc. See the attached flyer for more information.If you have any questions or would like me to come out to your company for an event, please give me call at 315.728.3474 to discuss a date and time.  |
January 2022 Chamber & Member News
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