Jim Sellers Chamber Article for 05/22/08

Thanks for Clean-up Efforts; Poker Run & More

Thanks to a very small group of you that showed up last Saturday for the second week in a row of cleaning up our Grand Land. Tiffany Green of Pier 13 Liquor organized our trash-off, as well as the large group that came for the Lyons club. Our group included Brandy of Jazzercise, Paula Harbuck of Paula’s Acorn and the chamber staff, Kristal Hodges of the chamber staff and yours truly. The Lyons club group went two miles west of the Hwy. 82/28 junction and filled two flat beds full of trash. Our group got one mile done north of the junction, adding a full pickup load. Great job by all!

It is just five more weeks until the Sun In the Fun Poker Run. We will be calling our local businesses for chip pick up stations on land and water. This will be a great opportunity to get new customers to your front door. We suggest the participating locations give these poker runners a reason to return, such as a coupon or invitation to a special event. We expect a couple hundred runners. Other sponsorships are available. Call the office for information.

We are wrapping up the membership directory and will be gone to press by the time you read this article. Thanks to all the businesses that chose to advertise their operations in this good looking and useful publication.

REMINDERS

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

The federal minimum wage increase, enacted in 2007, mandated that the increase take place in three steps, beginning in 2007 and continuing in 2008 and 2009.

This a reminder that the second step increase goes into effect July 24, 2008, bringing the minimum wage to $6.55 per hour from the current $5.85 per hour. The third and final increment will occur July 24, 2009, and increases the level to $7.25 per hour.

The tip wage in Oklahoma remains at $2.13 per hour. However, with the increase, the tip wage and tip credits must equal at least $6.55 per hour.

HB 1804 COMPLIANCE – JULY 1, 2008

Although the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of HB 1804, Oklahoma’s strict immigration statute is still working its way through the federal court in Oklahoma City, it is important to remember that ALL employers must come into compliance with the provisions of the bill as of July 1, 2008. You should pay attention to the following points.

• HB 1804 creates a new : Discriminatiotory Practice”
• Employers are automatically liable for discrimination of you terminate an employee who is authorized worker and retain in a similar job an employee hired after July 1, 2008 that you know or should have known was an illegal immigrant
• Employers are exempt from liability if they are enrolled in a Status Verification system to verify the employment eligibility of its’ new hires employed after July 1, 2008
• There are several choices to verify new hires

o E-Verity – https://www.vis-dhs.com/EmployerRegistration

o Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) http://www.ssagov/employer/ssnv.htm

o Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlements (SAVE) http://www.escis.gov/portal/site/uscis

o Ice Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers (IMAGE) – http://www.ice.gov/partners

After July 1, 2008, State and Local Governments cannot contract with businesses that do not verify the citizenship of their employee through a Status Verification System. The HB 1804 lawsuit is still in the briefing stage as of this writing, no hearing has been set on the various motions pending.

MARKETING TIP OF THEWEEK

Overlooking or underplaying the role of female consumers either as direct or “sphere of influence” participants in the final purchase decisions of products and service. Even in cases where women may not shop for or make the selection of a product, her role in the allocation of funds for the product is important. “If you really want a laptop computer, okay, we have enough money in savings to get one.”

CHAMBER GOALS

• Create an effective method of communication to promote the Chamber to members and improve public awareness.
• Create and implement a public relation campaign evaluate the needs of members
• Establish publication guidelines for the Chamber newsletter
• Evaluate the need for a published annual membership directory
• Maintain a sound working relationship with area media
• Establish an ambassador Program to serve as public relation representative with Chamber members

These are the goals set last year and what we are working toward.

HAVE A GREAT GRAND DAY!!!!!!