Join our mailing list!
 | Education Classes for August
Lead RRP Course
Join us Wednesday,
August 12th at 8:00 AM at the HBRA.Cost: $175 per member$225 per non-member
Contact Connie with any questions @
(802) 876-6200 cbrigham@vtbuilders.com
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Thanks to our Renewing Members for July!
Altogether Interiors
Avalon Pool & Supplies
Conservation Collaboratives, LLC
Lang McLaughry Spera ~ David Furney
Norandex Building Materials Distribution
Northern Vermont Pressure Seal, Inc.
RE/MAX North Professionals ~ Jim Cross
Tri-State Basement Systems
Vermont Central Vacuum
Worth's Seamless Rain Gutters, Inc.
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Dear ,
This is the HBRA E-Builder August edition. Below you will find upcoming events, new member profiles, renewing members, and much more. Thank you for taking the time to find out what's new and happening at the HBRA. If you have any thoughts or items you would like to see in upcoming issues please contact Connie at cbrigham@vtbuilders.com. |
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_______________________________________________ | 20th Annual HBRA /
Hackett Valine & MacDonald Golf Tournament
Wednesday, September 15th
Rocky Ridge Golf Course
Check-in @ 11 AM with a shot-gun start @ Noon.
Cost per person to play is $120 and
includes a bagged lunch, 18 hole tournament play, and a BBQ dinner and
awards ceremony.
Sponsorship Opportunities still available:
- Hit-the-Green & Double Your $$ Contest ($350)
- Putting Contest ($350)
- Golf Ball Sponsor (1 Opening @ $300)
- Golf Tees ($225)
- Divot Tool ($225)
- Golf Ball Marker ($225)
- Sand Trap ($225)
- Hole Sponsor ($200)
To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities and/or to register to play in the tournament - please contact Amanda Ibey @ 876-6200 x12 or aibey@vtbuilders.com.
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_______________________________________________ | Welcome New Members!
R & J Trucking
Randy Fisher - Owner
PO Box 311, Shelburne, VT 05482
(802) 985-3296 / FAX: 985-9004
Ground Contractors
Sponsored
by: Patrick O'Brien
Craig Hervey Housewright Construction, Inc.
Craig Hervey - Owner/President
5365 Main Street S., Newbury, VT 05051
(802) 866-5520 / FAX: 866-5461
General Contracting Firm
www.housewright.net
American Indoor Air Quality
Assessment Services, Ltd.
Francis X. (Rich) Finigan - President
28 N. Main St., PO Box 176, Randolph, VT 05061
(802) 728-4015 / FAX: 728-3181
www.americaniaq.com
Environmental Consulting
Sponsored by: Ward Smyth
Spring Builders
Ezra Spring - Owner
69 Shunpike Road, S. Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 578-2042
www.springbuildersvt.com
Remodeling & Wood Floor Refinishing
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_______________________________________________ | New Member Profile
Yellow Brick, LLC
We offer services in: Renewable Energy - Small Wind Turbines, PV Systems and Solar Hot Water Systems.
Michael Gervais & Brian Richard - owners/partners
4735 Williston Road, Suite 50
Williston, Vermont 05495
(802) 865-2333 / Fax: 865-2020
mike@primevt.com
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_______________________________________________ | New Member Profile
MTB Builders, Inc.
General Contractors - Residential & Commercial
Been in business for 25 years.
"Our goal is to work on all different types of construction with the personal attention of either Taylor or Bronner, because one of us always manages and supervises each job."
Bill Taylor & Bill Bronner - Owners
MTB Builders, Inc.
PO Box 156, Moscow, VT 05662Phone/Fax: (802) 244-7900MTBBuild@myfairpoint.net
www.mtbbuilders.com
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_______________________________________________ | New Member Profile
Sandra Vitzthum, Architect LLC
Architectural Design, Mediation & Arbitration. Especially ecological design, custom woodwork design (including cabinetry). Been in business for 16 years.
"To design buildings that look like they have always been there, using local materials and good craftsmanship. I like homes to use as little energy as possible."
Sandy Vitzthum - member/manager
Licensed in VT since 1992.
46 East Street, Montpelier, VT 05602(802) 223-1806 / Fax: 223-4709vitzthum@sover.net
www.sandravitzthum.com
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Central Vermont Mixer!
Please join us on Thursday, September 9th
as we continue our series of mixers for our Central
Vermont Council (the 2nd Tuesday of every month).
We'll meet at the Steakhouse Restaurant in Barre
from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
Cost: $10 *** First meeting for a prospective member is freeThank you to Bethel Mills for sponsoring this event!  |
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Get the most out
of
your next mixer
How often have you attended a business after-hours event and come home with nothing to show for it? When was the last time you avoided even going to such an event because you weren't that comfortable being in those types of things? Maybe the last time you went, you ended up just talking to people you already knew, or you parked yourself near the food table or bar. Even though you intended to build your business, your discomfort forced you to retreat into old, useless behaviors.
There's a right and a wrong way to conduct yourself at
business events. The following set of rules will put you on the right track and
insure that you're making the most of the experience.
1. Choose to meet, not to eat. No point in just turning it into
another failed social event! Instead, promise yourself you'll meet at least
five new people.
2. It's more blessed to receive than to give. Don't worry about giving
out your business card. They'll probably lose it anyway. Instead, concentrate
on getting theirs. That way, you'll be able to follow up later.
3. Approach open groups. People who aren't facing each other directly
but are a bit open in their body language are the ones who are receptive to
your approach.
4. Avoid talking about your business. Instead, ask them about theirs.
How do they like it? How long have they been doing it? What do they like best
about it? How do they generate new business?
5. Always ask them how you can know if someone you meet would be a
great prospect for them. You're
positioning yourself as a connector whose interest is in helping them generate
more leads, rather than as someone who's hungry to get their business.
6. Smile warmly, look in their eyes, and shake hands firmly. After a
short conversation, say you're going to go meet some more people, then thank
them and move on.
7. Follow up. After the event, send a nice personalized card to the
people you met and tell them you'll be sure to make referrals to them when it's
appropriate. Don't worry about trying to get them to buy your product or
service. If they like you and trust you, when they have a need, they'll think
of you!
So, in the "Givers Gain" philosophy taught by Ivan Misner,
father of BNI (Business Network International), make yourself a useful, caring,
friendly resource for those you meet, and you'll have no trouble generating new
business. It's universal law!
By the way, if you
enjoyed this article, please visit me at www.stevetaubman.com where you'll find lots of articles about
how to improve your business. Sign up for my mailing list to receive a free
download from my #1 bestseller UnHypnosis, and weekly wisdom tips.
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REMINDER: HIRE ACT and Revised 941 Form
In an ongoing attempt to stimulate the economy and create jobs, President Obama signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act on March 18, 2010.
The Act establishes tax incentives for businesses to hire new workers. Employers who hire individuals (between the dates of February 3, 2010 and January 1, 2011), who have been out of work for more than 6 months, will be eligible for an exemption on their Social Security payroll tax for those employees.
Employers who have newly-hired employees on their books from March 19, 2010 through December 31, 2010, will be able to reduce their Old, Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) portion of the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes by 6.2 percent. The Act also provides an income tax credit of up to $1,000 for every new employee who is employed for 52 weeks.
It is important that you submit information on all qualified new hires with your 2nd quarter 941 payroll tax filing to avoid having to later amend your tax filings.
It is also highly recommended that employers be proactive in notifying their payroll company about any new employees that have signed the W-11 Form because most payroll companies are not asking for this information.
Please note that not all new employees qualify for this tax incentive. A qualified employee who this exemption would be applicable for includes the following:
Began employment with the company after February 3, 2010 and before January 1, 2011,
Certifies by a signed affidavit (Form W-11) that he/she has not been employed for more than 40 hours during the prior 60-day period, ending on the date the employee begins employment with your Company,
Is not employed by you to replace another employee unless the other employee separated from employment voluntarily or for cause (including downsizing), and
Is not related to you.
To assist our Clients in claiming the new tax exemption, we are providing the below links to the necessary forms.
Revised 941 Instructions
Revised 941 Form
Form W-11 Affidavit
If you have any questions or would like assistance completing the necessary paperwork please contact Nathan Rice at 802-878-1963 or send an email to nathan@dh-cpa.com. |
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_______________________________________________ | Lead RRP Rule - Update
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all contractors to take
additional precautions when renovating houses (including the installation of
heating equipment) where children could be exposed to lead dust from old paint.
The EPA rule requires contractors to use "lead-safe" practices when
working on homes, day-care centers and schools built before 1978, the year lead
paint was banned for residential use because of health risks. After hearing from VFDA and other
organizations representing the building and trades industry, the EPA has
announced it will delay enforcement until September 10, 2010. The delay allows
contractors to sign up for training by September 30, however training must be
completed by December 31, 2010. Violators could face a fine of up to $37,000
for noncompliance. The EPA says lead poisoning is still a major health problem,
effecting 300,000 children in 2009.
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NEW MEMBER BREAKFAST
HBRA members gathered on Wednesday, July 28th for the Associations' quarterly New Member Breakfast. We served a breakfast of pancakes, sausages and all the fixin's. It was a great opportunity for our newest members to meet with our President (thanks Ward). Thank you, Ambassadors: Curtis Trousdale, Attacca Realty; Carol Carruth, Otter Creek and John Olson, Beacon Wealth Management for helping us make our New Members feel welcome. It also turned into a great networking event, with lots of business cards exchanging hands and new business relationships being formed. Thanks to all the members who stopped by to welcome our newest members. We also gave away some great prizes - especially the two $50 gift cards, donated by John Olson of Beacon Wealth Management! Thanks again to everyone who came for taking the time to join us.
Winners:
$50 Outback g.c.,
donated by John Olson: George Keener, Paradigm Shingles
$50 Best Buy g.c.,
donated by John Olson: Doris Angiono, A Place For Everything
Two tickets to an
HBRA Membership Meeting: Michele Morris, Chittenden Solid Waste District
Free Ad in New
Quarterly Magazine: Jodi Ovens, Craig Hervey Housewright Construction, Inc.
Free Drink Tickets to
be used at an HBRA Event: Scott Morell, VT Electronics; Ian DeGalan, Ward & Babb; Heather Armata, Keller Williams Green Mountain Properties and Candy Weston, Weston Design.
Our final New Member Breakfast of the year is scheduled for
October 27th. Mark you
calendars now, so as not to miss out on this great event.
Members enjoying the Breakfast!
 Annie Small & Candy Weston  Amanda Ibey & Jodi Ovens  Carol Carruth, Ian DeGalan & Nick McDougal
The Ambassador Committee welcomes and orients new members to
the Association. This committee meets
monthly to assign new members to ambassadors to contact and to plan new member
events. Each ambassador contacts
specific new members during their first year of joining the Association. The purpose of these calls is to develop a
relationship with HBRA new members and to provide them with another contact in
the Association to ask questions of and to contact for support. If anyone has any ideas on how to make this
event even more beneficial to our newest members or questions about this committee,
please contact Connie Brigham at 876-6200 x11 or cbrigham@vtbuilders.com .
Be the first to welcome our newest members and develop
relationships with them! If you are
interested in getting involved with this committee, we would welcome the
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_______________________________________________ | Member Appreciation Day
@ Lake Monsters A Success!The Association had our own section
along the
3rd base line which included tables for dinner and bleachers to watch
the
game. HBRA members brought their employees and family and had a great time. The kids enjoyed a visit from Champ and free foam fingers to waive around during the game!
Thanks again to our generous sponsors!
Website
of Burlington / S. Burlington
Palmer Insurance Agency, LLC
Neal Speer Construction Company, Inc.
Members Enjoying the Lake Monsters Game!
Collin Frisbie, Jessica Deaette, Brian Lalime & Vicky Sinagra
Neal Speer & Son
Snyder Homes Group
Visit from Champ!
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_______________________________________________ | Evening at Thunder Road
- A Success!
Over 100 HBRA Members, their employees and families came together at Thunder Road on July 15th to enjoy a night at the races. We reserved the Turn 3 Pavilion area and enjoyed a grilled dinner of burgers, hotdogs and potato salad while watching the cars go round the track.
Thanks again to our generous sponsors!
Paul Davis Restoration
Central Vermont Concrete Repair - (802) 272-3048
Wallboard Supply Company
Poulin Lumber
Hutch Brothers Concrete Corporation
Allen Lumber Company
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Thank you for reading our
August E-Builder!
Regards,
HBRA Staff
~
Home Builders & Remodelers Association
136 James Brown Drive
Williston, Vermont 05495
Phone: (802) 876-6200
Fax: (802) 876-6204
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