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Help Local Businesses Survive and Thrive
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Richard Kalish Chairman of the Board
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These are difficult times. Many if not most local businesses are struggling while a few thrive. This environment forces business owners to sharpen their skills and invest long hours finding ways to cut costs, increase efficiency, and improve results.
Seeing shopping center parking lots packed with cars on weekends is somewhat astonishing in this environment. Marin enjoys a lower unemployment rate than elsewhere and people here are able to spend. But attracting those dollars, always a challenge, is now more difficult than at any time in memory. This is when collective action benefits everyone. By coming together to share information, exchange business insights, partner for more effective marketing and business practices, and do business with one another, local businesses can help each other succeed in the short run and become stronger for the future. We all owe it to one another to think locally, do our business locally, and work collectively. Chamber programs and activities promote all of this. For example, our mixers and Business-to-Business program are vehicles to reach new customers, exchange information, and network to learn of new opportunities.
The Chamber is a resource dedicated to helping you succeed. Take advantage of what the Chamber offers and call on the Chamber when we can help.
I want to hear your ideas and concerns. Please share them me at rkalish@knblaw.com or call me at 415-482-2180.
Richard Kalish
SR Chamber Chairman of the Board
Kalish, Nexon & Birnbaum LLP
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Leaders Circle Spotlight |
Become a member of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce's Leaders Circle for 2012. |
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Strengthening the Local Economy | | |
Congratulations, 2012 Officers and Directors
Richard Kalish of Kalish, Nexon & Birnbaum LLP has been selected as the Chamber's Chair of the Board for 2012. Other officers include Chair Elect: Laura Bertolli, Bertolli's Auto Body Inc.; Treasurer: Lorraine Gauthier, Nelson Family of Companies; and Secretary: Jack Diego, Diego Bros Inc. More board selections.
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Add Member2Member Discount Plan Into Your Business Strategy for 2012
The San Rafael Chamber Member2Member Discount Savings Program supports our Chamber members' businesses and keeps shopping dollars local. More and more businesses are signing up every day. Information and sign-up.
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Education Committee is Committee of the Month
 This committee fosters understanding, cooperation and collaboration between the business and education communities by identifying, promoting and supporting common goals. Pictured: Nicole Young, Bank of Marin; Jacqui Parker, San Rafael City Schools; Mary Yahnke, Montessori de Terra Linda; Gary Anspach, Anspach Financial Group; Gary Sipos, College Cash Solutions; Jon Loberg, San Rafael City Schools. Not shown: Judith Arrow, Dixie School District; Maika Llorens-Gulati, HeadsUp Foundation; Mille Makarewicz, School to Career; Louis Napoli, Louis Napoli Attorney at Law.__________________________________________ Additional Chamber News. |
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City and County News
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View City of San Rafael news and events here.
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Representing Business to Government
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State UI Fund Debt Leads to Higher FUTA Taxes
Employers saw an increase in their Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes last month. Here's why: The state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund has been insolvent since 2009 and ended 2010 with a deficit of $9.8 billion and growing. Unemployment benefits continue to be paid to unemployed workers, but the payments are now coming from a federal loan. FUTA taxes were increased because the loan has not been repaid for two years. Read more.
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Required 2012 HR Posters - Discounted for Members
Don't risk hefty fines for non-compliance. Buy required federal and state employment posters from the Chamber at a discount
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Promoting and Connecting the Community |
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 HeadsUp Public Education Foundation presents Winterfest, a benefit concert celebrating 150 years of San Rafael City Schools on Saturday, Feb. 11, bringing together the best of San Rafael.
Winterfest honorees include Jenny Callaway of SRCS, Bill Daniels of United Markets, Patty Garbarino of Marin Sanitary Service, Aimi Dutra Krause of The Dutra Group, Elaine Serotte of MassMutual Financial Guide, Dolly Nave, and Andy Bachich.
Laura van Galen is planning to open a new restaurant and venue for live music, the Fenix Supper Club, this spring at 919 Fourth Street in San Rafael. Read article from the Marin IJ.
Marin Sanitary Service is giving San Rafael City Schools an opportunity to attend the January session of Greening for Profit, a series of workshops that teaches businesses money-saving sustainability practices. Click here and scroll down for details.
Elizabeth Korondy with Discover Events Group was recently contracted to operate a 550 person, two-day conference at the InterContinental hotel in San Francisco. The group's final evening celebration took place on Alcatraz Island.
More Member News
Chamber members: Please send your business news for this section to frontdesk@SRChamber.com. Deadline for the March issue is Tuesday, February 28. Please put "Member News" in the subject line.
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