Membership directory online

Share the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce directory with your existing customers, potential customers, friends and family.

The articles include detailed information about the chamber organization, directors and staff, community information, government, healthcare, education, history, culture and calendar of events the Chamber of Commerce organizes. It also features a roster of all our members, a business directory and an index of advertisers.

This is the perfect tool to use when in need of a phone number or a business address. If you need hard copies, please call our office and we will deliver to your place of business.

Business directory now online…

Share the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce directory with your existing customers, potential customers, friends and family.

The articles include detailed information about the chamber organization, directors and staff, community information, government, healthcare, education, history, culture and calendar of events the Chamber of Commerce organizes. It also features a roster of all our members, a business directory and an index of advertisers.

This is the perfect tool to use when in need of a phone number or a business address. If you need hard copies, please call our office and we will deliver to your place of business.

Siskiyou County Mixer hosted by the Weed Chamber of Commerce

Members of all Chambers of Commerce in Siskiyou County are invited to a county wide mixer. Attendance by members and directors is encouraged. This is the third mixer of its kind and partnership amongst the different chambers is already showing strength.

For a larger view of the flyer, click here

Young Entrepreneurs Program

The SBDC hosted by Shasta College and College of the Siskiyous offers a special and unique program – the Young Entrepreneurs Program or YEP.  YEP provides a unique combination of consultant one on one resources in addition to trainings and seminars aimed at young people between the ages of 14 and 27.  YEP is diverse in its outreach and delivery methods, with Websites, blogs, social networking sites, virtual reality games, youth-oriented trainers and business simulation products all designed to teach business management, finance, marketing, sales and e-commerce skills.  We host an Annual YEP Business Concept and Elevator Competition in the spring of each year.

The ultimate desired outcome for YEP is to have young people more interested in self-employment as a career option.  Through YEP projects, students will also garner transferable business skills for both self employment and the job market, understand the relevance of education and choose to stay in school or pursue higher education, and develop life management and problem solving skills.

Please download the flyer HERE

W.A.C.E. graduate

Marie-Josée Wells and Leron Gubler, President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

Marie-Josée Wells, the Executive Director at the Mount Shasta Chamber of Commerce, was among the 28 chamber executives to graduate last Friday from Academy, a professional development program presented by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.).

Academy is an interactive 3-day (three year) training program on chamber management essentials designed for today’s chamber executives and staff professionals.

“We congratulate all of the graduates and their chambers for having the vision to invest in professional development,” said W.A.C.E. President Dave Kilby.

During the three-year Academy program, graduates participated in 18 three-hour classes and successfully completed a significant number of additional independent study hours outside of the classroom.

W.A.C.E is an association of chamber of commerce executives and staff professionals designed to promote and enhance professional development. With approximately 720 members from fourteen Western states, W.A.C.E. is the largest state or regional association of chamber of commerce executives in the United States.

Winter Wonderland Weekend December 18 and 19

Most downtown businesses will be open Saturday, December 18, from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, December 19, from noon to 5 pm.

Raffles, free gift with purchase, drawings and samples of tea and cookies are just some of the surprises in store: Sereni-tea will host a lavender/honey day, Christmas story readings will take place at Village Books, Jon Thomas Jewelry will welcome you with teas, cookies and if you spend more than $250 you will be entered in a raffle to win a price of his choice. Lisa invites you to visit and sample some fine chocolates, coffee and cocoa at the Gallery in Mount Shasta.

Siskiyou Arts Council manages a Window Display Contest with many Mt. Shasta businesses participating, including Images Hair Design, The Fifth Season, Pomodoro, Minnillos Full Service Salon, Mt. Shasta Gallery, My Favorite Things, The Oven Bakery, Shasta Rhythms Music, Roxy’s Vets Club, Sereni-Tea, Snip ‘N Save, Soul Connections, Sportsmen’s Den, Village Books, Wholesale Solar, SAC Gallery. Each business makes a contribution to the “pot” with the winner of the contest donating it to a local charity of their choice. Winner is chosen by shoppers. Ballots are available at participating businesses.

On Saturday the Siskiyou Sled Dogs association is offering free rides for kids at the Ski Park from 11 to 2 and will be downtown as well for photo opportunities; and on Sunday from 1-3 pm Barbara Schaefer, author and owner of the sled dog Mia, who played the lead dog in the Disney movie “Eight Below” will be present to sign her book “Be the Lead Dog.”

Carolers will be filling the street with songs and you can even enjoy or discover the taste of roasted chestnuts on an open fire.

For more details call the Mount Shasta Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau at 530-926-4865.

Compliance Hints for Employers

by Aiello-Goodrich-Teuscher

CHANGES TO TAX PAYMENT METHODS:

Starting in January 1, 2011 the IRS will no longer allow federal tax payments to be made with the paper coupons, Form 8109. This applies to payments made at a local bank or being mailed to Financial Agent at the IRS. If payments are made using the paper coupons after that time, the IRS will assess a failure to pay penalty. They want everyone to transition to making tax payments using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).

There is an exception; if your federal tax liability for a quarter is less than $2,500, you can remit the taxes due with your quarterly return, Form 941.

If you have not already applied to use the EFTPS program, you should do so right away. It takes 2-3 weeks for the IRS to process your application and send out a confirmation letter with a PIN number. Payments can then be made by phone or online. We can make these payments for you, or you can make them yourself. Completing the setup application early gives you a little cushion of time to get comfortable with the process.

To sign up fill out the online application at: https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/

Or, if you would like help you with the application, please call your accounting firm.

CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT POSTER REQUIREMENTS:

Each year employers are required to purchase the new “Notice to Employees” poster and to display it in a conspicuous place where employees have easy access to it. This year California’s Division of Worker’s Compensation (DWC) has implemented new regulations that require all employers in California to post a revised Notice to Employees – Injuries Caused by Work.

Failure to post the notice by the October 8, 2010 deadline can result in fines up to $7,000 in civil penalties.

In addition to posting the new notice, you are also required to distribute a new “Your Rights to Workers’ Compensation Benefits” pamphlet to all new employees who start to work on or after October 8, 2010. The pamphlets should be given to new employees at the time of hire or before the end of the first pay period.

You can purchase the new poster and the pamphlets from several different sources. Two websites offering these items are www.laborlawcenter.comand www.governmentposter.comIf you already use a different source for your posters, you can probably get the updated poster and pamphlets from them.

Best Practices in Online Marketing Seminar

Thursday, November 4, 2010

10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Best Practices in Online Marketing

1:00p.m.-3:00p.m. Getting Started with “Constant Contact”

$25.00 for one workshop or $40.00 for both

Shasta College Health Science Univ. Ctr.
1400 Market St., Room 8220, Redding, CA 96001

The Small Business Development Center at Shasta College, College of the Siskiyous and the Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce present:

Best Practices in Online Marketing

Would you like to get better results from your online marketing efforts?

This educational seminar will teach you how to build & leverage your “Internet Marketing Network”. The workshop will discuss the latest tips, trends, techniques, and proven marketing strategies for:

• Building your email contact lists & designing effective email campaigns
• Developing real sales leads and business contacts from your Social Media pages
• Measuring benefits and return (ROI) for your investment (time, energy) in online marketing and Getting Started with Constant Contact

Getting Started with “Constant Contact”

This workshop will focus on Getting Started with Constant Contact‘s do-it-yourself email communication service. It will also provide specific product training and Constant Contact‘s Online Survey and Event Marketing products will be discussed.

The workshop is designed to help you quickly and easily master the Constant Contact system. You’ll learn how to set up account options, add signup boxes to your website and emails, load a list, build a campaign, brand your email to match websites and logos. You’ll also learn how to develop content, get your email opened, and track results!

Call now to reserve your seat.

Pre-registration is required

Call 530-225-2770 RSVP online at www.sbdcsc.org

Meet the Lenders Conference: One Stop Shopping for Business Financing

On Wednesday, October 27, small business owners are invited to the 4^th annual “Meet the Lenders” workshop where public lenders and resource agencies gather together to inform the public of their services and products. “Small businesses just got a great boost with the passage of the Small Business Jobs Act in late September,” says JEDI Executive Director, Nancy Swift. “There is much to learn about this new legislation that should cut taxes, provide more SBA funding, and ease the credit for small businesses.” In addition to receiving the latest information on the Small Business Jobs Act, participants will gain an overview of the different loan products available and have an opportunity to speak directly with the lenders and the business development organizations from around the county.

This free event will take place at Lalo’s Restaurant, 520 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mount Shasta from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Pre-registration with JEDI is required. Hors-d’œuvres, networking and the latest information on financing will be the focus of the afternoon.

The goal of the event is to help small businesses find the financing they need to start or grow their business even in today’s credit environment. Presentations will highlight several loan products that are perfectly suited to many of the small businesses in our region. It will also provide an opportunity for every lender and resource agency to share what services they provide to small businesses.

The following lenders and agencies are generously sponsoring this event and will be available to describe their services and make appointments. Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI), Superior California Economic Development, Siskiyou County Economic Development Council, Northeastern California SBDC hosted by Shasta College and College of the Siskiyous, Karuk Community Loan Fund, USDA Farm Service Agency, Arcata Economic Development Corporation, Great Northern Corporation, PremierWest Bank, Tri Counties Bank, Scott Valley Bank, and US Bank.

“One of JEDI’s roles is to provide business education and create networks that support the growth of small business in our communities. We work in partnership with banks and other agencies every day to make that an easier, less mystifying process” says Nancy. We are excited to bring banks together with other non-traditional lenders and the general public for this informative event.”

Call JEDI today to register and to learn everything you need to know to access the business capital you need, 888-926-6670.

Renewable Energy: Grants and Assistance Programs