MACC MEMBER VALUE CARD OFFER

Is your business or organization a member of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce? As a Chamber member, your business can save big bucks by doing business with select Chamber members. As a Chamber member associate, you, your family (and your co-workers and their families) can also save money by doing business with those Chamber members. We'll highlight a different offer here from time to time. This time's featured Value Card offer is:

AAA MICHIGAN
Contact Rich Firman at 676-2320 for a 13% discount for automobile insurance, a 2% discount for homeowners/rental insurance, and AAA Membership for $45 per year. Go to: www.autoclubgroup.com/michigan/promos/mason_area_chamber.asp

A current list of discount offers is maintained on the Chamber’s www.masonchamber.org website. Member Value Cards are available to members from the Chamber office. Companies that look to gain marketing exposure by participating in the program may call the Chamber office at 676-1046. You may also contact the Chamber at masonchamber@masonchamber.org by e-mail.

DON’T BE CAUGHT UNAWARE OF EMPLOYMENT LAW

Major revisions have been made to employment laws for 2006. Be sure you are on top of the new changes. Written by Michigan attorneys for Michigan employers, the Michigan Chamber is again offering their Employment Law Handbook Kit. This up to date compliance manual is written in plain English and is easy to apply to the day-to-day issues that cause the most problems. The Kit includes:
- The Employment Law Handbook, a best selling encyclopedia of state and federal labor laws.
- Customizable CD with all the forms and letters you need to run HR including an HR Self-Audit. - Monthly electronic newsletter to keep you updated on critical issues throughout the year.
Call the 1-888-763-0514 ext. 204 to order the Employment Law Handbook Kit. Be sure to mention that you are a member of Mason Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC members only, please) and provide the following promotional code: MASON-MCCE.

LABOR LAW POSTERS UP TO DATE?

We get a lot of e-mail about Labor Law Posters just like you do, but this is an offer for some that the Michigan Chamber has that are specifically for our state for only $44.00 (plus shipping and handling). Agencies of both the State and Federal governments require various postings be available in a common area regularly visited by employees where they have an unobstructed opportunity to read them. Fines can easily reach thousands of dollars if your postings are found to be out of date during an inspection. The posters are guaranteed totally up-to-date and conveniently sized to fit anyone’s space needs. If you have Spanish speaking employees, you may need to order the Spanish sets as well.

Just call the 1-888-763-0514 ext. 204 to order this Labor Law Poster Kit. Be sure to mention that you are a member of Mason Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC members only, please) and provide the following promotional code: MASON-MCCE.

SBTDC at LCC Offers Seminars

Check out upcoming seminars and workshops on a variety of small business topics at:

http://www.misbtdc.org/region8/CalendarOfTraining.asp?module=CalendarOfEvents&cmd=CalendarEventPublic

LIBRARY OFFERS FINANCE CLASSES

Barbara Faiks, head librarian at the Mason Library, wants Chamber members to know that they are offering two classes on personal financial planning in April. The first is on Tuesday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. That class is “Financial Planning 101” where experts from the Hantz Group will discuss financial goals, debt management, mortgages, and more. The second is on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. That class is “Home Buying 101” where a loan expert will lead the way through the complicated process of buying a home. For more information, contact the library at (517) 676-9088.

EXHIBITORS WANTED FOR METRO LANSING’S SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 2006

Exhibitors are wanted for Metro Lansing’s SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 2006, Do “BIG” Business with a “MICRO” Business, presented by the Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund, in partnership with Citizen’s Bank, Lansing Board of Water & Light, First National Bank of America, Lansing Area Public Purchasing Group and Fifth Third Bank on Thursday, April 27th from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Lansing Center.

A micro-enterprise is a business with five or fewer employees that is small enough to require start-up capital of $35,000 or less. “If you are a small business or enterprise, this event is just for you,” said Denise Peek, Executive Director of the Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund. “This business expo is designed to showcase the ‘best’ that the Metro Lansing area has to offer. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to network, display and market their products and services to other micro-enterprises, small businesses, organizations, associations and the public.

A booth rate of $185 includes an 8’x 10’ exhibit space, 8’ table, covering, skirting, back drop, booth identification sign, free parking, continental breakfast and lunch. This year exhibitors will have the opportunity to attend workshops that will be scheduled throughtout the day and are designed to strenghten their business as it grows. Scheduled topics are: Financially Turning Your Business Around, Marketing on a Zero Budget, and Certifying Your Business.

For exhibitor registration packet call 517-485-4446. Space is limited and is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The mission of the Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund is to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs starting or expanding a small business in Mid-Michigan, by offering business, financial, loan, and marketing programs.