Business Focus February 2019

BBUSINESSTHE USINESS FEBRUARY 2019 CONNECTING THE BUSINESS A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE WHITTIER AREA AND RESIDENTIAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOCUS COMMUNITIES. VOL. 25 NO. 2 Chamber offers mandated Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for supervisors and employ ees By January 1, 2020, employers with at least fi ve employees must provide: (1) at least two hours of sexual harassment prevention training to all supervisory employees; and (2) at least one hour of sexual harassment prevention training to all non- supervisory employees in California. New employees must be trained within six months of assuming their position, and once every two years thereafter. The Whittier Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with local employer Compliance Training Group (Division of Employers Choice Online, Inc.), to offer mandated sexual harassment prevention training to all Whittier area employers. The training will be offered three different times throughout 2019, with the fi rst training to be held on Chamber brings community Thursday, February 27 at Parnell Park. Both the 2-hour training for together to celebrate the supervisors and the 1-hour employee training will be offered on each of the Whittier Police Department three training dates. Other trainings are scheduled for June 26 (offered Silver Shi eld Awards in both English and Spanish) and FEBRUARY 22, 2019 October 23. WHITTIERWHITTIER AREAA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Banquet set for February 22 This on-site training will be conducted by an experienced sexual Law enforcement officers are condolences and demanding change in and businesses can show their sense Continued on page 4 empowered with the awesome legislation. While other communities are of pride and partner with the Whittier responsibility and authority to maintain now understanding the importance of Chamber to celebrate our Whittier public order. At the same time, offi cers rallying behind their police, sheriffs and Police Department offi cers, staff and have the unique opportunity to engage fi rst responders, we are proud to say volunteers. For only $100 you can with citizens, identify and solve the Whittier community has ALWAYS sponsor an offi cer to attend the Silver problems, and positively affect their stood with our police department and Shield event. “We have renamed this communities daily. The Whittier Police never wavered in our appreciation for donation level the 906 Friend Sponsor ACRO PAID Department responds to thousands their dedication to protect and serve the because 906 is police code for “backup STANDARD PRESORTED PERMIT # 355 PERMIT WHITTIER, CA U.S. POSTAGE of calls for service each year. Our people of Whittier and Santa Fe Springs. and support” and that is what we are offi cers and civilian personnel all play This year marks the 21st Anniversary asking the community to do,” explained an important role in defi ning the quality of the Silver Shield Awards Banquet & Carol Crosby, Chamber Executive of life in Whittier and, as a community, Appreciation Dinner. “It is our honor to Director. Residents and businesses can we couldn’t be more grateful for their organize this very important community also purchase a tribute advertisement in service. event which salutes the offi cers, civilian the printed program for as little as $180. The past few years have been a employees and volunteers of the The event is taking place on Friday, tumultuous period for law enforcement Whittier Police Department,” stated February 22 at the Pacific Palms and communities throughout the nation. Silver Shield chair Laurie Perschbacher. Conference Resort in the City of Industry. Our own police department experienced “On this very special night, attendees Tickets to attend the dinner and awards tragedy first hand a few years ago get a small glimpse into the lives and banquet are $100 per person. If you, or and, in its wake, our community came sacrifi ces of the men and women who a business or organization you know, is together without hesitation to show protect us daily,” she continued. At the interested in getting involved this year, support for the men and women of the event, stories are told, those who went please contact the Whittier Chamber at Whittier Police Department. Thousands above and beyond the call of duty are (562) 698-9554 or info@whittierchamber. of businesses and residents participated honored, retirees are recognized and com. For your convenience, you can in the Whittier Strong campaign by the connection between community and view sponsorship and advertising wearing buttons of support, visiting law enforcement is strengthened. options, RSVP, and make payments Whittier, CA 90602 8158 Painter Avenue our beautiful police memorial, sharing There are a variety of ways residents online at whittierchamber.com. 2 WHITTIER BUSINESS FOCUS WWW.WHITTIERCHAMBER.COM FEBRUARY 2019 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Building Memories, One Vacation at a Time... 2018-2019 Gary Lee BOARD OF DIRECTORS January has passed, and February a ticket or sponsor a police offi cer for only Martinez, is here, I hope everyone is keeping up $100 and help us honor the brave men President of the Board EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE with those New Year’s resolutions by and women who keep Whittier a safe and participating in the many networking thriving community! shopping for your “special someone” President of the Board opportunities the Chamber has to offer. I would also like to thank everyone who right here in Whittier at one of our Gary Lee Martinez, The Traveling Traveler “Join the Team in 2019” at one of our was involved in the success of this year’s many Chamber member businesses. President-elect events such as Wake Up Whittier or Sweet Success Business Expo. There’s Having some trouble fi nding the right Elizabeth Martinez, Republic Services Tasty Tuesday coming up this month! nothing better than starting off the New gift or the right restaurant? Check Immediate Past President & In the spirit of February, the month of Year with a networking event for all to out the ad on page 3 for a directory Vice President Community Affairs love, help us show our appreciation for enjoy. Whether you purchased a booth/ of members who can help and don’t Laurie Perschbacher, our everyday heroes. The 21st Annual table, sponsored or attended the event forget to visit ExploreWhittier.com and MAP Property Management Silver Shield Awards Banquet will be as a guest, it was great to see so many of WhittierChamber.com for new members held on Friday, February 22 at the Pacifi c our members support each other! listed every day. This Valentine’s Day Vice President, Networking & Marketing Palms Conference Center in the City of Now, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day! think outside the heart-shaped box and Tom Rios, Brookdale Uptown Whittier Industry. Call (562) 698-9554 to purchase This year keep the support going by shop local! Vice President, Administration Debra Legan, PIH Health Vice President, Business Information Chris Hardeman, DialMed Home Care Vice President, Finance TAX TIPS Bryan Tabizon, $ Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary Vice President, Membership Richard LaDonna Munier, Friendly Hills Bank Scrivanich Tax breaks to those who do Vice President, Special Events volunteer work for charity Cheryl Estep, State Farm Insurance If you are a volunteer worker for a deductible). where you as a volunteer make DIRECTORS charity, you should be aware that your • If you use your car while a contribution on behalf of rather generosity may entitle you to some tax performing services for a charitable than directly to a charity. One way Leighton Anderson, Bewley, Lassleben & Miller breaks. organization you may deduct your around this is for the charity to pay Susan Ayala, Athens Services Although no tax deduction is actual unreimbursed expenses for the expenses, itself, and then be Trese Childs, DoubleTree Hotel Whittier allowed for the value of services you directly attributable to the services, reimbursed by you (or you can make Louis Gomez, F.F. Gomez perform for a charitable organization, such as gas and oil costs. the donation before the expense is some deductions are permitted for Alternatively, you may deduct a fl at incurred). If this isn't possible, you can Sandra Hahn, Crepes & Grapes Café out-of-pocket costs you incur while 14¢ per mile for charitable use of safeguard your deductions as follows: Oscar Hernandez, Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs of Whittier performing the services (subject to the your car. In either event, you may • Get written documentation from Krista Lesa, The Quad at Whittier deduction limit that generally applies to also deduct parking fees and tolls. the charity about the nature of your R.D. McDonnell, McDonnell Group charitable contributions). This includes • You can deduct the cost of a volunteering activity and the need Greg Nicodemus, items such as: uniform you wear when you do for related expenses to be paid. For Credit Union of Southern California • Away-from-home travel expenses volunteer work for the charity, as example, if you travel out of town Monica Peters, Hebert Design Werks while performing services for a long as the uniform has no general as a volunteer, get a letter from Bonnie Watje, ACRO Printing, Inc. charity (out-of-pocket round-trip utility (e.g., a volunteer ambulance the charity explaining why you're travel cost, taxi fares and other worker's jumpsuit). You can also needed at the out-of-town location. costs of transportation between the deduct the cost of cleaning the • If you are out-of-pocket for STAFF airport or station and hotel, plus uniform. substantial amounts, you should Executive Director lodging and meals). However, these No charitable deduction is submit a statement of expenses and, Carol Crosby expenses aren't deductible if there's allowed for a contribution of $250 preferably, a copy of the receipts, Associate Executive Director a signifi cant element of personal or more unless you substantiate to the charity, and arrange for the Lyn Carty pleasure associated with the travel, the contribution by a written charity to acknowledge in writing or if your services for a charity acknowledgment from the charitable the amount of the contribution.

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