As the economy continues to reopen and businesses begin hiring, background screening becomes increasingly important. The hiring process can be complicated particularly at a time when businesses are not only ramping up their operations but are also putting in place measures to keep their workplaces safe. The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier can help to ease some of that burden.

We are proud to announce a new background screening partnership. Chamber and MAST members are eligible for discounted rates for any screening service offered through the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

Background screening provides your business with a better understanding of who you are working with and can protect your company from unnecessary expenses or liability. It creates a safer workplace, reduces the potential for discrimination or negligence suits, and safes you from expensive penalties especially in industries where screening is required.

The Greater Rochester Chamber has been in the background screening industry for over 20 years and their services are being utilized by organizations of all sizes, nationwide. Their highly trained Consumer Reporting Agents (CRA) work diligently to ensure your peace of mind and confidence when on-boarding new employees, volunteers, or tenants for your business. They use the top-rated background screening platform in the industry.

You can learn more on the chamber’s website at www.chautauquachamber.org/background-screenings.html where you will find a convenient form to get more information directly from the source.

The Chamber and MAST continue to provide valuable services for our local member businesses, including human resources training and information to comply with the New York State Workplace Harassment law, health insurance and ancillary products through a variety of carriers, and much more. For information on any of our services, please visit us online or call our office at (716) 366-6200 or (716) 484-1101.

BUILD CORONAVIRUS RESILIENCY IN YOUR BUSINESS: WEEKLY WEBINAR

Our weekly webinar series will present a timely topic on Monday, June 29, as our focus will be on Building Coronavirus Resiliency in Your Business: A Discussion with Local Medical Professionals. Dr. James Sherry, Executive Director of the Chautauqua County Health Network, and other healthcare professionals will join us for this important discussion.

The Business Weekly Webinar will be held at 3:30 Monday, June 29 online. To register visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/8683224162938372623. After registering you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. This is a free event and all local businesspeople are invited to participate. Advance registration is recommended, but not required. This event is sponsored by: Digitell, Inc., FORECON, and the Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn.

IDENTIFY THE CONTENT YOU WANT TO SEE: TAKE THIS QUICK SURVEY

We welcome your input for upcoming Chamber Webinars. Ever since local businesses went into the New York State On Pause in March, the Chamber and MAST have been holding weekly webinars at 3:30pm Mondays. Now we want to know if our topics are still timely for you, if you have additional suggestions for topics or guests, and if the timing is right. Take our quick one-minute survey to let us know if these events have been helpful for you, and how we might improve on timing and topics. You’ll find our survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCWGVXY. We appreciate your feedback!

HAVE QUESTIONS FOR CONGRESSMAN REED? JOIN US JULY 16TH

Each year the Chamber of Commerce provides an opportunity to meet with our Congressman. This year that event will be held online at 8:30am, Thursday, July 16. Representative Tom Reed will be our guest and will answer questions from the audience.

We encourage all participants to get up and get out and pick up some breakfast or coffee from your favorite local restaurant, then join us online beginning promptly at 8:30. You may attend for free, but we are also providing a registration option for a donation to the Chamber of Commerce if you are so inclined. Not unlike many businesses in our community COVID-19 has had a financial impact on our organization, so your donation is greatly appreciated.

The Congressional Breakfast is sponsored by Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Jamestown Mattress Company, Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, University Advancement at the State University of New York at Fredonia, and UPMC Chautauqua. You may register online through the events calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

SERVING YOU IS OUR PRIORITY

Serving you, our member/investor in the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association remains a top priority. Given the financial challenges posed by COVID-19 we have made some staff scheduling adjustments through June and July, in an effort to reduce our costs. Office hours in our Jamestown office will be by appointment only. Our Dunkirk office remains closed as part of the Jamestown Community College campus closure. We will respond as quickly as possible to your calls and emails. Because our staff will be working part-time there may be a delay in getting back to you. We ask for your patience. Our contact information remains available on the Contact Our Team page on our website. In addition, you may call 716-366-6200 or 716-484-1101.