All business owners and representatives are welcome to attend our free reception (cash bar) 6:30 pm at the Clinton Inn. Please RSVP if you are coming. We hope you enjoy meeting special guests Tenafly Mayor Peter Rustin, Boro Administrator Jewel Thompson-Chin and BID Director Beth Lippman.
Summary of the April 4, 2012 Presentation to the Tenafly NJ Chamber of Commerce
Health plans for small groups (2-50 people) in NJ are priced at the same rates for an equal plan with the same insurance company, no matter the size or demographic of the group (community-based pricing). Joining an association’s health plan may make sense for a sole proprietor unable to form a group or for a business that currently insures one family as a group to meet the minimum of two members.
If an association can get enough members to buy into the health plan to get to a larger group category (50+ people), non-standard plans/pricing can be developed. It is possible, based on the specific demographics of the larger group that the pricing will be better for the group over the community-based pricing of the 2-50 person group. To pursue this option several local Chambers would probably wish to work together.
Work would be required to administer the plan. If a larger group plan were proposed each business would need to pay a month in advance and understand that the business would be immediately dropped if the payment were not made on time.
Insurance agents and brokers evaluate plans and advise businesses at no extra cost to the business. It would be an insurance broker’s job to evaluate how good a deal a proposed association plan would be for each business based on specific demographic information from the business (age, sex, current health patterns).
Joining an association’s health insurance plan would not mean that everyone would be covered completely from day one of a plan. NJ insurance companies are permitted to not cover pre-existing conditions for one year if the condition has not been covered by insurance in the six months proceeding the start of the plan.
Attendees: Bob Kutik-Womraths, Christine Evron-Touchstone Computer Systems, Inc.; Shel Grossman-HR Impact, Izzy Kushner-HR Impact, Danielle Mastricova-Magic Marketer, Scott Porter, Anthony Gordon-Closter CofC, Mike Hamlin-Cresskill CofC, Dan Larson, Gerry-CVS, Maria Binenbaum-Brainstorm Tutoring, Jon Warms-Tenafly Council, Lisa Diamond-Kent Realty
Health Plans for Associations – Izzy Kushner & Shel Grosman, HR Impact
Health Plans for Associations – Izzy Kushner & Shel Grossman, HR Impact
Health plans for small groups (2-50 people) in NJ are priced at the same rates for an equal plan with the same insurance company, no matter the size or demographic of the group (community-based pricing). Joining an association’s health plan may make sense for a sole proprietor unable to form a group or for a business that currently insures one family as a group to meet the minimum of two members.
If an association can get enough members to buy into the health plan to get to a larger group category (50+ people), non-standard plans/pricing can be developed. It is possible, based on the specific demographics of the larger group that the pricing will be better for the group over the community-based pricing of the 2-50 person group. To pursue this option several local Chambers would probably wish to work together.
Work would be required to administer the plan. If a larger group plan were proposed each business would need to pay a month in advance and understand that the business would be immediately dropped if the payment were not made on time.
Insurance agents and brokers evaluate plans and advise businesses at no extra cost to the business. It would be an insurance broker’s job to evaluate how good a deal a proposed association plan would be for each business based on specific demographic information from the business (age, sex, current health patterns).
Joining an association’s health insurance plan would not mean that everyone would be covered completely from day one of a plan. NJ insurance companies are permitted to not cover pre-existing conditions for one year if the condition has not been covered by insurance in the six months proceeding the start of the plan.
Street Fair Update – Danielle Mastricova, Magic Markerter
The theme of the June 9th & 10th Street fair will be Surf’s Up.
Outreach to local businesses include working with professionals to develop marketing opportunities at the Fair, working with local eateries to take advantage of night-time alfresco dining after the fair is closed, working with non-profits, and working with the Borough to develop plans to accommodate client access to caterers while the streets are closed. Special plans include music by Silver Back East, Nick Real and Gina Minks; antique auto parade and event for auto dealers (auto wars); an event for Tenafly eateries (FoodWars), and Fashion shows by local fashion store owners. Tenafly High School, School of Rock and JCC musical groups will be asked to perform. Details are posted on www.TenaflyNJChamberofCommerce.org.
Placing a stage at the center of Washington & Railroad involves some logistical issues such as ensuring that the DPW attends a free certification course to handle the stage and that the joint insurance certificate names Bergen County Parks as a loss payee.
Council Liaison – Jon WarmsThe Council is planning banner polls on County Road. Scott Porter (BID Board Member) encouraged the council to coordinate with the BID signage project.
Farmers Market will again be in Tenafly, running from mid-May to mid-October. Opportunities exist for local merchants to get booths at the Farmers Market. Gerry Migliore, CVS suggested encouraging the Farmers Market to work at supplying local eateries.
April 28 – Little League & Girls Rec Softball Opening Day Parade
8:30-10 am – Route will include: George St, Tenafly Road, Washington St, Railroad Ave, Riveredge Road to Roosevelt Commons and then to field.
BID – Bob Kutik, Womraths
The BID will host a special meeting April 25, 6:30 pm Clinton Inn to solicit suggestions and answer questions.
Chamber Networking Breakfasts – Scott Porter
Scott asked for a sense of the meeting in supporting another educational breakfast networking meeting.
Treasurers Report Pasquale V. Fedele, Alma Bank
Deposits : $4,282.50
Expenses: $1,521.6
Tax forms filed March 26, 2012
Currently 29 members have paid their dues; this is a 60% increase over the end of May 2011.
Next Meeting – New Business Reception May 2
New businesses will be asked to come to the meeting to meet other Tenafly business owners and present their businesses.
We would like to invite you to join in our Surf’s Up Street Fair on June 9th & 10th, 2012! Tenafly Chamber of Commerce will host this event organized by Magic Marketer which promises to be a fantastic community gathering with great food, vendors and talent!
ANYONE searching to generate revenue and exposure for their business! Chamber and Non Chamber members are welcome!
No matter what product or service you have, the Tenafly NJ Chamber of Commerce & Magic Marketer will assist you with ways to make this event successful for you!
For those companies promoting services, not selling products, there will be a Treasure Hunt to draw attention to your booths! Perfect time to hand out promo items & coupons to retain new clients!!
Support and involvement in your community
Gain exposure for your product or service
Generate revenue by selling your products/services to a large audience
Reserve a booth space to either sell your products or promote your services! *CHAMBER MEMBERS RECEIVE FREE 10×10 SPACE!
Become an Event Sponsor and have your company prominently advertised in all advertising campaigns related to the event!
Sponsor a gift for the Treasure Hunt and have large audiences drawn to your store to enter the contest
Donate Gift Cards from your business to be raffled off as prizes throughout the event. Great way to drive traffic to your business!
Participate in our FREE contests/activities – FOOD WARS, AUTO WARS, ANTIQUE CAR PARADE.
Dance Studios, Martial Arts, Music Companies etc…Show your talent on our stage
Fashion Store Owners, join in the Tenafly Vendor Fashion Show on stage, find local residents to model
Chamber members receive FREE 10 x 10 booth and M.C. promotions throughout the event. Double space is available for additional charge.
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF WE SHOULD ADVERTISE SPECIAL ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Tenafly Chamber of Commerce
Rewards
“Shopping Locally”
(Redemption venues will be rotated to give more chamber members exposure)
*Rules: Up to $500 of shopping receipts eligible for redemption, per household. “Chamber Bucks” can only be spent at any of the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce Member businesses listed on the back of the Chamber Bucks”. Distribution limited to $2000 in Chamber Bucks total.
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If this program trial in the month of March is deemed successful we will continue throughout the year pairing the next 2 months in the same manner – Shop in May with Redeem in June, Shop in July with Redeem in August, Shop in September with Redeem in October, Shop in November with Double Redeem in December and so forth…. Customers may shop in any business but can only redeem the chamber bucks in dues paid member establishments. It pays to be a member! Pay by March 30th to be included on the back of the Chamber Buck itself as well as listings whenever possible. Some other promotional ideas are as follows:
1. ½ page Ad introducing the Customer Rewards Program in March
2. Mother’s Day Contest with prizes for child and mother
3. We are also planning a Mother’s Day Plant Give-away for the week of May 7 thru May 12- Ad
4. Street Festival slated for June 8,9, 10 -Ad
5. Father’s Day Raffle – with First Prize being tickets to a Yankee Game -Ad
6. Glow Necklaces for the July 4th Festivities
7. Ad for Back to School and Work in September/Raffle with Prizes
8. Street Festival slated for October 5,6,7 -Ad
9. Halloween Trick or Treat with Co-op Candy in a pumpkin purchasing -Ad
10. Ad for the Thanksgiving Holiday featuring Black Friday and Small Business Saturday
11. Ad Greeting the Holidays
12. Holiday Chamber Party
13. Holiday Parade with other community groups
We are also working with the borough to receive permission to host goods on the sidewalk on the last weekend of each month
Wednesday April 4, 6:30 pm
Clinton Inn
The Tenafly NJ Chamber of Commerce is exploring forming a health insurance group. This can permit member single-employee businesses to get group rates and can help smaller businesses be a part of a lower-cost group. Businesses would not need to be located in Tenafly but they would need to be members of the Tenafly NJ Chamber (current basic membership $125/year).
The Chamber has asked Izzy Kushner of HR Impact to give a detailed presentation on how such a plan would workand potential coverage plans.
Izzy Kushner Is the president of HR Impact, Inc. (201.750.7070), a consulting firm that helps clients select, implement and administer employee benefit plans. The firm also assists clients with a full range of HR issues including employee communications; employee, executive and Board compensation; payroll administration; selective executive search; corporate culture assessments, and regulatory compliance.
Wednesday
March 7, 2012
6:30 pm
Clinton Inn
Beth Lippman of the BID will be the guest speaker
Update: Participation in the survey was under 30% of the business-owner members (members who were elected officials and employee representatives of larger businesess choose not to participate) so the Chamber has elected to not submit the detailed response as a position of the Tenafly Chamber. The analysis, survey response and commentary on the DEIS plan submitted can be seen under the tab above.
The Chamber is working on a response to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Light Rail. We are surveying all members to be able to accurately report how the Tenafly NJ Chamber of Commerce views the possible coming of light rail to Tenafly. MUCH more importantly, we are examining in detail plans for dealing with town issues such as traffic and reduced access to businesses during construction should light rail come to Tenafly. We are developing specific alternatives to plans in the DEIS that impact Tenafly businesses.
If you are a Chamber member, please take the survey and submit any suggestions you have for improving light rail’s impact on your business.
If you are not a member and have a specific suggestion, please feel free to let us know in the comments. Better yet – join the Chamber!
The next meeting of the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce will be Wednesday, March 7 at 6:30 pm at The Clinton Inn. The guest speaker will be Beth Lippman, Executive Director of the Tenafly Business Improvement District. Reports from the Promotions, Cross-Support and Membership comittees will also be made.
Please attend the meeting to vote for officers for the 2012 year.
Thank you.
UPDATE: Meeting adjourned to Wednesday February 1 at 6:30. This important meeting will concentrate on settting goals, objectives, committees and officers for the coming year.
