Touchstone Theatre - Corporate Creativity, Non-Profits, and Moving Toward the Future

Thoreau said that we are all artists--that, "we are all sculptors and painters, and our material is our own flesh and blood and bones.” Well, Henry David was a very smart guy, but there seems to be this great confusion, misunderstanding, that art is for …what?  …entertainment?  Has nothing to do with business?  They tell me if you look up the word “art” in the dictionary, and you go to its earliest roots, it basically means “making things”.  That makes sense to me.  We’re all in the business of “making things” in one way or another, so at the root of it, we must all be artists.

My name’s Bill George.  I’m a Founder and Ensemble Member at Touchstone Theatre over here on the South Side of Bethlehem, and for us folks in the art business, things are changing.  Fast.  And for us, creativity, which is at the heart of the process of making, is the most important tool in our tool box to deal with this constantly changing social, technological and economic landscape.  Even we so-called “artists” are lagging behind in understanding how to make work that can effectively express this ever more rapidly emerging reality--one that is at once increasingly diverse, often dangerously contentious, yet more and more inter-connected.

The Chamber has begun a major not-for-profit initiative here in the Valley, and as we move forward, there’s a lot we profit/non-profit folks can learn from each other to deal with this change.  If we can successfully move from competing in isolation towards working together, collaborating, supporting each other, we’ll all benefit in unexpected and extraordinary ways.  That’s a very safe bet in my book.

But there's (at least) one more thing. This creativity, working together thing, this art thing, isn't just a question of learning new skills or efficiencies to allow us to better survive.  I think we all, to one degree or another, recognize it as a sort of “maturation of consciousness” that is part of our human evolution.   It’s big, it’s important, and the promise of the future, if we can just hold on to it, is bright, beyond our wildest dreams—even mine.

In our own small way, to further this “evolution”, Touchstone is holding,  September 24th from 8 to 9:30 am, a Corporate Creativity Event called Four Secrets to Effective Collaboration.  We’ll be playing with Tina Fey’s “Rules for improv…and the workplace” -- Respect. Create. Contribute. Adapt. –with plenty of room for discussion and sharing among visiting business representatives. You’re sincerely invited.  It’s hosted by Chad Paul, President and CEO of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and David Shaffer, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Just Born, Inc.  There’s free food and goodie bags for all. Please join us.

To Register, click on the following link immediately below:  

https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=5916878c4843763fdf899a2aed119228

http://www.touchstone.org

bill@touchstone.org

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Important Consumer Alert from Office of Senator Mensch

Important Consumer Alert from Office of Senator Mensch

The Pennsylvania Department of State has been made aware of solicitations that are being mailed to Pennsylvania businesses from two companies: Pennsylvania Corporate Compliance Company and Corporate Records Service. These solicitations are titled "Annual Meeting Disclosure Statement" and "2013 - Annual Minutes Form ." These mailings urge business corporations and limited liability companies to file information and send payment in the amount of $125.00 by a certain date in order to maintain proper records.

These solicitations include a citation to the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law regarding corporate records. At first glance, these solicitations may look official; however, none of the information being requested is required to be filed with the Department of State or the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania corporations and limited liability companies are not required to file corporate minutes with the Department of State or with a private company such as Pennsylvania Corporate Compliance Company or Corporate Records Service . The Department is alerting all Pennsylvania business entities of this deceptive solicitation to prevent Pennsylvania businesses from completing the form and sending payment to a mailing center post office box address by the deadline on the form.

Despite the suggestive language on the mailing, the "Annual Meeting Disclosure Statement" and the "2013 - Annual Minutes Form" are not required to be completed. These formal-looking letters did not originate from any governmental office, nor are the Pennsylvania Corporate Compliance Company and Corporate Records Service affiliated or associated with Pennsylvania state government in any way. Similar scams have been reported in other states. This "Annual Meeting Disclosure Statement" and "2013 - Annual Minutes Form" documents should be disregarded by all companies which receive them.

Additionally, please keep in mind that any official notices sent to businesses by the Pennsylvania Department of State or the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office will contain the letterhead and/or contact information for the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. Please contact the Bureau at (717) 787-1057 or ra-corps@pa.gov should you have any questions or concerns regarding these solicitations.
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Exclusive Corporate and Personal Benefits with Chamber Membership

Exclusive Corporate and Personal Benefits

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce offers many valuable exclusive benefits to its members. As the largest Chamber in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with more than 200,000 employee members, The Chamber is able to negotiate cost-saving programs for services and products that are commonly used by businesses across the Valley.

The Chamber offers several exclusive benefit programs and will continue to add programs that are of a common interest to its membership. (Visit the Chamber’s website at www.LehighValleyChamber.org for the most current list of benefits.) In addition to the exclusive benefit programs, there are also several member-to-member discount programs, which all members are encouraged to offer.

For more information about the programs outlined below, or to present a program that could be considered as an exclusive benefit for Chamber members, please contact Gina Martens at 610-739-1511 or email ginam@lehighvalleychamber.org.

Health Insurance:

Capital BlueCross

The Chamber is the only one in Pennsylvania with a direct plan with Capital BlueCross. For more information about the five different health plans, contact any Capital BlueCross licensed broker or The Chamber’s consultants at Caruso Benefits Group, 610-865-0261. The Chamber also offers life, dental and vision plans. This program is only available to businesses in Northamptonand Lehigh Counties.

Voluntary Insurance:

Capital BlueCross

Several voluntary benefits are offered through this program, including PersonalBlue PPO (for individuals), short-term major medical, group term life, accidental death & dismemberment, long-term disability, Accident-Cancer-Critical Care Elite and long-term care insurance. Call 1-800-451-1181 for more information.

Aflac

Aflac’s nationwide service and reputation make it natural to offer to our members. Aflac policies are designed to pay cash benefits to employees to help cover expenses associated with serious illness or injury. Because Aflac products are employee owned, group rates apply and premiums are deducted on a “pre-tax” basis. These policies pay in addition to any other insurance policies your employees currently have. Plans include Personal Accident, Sickness & Catastrophic, and Specific Health & Cancer cash benefits. For more information, contact Bob or Maureen Friedman at 610-398-3727, bobfried@ptd.net or maureens@ptd.net.

Business Insurance:

Penn National Insurance

This program offers business insurance to qualified, participating member businesses at competitive prices with specialized coverage, claims and loss control services, plus the potential to earn dividends based on group loss experience. For more information, contact Program Administrators: John Yurconic Agency at 610-770-6600.

Prescription Discount Program:

The Valley Rx Card

The Chamber is proud to offer a FREE Prescription Assistance Program - The Valley Rx Card - as a way of responding to the rising costs of prescription drugs. The Valley Rx Card is FREE to all residents of the Greater Lehigh Valley area and provides savings of up to 75% on prescription drugs at most retail pharmacies.  This program has no restrictions to membership, no income requirements, no age limitations, and there are no applications to fill out. Just go to www.LehighValleyChamber.org and click on the Valley Rx Card icon to print out your new card and start saving today!

Intelligent Energy Solutions:

Constellation

The Chamber’s Electricity Procurement Program provides access to competitive pricing for electricity as the Central Pennsylvania region lifted rate caps/deregulated.  Constellation helps members like you develop intelligent energy management solutions to stabilize their energy budgets, reduce energy costs, improve facility operations, and advance sustainability goals. Learn more at www.constellation.com/lehigh.

Natural Gas Savings:

Shipley Energy

This program provides members with savings on mounting natural gas costs. The program provides a discount on Shipley’s already competitive natural gas prices exclusively for Chamber member businesses. Members save on natural gas costs, as well as secure a locked-in rate for ease of budgeting and planning. For more information contact Joe Facchiano at610-442-9076

or jfacchiano@shipleyenergy.com. This program is only offered in Pennsylvania.

Merchant/Credit Card Processing Program:

Embassy Bank

This program offers businesses a true flat rate credit card processing program tailored to the individual merchant based on monthly sales activity. No more trying to decipher multiple rates and unknown fees! For more information, contact Bryan Lobach at blobach@embassybank.com or 484-821-1205.

Print-to-Digital Publishing:

P2iWebBook

The Chamber has a program that helps maximize your printed marketing investment by transforming printed materials into a fully-functional digital publication, enhanced with a host of interactive features. Convert PDF files into hosted, interactive, web-based publications; create online versions of books, brochures and documents. This is also great for the small business owner that doesn’t have the time our resources to host a website. For more information, contact Tom Butera at 610-332-2884 or email thomasb@p2ionline.com.

Office Supplies & Furniture:

Jiorle’s Office Supplies

This program offers an average of 50-60% savings off manufacturer’s list price on more than 26,000 office supply items and an average of 30- 40% savings on furniture, janitorial supplies and technology products. These items are available for free next-day delivery. Individual price plans are developed for each customer based upon their unique needs. Orders may be placed online at www.jiorles.com, by phone at 908-454-3433 or via fax at 908-454-1748.

Recycling & Remanufactured Toner Cartridges: 

Recycle Rewards

This program enables businesses to dispose of and recycle toner cartridges and cell phones. Participating members receive free collection boxes, complete with pre-paid UPS return labels. This program does not accept previously recycled toner cartridges, only new cartridges. For more information, contact Gina Martens at 610-739-1511 or ginam@lehighvalleychamber.org. 

Office Space:

The Office Quarters – Allentown

Chamber members receive discounts on office suites and virtual office suites at The Office Quarters. The Office Quarters offers special packages for Chamber members that provide a range of spaces – both physical and virtual – as well as business services like telephone, internet, receptionist, copying, faxing, etc. For more information, contact Brenda Ptacin/The Office Quarters, Allentown, at 484-224-3000, brenda@theofficequarters.com, www.theofficequarters.com. Also, call The Chamber if you’re looking for lease space in other Lehigh Valley areas, as we work with Ashley Development Corporation/Bethlehem and Unistar Advisors/Easton.

Email Marketing Template Service:

Constant Contact

Chamber Constant Contact offers e-mail templates as well as survey templates for every occasion to improve customer service and gather customer feedback. Plus, users get a lot of back-end functionality with reporting functions, so you can track who is reading your e-mails and what links they click on, etc. Chamber members get a 20% discount for 6-month contracts and 25% discount for 12-months. There are also discounts for non-profit organizations. To get started, visit chamberprogram@constantcontact.com.

Member to Member Discount Benefits

Make Your Best Offer to other Chamber Members with Our FREE Member-to-Member Discounts and Coupon Program – Log in to The Chamber’s Members Only section of www.LehighValleyChamber.org and go to our Coupon section under Membership Information. Fill out the online coupon form, putting in your discounts, specials, expiration dates, etc. The discount appears with your online profile and has a dedicated page on the website and on a homepage link. This information is also linked to The Chamber’s weekly email blast/eConnections to all members. A real-time full listing of member discounts is also posted on The Chamber’s website at www.LehighValleyChamber.org/Coupons. (Offer at least a 20% discount, an exclusive package or special offer, etc.)

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