December Newsletter
Current Events
12-15-2009
Annual Holiday Event
5:30pm - 7:30pm, Centereach FD
1-19-2010
New Member Orientation
11:30AM at MCPL
1-19-2010
General Meeting
12 Noon at MCPL

The Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce
Annual Holiday Event
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Centereach Fire Department
9 South Washington
Centereach, NY
 Dinner will be catered by
Badolato's Market
Wine and Beer are included
$25.00 per person
Members' guests are welcome

Please R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, December 9
Doreen 631.681.8708 or doreen@middlecountrychamber.com

GREAT MARKETING OPPORTUNITY ON THE CHAMBER WEB SITE

The GMC Chamber of Commerce Web site has 1000's of hits each month. We are now offering an exclusive monthly banner sponsorship at the top of that web site. Only one banner will be displaying for a whole month and it’s only $125.00. Contact the chamber to reserve your month.

MORE COMMUNICATION FOR US

Next month the chamber will begin a quarterly, hard copy newsletter mailed to each member. It will be a multicolor, professional piece that you can read at your leisure, place in your office or reception area, or pass it on to others to read and appreciate.

PASSPORT TO GREATER MIDDLE COUNTRY.

We are excited to announce that the chamber will be publishing our first ever member directory!  It will be a full-color, high quality magazine with an original artwork cover, showcasing the middle country area.  This community and visitors guide will feature a pullout section listing all chamber members and a map of our area.  This will be an excellent opportunity to promote your business, the chamber and our area as 10,000 books will be published and distributed in the greater middle country area and throughout Long Island in early spring 2010.   We encourage you to be part of Passport to Greater Middle Country.  Please consider advertising in our beautiful book when Reeni calls.  

If you have questions or are interested in more details contact Reeni Brill at 473-0340 or by FAX at 514-3382 or George Fleckenstein our chamber Marketing Committee chairman 585-0388 or gfleckenstein@fishwindowcleaning.com.

Our chamber is growing and we’re continuously striving to add value to your chamber membership by providing more marketing opportunities to help your business prosper.  We encourage you to be part of Passport to Greater Middle Country. 

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION MEETING NEXT MONTH

On Tuesday, January 19 at the Centereach branch of the Great Middle Country Public Library at 11:30 a.m. (prior to the general chamber meeting), we will be conducting an orientation to the chamber. All new members or current members seeking more information about the chamber are invited to attend.

HOW ABOUT A BUSINESS BOOK CLUB?

The chamber is planning to launch the GMC Chamber Book Club. Here’s how it will work: participants would suggest business-related books to spotlight, everyone would read the book chosen for that month, at the next meeting the group would discuss the book read and also decide which book to read for the next meeting. The dates and meeting location will be up to the participants. Let us know if this interests you.

MARK YOUR CALENDER

for the Small Business Empowerment Series – February 3, March 3, and April 7, 2010. Our chamber along with the Brookhaven Coalition of Chambers will be presenting these seminars to help make your business more profitable and help us improve customer service. These seminars are affordable ($25.00 each or $60.00 for all three sessions) and professional.

NEXT BREAKFAST MEETING IN FEBRUARY

The first breakfast meeting was a rousing success – we have scheduled another one for Tuesday, February 16. Watch for more details as we confirm the location and program!

ADS IN TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY

The full page GMC Chamber ads in the local Times of Middle Country and in the Three Village Times listed every GMC chamber member and encourage all readers to shop locally. Please provide feedback to us if this exposure has produces results for you.

FINANCIAL FOCUS - FROM EDWARD JONES
Time to Make New Year’s Financial Resolutions

Like many people, you may make some New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you’ve promised yourself that you’ll visit the gym more often or learn a new language or reconnect with a long-lost friend. All of these are worthy goals, of course, and if you achieve them, you may add new dimensions to your life. But if you want to accomplish other major milestones you may have envisioned — a new home, college for your kids, a comfortable retirement and so on — you may need to set some New Year’s financial resolutions.

What type of financial resolutions should you make? Here are a few ideas to consider:
  • Contribute as much as you can afford to your 401(k). Take full advantage of your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. Your contributions are typically tax deductible and your earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis. Every time you get a boost in salary, try to increase the amount going into your 401(k), but at the very least, contribute enough to earn the employer’s match, if one is offered. In 2010, the contribution limit for 401(k) plans is $16,500, or $22,000 if you’re age 50 or over, although both these limits may increase if they are indexed for inflation.
  • “Max out” on your IRA. Even if you have a 401(k), you’re probably still eligible to contribute to an IRA. A traditional IRA grows tax deferred, while a Roth IRA’s earnings are tax free, provided you’ve had your account at least five years and don’t start taking withdrawals until you’re 59-1/2. (Your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA is based on your income.) You can fund your IRA with virtually any type of investment. In 2010, you can put in up to $5,000 to your IRA, or $6,000 if you’re age 50 or older, although, as was the case with your 401(k), these limits may go higher if they’re indexed for inflation.
  • Rebalance your investments as needed. Over time, your goals and risk tolerance can change. That’s why it’s a good idea to review and rebalance your portfolio at least once a year, possibly with the help of a professional financial advisor who is familiar with your situation.
  • Avoid “emotional” investing. Don’t make decisions based on emotional reactions to what’s happening with your investments. For example, just because the price of an investment may have dropped significantly, it doesn’t mean you should rush to sell it. Despite the price drop, it may still have good prospects and it might be an important part of your investment strategy. Consider all factors before making “buy” or “sell” decisions.
  • Keep sufficient cash in your portfolio — During the long bear market of 2008 and early 2009, many investors discovered that they lacked enough cash and “cash equivalent” vehicles in their portfolios. Of course, you need enough cash on hand to meet unexpected expenses without dipping into long-term investments. But beyond that, the presence of cash and short-term, more liquid investments can help reduce the volatility in a portfolio that may sometimes be battered by both the stock and bond markets.
These financial resolutions, like all types of New Year’s resolutions, may not be easy to keep. But if you can stick with them, you may have many happy new years in the future.



For more info, see the chamber website