PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Betty ChaconPresidentWells Fargo Bank

Happy Holidays from the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

This is a busy time of year for all of you. With parties, presents, and resolutions, you may not be thinking too much about the Norwalk Chamber but your Norwalk Chamber is think-ing about you.

We are hard at work this year, providing our members with many op-

portunities for growing your business and creating a successful business environment in the Norwalk Commu-nity. Our goals are many, but one of the most important is to create events that give face to face networking a priority.

This is why you will see more Mixers, Workshops and Networking events than ever. Every chance to get meet with other members and poten-tial members is a chance to grow your business.

This year was the 1st Annual “Small Business Saturday.” A nation-wide promotion to encourage con-sumers to spend time on the Saturday after Thanksgiving shopping at the small businesses in their communities.

Posters were placed around town in many small businesses and Ameri-can Express even gave their card-holders a reward for using their card on that Saturday. We hope you took part in this first time ever promotion! And if you didn’t hear about it in time this year, then plan now for next

Do you Facebook, Twitter or are you LinkedIn? This was the topic for the Norwalk Chambers morn-ing workshop held at the Nor-walk Arts and Sports Complex on November 18th.

Ryan, of the Long Beach Small Business Development Center was the trainer for this workshop.

Participants had a wide range of experience with social media, but Ryan was able to provide something for everyone that attended.

One item in particular that Ryan focused on was websites. He pointed

out that one main purpose for getting involved in social media was to direct

potential custom-ers to your web-site.

With that it mind, it is ex-tremely important to have an interac-tive website that is user friendly and accomplishes your purpose, which is to sell your prod-uct or service!

Ryan also shared that the Small Business Devel-opment Center offers some free ses-sions with counselors for social media and websites.

If you are interested in finding out more about their services, contact them at 562-938-5100.

go to: www.yourcitycoupons.net

Chamber of CommerceServing and Supporting the Business Community Since 1923

December 2010 • Vol 1, No. 2 • www.norwalkchamber.com • info@norwalkchamber.orgDecember 2010 • Vol 1, No. 2 • www.norwalkchamber.com • info@norwalkchamber.org

Salon de Leon, located at 12074 Rosecrans Avenue, was the location for the November Evening Mixer.

Owners Olga & Jorge Leon were on hand to host the Chamber members and guests in attendance.

Salon de Leon is a beautiful facil-ity, offering many types of services - from hair cuts, to facials - they offer anything you may need to attain the look you want.

Members mingled and networked as the evening progressed. On hand to present a “Thank you” certificate was Chamber President, Betty Chacon of Wells Fargo Bank.

Also in attendance were Board Members, Teri Bazen, Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing, Toni Grijalva, Cer-ritos College, Joe Derthick, AFLAC, Maria Gonzales, Norwalk Union 76 Service Center and Karla Butler, Thompson Bookkeeping.

Chamber Ambassadors Carol Tru-jillo, Camino Federal Credit Union and Susan Arthur, Tastefully Simple also joined in the festivities.

Our Hostess, Olga Leon shared with the attendees the history of the Salon and also provided tours of the facilities.

The evening ended with raffle priz-es and a big thank you to all who at-tended.

Salon De Leon hosts November evening mixer

year. 85% of the jobs in America are in small businesses and $63.00 out of every $100.00 spent in small business goes right back into your community! What a great way to support local business while getting some necessary shopping done.

Also remember that the Norwalk Chamber is a resource for you. One of the benefits of your Chamber Membership is our Business Counsel-ing sessions. If you have questions about how to take your business to the next level, about marketing, financ-ing, or social media, we can provide answers through the Long Beach Small Business Development Center. Their counselors are in the Nor-walk Chamber office twice a month for appointments with our business community. Check out the Norwalk Chamber website or contact the office for additional information about this and other member benefits.

We look forward to a great ending to the 2010 year, and an even better start for 2011!

President Betty Chacon, Wells Fargo Bank, with Mayor Gordon Stefenhagen, presenting “Thank You” certificate to Olga and Jorge Leon, Owners of Salon de Leon

Social Media Workshop a success

Betty Chacon

2 NORWALK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • DECEMBER 2010 TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211

35 YearsCR & R Inc.

34 YearsWells Fargo BankCoast Plaza Hospital

24 YearsLittle Lake Unified School District

23 YearsSELACO Workforce Investment Board

17 YearsNationwide Environmental

14 YearsPayless FoodsCostco Wholesale

9 YearsCommunity Legal Services

1 YearAltaMed

Savings Quality Environment

One per customer. Not valid with otheroffers.Expires 9/30/2010. Code CCN

Cerritos13245 South StCerritos, CA 90703www.cartridgeworldusa.com562-402-1035

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WHY PAY MORETO PRINT?

Norwalk Chamber Of Commerce

12040 Foster Road, Norwalk, CA., 90650Phone: 562.864.7785 FAX: 562.864.8539

info@norwalkchamber.com

Executive CommitteePRESIDENT

Betty ChaconWells Fargo Bank

VP FINANCEJesse Urquidi

Norwalk Lions ClubPRESIDENT ELECT

Joseph DerthickAFLAC

VP COMMUNICATIONS/SECRETARYKarla Butler

Thompson & AssociatesIMMEDIATE PAST

PRESIDENT Teri Bazen

Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing

Board of DirectorsReggie BerryGoals For Life

Coast Plaza HospitalRob Cazares

Outback RestaurantRita DeBenedictis

Café n’ StuffLynda Fisher

WalMartMaria GonzalezNorwalk Unocal 76

Toni GrijalvaCerritos College

Jennifer KocaogluCostco Wholesale - Norwalk

Richard LeGaspiTNT FireworksGary Murphy

Norwalk Florist/Flowers by AlanTracy Polley

Kelco SalesLesley Watkins

Community Family Guidance Center

AMBASSADOR CHAIRJoseph Derthick

AFLACEVENTS CHAIRLynda Fisher

Wal-MartToni GrijalvaCerritos College

CHAMBER DEVELOPMENT CHAIR

Teri BazenNorwalk La Mirada Plumbing

LEGISLATIVE CHAIRJulia Emerson

So. Cal. Gas CompanyCheri Kelley

City Council Liaison

Chamber StaffExecutive DirectorVivian Hansen

Membership Services DirectorCaren Spilsbury

NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS NEWSt. Linus Catholic ChurchMaureen LinneburAnna BetancourtFather Tony13915 Shoemaker AvenueNorwalk CA 90650562-921-6649Email maureen@stlinus.org

RENEWINGThe following companies and indi-viduals renewed their membership with the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and the services we provide are made possible by of their support.

"Support the Businesses that Support Economic

Growth in Norwalk” THANK YOU!The following companies and individuals renewed their membership with the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and the services we provide are made possible by of their support.

Norwalk, California–To honor fam-ily caregivers, Americare West Home Health Services announces the launch of its caregiver support website to help adult daughters and sons of the seri-ously ill provide care for their aging parents.

“Caring for a relative with a serious illness can be one of the most stressful times in a family’s journey together,”

Past President, Teri Bazen, Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing presenting re-newal plaque to Anita Hutchinson of Little Lake Unified School District. In the background is a photo of the origi-nal school building.

Miguel Gonzales, Branch Manager of Union Bank of California receives their renewal plaque from Past Presi-dent Teri Bazen, Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing.

Team COSTCO with Board Member Jennifer Kocaoglu receiving their membership renewal plaque.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

says Abygail Hieng, RN, PHN, Clini-cal Supervisor of Americare West Home Health Services. “But it can also be one of the most intimate and mean-ingful experiences. We created this website to provide insight and practical information that can make the fam-ily's job much easier.”

Drawing upon the 24/7 accessibility of the Internet, Ameri-care West Home Health Services created the “Elder Pages Southeast Los Angeles” website with 20 articles addressing medical concerns, emotional–spiritual issues, and important legal and financial de-cisions. It also includes an online di-rectory listing both local and national services—from those that help with the costs of medicines, to insurance counseling, support groups, transpor-tation services, and in-home health care. The website even offers a free e-newsletter with monthly articles filled with tips and resources to make family caregiving easier.

Although Americare West Home Health Services specifically designed its educational website to be helpful to

family caregivers, it also expects that the site will gain popularity with local physician offices and other profession-als that come in contact with families

of the seriously ill. Office staff can look up services on the website and print the appropriate pages to give to their patients and clients. In addition, there are resource pages with informa-tion regarding recent research findings and links to national websites offering continuing education materials.

To view the new family support website, go to www.elderpages.com/southeastLA. For more information about the website, or if you have con-cerns about a family member who is seriously ill, email Americare West Home Health Services at info@ameri-carewest.com or call (800) 823-8055.

Americare West Home Health Services launcheswebsite to support family caregivers

NORWALK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • DECEMBER 2010 3TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211

Q: I have an employee who post-ed some very negative com-ments about our company on

his Facebook page. Can I take action against this employee based on the Fa-cebook comments?

The rapid growth of the social media, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Plaxo, and many more, have raised a lot of issues for employers, including the proper response to the question posed above.

Labor Code Section 96(k) protects an employee engaging in “lawful” conduct occurring during nonworking hours away from the employer’s prem-ises.” In addition, all employees have the right to freedom of speech as guar-anteed in both the U.S and California constitutions.Defamatory Comments

That right, however, is not without limits. It is not permissible to post de-famatory comments on social media, and employers can pursue legal rem-edies when blatantly defamatory com-ments are posted for everyone to read.

Another example of when an em-ployer can take action is when employ-ees brag about misconduct on their Facebook page, such as calling in sick when they want to go skiing, reveal-ing confidential information about the company, or even posting about spit-ting in food by a restaurant worker (yes, this was a question the Helpline received!).

The more difficult issue is when an employee posts his/her opinion, which might not be pleasant, but isn’t specifically actionable. An employee can cause awkward, even possible ha-rassing situations by misuse of social media.

Additional difficult situations result when former employees ask their for-mer bosses to provide references, often on LinkedIn. Supervisors who do so should be aware that such a reference has the force and effect of a written recommendation, and therefore should proceed with caution.Suggested Guidelines

To help prevent difficult situations, it is advisable for employers to issue guidelines to their employees. Some recommendations include:

•Prohibit the use of their blogs and posts during business hours.

•Give notice that misuse of social media may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termina-tion.

•Ask that employees bring any complaints to the company’s human resources contact versus posting on the Internet.

•Prohibit employees from revealing the employer’s confidential informa-tion or trade secrets on social media.

This list is by no means all inclu-sive, and it is recommended that em-ployers consult their attorneys to draft appropriate language.

Employers cannot ignore social media use, however. They must un-derstand all the issues involved, and then draft policies and procedures to address those concerns accordingly.

The Labor Law Helpline is a service to California Chamber of Commerce preferred and executive members. For expert explanations of labor laws and Cal/OSHA regulations, not legal coun-sel for specific situations, call (800) 348-2262 or submit your question at www.hrcalifornia.com.

BUSINESS AND LABOR LAW CORNER

“BREAKFAST BEFORE BUSINESS”

NETWORKING EVENT

Norwalk Arts & Sports

Complex 13200 Clarkdale Avenue

Norwalk

Event Date

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

8:00 a.m. — 9:30 a.m.

Members $10 ~ Prospective Members $15 ~ Price Includes Breakfast RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED BY TUESDAY, January 25th

We Are Dedicated to Networking, Are You?

At Every “Breakfast Before Business” You Can Experience:

�Face To Face Business Contacts �Network With Local

Business Leaders

�Enter for a Chance to Win Raffle and Door Prizes

�Expand your Business Contacts!

We recommend registering online anytime by visiting our website at

www.norwalkchamber.com OR info@norwalkchamber.com

Norwalk Chamber of Commerce

12040 FOSTER ROAD NORWALK, CA 90650 (562) 864-7785 | FAX (562) 864-8539

Has Market Uncertainty

Got You Down? Do you

need more customers?

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR

FUTURE - MAKE THE MOST OF

THE NORWALK BUSINESS EXPO

* Display your products

* Workshops

* Employment Opportunities

* introduce yourself to

other business owners

SAVE THE DATE ANNOUNCING THE

NORWALK CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE

BUSINESS EXPO

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 4:00 TO 7:00 PM

NORWALK DOUBLETREE HOTEL

13111 SYCAMORE DR.

FOR DETAILS CALL 562/ 864-7785

BE AN EXHIBITOR

Once again the Norwalk Chamber Board of Directors has stepped up to help with the Angel Tree Tag Program. This is a City of Norwalk event that matches you with a child that has been selected to receive a gift of new clothing.

The Norwalk Chamber has been an “Official Site” for the Angel Tree Tag program for many years, and our Board of Directors steps up every year to participate in the program.

This year, more than 1,500 children in Norwalk will benefit from this program. The Norwalk Chamber is proud to have been able to participate. If you would like to become involved in the Angel Tree Tag event, contact the City of Norwalk Social Services Department.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Norwalk Chamber Angel Tree Tag gifts.

Angel Tree Tag Program

Legal Aid Society of Orange Coun-ty (LASOC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1958 by a group of local attorneys. LA-SOC's mission is to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals and

to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal coun-seling, innovative self-help services, in-depth legal representation, eco-nomic development and community education. LASOC's client community consists of individuals whose incomes fall at or below 125% to 200% of the federal poverty threshold and any in-

dividual over the age of 60. During a competitive bid process, in 1984, LA-SOC received funds which enabled it to add southeast Los Angeles County, where it is known as Community Le-gal Services (CLS), to its service area.

LASOC's programs and services are aimed at stabi-lizing families and provid-ing solutions that to help low-income individuals become independent. By becoming a partner, a vol-unteer or by otherwise sup-porting LASOC, you will:

Protect spouses and children from domestic vio-lence; Safeguard the elderly against fraud and abuse; Help families, children and elderly obtain health insur-ance and other benefits; Assist homeless individu-als with legal issues to help them become self-suffi-cient; Provide individuals with help in filing taxes and obtaining tax benefits

to which they are entitled; and Encour-age economic development through its Earned Income Tax Credit/I-CAN!TM E-File Program.

Anthony Filer is the Director of the Community Legal Services in Nor-walk, and can be reached at 562-864-9935 or emailed at afiler@legal-aid.com.

Community Legal Services of Norwalk

Anthony Filer of Community Legal Services of Nor-walk with his Staff.

4 NORWALK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • DECEMBER 2010 TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211

Call the member services department of your health plan now, and make the move to Bright Health Physicians.

Open enrollment season is here — and it’s important to remember that the medical group you choose now also links you to a hospital. Bright Health Physicians is the only medical group exclusively a�liated with Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH). If you want assured access to the area’s preferred hospital, switch to Bright Health Physicians.

Making the switch is as easy as 1, 2, 3:1. Choose a health plan.2. Choose Bright Health Physicians as

your medical group.3. Choose any Bright Health Physicians

primary care doctor, and you’ll have access to PIH should you require hospitalization.

The doctors of Bright Health Physicians are trusted experts who take the time to get to know you and your family, and provide you with the personalized, high-quality care you deserve. We have over 150 primary care physicians and more than 180 specialists available to you. Chances are, you can switch to Bright Health Physicians and keep your current doctor. And we’re convenient — providing same-day access for primary care in most of our o�ces and an urgent care center to accommodate evening, weekend, and holiday needs.

A Handy Reminder

Call the Bright Health Physicians Information and Referral Service at

1.877.285.DOCS (3627)for more information or to find your own Bright Health Physicians doctor.

www.brighthealth.com

Convenient Locations in: Whittier | Santa Fe Springs | La Mirada | La Habra | Norwalk | Hacienda Heights