Owners of small businesses generally go into business because they are passionate about a certain kind of product or service. This is very true for restauranteurs and retailers, as well as for providers of services like landscaping, marketing, website development, printers, and others that work in very specific fields. But often reality sets in and a small business owner is then faced with also being the accountant, HR Director, marketing director, and analyst. But rest assured, the CHQ Chamber can help with some HR needs and essential compliance tools.

In partnership with the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, the CHQ Chamber provides a variety of tools through the Zywave Performance Suite that can help business owners with compliance and risk management, education and training, and people management. These tools can be essential for businesses that have employees, but don’t have the capacity to hire a full-time HR person.

Included in the compliance and risk management toolkit are a professionally curated content library that is frequently updated with new information as laws and regulations change at the federal and state levels, as well as an OSHA log, compliance apps such as a benefit document builder, job description builder, compliance poster builder and more.

The education and training section features a client portal and the Zywave Learning Management System. Through Zywave LMS, all members of the CHQ Chamber and MAST can easily comply with the New York State requirement to fulfill sexual harassment prevention workplace training annually, and track employee completion of the program.

Managing employees becomes easier when members use the employee handbook builder, performance review builder, sample job descriptions and more. There is an HR Hotline available as well for use when specific issues arise in your workplace.

The sexual harassment prevention compliance tool is built into the Chamber’s Main Street I base tier of membership. Additional tools are available at the Main Street II and higher membership levels. The complete Zywave Learning Management System course catalog is available to view through our website at www.chqchamber.org/human-resource-tools.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT THE ATHENAEUM HOTEL

The next CHQ Chamber Business After Hours will be held Wednesday, April 30 at the grand Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution. You can enjoy this beautiful setting along with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar from 5-6:30pm.

All local businesspeople are welcome. CHQ Chamber Business After Hours events are free for two people from each Chamber member organization. The price is just $10 for non-members or anyone above the two-person limit. Registration is appreciated for our planning purposes but is not required. Registering in advance gets you on our “Who’s Who in the Room” list. Registration is open now through our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

Business After Hours at the Athenaeum Hotel is sponsored by the Athenaeum Hotel, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Marina, Kinetic Business, M&T Bank, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, Observer, and The Post-Journal.

PARTICIPATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The first quarter of 2025 has flown by, and here at the CHQ Chamber we have been focused on programs and events that make a difference for local businesspeople. Our calendar for this year is almost full as we finalize dates and venues for a handful of remaining events, including working with some partner organizations on some new ventures.

The first weekend in May we will work with the Small Business Development Center to recognize all local small businesses during National Small Business Week. We are planning a series of walk-abouts in communities all over Chautauqua County featuring some fun ways to thank small businesses and show them they are valued.

Business After Hours networking events are set for the rest of the year now and will be held all over the county including the Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua, kicking off the Jamestown Tarp Skunks season in Jamestown, Cabana Sam’s and Sunset Bay Beach Club in Irving, Liberty Vineyard in Sheridan, Full Strength Coffee in Westfield, and Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood.

The annual Chamber Golf Tournament is set for August at Peek ‘n Peak in Clymer, our Awards Banquet will be held once again at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia in October, and our Annual Meeting this year will be at Wicked Warren’s in Jamestown in December.

Blend all of this with a variety of community events including CHQ Chamber at the Fairgrounds in July, First Fridays in Westfield throughout the summer, Made in Falconer in early October, Small Business Saturday in November, and much more, and it’s a pretty full year. What does all this mean for you as a local businessperson? It means you have lots of occasions to gain some recognition. Showing up makes a difference. By attending CHQ Chamber events you can meet fellow businesspeople to expand your personal and professional network, develop potential partnerships, and learn more about other businesses in Chautauqua County. The opportunities are endless, and while we do need to cover costs for some events many are free for our members to participate. Chamber members can send two people to each Business After Hours for free. That can be any employees, it does not have to be the owner or manager. Chamber Business Builder Workshops are also free and are both a chance to learn some skills and tips and also network with others.

Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and email bulletins about upcoming events at www.chqchamber.org/stay-up-to-date and check our online calendar for all the details on upcoming CHQ Chamber events, and join us when you can!