Shauna Burton with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce was the featured speaker at the chamber luncheon last Thursday. There were over 30 attendees who enjoyed the taco bar provided by Shack in the Back, courtesy of Linda Vittotoe, sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics and Inspirations of Mount Washington.
Burton started out talking about her background. She grew up in Fern Creek, lived in Shelby County, and is very familiar with Taylorsville Lake.
During her presentation, Burton focused on the relationship between the Kentucky Chamber and the local chambers. Burton expressed how important it was for her first introduction to the Spencer County chamber came from board member Teresa Winkler. Burton also focused on the importance of local chambers and how they are the best way to network.
One of the things that the Kentucky chamber offers are pro-business seminars, having state and national outreach programs that are available to all chamber members.
Burton said that her role is to build relationships with all 120 Kentucky chamber leaders on a daily basis. She communicates with them, and shows them how they can offer discounts and help their members save money for local small businesses. The chamber also provides much needed resources for the local chambers that need help.
The Kentucky chamber also has a public policy team that does road shows where they discuss the bills that have passed or failed, and how those bills can help the local small businesses.
Another important part of the Kentucky chamber is their professional development. They create industry groups that network to help the peers of the local chambers to share their ideas, to learn from each other.
Burton also stressed the importance of the small and large business owners to talk with their human resources department and to be smart consumers. And always ask questions of your insurance agents. “They are always there to help you,” said Burton.
Three of the main insurance products that the Kentucky chamber offers to the local chambers are the following:
• Anthem ChamberAdvantage is a self-funded insurance plan for small businesses with 2 to 50 employees. When these small businesses join together in a larger pool, they share the overall claims risk, bringing costs down. Enrolling in ChamberAdvantage can result in up to 28% savings on medical costs. A person does not have to be a member of the state chamber to get this discount, but they must be a member of a local chamber. There are 28 local Spencer County chamber members that are currently participating in that program.
• Anthem Enhanced Choice plans support a growing number of people who are not covered by traditional health insurance for various reasons such as their employer may not offer health insurance, they work side jobs or part-time jobs as a means of employment and do not qualify for health insurance with their employers, they are independent contractors, consultants, or gig workers, they are recently unemployed, or they cannot afford a traditional health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act without a health insurance subsidy.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance with ClearPath Mutual. ClearPath has partnered with the Kentucky chamber to offer all of its members, and its participating affiliate chambers, a 10% association discount on their policies. The average savings for workers comp is $2,400 a year.
Along with those insurance programs. There are other discounts that local Chamber members can get through the Kentucky chamber such as staples discounts, free salary researches from salary.com, and through a partnership with Rubicon, there is a discount available on waste and recycling.
MARY KAY COSMETICSLinda Vittotoe, sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics was the next to step up to the podium. Vittotoe gave some history about herself to those in attendance. She is now a sales director, not just a sales consultant, earning her first car, a Chevy Malibu, but did note that it’s not pink yet, but she’s working on it.
Vittotoe then went on to tell some history on Mary Kay and the company. For Mary Kay Ash, after experiencing inequality in the workplace, she knew she had to make a change, not only for herself, but for all women. In 1963, Mary Kay Ash launched her business and changed the idea of “business as usual,” turning the male-dominated workplace on its head in the process. Ash dedicated her life to empowering women, and putting them in control of their own futures.
Why wash with Mary Kay? “You are directly investing in the local community, my family, and the United States. You are partnering with us. We have planted more than 1 million trees around the world. We have ‘Pink Doing Green’ recycling programs, biodegradable and environmentally friendly packaging and products, and zero landfill manufacturing.
Mary Kay is a very giving company. We have donated over $57 million to help end domestic violence and grants for shelters. We have also donated over $27 million for cancer research.
For more information, or to order products, call Vittitoe at 502-639-5620 or email lmyerspc@yahoo.com.
INSPIRATIONS OF MOUNT WASHINGTONJennifer Turner, life instructor with Inspirations of Mount Washington, spoke to the crowd about services offered at their pet-friendly community.
Inspirations offers assisted living, memory care, and short-term/respite stays. Residents have their choice of one- or two-bedroom apartment-style studios. There is restaurant-style dining, a beauty salon/barber shop, a landscaped courtyard, on-site therapy, with housekeeping and maintenance, including linen service.
For more information, call sales director Debbie Winsatt at 502-538-3172 or email swimsatt@inspirationsofmountwashington.com.
SPENCER COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONSara Brown with Spencer County Educational Foundation was the non-profit speaker at the luncheon.
Brown informed attendees of the various donations to the school system that the foundation has given. The foundation is a 501©3 school support organization with the mission to enhance and elevate the student education experience at Spencer County Public Schools.
Some of the grants given are the Pyramid Awards, Technology Awards, Hidden Hope Scholarships, and Pyramid Awards.
Over $80,000 has been raised to help the district fulfill the needs where additional funding support is needed.
In 2020, Jeremy Gardner at SCHS received $10,000 towards the art program. He was able to purchase nine computers and a new printer. This year, the foundation is giving his program another $5,000 to further enhance the classroom.
Gardner said this in reference to this newest donation, “This is awesome! I am at a loss for words. What you all are providing as an outside resource is unreal. I look forward to the meeting in August. I want to help people understand what an awesome resource you all are and the impact that you can have on a classroom. In the meantime, I will work on putting together the most effective use of the money! Thank you again for everything that you and the SCEF do for our community!”
In 2021, $3,000 was given to Jonathan Wilkinson to start a Jr. ROTC program at SCHS. There were originally six students enrolled with that number going up to 30 this year, with 20 additional already signing up for the 22-23 school year. The foundation is awarding the program another $5,000 to help outfit every student with a uniform.
In 2021, $1,200 was given to SCHS teacher Tara Alcorn for guitars and lesson books.
A new donation this year was for the culinary program at SCHS. April Roberts’ class wanted to have the necessary equipment to make pasta in the classroom, and the money awarded by the foundation has made that possible. “Yay! I am so excited! Thank you so much! And computers, too! Thank you for all you do—you and the SCEF Board help to make Spencer County a great place for teachers and students!,” said Roberts.
To donate to Spencer County Educational Foundation, go to https://scefky.org/donate/. For more information, call 502-354-3654, email spencercountyedufoundation@gmail.com, or visit https://scefky.org/.
OCTOBERFESTChase Harrod closed out the luncheon speaking on behalf of Octoberfest. This year, the day-long event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1. There will be live music, festivities, a parade, booths, a kids’ zone, and much more.
Another important aspect of Octoberfest is the 5K race. Every year, all proceeds go to someone in the community that is facing hard times. This year, the recipient is Lisa Maskalick, who is fighting breast cancer. Last year, there were over 300 runners/walkers who participated in the 5K.
Octoberfest president Patsy Lewis expressed her gratitude to the community, “This event would not be possible without the county’s support,” said Lewis.
For more information and updates, check out the Spencer County Octoberfest Facebook page.