EVENT DETAILS

Healthy Indiana Plan
The Chamber has clearly heard that having access to health insurance and quality medical care is of great importance to our members, and a new program offer by the State of Indiana may be a solution for some of your employees or their families.

The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), developed by Governor Mitch Daniels, is a new insurance option for uninsured Hoosiers, which provides:

• A $1,100 Personal Wellness Responsibility (POWER) account
• A commercial benefit plan to cover expenses that exceed the POWER account
• Preventive health services
  

To be eligible for HIP, the person must be between the ages of 18 and 64, annual household income must be 200 percent or below of the Federal Poverty Level, the individual must not be eligible for health insurance through his/her employer, and the person must be uninsured for at least six months. Please reference www.hip.in.gov to download an application or for in-depth information about this plan. The State has begun to accept applications and it is important to act quickly as HIP enrollment will be capped once the maximum number of members has been accepted statewide.

For additional information, please see the Bloomington Hospital's website. Questions about HIP can also be directed to Bloomington Hospital staff by calling (812) 353-5300.

New Education and Networking Programs Offered by Your Chamber
The Chamber is excited to announce an expansion of educational and networking opportunities for Chamber members and others throughout the community in 2008. Members asked for more opportunities to learn and network with each other and we are responding with these new opportunities designed for small business (25 and fewer employees) to provide you tools to reach your goals for success.

Better Business U (formerly Chamber U) is an educational series offered in partnership with the Bloomington SCORE and the City of Bloomington to provide business information on topics of interest to small business owners, manager and leaders. These programs are primarily educationally-focused with an added networking component and a total time of two hours. This series is open to the public and the cost is discounted for Chamber members and SCORE clients.

Business Blitz is a new program series with a special focus in 2008 on 'Breaking Advertising Myths'. Presented in a series of four, one hour programs, each divided equally between informational and networking components, this series has been designed exclusively for Chamber members and will carry only a nominal cost for pre-registration.

A third new venture is InterAct - a new networking opportunity that will provide members in one industry group with access to members of another industry group for more targeted and meaningful networking possibilities. A small informational component will be included with each event. This series has been designed for those who have requested networking opportunities that are smaller and more specific to particular business needs.

For additional details about any of these opportunities, contact Pegi Flahault at the Chamber by calling (812) 336-6381.

2008 Governor's Luncheon
The 2008 Governor's Luncheon was held on Wed., Feb. 6 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the County Convention Center. Registration and buffet lines will open at 11:00 a.m. This was a tremendous opportunity for the community to hear first-hand from Governor Daniels as he addresses our Chamber membership.

Small Business Day at the Statehouse
Chamber members from throughout our community and around the state joined together for a visit to the Indiana Statehouse on Jan. 22. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce hosted Small Business Day at the Statehouse, an opportunity for Indiana business leaders to meet with their state legislators to discuss policy and its impact on business. The Greater Bloomington Chamber mobilizedmembers to join their efforts and participate in this great opportunity.

The event included a Legislative Briefing and Overview, discussion of small business resources, and information regarding the best way to effectively communicate with legislators, and the Small Business Champions Luncheon. The Keynote Speaker for the luncheon was Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and the event will include a presentation of Small Business Champion Awards and the Small Business of the Year Award.

For more info, please call (812) 336-6381.

Chamber Annual Meeting and Community Awards Celebration
On Wed., Sept. 26, the Chamber held its Annual Meeting and Community Awards celebration, with over 750 people in attendance. At the event, 19 individuals, business and organizations were honored for their outstanding contributions to our community. Please help us celebrate our 2007 Award Winners:

Lifetime Achievement Award|
Ilknur Ralston
(Accepted in her memory by her husband, Robert Ralston)

Small Business of the Year Award
Curry Buick-Cadillac-Pontiac-GMC Truck, Inc.

Friend of the Chamber Awards (3)
Jeremiah Young, Nature's Way Inc.
Greg Davenport, The Herald-Times
Mike Carmin, Andrews Harrell Mann Carmin & Parker PC

Community Enhancement Awards (3)
BCT Management, Inc./ Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Bloom Magazine
IU - Jacobs School of Music

Healthy Business Award
City of Bloomington

Environmental Award
The Ashkin Group LLC

Workforce Development Award
Monroe County Public Library

Lloyd Olcott Community Service Award
Bloomington Board of REALTORS

Nancy Howard Diversity Award
WFHB Bloomington Community Radio

Diane Breeden Lee Award
Bud and Peg Howard, Jill's House Inc.

Leadership Awards (3)
Vanessa McClary, Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana (Community)
Jim Shelton, Technology Service Corp. (Business)
Iris Kiesling, Monroe County Commissioner (Government)

Chamber's Franklin Initiative Volunteer Awards (2)
Monroe County Humane Association
IU Credit Union

For more information about these award winners and their accomplishments, please contact the Chamber at 336-6381.