Editor: Michele Altman
April 2010
2009 – 2010 Officers
President: Wendy Adams
Vice President: Maryanne Fechter
Secretary: Kari Walck
Treasurer: Deborah Seufert
Committees
Membership Chair
Linda Augustino - Rafferty
Newsletter Chair & Historian
Michele Altman
Website Chairperson
Kari Walck
Publicity
Kari Walck
Programs and Professional
Development Chairperson:
Nancy Askins
Corporate Sponsor/Recruitment:
Karen Mock
Strategic Planning Chair:
Amy Christieson
Hospitality Chairperson:
Ruth Gallinger
Co-Chair: Marilyn Morreale
Co-Chair: Cathie Neiswonger
Chinese Auction Chair:
Kathy Kline
June Celebration Co-Chairs:
Kari Walck and
Danielle Bevacqua
Mission: To bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide
opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally
through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition .
Spring is in the air! Do you know what that means?
Our annual Chinese Auction is upon us!
We as a group have worked hard creating baskets, getting donations, and
selling tickets. I would especially like to acknowledge Kathy Kline, our
Chinese Auction Chair. She took over the position as Chair and has been
working diligently to ensure the success of our annual event! Thank you
Kathy and thank you to everyone on the committee! For more information
about the members that have volunteered their time and some history of the event, please read
this month’s “Spotlight” on pages 17-18.
Congratulations to ABWA member, Nancy Askins! She is this year’s scholarship recipient! It’s
well deserved Nancy!
I also want to congratulate ABWA members, Linda Augustino-Rafferty and Georgia
Brannan! They were both honored by The Niagara County Federation of Republican Women at
their annual “Woman of the Year” luncheon last month. You’ll find photos from that event on
page 10.
This month our partner, Niagara Rises, is holding their Kentucky Derby to raise funds for
Equi*Star Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center. If you’re not helping to set up on April 24th for
the Chinese Auction, please consider attending this event! The cost of a ticket is only $20.00!
For more information, please go to page 11.
As always, I look forward to any contribution to our newsletter. We would love to hear what
you’re up to! Please email me at mitchie764@roadrunner.com.
Thank you,
Michele Altman
Newsletter Chair and Historian
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
President’s Message 2-3 Member Spotlight 17-18
Local ABWA News 4-9 National ABWA News 19
News and Happenings 10-16 Work Related 20
April 2010 Edition
Page 2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Members,

Happy Easter! We have some exciting new things going on here at ABWA Niagara
that I would like to share with you. Regarding next month's general meeting at the
Crown Plaza Hotel on April 21st--Georgia Brannan, ABWA member and member of
the Niagara Networking group is going to be leading us for "Speed Networking."
This will take place between 5:30-wrapping up about 6:20pm. All members and
guests, please bring a stack of business cards, a short elevator speech about your
business and what would be a good client referral for you. We are expecting over 50
people from ABWA, Niagara Networking and Niagara Rises so please come
prepared! This is a free event and open to the public.

Registration for our general meeting starting at 6:30pm is still by calling Niagara
University at 286-8181 or registering online at www.niagara.edu/ce . This month's
speaker is Fran Law, "Financial, Accounting and Economic Terminology for Managers". You will get the CEU credits from
Niagara University by attending. $25 for members, $45 non members- if you consider joining in following 2 months we will
credit you back the member rate difference! Everywoman Opportunity Center will be speaking during dinner on some of the
needs as well.

NEED***We are looking for an individual or business that would like to sponsor the networking portion of the meeting. For
$150 this would include a generous hour devour display during the networking, signage and hand outs at the general meeting,
2 months of advertising in our ABWA newsletter (over 250 people) and ad in our Chinese auction program (over 200 people)
for business card size ad as well as 10 minutes of time at the networking event to talk all about their business! We are looking
for one business/individual to come forward as this month's sponsor and deadline for this is April 14th. RSVP to
info@abwaniagara.com for details and consideration.

Next, our programs chair Nancy Askins is working on the fall lineup of speakers. We will be sending out an online survey for
our members to return so we can select next year's programs and your needs. Please be on the lookout in your in box- please
respond it's so important you are all included!! Also, if you would like to recommend anyone please email Nancy to
npacqm@roadrunnner.com

Online Professional Development included with your membership. WIN- Women's Instructional Network. Members you
have until June 1st to complete all your courses through the national website www.abwa.org. The courses change after June
1st for next year. These 5 courses you paid for and are included in your membership. You must go to the national website
and request a login. It takes about a day to get that login sent to you, once it’s sent you can login and enter the online portal.
It's like Facebook for ABWA national members. The courses are under the training tab and it takes about 45 minutes for each
course. Everyone that completes these courses names will go into a drawing at the June party we will pick 5 people to get
their $15 technology fee reimbursed to them. Get with it girls and if you have any questions about it just email me, we can set
up a time for me to walk you through everything personally but you need your login first for me to help you.

Please make a huge push the next couple weeks to reach out to everyone you know for donations for our Chinese Auction.
Each member, please donate 2 baskets and solicit at least two for the auction so we can reach out goals. We will accept
individual gift certificates and items for our big basket making event in April (date to be announced soon). Arrange pick up by
emailing Kari Walck at yankeekari@live.com Please remember to keep selling your tickets and return all funds and tickets by
this weekend (unless you need more time to sell!) to Treasurer, Deb Seufert. Any questions or concerns email her
teddydebi@aol.com .
April 2010 Edition
Page 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (continued)

Consider placing your business card advertisement or coupon in our auction program, please contact member Amy Cristieson
for pricing: achristieson@benefitbrokerswny.com.

Special for new members! Any members that join between now and the auction, will get 2 sheets of basket tickets
FREE!! ($20 value) We are honoring this special at the auction too as an incentive for new members! Remember we also
take credit card for membership payments and tickets at the auction!!! I am looking for someone at the auction to help myself
and Maryanne bring a new member over to pay for memberships and donations at the auction. If you are computer savvy and
fast- please email me as you are going to be in charge of all online transactions at the auction: wastridge@verizon.net.

NEED**I am also looking for a member to create a letter thanking all of the applicants for the SBMEF scholarship, and sending
them out. There are about 20 to be mailed. Please email me ASAP wastridge@verizon.net for this quick easy project.

Last, but certainly not least I wanted to again congratulate this month's outstanding women in our chapter.

1. Ruth Gallinger has celebrated her 45th year as an ABWA member! Our March meeting was held in her honor with
balloons and a cake!
2. Linda Rafferty, 2010 Niagara County Federation of Republican Women- Volunteer of the year! Way to go Linda!
3. Georgia Brannan, 2010 Niagara County Federation of Republican Women- Woman of Distinction. YAE Georgia!!

See you all at our next meeting and auction this month!

Sincerely,

Wendy

Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara

Retreat & Conference Center on the Lower Niagara River

Nancy P. Askins, M.Ed., CMQ.OE

ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence
Executive Director (Master Trainer & Facilitator)
4421 Lower River Road, Stella Niagara, New York 14144
Phone716- 754-7376, Ext. 3, Fax 716-754-1223
naskins@center-of-renewal.org

Enjoy our Interfaith Hospitality: Call today to schedule your

next retreat or meeting with us. Ask about onsite professional
development available for your group focusing on workplace
relationships, attitudes-behaviors-communication, supervisory
& management training. Baldrige-based performance
improvement and more. Customize your group retreat to
achieve your intended goals. www.center-of-renewal.org
April 2010 Edition
Page 4

LOCAL ABWA NEWS

Executive Board meetings are open to the membership and are held the first Wednesday of every month. Please
contact Wendy Adams, President, for information.

Regular chapter meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings include networking, a full dinner, a
speaker on topics of interest to businesswomen, and a brief business meeting. Non-members are always welcome!

Business skills is accepting applications for any member that has taken or would like to take a professional
development course. You will be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of this course (Minimum $100). The course must
be paid for in full, you must attend and make copies of the materials and include the receipt along with your application.
Currently we have $150 left from our total donations. The form is located on our website at: www.abwaniagara.com;
please print out and hand to Wendy Adams, President, at a local meeting or mail to: Wendy Adams, 3825
Knottingwood Drive, Wheatfield, New York 14120.

*Any members interested in attending a 1-hour workshop to learn about WIN, please email me wastridge@verizon.net.

#4: Wednesday, April 21, 2010

“Financial, Accounting, and Economic Terminology for Managers”

Gain a broad yet insightful look at the terminology and concepts essential to
managers in today’s environment. Discussion will include historical fundamental
principles as well as present-day developments that are important and useful tools for
those involved in business.

Presenter: Francis R. Law

Francis Law is a well-seasoned financial officer having experience in developing companies both in the
public and private sector. Presently, he is the Chief Financial Officer of Noobis, Inc. and has previously
served in that capacity with other firms. Law has been instrumental in negotiating and obtaining venture
capital investments and debt offerings, along with significant involvement in merger activities. He has
more than 30 years of experience in financial roles, including development of accounting systems, budget
and forecasting, audit, tax planning and preparation, communications, and investor relations.

Would you like to sponsor a meeting? Look at what $50 a month or $200 for the year will get you!

1. Table at the meetings to sell/display your items.

2. Promote with flyers or small item/chotchi at dinner tables.
3. Get 3x5 ad in the newsletter
4. Name and logo & short description on agenda at meeting.
5. Named as sponsor for our dinner meeting in all local newspapers, radio & TV.
April 2010 Edition
Page 5

LOCAL ABWA NEWS (continued)

March 2010 Meeting

Presenter: Lori E. Miller, MA, MS

“It’s About Time! How to Get it All Done”

Induction of New Members:

Linda Rafferty, Membership Chair; with Cheryl Giglia, Teresa Brockman, Meredith Michalek,
Tracy Amin, Deborah Leavitt, Wendy Adams, President; and Debbie Michaux.
April 2010 Edition
Page 6

LOCAL ABWA NEWS (continued)

Debbie Leavitt of "Swimwear on the Go" showing some of her beautiful swimwear to Marilyn Morreale.
For more information on Debbie’s swimwear, check out her coupon on page 17.

2009-2010
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Congratulations to ABWA
member, Nancy Askins!
Nancy received a $2,000 scholarship check at our
March meeting. She was chosen out of 28 applicants
based on her outstanding grades, terrific
recommendations, and the fact that she has as a lot of
attributes that are true to ABWA's mission!

Nancy is currently completing her PHD; she is an

outstanding speaker and presenter and serves on many
community boards.

She is a role model to women in this area and we are

excited and proud to announce her as our winner!!!

Wendy Adams, President with Nancy Askins.

April 2010 Edition
Page 7

LOCAL ABWA NEWS (continued)

Ruth Gallinger celebrated 45 Years of ABWA Membership!

A standing ovation is definitely appropriate for this

occasion!!!
April 2010 Edition
Page 8

LOCAL ABWA NEWS (continued)

ABWA Winter-Spring 2010 Speaker Series in cooperation with N.U. Continuing Education
January through May 2010

PROGRAM: ABWA Winter-Spring 2010 Professional Development Speaker Series, presented by the American
Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Niagara Charter Chapter in cooperation with Niagara
University Department of Continuing Education
SERIES DESCRIPTION:
 A monthly series of one-hour professional development sessions designed to increase interpersonal
and business skills in an enjoyable learning environment.
 Sessions include organizational change, leadership and management development, organizational
and time management skills, finance, accounting, and economic terminology for managers,
productive creativity, and motivation techniques.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS SERIES:
 Program topics are designed to address the needs of today’s business and professional women and
men to enhance their workplace knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as meaningful networking
with other Western New Yorkers.
 Each session will include adult learning strategies appropriate for each topic as well as handouts for
effective transfer-of-learning to the workplace.
 Niagara University Department of Continuing Education will issue a certificate of completion for
those successfully participating in all five programs in the series.

ABWA MISSION STATEMENT: To bring together business women (and men) of diversified occupations, and provide
opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership,
education, networking, support, and national recognition.
LOCATION: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 300 Third Street, Niagara Falls NY 14303
TIME: 5:30 pm Networking
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dinner and Professional Development Program
Cost: ABWA member rate: ONLY $25 per person, per session
Non-ABWA member rate: $45 per person per session*
*Discount available for participants who join ABWA at www.abwaniagara.com, which also includes five free online
courses.
Register at (716) 286-8181 or online at www.niagara.edu/ce Space is Limited!
Please note: Registration instructions for all member and non- members:
1. Register and pay through: http://apps.niagara.edu/ccforms/ce_registration.php (bring paid receipt to meeting).
2. Call Niagara University 716-286-8181 for registration confirmation.
Please note that all attending must be PRE-PAID and we are only accepting 20 percent walk-ins (because of our total
dinner pre-paid count with the hotel.)
DATES AND PROGRAMS (although every effort will be made to retain all the following programs, the organization
reserves the right to substitute other quality programs in the event of scheduling or emergency situations with any of
the presenters). For further information, contact Nancy P. Askins (754-7376, ext. 3)
April 2010 Edition
Page 9

LOCAL ABWA NEWS (continued)

ABWA Winter-Spring 2010 Speaker Series in cooperation with N.U. Continuing Education
January through May 2010

#4: Wednesday, April 21, 2010

See page 4.

#5: Wednesday, May 19, 2010

“Maximizing Creativity for Motivated Performance”

Are you and your team making the most of your intellect and creativity? How motivated are you and your team to
excel at work? Enjoy this series of interactive exercises demonstrating how a climate of creativity and positive
motivation can enhance personal and organizational performance. Learn techniques to apply on-the-job to improve
results while impacting attitudes in today’s workplace. (This final session in the 2010 Winter-Spring ABWA-N.U.
Speaker Series will also link key highlights of all prior sessions.)

Presenter: Nancy P. Askins, M.Ed., CMQ/OE

Nancy P. Askins is an American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality in Organizational Excellence
with over 30 years of successful multi-industry leadership and consulting experience. She is currently Executive
Director of the Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center at Stella Niagara, NY where she also serves as a
master trainer and certified facilitator helping area organizations excel through a myriad of values-based services:
organizational and leadership development, workplace relationships and teams, Baldrige-based performance
excellence, strategic planning (driven by customized core values-purpose-mission-vision statements), DiSC™ Personal
Style Profile System; conflict resolution; customer relations; attitudes-behaviors-communications; and more. Askins
also authors POSITIVE WORKS! which is a periodic Niagara Gazette Sunday business column. A multi-degree graduate
of the University of Cincinnati, her current doctoral research focuses on the impact of organizational core values on
managerial behavior.

ABWA’s Proud Code of Conduct

1. All members will serve as goodwill ambassadors for the American Business Women’s Association.
2. Members will not allow their personal beliefs and convictions to interfere with the representation of ABWA’s
mission.
3. Members will always treat their member colleagues, guests, vendors and sponsors with honesty, respect,
fairness, integrity, responsibility, kindness, and in good faith.
4. Members will maintain compliance with ABWA National, Chapter and Express Network Bylaws.
5. Members will not use their personal power to advance their personal interests.
6. Members will strive for excellence in their professions by maintaining and enhancing their own business
knowledge and skills, and by encouraging the professional development of other members.
April 2010 Edition
Page 10

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS

The Niagara County

Federation of Republican
Women held its annual “Woman
of the Year” luncheon to honor
women who have made a positive
contribution in our community.

Congratulations to ABWA
members Georgia Brannan
and Linda Augustino-
Rafferty for being honored for
their outstanding contribution to
our community!

The event was held at the Crowne Plaza. ABWA member, Pamela Connolly, Crowne Meetings
Manager, was a great help as was her wonderful staff! Georgia and Linda had support from some of our
ABWA members. Thank you to those who attended to honor them!

Pamela Connolly, Georgia Brannan, Michele Altman, Maryanne Fechter,

Linda Augutino-Rafferty, Marilyn Morreale, and Maryanne Bruno
April 2010 Edition
Page 11

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS (continued)

Kentucky Derby Night in Niagara Falls! WELCOME NEW
th
Don’t forget April 24 is the Kentucky Derby MEMBERS
sponsored by Niagara Rises. This fundraiser will
benefit Equi*Star Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Center. Cheryl Giglia
For more information and to order your ticket,
Teresa Brockman
please email mitchie764@roadrunner.com. The Meredith Michalek
cost is only $20.00 and includes your admission,
full meal from salad through to dessert and virgin Tracy Amin
mint juleps. There will also be a cash bar.
Debbie Michaux
They will be hosting the Derby on April 24, 2010
from 6 until 9 PM at Antonio’s Banquet and Conference Center 7708 Niagara Falls
Blvd, Niagara Falls, NY.

They will have a Best Kentucky Derby Hat Contest, a Silent Auction, A Basket
Auction, a 50/50 Split and Dennis George will be our MC and will also do his Variety
Show.

Niagara Rises is looking for people to sponsor the horses, sponsor the races or April Anniversary
make a donation of a gift basket or gift certificate for use in the auctions If you would
like to purchase tickets or make a donation, please email Michele Altman at Williams, Gail 4/30/08
mitchie764@roadrunner.com Higgins, Barbara 4/30/00
O'Hear, Anita 4/30/08
Walck, Kari 4/30/06
Traver, Linda 4/30/08

Happy Birthday to
ABWA member, Marilyn
Morreale’s granddaughter!

Michaela Nicole Ventresca

is One Year Old!
Thank you to Pam Connolly for agreeing
to assist Michele Altman, Newsletter
Chair, in gathering Educational and Work-
Related information for our newsletter.
Look for it in our next issue!
April 2010 Edition
Page 12

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS (continued)

Good News!
Niagara Rises is starting a newsletter which will go out via electronic and smail mail. Look
for even more contributions to our newsletter in the future! We will work together in
getting information out to our respective members!

Yet another great way to network and share among community organizations!!!

If you’re interested in becoming a member of Niagara Rises but would like to meet
everyone a little more informally first, please consider coming to one of the happy hours;
they are held the first Thursday of the month in various local establishments (a great way to
support our local business community)!

Niagara Rises meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month at the Days Inn at the
Falls. Niagara Rises is always recruiting new members; if you’re interested in coming to a
meeting, please contact Michele Altman at mitchie764@roadrunner.com.

Niagara Rises, Inc. is a grass roots group of local citizens working to improve the vitality and
viability of Niagara Falls. They are committed to raising awareness of the region’s positive
attributes and forming liaisons and partnerships to promote improvements within the realm
of education, housing, and employment.

Partylite Event!

ABWA member, Marilyn Perry hosted a Partylite event, ABWA members, Linda Augustino-Rafferty,
one of many that she hosts throughout the year. Wendy Adams, and Michele Altman came out to
If you would like to host a Partlite event, please email support Marilyn!
Marilyn at: reddmonroe@aol.com.
April 2010 Edition
Page 13

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS (continued)

Congratulations to AWBA member, Teresa Lepiane!!!

ABWA member, Danielle Bevacqua and her cousin Marlayna Jamarco,

have started a “Live Entertainment Booking” company called CrazyBaby
Productions. They book live entertainment for Niagara County and are
promoting local areas musicians. Once a month at Mujunz American Pub they
produce a multi-band show and have local talent perform at Shorty’s Ultimate
Sports Bar & Grill every Friday. You can visit them on Facebook to view
upcoming music events or e-mail crazybabybooking@live.com for more
information.
April 2010 Edition
Page 14

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS (continued)

Everywoman Opportunity Center will be speaking during our dinner this month.
Here’s a sneak preview!

Everywoman Opportunity Center, Inc., incorporated in 1977, is a non-profit corporation committed to helping women in
Greater Western New York achieve economic and personal self-sufficiency. Everywoman provides woman-centered,
employment-related programs designed to assess, counsel, train and support women in the development and
implementation of a Career Life Plan which will enable them to successfully enter, re-enter, or upgrade in the world of
employment.

Our current programs extend services to individuals who have been displaced from their careers as homemakers, individuals
receiving TANF, and families eligible to receive services under the 200% of poverty guidelines who want to achieve personal
and economic self-sufficiency.

The comprehensive services Everywoman Opportunity Center Inc. provides, includes career counseling, career exploration,
career readiness training, resume preparation and job search assistance, employment placement and retention services, and
community referrals. Those who participate in this program are given not only the skills but the confidence needed to
achieve long-term employment and economic independence; an advantage that is critical to their entry or re-entry into the
labor market. This program prepares women with the various skills that are in demand with local employers and it
reinforces those values employers seek in a good employee; accountability, responsibility, and reliability.

All of Everywoman’s programs and services are designed to be holistic and to address all the barriers a woman may face in
seeking economic and personal self-sufficiency. How can you help?

Professional Clothing Contributions

Donations of toiletries and personal care items
Contributions to support our annual celebration
Shop Online at iGive.com/EWOC
Join our purple postcard campaign

For more information, contact our Niagara Falls location at (716) 282-8472 or visit our website at everywoman.org.

Thank you,

Cheryl J. McInerney
Career Counselor
Everywoman Opportunity Center, Inc.
April 2010 Edition
Page 15

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS (continued)

April 2010 Edition
Page 16

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS (continued)

Three Sisters Trading Post Winter Specials
All ABWA members will receive a 15% discount on total
purchases, excluding markdowns.
Come check out our great prices for our Niagara Falls 2010
Calendars- only $4.99 while supplies last.
New merchandise is arriving daily!!!
April 2010 Edition
Page 17

April Spotlight is on

ABWA member, Linda Augustino-Rafferty, started the Chinese

Auction 15 years ago. She started out small, when there were just a few
members, by having fundraiser's and selling candy bars; members would
go into their own wallets to help out. Linda has been an instrumental part
of the development of current format of the Chinese Auction. This year
she is the Chinese Auction Basket Chair. She takes the role seriously; just
ask her husband Tim, who is surrounded by baskets in their home!

The first Chinese Auction in its present format started at the Treadway Inn, the former Clarion and then
most recently the Best Western Inn on the River in LaSalle. It was then moved to the Niagara Club, and has
been at the Niagara Falls Country Club the last few years.

Over the last 14 years, the Chinese Auction has raised about $120,000 with $60,000 of that being put back
into the community! Some of our beneficiaries have been: It Happened to Alexa Foundation, God's
Woman Vanessa Scott Outreach, YWCA's- Carolyn's House, Windham Lawn, Cerebral Palsy of Niagara
County, Fellowship House, Memorial Hospital(helping abused and disadvantaged children in Niagara
County), Rivershore (mentally handicapped adults) of Lewiston, Fellowship House (adults with alcohol
dependency), Madonna House (mother's coming out of jail with their children), and Everywoman
Opportunity.

This year’s Chinese Auction Chair is ABWA member, Kathy Kline.

We appreciate all of her hard work and persistence to ensure yet
another successful Chinese Auction!

Our theme this year is “Coming Together” as we all have done for
many years with other organizations, and especially this year with
Niagara Rises.

Our fashion show is featuring clothing by Ann Taylor and our floral
arrangements are by Flowers by Diane. We are featuring 200 baskets, a
silent auction and a 50/50. Voting took place for our beneficiary at our
January meeting and the winner for this year is the Niagara Arts and
Cultural Center, with the funds going to the children’s summer school
educational program.
April 2010 Edition
Page 18

April Spotlight (continued)

Chinese Auction Committee

Kari Walck is this year’s Publicity Chair. She is doing a fabulous job getting our Press Releases to the local
newspapers. Did you read the article in the Niagara Gazette? Bravo Kari!

Debbie Seufert is in charge of ticket distribution and collecting. She’s doing a great job keeping track of
hundreds of tickets!

Danielle Bevacqua secured donations from her employer, The Niagara Gazette. The Niagara Gazette has
donated all the print and set up for the entrance tickets, the print and layout for our programs, and the printing
of all our donation letters.

We would also like to thank the following for their help with the Chinese Auction:

Ruth Gallinger and Cathy Neiswonger, they are helping Linda with basket creations.

Amy Christieson , who is in charge of Program Advertising.

and

Thank you to all of the ABWA members who have donated their time!

For our monthly “Spotlight” contribution please include a photo, if you have one, along with
your submission to mitchie764@roadrunner.com
April 2010 Edition
Page 19

NATIONAL ABWA NEWS

April 2010 Edition
Page 20

NATIONAL ABWA NEWS

Media Relations Office Washington, D.C. Media Contact: 202.622.4000

www.IRS.gov/newsroom Public Contact: 800.829.1040

Two New Tax Benefits Aid Employers Who Hire and Retain Unemployed Workers
IR-2010-33, March 18, 2010

WASHINGTON — Two new tax benefits are now available to employers hiring workers who were previously
unemployed or only working part time. These provisions are part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment
(HIRE) Act enacted into law today.
Employers who hire unemployed workers this year (after Feb. 3, 2010 and before Jan. 1, 2011) may qualify for a 6.2-
percent payroll tax incentive, in effect exempting them from their share of Social Security taxes on wages paid to these
workers after the date of enactment. This reduced tax withholding will have no effect on the employee’s future Social
Security benefits, and employers would still need to withhold the employee’s 6.2-percent share of Social Security taxes,
as well as income taxes. The employer and employee’s shares of Medicare taxes would also still apply to these wages.

In addition, for each worker retained for at least a year, businesses may claim an additional general business tax credit, up
to $1,000 per worker, when they file their 2011 income tax returns.

“These tax breaks offer a much-needed boost to employers willing to expand their payrolls, and businesses and nonprofits
should keep these benefits in mind as they plan for the year ahead,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.

The two tax benefits are especially helpful to employers who are adding positions to their payrolls. New hires filling
existing positions also qualify but only if the workers they are replacing left voluntarily or for cause. Family members and
other relatives do not qualify.

In addition, the new law requires that the employer get a statement from each eligible new hire certifying that he or she
was unemployed during the 60 days before beginning work or, alternatively, worked fewer than a total of 40 hours for
someone else during the 60-day period. The IRS is currently developing a form employees can use to make the required
statement.

Businesses, agricultural employers, tax-exempt organizations and public colleges and universities all qualify to claim the
payroll tax benefit for eligible newly-hired employees. Household employers cannot claim this new tax benefit.

Employers claim the payroll tax benefit on the federal employment tax return they file, usually quarterly, with the IRS.
Eligible employers will be able to claim the new tax incentive on their revised employment tax form for the second
quarter of 2010. Revised forms and further details on these two new tax provisions will be posted on IRS.gov during the
next few weeks.

Submitted by Sue Armenia