Newsletter-July 2016 - Skagway Chamber of Commerce

SKAGWAY
CHAMBER NEWS
JULY 2016
Skagway Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 194, Skagway, AK 99840 Tel: 907.983.1898 Fax: 907.983.2031
chamber@aptalaska.net www.skagwaychamber.org
THANK YOU TO OUR NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS!
STANDARD * Alaska Fjordlines *Jewell Gardens *Mile Zero B&B* * Kirmses * Klondike Gold Dredge * Skagway Emblem Club #111
 Skagway Traditional Council * Skagway Convention & Visitor’s Bureau * Sockeye Cycle *
 * Chilkoot Charters & Tours
INDIVIDUAL * Steve Reeder * Rita Prothero *
2ND BUSINESS * The Train Shoppe * Alaska Excursions *
The Skagway Chamber of Commerce invites you to become a part of an exciting and rewarding organization.
Visit our Web site for more information www.skagwaychamber.org/joinus.html
Retail Tip of the Week
Recently while I was waiting to sign in at the receptionist desk at my doctor’s office, I noticed this hand written message on the
employee’s bulletin board…
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone
You meet is fighting some kind of battle.
The directive, “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”, caught my eye because I was the
one who was having a hard day. I was the one fighting a battle that the receptionist would have no idea about.
It instantly calmed me to realize what type of customer service I could expect. I inwardly cheered the person who put that note
there to remind their staff of how to treat everyone who walked through their door. I took that sentiment to heart that day for
myself as well. No matter what type of day I was having, at the end of it, what really matters is how you treat people.
This message has stuck with me and whispers a little louder in those moments when I encounter someone on the crankier side. It
is our nature to strike back defensively when we feel any sort of offense aimed our way, whether it’s personal or not.
We may never know what someone is carrying with them, but it’s without question that kindness is always a welcome response
to any situation.
The best quality customer service will always include the ability to see people as people first instead of only as a customer.
America the Beautiful. Thanks National Park Service: 100th Anniversary
Is the theme for the 4th of July. If you would like to participate by having a float in
the Parade, either Regular Parade or Kiddie Parade, please let the Skagway Chamber of Commerce know A.S.A.P. The deadline for registering your entry will be
July 3rd.
Ducky Tickets are now available!! Contact the Chamber office, a director, or look for a sign in a participating
business window downtown to get yours today!! The businesses who are helping sell tickets this year are: The
Sweet Tooth Café, The Skagway News Depot, Broadway Jewelry, Elks, Eagles, and Broadway Video/Radio Shack.
The Skagway Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring a ‘CANCER SUCKS! Support the fight duck.’ They
are $10 each or by Donation with all the proceeds going to the Swedish Cancer Institute Treatment Center to help
those who are going through the grueling process of Chemotherapy and Radiation. There are several community
members who are still using that facility for treatment today or have in the past. The funds will help purchase
Journals, Puzzles, Books, IPods, Coloring Books and Pencils and other items to help patients pass the hours spent
in treatment.
Are You Still Hiring Summer Help?
Workers hired to provide services for
your business are employees.
Whether you pay the worker for one
day, one hour, or even $1, the wages
must be reported for Unemployment Insurance (UI) purposes. Some
examples of paid employees that
should be included on your quarterly
tax report are:
Reporting Employees
Some Alaska employers look for ways to either supplement their existing staff or turn over, their Human Resource
(HR) functions to another company, thus allowing them to focus on their businesses. Alaska Department of Labor
and Workforce Development supports this concept. However, these workers who perform service for your business are reportable on your quarterly contribution report.
In most cases, the business supplementing its employees or turning over the HR functions to another company is
the liable employer and is responsible for reporting the wages under their account, not under the account of the
business providing the workers or HR functions.
For UI Tax purposes, Alaska Regulation 8 AAC 85.015 determines which business is required to report wages of
the employee by looking at :

Tour guides/bus drivers

Seasonal employees

Day labor/casual labor

Sports officials
2. remunerated services performed by one or more individuals are within the usual course and places
of the employing unit’s business or

Students working in the tourism
industry
3. the employing unit exercises or has the right to exercise direction and control over the day-to-day
duties of one or more individuals performing services for which they receive remuneration.

Temporary or fill-in staff

Boat operators and crew
1. the employing unit is the direct beneficiary of services performed by one or more individuals
receiving remuneration;
As an employer, you are required to report your employee wages under your account. Alaska law does not allow
employees from multiple businesses to be combined and reported under a single UI Tax account.
Look for the 4th of July Schedule in
both the Bulk Mailer being sent out
from the Chamber or in The Skagway
News. There are a lot of fun festivities
happening on July 3rd and July 4th so
be prepared to participate. Don’t forget
the Ducky Derby at 5pm at Pullen
Pond on JULY 4th. PLEASE BE SAFE.
Retail Tip of the Week
Just as we get rid of physical stuff that has collected over the winter, Spring is a great time of year to review your customer service
and throw out some junk that may have crept in over the past
few months.
With that in mind, here are 3 questions to get you started:
1) Are we still greeting EVERY client warmly and with a sincere
smile?
2016DIRECTORS & STAFF
DIRECTOR:
Jackie Schaefer, President
P.O. Box 297 983.2427
jjschaefer2009@gmail.com
DIRECTOR:
Katie Klug, Vice President
P.O. Box 1225 907-612-0824
katielynn_250@hotmail.com
DIRECTOR:
Remembering to smile is one of the easiest things that you and
your team can do to cheer up your customers and acknowledge
that they are important to you. Take a second check in with each
of your team members and remind them of the importance of
greeting every client warmly and sincerely.
Susie Cochran Sec./Treasurer
P.O. Box
suscochran2@gmail.com
2) Can we add “Grandma” to the end of everything we say?
DIRECTOR:
Lea Mauldin
P.O. Box 567 907-973-2113
lmaludin@aptalaska.net
This one may sound a little funny, but it’s a great litmus test of
the way you speak with customers. No matter what the age of
your customers, your language and tone should always be so
courteous and professional that you can always end your question or statement with the word “Grandma” and not feel the
slightest bit uncomfortable.
3)Do our policies, practices and procedures reinforce great customer service?
Now is a great time to look over your systems for interacting
with clients. Look at your returns from the last year, your customer feedback, and your written policies. If something looks
like it is working well...great! Verbally encourage your team in
these areas and let them know that they are doing well. If something looks problematic...a
high percentage of returns, a large number of
customer complaints, etc… then now is the perfect time to adjust your policies and procedures
accordingly.
DIRECTOR:
Vanessa Flynn
P.O. Box 285 907-612-0480
vsigns71akskag@yahoo.com
DIRECTOR:
Jennifer Castle
akjenc@hotmail.com
DIRECTOR:
Georgia Jackson
706-318-7702
Rambo_31_02@yahoo.com
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR:
Blaine Mero
P.O. Box 194 983-1898
chamber@aptalaska.net
Volunteers Needed for Ducky
Derby. Please contact Chamber.
P.O. Box 194
7th and State St.
Skagway, AK 99840
Phone: 907.983.1898
Fax: 907.983.2031
E-mail: chamber@aptalaska.net
Web Site:
www.skagwaychamber.org
CHILKOOT-GATEWAY INSURANCE AGENCY
P.O. BOX 456
SKAGWAY, ALASKA 99840
PHONE 907-983-2240
FAX 907-983-2969
INSURANCE—BONDS
Continuing the 57-year
tradition of a local independent agent
58
Serving the people of Skagway.
Debbie L. Ackerman, CISR
Agent
cgiaskagway@aol.com