Presidents Message

2011 dues are now past due - $30 for 6 months or $60 for the year. Please make check payable to TSBW and give to Barbara Johnson at our next meeting.

We have a new member, Jan Dubois, a Juice Plus distributor. Be sure to say hi at the next meeting or drop her a welcoming email.

Business Expo plans for 2011 are coming together quickly. Our 5th annual Business Expo will be May 21, 2011 at the Farmers Market in Blairsville. Undercover booth prices will be $20, $30, and $60 depending on size and outside booth space is $75. All members who’s dues were paid by February 15, 2011 are entitled to a free $20 space. If members want/need a larger booth space they will receive a $20 credit towards their larger booth space.

We are looking for members to volunteer to help Bette (Sponsor Chair) find Expo sponsors.

Laura has agreed to chair the advertising committee and she is looking for volunteers to help her. Laura will create a Facebook event page just for the Expo. When done she will let us know so we can add a link to all our Facebook pages.

The next Women’s Networking Group will be Thursday, February 17th, 6:00 pm with Linda Morris, Mary Kay Cosmetics! Linda has been with Mary Kay for over 7 years and has helped hundreds of women realize not only their outer beauty but their inner beauty as well.

She will give a presentation on the history and evolution of the company, which will be celebrating their 48th anniversary this June. She will also demonstrate the science and art of Mary Kay's products with "audience participation" and, she has promised to send everyone home with a gift!

The event will be at Kim Bowyer’s home. Directions from Blairsville:

Take 515 towards Blue Ridge, turn right onto Allen Rd.
Thank first left onto Williams Branch Dr (stay to the left at top of hill)
Hill Driveway is first right - there is a white ghost on the tree with #260 at the bottom of driveway.

Lastly we have a new web site: Tri-State Business Women. It is not 100% done but will be very soon. If you have any suggestions on how to improve or something to add please let me know.

Have a great February,
Pam Fink
TSBW President

A Few Tax Tips

The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the “Act”) enacted in December extended the Bush-era federal income tax rates through 2012. The top tax rate is 35%, and long term capital gains will continue to be taxed at 15%. In addition, the Act gives a small paycheck increase to the majority of workers by reducing the employee portion of Social Security tax by 2%. As an example, for an employee with an annual salary of $15,000, you will see an extra $300 in wages this year. Self employed persons will receive the reduction in Social Security taxes paid on their 2011 income tax return.

A few changes for your 2010 income tax return are:

Business mileage rates for 2010 are 50cents a mile while 2011 business mileage rates increase to 51cents a mile.
Any Merchant who accepts credit/debit cards as payment for goods/services will receive a 1099 from the credit card processing service starting in January 2012.
The personal exemption amount did NOT change for 2010.
The standard deduction amounts did NOT change for 2010 except for Heads of Households.

Please note – if you itemize your deductions, or claim the teacher supply credit, or claim college tuition deductions, you will be unable to file your 2010 tax return until after mid-February. The reason – Congress acted so late in 2010 to set the tax rules, therefore, computers are still being reprogrammed and new forms have to be printed.

Michelle Hughes
Hughes Accounting
706-379-1031

When was the last time you reviewed your online Privacy Policy?

A typical New Year's resolution might include improving physical fitness or taming tate bulge that has grown over 2010. These are worthwhile resolutions, however, from a business point of view you'd better review your privacy policy as stated on your web site.

Recent legal developments regarding privacy and data security have added new requirements, and the failure to comply could result in substantial liability.

Two Cardinal Rules Regarding Privacy and Data Security

As you begin your review, it's important not to overlook the forest for the sake of the trees, so to speak. There are two cardinal rules to always keep in mind.

The fundamental purpose of a privacy policy is to disclose clearly the categories of information you collect, how you use the information, and with whom you share the information (or provide the means to access it)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) views a privacy policy almost like a contract with your Webster's visitors. If you promise certain activities or practices in your privacy policy, but fail to deliver on a promise, the FTC says you're liable for damages.

Read through your current privacy policy with these cardinal rules in mind. As you read, consider all that your site does regarding the collection, use, and sharing of information, particularly regarding your marketing practices.

Does your privacy policy disclose all of the categories of information collected?
Does it describe all the ways you use the information?
Does it describe with whom you share the information (or provide the means to access it)?
Compare what you promise in your privacy policy with the marketing practices you actually follow.

Pam Fink
Lucey Group
706-258-2432

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Board Members
Pam Fink - President
Laura Ward - Vice President
Judy Muir - Secretary
Barb Johnson - Treasurer
Teri Stokes - Member at Large
Bette Sherman - Member at Large
Cathy Wheeler - Past President