Submitted by Monica Surrena, Marketing Manager Wm. T. Spaeder Co.

One of the many services we offer at Wm. T. Spaeder Company is process piping for water treatment plants. We recently completed a new construction project for a water treatment plant in Polk, PA.

In the above video, Foreman Jesse Dikun gives us a plant tour and talks a little about how the plant functions. This water treatment facility uses a membrane filtration system with both spring water and creek water as its source. Spaeder designed, fabricated, and installed all of the process piping as well as installed the membrane filtration units. 

For more information about our services, visit https://wmtspaeder.com.

Is your organization ready to tip-toe back into hosting events in a socially-distanced world? Though many questions remain about the transmission of COVID-19, it is possible to execute a well-thought out event that reduces potential transmission. While large-scale events likely remain indefinitely on the shelf for many organizaitons, smaller gatherings are possible when enough planning is given to adjust to our "new normal". How? With an abundance of caution. By adhering to health department and federal guidelines, organizations can be cautiously optimistic and plan a path forward to continue connecting, networking, and reestablishing relationships with employees, clients, and supporters. 

Over the last several weeks, the Erie Regional Chamber began hosting small-scale networking and signature events so that businesses may continue connecting, collaborating, and learning from each other during these difficult times. When your organization is ready, here are ten tips to consider for your first post-pandemic event. 

1. Set Up Sanitizing Stations: Place disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer bottles throughout the event so that attendees can wipe down their space as desired. Make sure stations are set up near high traffic areas (think food, bar, and check-in desk) and place a trashcan nearby for easy clean up.
   
   
2. Self-Declaration Form: While checking into the event, each attendee is asked to complete a self-declaration form. It consists of four common questions around travel and general wellness. If an attendee refuses to sign the form or does not pass the questions (for example, they recently traveled to a designated hot spot), then they will be asked to leave the event and will not be permitted to enter. The self-declaration form would be crucial to contract tracing efforts in the event that an attendee was asymptomatic at the time of the event.  
   
   
3. Encourage Social Distancing with Signage and Set Up: For most events, social distancing can be achieved in the overall set up of table, chairs, and event flow. If tables or chairs cannot be moved, place signs to indicate which ones are available for attendees to use. Standing room only? Use the floor! Placing markers six feet apart is an easy frame of reference for attendees to follow.
   
   
4. Work In Tandem With Catering Company: Choose reputable, licensed caterers who are well versed on COVID-19 rules and regulations. Most caterers are finding creative, safe ways to display, package, portion, and distribute food and beverages during an event. When in doubt, allow the catering staff to fully serve attendees. 
   
   
5. Clean Common Areas: Designate one or two team members to regularly sanitize high-touch areas throughout the evening. and things sanitized.  These include such things as pens, clipboards, iPads or payment swipers, restrooms, and table tops. 
   
   
6. Set Expectations Ahead of Event: Create a safety protocol and plan for all events and communicate these expectations during the registration process. Include the information in event descriptions, social media, emails, and invitations. 
   
   
7. Send Reminders: There is no such thing as overcommunicating during unprecedented times. Send reminders the week before and day prior reiterating your safety protocol for the event.
   
   
8. Mask Up: Empower your team to remind attendees to please wear their mask throughout the course of the evening unless they are eating or drinking. Place signs throughout the event and have extra masks on hand in case an attendee forgets to bring one. 
   
   
9. Limit Registration: While each venue and event will be different, limit the amount of registrations overall. Currently, indoor events are limited to 25 people while outdoor events are limited to 250. You can restrict attendance even further, or offer a hybrid -- virtual or in-person. And don't forget to count your team, event staff, catering, etc. in your final headcount! 
   
   
10. Communicate with the Erie County Health Department: The Erie County Health Department is resource to help navigate through these unprecedented times. Share your safety plan and protocol and be willing to implement suggestions to ensure the health and safety of attendees. 

Submitted by Kelly Dundule, Accudyn Products, Inc.

Accudyn Products, Inc. is proud to introduce the #ErieVotes initiative, a nonpartisan coalition of local businesses committed to encouraging and facilitating participation in this November’s election. For too many in our community, the everyday challenges of transportation, financial need, and family commitments leave little flexibility in daily life.

Uncertainty regarding how long it may take at one’s polling location coupled with the other demands of life may leave some in our community forced to make a decision between meeting their financial and familial obligations or exercising their right to vote.  In Pennsylvania, as opposed to other states, there are no laws that require employers to give employees time off to vote. For an employee this could mean that they are forced to use vacation time (if available) or even go unpaid to exercise their right to vote. The owners of Accudyn decided that this choice was not one they wanted their employees to be faced with and declared November 3rd a paid holiday for all employees.

ErieVotes was formed to encourage other local businesses to commit to pledging substantive efforts and providing voter resources. Examples of commitments already made by businesses include:

• Declaring Election Day a paid holiday for all staff
• Offering flexible work schedules or extended lunch breaks on Election Day
• Providing voter registration education and support

We encourage local employers to assess the needs of their workforce and to commit to an action or set of actions that could help to remove some of the barriers to voting experienced by their employees by signing the #ErieVotes pledge.

Thank you to Mercyhurst University, The Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership, United Way of Erie County, and American Tinning & Galvanizing for already taking the pledge. #ErieVotes believes in the importance of civic engagement to our democracy and asks all local employers to consider taking action by making the pledge today!

Sign the pledge at www.erievotes.com.