Announcements and Opportunities

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Nominations for the 2010 NAFE Women of Excellence! The NAFE Women of Excellence Awards is a program that celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of NAFE members in their careers, businesses and communities. The nomination criteria include success in their professional endeavors (often overcoming the odds), vision and creativity, and helping other women. Deadline is April 15, 2010. Click here for more information on this year’s 10 categories–and a link to the nomination form: http://www.nafe.com/?service=vpage/1213. Enter TODAY!

Free Media Coverage for Your Enterprise. One of the best ways to get exposure for your business or project is to become a quoted expert. To make yourself available for media interviews with journalists, register with Reporter Connection, a new, FREE service.

National CARE Event in Washington DC. As a member of NAFE, your voice is key to CARE's efforts to effect real and lasting change in the lives of women around the world. NAFE members are invited to the CARE National Conference & Celebration on May 11 and 12 in Washington, D.C. for two days of political action, learning and inspiration. You will also receive hands-on training for promoting the issues you care about on Capitol Hill, and meet in person with your own U.S. Senators and Representatives to educate them about why women's empowerment is important to you. Learn more here: www.care.org/nationalconferencewomen.

NAFE Discount on Whirlpool Products. Through a special arrangement with Whirlpool, NAFE members can reap big savings on Whirlpool appliances, accessories and other items. You and your family can purchase up to 12 products a year under the VIPLINK program. Sign up for the discount program – just click on the Whirlpool banner at the top of nafe.com. GROUP CODE:  AFE1A2051

Want to promote your business? A square display ad (120x120 pixels) in one issue of NAFE News & Notes is just $75.00. Larger skyscraper ads (600x120 pix) are a bargain at $175. Contact newsletter editor Paula Damiano to place your ad.

Network News

The Southern California For You Network, a coalition of local NAFE affiliates, produces several Blog TalkRadio programs. MONEY TALKS airs the fourth Monday of every month. The April 26 program, hosted by Linda Cassidy (LCassidy@4younetwork.org), will cover the topic "What You Need to Know about Getting a Job." Time: 9:00 PM. Co-Host: Debbie Lousberg. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/For-You-Network/ and listen on your computer while you work. For comments, dial in at 347-843-4248.

Member Profiles

Melinda Fouche, a long-time member of the Murrieta For You NAFE Network, has just published a book titled Vital Signing. The book explains how to interpret your own physical symptoms to achieve better health and vitality. Call 951-698-1905 to purchase tickets for the gala book launch party on April 29 in Temecula, CA.

5 Tips on Creating Jobs with the New HIRE Act

by Paula Damiano, Editor–NAFE News & Notes and nafe.com

Are you an HR professional or overworked manager struggling with a hiring freeze? A business owner looking to expand? A new staff member may be just what you need – and the federal government will help pay for it.

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act contains more than $17 billion in tax credits designed to stimulate employment. Get your share –and help the economy at the same time.

The new legislation, enacted on March 18, 2010, offers substantial benefits to employers who create jobs for unemployed workers. There are immediate savings for employers (payroll tax exemption) and also longer-term advantages (business credit for retention). Employers can save an estimated $6,000 per employee in payroll taxes, and another $1,000 per worker in tax credits.

Most businesses and not-for-profits are eligible under the new legislation, although domestic workers are specifically excluded. As always, consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

Here are the high points of the new Act and an overview of how it can benefit your business:

• Tax forgiveness: By giving a job to a previously unemployed person, a business can save the 6.2 percent Social Security tax (employer’s share) on the worker’s pay for the rest of this year (up to December 31, 2010).

• Retention credit: An employer can also receive tax credits for keeping new workers at least 52 consecutive weeks. Each credit equals the lesser of $1,000 or 6.2 percent of the employee's wages paid during the 52-week period. Hire retention credits will be claimed on the employer’s 2011 income tax return.

• The new job must really be “new”–not a replacement for an existing position.

• The new employee must have been unemployed or have worked no more than 40 hours in the previous 60 days. The IRS has just released a draft of the HIRE Act Employee Affidavit (Form W-11), which certifies worker eligibility.

• One caveat for family businesses: New hires cannot be related to the business owner.

The IRS website offers a summary and FAQs on the new legislation. Click here for more information.

Learn all about your fellow business women on nafe.com under Member Profiles. Janice Gallick of CareCircle is currently featured, as well as Vikki Pryor, Robbie Motter and Teriilee Harrison. Click here.

Know another outstanding NAFE member you’d like to see profiled on nafe.com? Send details to NAFE News & Notes editor Paula Damiano.

• Go to nafe.com to view our ever-expanding Calendar of Events for opportunities around the country. The new Search function makes the Calendar even more useful and accessible.
• Use the Event Submission Form online to let us know about events in your area. Events submitted for the website will also be considered for the NAFE News & Notes– twice the exposure for one listing!

Check the NAFE Calendar of Events for network meetings, workshops and other happenings around the country.