Member News
Balance Interactive Wins 2010 Communitas Award
March 3, 2010 - Communitas Awards has recognized Balance Interactive of Springfield Virginia for Leadership in Community Service and Corporate Social Responsibility. Balance received the award for excellence in multiple programs including volunteerism, philanthropy, pro bono work, and ethical and sustainable business practices.
The Communitas Awards is an international effort to recognize the spirit of communitas, people helping people. Communitas winners donate their time and resources and are changing the way they do business, all to benefit their communities. Though Balance is a small company, it gives back to the community in a big way. As mentioned in Balance’s nomination, "Balance Interactive is truly a leader in the greater Springfield community. Balance makes a big difference in the lives of others by volunteering in the community, donating Christmas gifts for local families, fostering a work environment that inspires its employees, preserving the environment through sustainable business practices and donating time and skills to other local companies to help them grow."
"While we believe we can do more, we are pleased to be recognized for our efforts to be a good corporate citizen," said Tracy Betts, CEO of Balance Interactive.
The Communitas Awards is an outgrowth of the pro bono recognition program of the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, a several thousand member group that honors creative achievement and fosters partnerships with charities and community organizations. As part of its mission, AMCP gives grants to community organizations and underwrites a large portion of Communitas expenses.
Located in Springfield, Balance Interactive is a web development and design firm that helps clients to achieve organizational goals using online technologies and tactics. Balance Interactive is a Small Business Administration (SBA) and a State of Virginia certified woman-owned business. The company is also registered with Virginia's Procurement Portal (eVA) and the Ariba Commerce Service Network.
"THINK BIGGER, LIVE BOLDER" SPRING LUNCHEON TO BENEFIT CHILDREN AT LYNBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Metro Run & Walk and the Assistance League of Northern Virginia Team Up to Raise Funds
February 15, 2010 - Metro Run & Walk and the Assistance League of Northern Virginia announce the “Think Bigger, Live Bolder” fundraising luncheon benefitting the Assistance League programs “Weekend Food for Kids” and “Operation School Bell New Clothing for Kids.” Lynbrook Elementary School in Springfield is one of the beneficiary schools of these programs.
The luncheon features Maureen Bunyan from ABC7/WJLA as Master of Ceremonies. Ms. Bunyan is a veteran television news broadcaster and a primary anchor for ABC 7/WJLA-TV. Ms. Bunyan anchors the 6 p.m. weeknight newscasts.
Margie Warrell, Courage Expert, Author, Speaker, and Coach is the Keynote Speaker. Ms. Warrell is the best-selling author of Find Your Courage: 12 Acts for Becoming Fearless in Work and in Life (McGraw-Hill USA, USA Best Book Awards Finalist). She is a sought-after media guest who has appeared on NBC's Today Show and other national TV and radio programs. Margie has also coauthored, 101 Ways to Improve Your Life and Discover Your Inner Strengths, with internationally-renowned experts including Stephen Covey, Jack Canfield, Ken Blanchard and John Gray.
The luncheon is scheduled for Friday, April 23, 2010 starting at 11.00 a.m. with a networking reception, followed by a silent auction, and "tablescapes" (artistically designed tables) viewing with the luncheon and speaker scheduled for 12.30 p.m. The luncheon will be held at the Chantilly National Golf & Country Club.
Tickets are $60 each. In addition to the purchase of luncheon tickets, the Assistance League is seeking donations of floral arrangements and tablescapes, items for the silent auction, and sponsors. All proceeds benefit children in Title I schools in Northern Virginia. For more information, contact Helen Russell, Metro Run & Walk, at metrorunwalk.helen@gmail.com or 703-597-6849.
Metro Run & Walk is an independently owned and operated specialty running retail store located in Springfield Plaza. New owners Mark and Helen Russell believe in being good corporate citizens and donating time, energy, and funds to local causes. "From running a business in Springfield, we understand that the need is great in many of the communities and schools in the Springfield area and we want to do our part to help provide the appropriate supports and resources," said co-owner Helen Russell.
Assistance League is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting literacy and well-being through community based programs. They recently expanded their programs to include a focus on eradicating hunger and providing new clothing for school-age children through two new programs:
~ Weekend Food for Kids - provides food for children to take home on the weekend when school breakfast and lunch is not available
~ Operation School Bell Clothes for Kids – provides new shoes and clothes such as coats or jackets, pants, shirts, underwear and socks to elementary school children
Working together, Metro Run & Walk and Assistance League provided over 200 food items to children and families at Lynbrook Elementary School in December 2009 and are in the process of providing new shoes for children at the same school.
Housing & Community Services of Northern Virginia Acknowledges Corporate Contributors to its 2009 Adopt-A Family Program
February 9, 2010 - Housing & Community Services of Northern Virginia (HCSNV) serves as an advocate for Fairfax County residents in need of decent, affordable, and accessible housing. One successful annual HCSNV program is its Adopt-a-Family program during the Christmas season, which attracted a record number of requests from qualified families in need. HCSNV provides housing-related and other community services to improve the quality of life and promote self-sufficiency of citizens.
With the help of generous businesses, organizations and individuals HCSNV has had great success in providing families with holiday joy that they otherwise could not afford. Since the Northern Virginia region has been feeling the pinch of the recession, HCSNV has had a high case load of work.
"It is clear that the challenge of affordable housing has increased in our region because of our economic climate," said HCSNV Chairman of the Board William Thomas. "HCSNV has positioned itself not only to assist needy families at Christmas time, but to provide professional counseling to those facing foreclosure, short sales or other adverse housing situations. We offer retraining to our clients so that they may achieve sustainable solutions for the short and the long term. Every little bit helps. We especially thank our contributors to our Adopt-a-Family program."
HCSNV is grateful to the following individuals and companies whose contributions made its recent program so successful for 18 needy families:
~ Gretchen Martens of Homeward Deployed
~ Ross and Phyllis Black, owners of Rose Hill Texaco
~ Akbar Dehghani of Covey’s Carpets
~ Shannon Slade of Greenspring
HCSNV is an equal opportunity service provider and does not discriminate in its provision of services based on race, color, nationality, religion, sex, familial status or handicapping condition.
Local Agent Earns REALTOR e-PRO Certification
February 3, 2010 -
Cathy Baumbusch, of RE/MAX Allegiance has successfully completed the REALTOR e-PRO course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered through the National Association of REALTORS.
The REALTOR e-PRO certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available-- comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.
With nearly 90 percent of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today's buyer and seller.
"The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past several years," said Baumbusch. "A majority of consumers are taking the time to conduct their own research prior to contacting an agent. In turn, real estate professionals must be knowledgeable of how technology can assist them in serving the needs of the buying and selling public."
The exclusive REALTOR e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help REALTORS stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.
Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.
Both the content and the delivery platform were created by San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade. The course instructs participants in the professional use of e-mail, the development of an interactive Web site, and the use of online research tools. Graduates use the skills they've acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.
For more information, contact Cathy Baumbusch at Cathy@CathyB.net or 703-969-1691.
Consumers Cutting Credit Card Usage and Debt on Eve of Reform
January 22, 2010 - With credit card reform legislation taking effect in February, middle-class Americans are already making important changes in the ways they use their cards with a focus on reducing debt.
The December survey of the First Command Financial Behaviors Index (TM) reveals that 32 percent of Americans say they are using their credit cards less than they were a year ago, and only 11 percent of respondents say they have increased their usage of credit cards - continuing a trend toward more responsible finances that has emerged during the recent economic turmoil.
Here in the Springfield area, we are seeing the consumer protections of the Credit Card Act of 2009 come to fruition at a time when many of us have already changed the way we handle credit. Local residents are also working hard to ensure their financial well being through more responsible and judicious use of credit.
Many Americans who are aware of the credit card reform legislation going into effect in February are making changes to their credit card usage now in ways that attempt to reduce their debt. They are:
~ Using their credit card less (22 percent)
~ Paying more of their balance each month (15 percent)
~ Paying off their balance in full each month (15 percent)
~ Permanently paying off all their credit cards (13 percent)
Credit card reform is shaping up as a non-event at First Command Bank, which has built its credit card business on low-rate, no-fee products. David White, president of First Command Bank, said “none of the reforms will affect the terms of our credit card products. Thanks to our affiliation with a financial planning company, we are serving financially-responsible customers with historically low default rates. Since we have lower losses than other card issuers, we can afford to assess lower rates and fees.”
December marks the end of a tumultuous year in which the majority of Americans (61 percent) reported that they noticed potentially costly changes to their credit cards. These changes include:
~ increased interest rates (40 percent)
~ increased late fees (20 percent)
~ decreased credit limits (17 percent)
~ added late fees (11 percent)
Rates and fees rose at a time when many Springfield area residents were embracing frugal living in a number of ways, including reductions in spending and debt. This new lifestyle continues even as Americans grow increasingly optimistic about the economy.
In December, 40 percent of survey respondents stated that the economy had hit rock bottom and was on its way to recovery, up strongly from 35 percent in November. In looking at a comparison of Americans’ personal financial situation, 27 percent said they are better off than one year ago, up five points from December 2008. And though 40 percent of Americans say they are worse off than one year ago, that figure represents an eight-point drop from December 2008, when nearly half of respondents reported they were worse off than the previous year.
These changes in consumer confidence correspond to the economy’s gradual rebound and expansion from the previous year.
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