SAAGNY News

The Department of Labor (DOL) has been busily preparing for the implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  The DOL has created a page of FAQs, which it has continued to add to in recent days, that provides answers to most of the biggest and most pressing questions regarding the FFCRA - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions In particular the FAQs: Provide that the law will go into effect on April 1, 2020. As we previously noted, the text of the FFCRA states that the act takes effect "not later than 15 days after the date of enactment." Thus, the widespread understanding was that the FFCRA would go into effect on April 2 (the 15th day after enactment). The DOL has made it clear that this is not the case and that the law will be effective April 1, 2020. See FAQ #1. Confirm that employees will only be able to take leave under the FFCRA if the employer otherwise has work for them to do.  In other words, if an employee is furloughed before or after April 1, the employee will not be eligible for FFCRA.  Likewise, if an employee's hours are reduced, the employee will only be able to take FFCRA leave to receive paid leave based on their reduced schedule. See FAQ # 23 through 28. Specify that employers will not receive credit for any leave for FFCRA purposes that they have voluntarily provided to employees prior to April 1.  As of April 1, any employee who is eligible for FFCRA leave must receive the full leave regardless of any leave previously provided to them. Provide guidance on how employers should calculate whether they are under or over the 500 employee threshold for the purposes of the FFCRA. See FAQ #2. Explain the general framework for businesses with less than fifty employees to claim an exemption to the FFCRA and specify that the business may do so if an officer of the business determines the business falls into one of three scenarios as described in the FAQs.  See FAQ # 58 and 59. The FAQs are among the helpful resources that the Department of Labor has provided on its COVID-19 site, which we would encourage you to keep an eye on for further updates - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic On that site, the DOL has published the model notice that employers will be required to post and advise employees of their rights under the FFCRA.  However, the DOL will need to revise and reissue these notices before April 1 as the CARES Act changes the maximum that an employee may receive while on emergency FMLA (reducing the max from $12,000 to $10,000)

Branding and Brews Joint Event with AMA New Jersey           Join AMA New Jersey and SAAGNY for an evening of networking, branding, and brews! Meet new connections, find unique ways to showcase your brand and enjoy craft beer at this "network and learn" event. Complimentary food and first beer is on us! April 28 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Speakers from AMA and SAAGNY   SAAGNY MEMBERS: $25 - Before April 18 $35 - After April 18 NON-MEMBERS: $45      Click here to register.

The February SAAGNY Life has arrived.  Click here to get the latest from SAAGNY.     

                                               

I won a raffle at the SAAGNY Winter Show!

Stacy Caridi – Do Me A Favour

$100 American Express Gift Card

Becky Corn – Staples Promotional Products

$100 American Express Gift Card

Paula LaVorgna – Newton Screen Printing

$100 American Express Gift Card

Jody Rabinowitz – Do Me a Favour

$100 American Express Gift Card

Tina Salvatore – Robustelli Merchandise

$100 American Express Gift Card

Clare Gray Tussel – Progressive Promotions

2 Tickets to the Subway Series – Yankees vs. Mets

Compliments of NERA

If YOU were not at last week's SAAGNY Winter Showcase - YOU should have been!  SAAGNY held its Annual Winter Showcase this past Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Suffern-Mahwah, Suffern, NY.   The show floor was reconfigured this year to accommodate additional exhibitors and sold out with over 130 suppliers and their representatives occupying  more than 200 tables.  With over 290 distributor sales people in attendance there was a brisk flow all day! See you in April at the SAAGNY Spring Showcase!

The SAAGNY Foundation Scholarship Program 

The SAAGNY Foundation Scholarship was established to help further the educational goals of SAAGNY member companies' employees, owners, and immediate family (parent/guardian, child, sibling or spouse) who have been employed in the promotional products industry for at least two years. Since the inception of the scholarship program, over $160,000 has been awarded.  Applicants will be eligible to receive awards as full time (12 credits or more per semester) undergraduate students at an accredited school (Community College, Technical School, Vocational School, University).

Scholarship applications are reviewed by independent judges and are scored based on overall merit and the following:

• Grade point average

• One academic letter of recommendation

• One non-academic letter of recommendation

• Essay

• Extra curricular activities

• Charitable efforts / community service

• Academic awards / achievements/recognition

• Non-academic awards / achievements

• Outside jobs / projects
  

Scholarships are awarded without discrimination as to financial need, race, sex or religion and are awarded in the amount of $1,000 annually for up to four consecutive years (total $4,000). All applications are kept confidential and submitted to the Selection Committee for review and action. Scholarships are in the form of a check payable to the student/school each school year provided the student maintains a 3.0 or better grade point average, parent or guardian is employed by a SAAGNY member company and student meets all other conditions annually. If illness or other concerns prevent a student from maintaining the required grade average, no payment will be made for that year and the eligibility period will not be extended.

Click here for the application.

The SAAGNY Foundation through the generosity of its donors at the SAAGNY Fall Show "did good" in the community.  At the SAAGNY Fall Show, a collection of hats, gloves, socks, and monetary donations were collected for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  NAMI used these donations for a Holiday Party for its residents.  Heidi Vandiver, Community Outreach Coordinator commented, "Just wrapped up the party and the residents were just so so happy to get cake and refreshments and gifts. (The hats and socks went over very well!)  Some of the staff even teared up to see the residents so happy.  It was so lovely and we could not be more grateful.  One individual, who has not been eating lately and has lost a lot of weight, ate 3 pieces of cake!  The staff was thrilled!"    #forgoodnesssake