August 9, 2011 by Sandra Rogers.

Presidential Update for Companies Hiring Veterans: Obama’s proposed new “Returning Heroes Tax Credit” gives $2,400 to companies for each veteran they hire who has been unemployed for less than six months and $4,800 for those unemployed for half a year or more, administration officials said. And the existing “Wounded Warriors Tax Credit” — paid out for hiring wounded veterans — would be doubled to $9,600 for taking on someone unemployed for six months or longer.

Disabled Access Tax Incentives:  Small businesses are eligible for two tax incentives to help cover the cost of providing reasonable accommodations for employees or customers with disabilities, such as sign language interpreters, readers, materials in alternative format (Braille or large print), the purchase of adaptive equipment, the modification of existing equipment, or the removal of architectural barriers.  For more information about properly claiming this and other tax credits, refer to IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide For Small Business and Form 8826, Disabled Access Credit.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program (WOTC): This program encourages employers to hire targeted groups of job seekers by offering them a federal income tax credit. Targeted groups include: veterans, summer youth, Title IV-A recipients, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), ex felons, SSI recipients, SNAP recipients (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and Long-term Family Assistance recipients.  The WOTC can reduce an employer’s federal tax liability by up to $2,400 per new hire: http://www.doleta.gov/business/Incentives/opptax/.

The VA Training Program allows eligible disabled veterans to receive training or work experience at the VA.  Please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Web site for more information:   http://www.opm.gov/veterans.

Resources for Employment & Disability Information Network (READi-Net) helps employers with the following employment needs regarding persons with disabilities: recruiting services, financial incentives, disability management, employer training, ADA resources, electronic recruiting, and technical assistance.  Therefore, contact your local Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services (ADRS) representative at 205-290-4457 or www.rehab.alabama.gov/employers.  READi-Net is affiliated with the National Employment Team (NET). Contact them to find out the name of your state disability office.

Troops to Teachers: Our new http://www.jobs2teach.doded.mil Schools can register to gain access to the Troops to Teachers database to search for recruiting new teachers and learn about the tax incentives for hiring veterans.

Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act: Did you get your tax credit if you hired an unemployed worker last year?  Employers who hired unemployed workers from February 3, 2010 to January 1, 2011 qualified for a 6.2 % payroll tax incentive, in effect exempting therm from their share of Social Security taxes on wages paid to those workers after March 18, 2010.  The employer and employee’s shares of Medicare taxes would also still apply to those wages.  In addition, for each worker retained for at least a year, businesses may claim an additional general business tax credit, up to $1000 per worker, when they file their 2011 income tax returns.

Federal Bonding Program:  This program provides fidelity bonding insurance coverage to individuals with criminal histories and other high-risk job applicants who are qualified, but fail to get jobs because regular commercial bonding is denied due to their backgrounds.  The US Department of Labor (DOL) created this program to guarantee the job honesty of at-risk job seekers.  Federal financing of Fidelity Bond insurance, issued free-of-charge to employers, enables the delivery of bonding services as a unique job placement tool. Contact your State Employment Service for the for issuance of a federal bond from the DOL.

*****Sierra Group Foundation Project shows specific tax incentives per state: http://employmentincentives.com/state_incentives/state_incentives_intro.htm#fl

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Posted in Hiring Incentives, Exoffenders, Disabilities, Veterans, Workforce Development | Print | 4 Comments »

April 26, 2011 by Sandra Rogers.

When I incorporated this nonprofit, BrokeButNotForLong, I wasn’t thinking about going green.  Instead, I was thinking about the low-cost possibilities of providing reliable job information on the Internet for the unemployed.  For around $300 a year,  our organization is able to host our Web site on the Internet.  Of course, there are numerous volunteer hours that go into building the 18-page Web site, not to mention the ongoing maintenance.  Luckily, I’ve been able to recruit a few other volunteer bloggers.  By utilizing social media, we’ve been able to be eco-friendly on the job everyday!

Besides the other legal costs involved in maintaining a non-profit, 501(c)3 charity, we’re able to exist as a virtual company with few expenses.  I didn’t realize that we were a green company until I started getting twitter followers from other green companies and university projects! For example, the University of Southern California is following us on Twitter @broke4jobs. Twitter has proved to be the most powerful outreach for our organization.  “Broke” currently has 575 followers on twitter.  We’ve been able to network with universities, federal agencies, and companies involved in human resources, and individuals in need of a job without the waste generally involved with advertising, transportation, or running an office.

Furthermore,  my husband and I practice green living at our home office.  For instance, we recycle the ink cartridges, buy recycled paper, and recycle used paper, too.  Also, our Internet host, www.1and1.com reduces its carbon footprint.  Furthermore, we’ve created online alliances to help promote our free resources.  We joined the local Chamber of Commerce which hosts our information on their site for potential networking and usage.  Also, we host the FDIC’s MoneySmart podcast on our Web site, which enhances our financial education outreach mission.  Additionally, we hope to advertise our resources on public radio which will reach a large audience  in an eco-friendly manner!

Lastly, I mentor job seekers online and over the phone to keep costs down and reach a larger audience.  I’ve blogged about the wonderful jobs I’ve had throughout my career.  (See Diary of a Resume Parts 1 & 2)  Since I started mentoring teachers online for my profession, I thought about doing the same for job seekers.  It started with a few questions from my connections on LinkedIn.com.  I found that job seekers were so happy to get a response and interact with someone online!  You’re welcome to connect with me.  Here’s my public profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrogers.

Technology has afforded us the opportunity to reach you, our reader, on this blog, as well as thousands of others!  Everyday I think about how I can use social media to provide outreach.  I hope we can connect with another nonprofit to help raise funds for a worthy goal that aligns with our mission on the Gulf Coast.   To that end, I’ve been creating a profile of our charity on GuideStar.org to encourage charitable giving and provide transparency.  Here’s their video: http://videos.guidestar.org/Welcome.html.

April 9th was our 2nd anniversary as a nonprofit!

Sincerely,

Sandra Annette Rogers

Posted in Going Green, Social Media, Behavior Change, Workforce Development | Print | 2 Comments »

February 20, 2011 by Sandra Rogers.

Dear Readers,

I’m pleased to announce that we joined the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce this month and became part of a 175-year old tradition.   Now we hope to be listed as part of the workforce development for Mobile County.  Here’s the link: http://www.mobilechamber.com/default.asp.  As you may know, we’re also part of a 150-year old tradition of the federal government by establishing our nonprofit organization as a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) charity.  Even though we have a crazy name, we’re slowly becoming established in society.

Unfortunately, unless you know what your looking for, you won’t be able to find us on the Membership Directory, as it’s set to access the list from search words.   That’s odd that nonmembers can’t see the complete list of members all together.  Fortunately, we’ll be listed in next year’s edition of The Business View, as well as their Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide.

We never received any funding to pay for this membership, so my husband and I paid for it.   As aforementioned, we want to reach out locally on the Gulf Coast to provide our reliable job-related resources.  We use social media to share employment opportunities, transitional skill training, and career advice.  Additionally, we address the big picture of unemployment by providing mental health and financial resources. Our Web sites receive 5000 visitors a month, but I can tell by the geographical statistics that our neighbors on the Gulf Coast aren’t using our site.

To date, our professional Twitter account has 555 followers: http://twitter.com/Broke4Jobs. I’m excited about some of our latest followers: the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL), Talented Alliance of Part-Time Professionals (TAPP), and MinnesotaJobs.com.  These are just a few of the great resources on Twitter.com.  Visit our resourceful twitter lists @Broke4Jobs: US jobs, international jobs, internships, military, and disabilities.

Our Web site provides 21 pages of reliable resources for unemployed veterans, persons with disabilities, displaced workers, exoffenders, as well as employers:

• Homepage
• Mission Statement
• The Broke Job Board
• Best Job Websites
• Job Hunt Strategies
• Jobs for Veterans
• Resources for Workers with Disabilities
• Adaptive Technology
• Mental Health News
• Hiring Incentives for Employers
• Local Area Employment Crisis
• Social Media as a Career Tool
• Twitter @Broke4Jobs
• Blogging4Broke
• Educational Videos
• Free Online Services
• Financial Education
• FDIC MoneySmart Podcast
• Please Donate!
• Contact Us
• Positive Feedback

Your Blogger,

Sandra Annette Rogers

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

Posted in Workforce Development, Philanthropy | Print | No Comments »

January 14, 2011 by Sandra Rogers.

 Dear Readers,

In observance of MLK day, I wanted to bring to your attention some short-term volunteer opportunities.  For those of you who have been unemployed for a long time, volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community either stateside or abroad.  In the past, I blogged about the Peace Corps.  This is a different volunteer opportunity from USAID.  They have several short-term assignments listed in various career areas.  Generally, for US government positions, you would not receive pay for your work; however, you would receive travel and per diem allowances, as well as insurance.

Volunteers for Prosperity

Best Wishes,

Sandra Annette Rogers

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

Posted in Volunteer!, Workforce Development | Print | 1 Comment »

November 28, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

 Dear Readers,

Have you ever thought about telecommuting for work or teaching online?  I just completed a certificate to teach online through my profession.  This yearlong course hosted by TESOL is conducted at the University of Wisconsin via online instruction.  What better way to learn to teach online than taking an online course!  It isn’t a very costly program.  I was able to learn enough from this course to feel comfortable in taking on a new job teaching online.

This course served me well, as I’m excelling at my new job!  Last year, I wrote about making changes, re-educating yourself for the “invisible” jobs.  Trends show that online classes at universities are on the rise, according to the Chronicle of Higher Learning.   This certification is for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) which is part of my profession, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).  However, it is open to anyone from any field.  I was able to design my Web site and learn about blogging and twittering from this certificate course.

In addition, I’ve been able to get three part-time jobs ONLINE!  Now, I’ve gone completely virtual.  I’m teaching ESL for a company in Israel, teaching reading online for the local university, and scoring tests online.  My nonprofit is wholly online, too.  I’ve even become an online mentor.  I started mentoring ESL instructors in Italy and mentoring individuals looking for work on LinkedIn.com.  If you’ve been following my blogs, you’ve heard about these different job opportunities.  If you’d like to learn about my job leads, go to the job hunt category to read related blogs.

Check out the site:

Principles and Practices of Online Teaching Certificate Program

Your blogger,

Sandra Annette Rogers

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http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333

Posted in Professional Dev., Tech Assistance, Workforce Development | Print | No Comments »

July 31, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

Dear Readers,

Here’s a compelling article written by the CEO of FlexJobs.com regarding telecommuting.  Last year, I decided to make a career change to teach and work online.  After many hours of retraining, volunteering in the field of online teaching, creating a hybrid class, and working online as a part-timer grading papers, in August I will go completely online!  Not to mention creating our Web site, this blog, and a twitter account for our nonprofit, BrokeButNotForLong, Inc.  I’m thrilled about working from home and saving money on gas, regaining my hour and 45 minute lost in commute, and also not adding wear-and-tear to my 10 year old vehicle.  Moreover, I’m going green, too!  The article below was written by Sarah Sutton Fell, CEO of FlexJobs.com whose whole company is virtual.

Why the heck aren’t telecommuting jobs at the top of the green jobs pile?

Your blogger,

Sandra

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

Posted in Tech Assistance, Workforce Development, Job Hunt | Print | 2 Comments »

May 30, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

Dear Readers, 

I recently added a new page to our Web site to address the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in hopes of using our social media platform to provide assistance to those in need.  Since my family and I have lived in Mobile, Alabama for many years, I felt it was necessary to assist the workers in the Gulf Coast by providing reliable information.  We encourage our readers to share any additional information that might help those living and working on the Gulf Coast.  I will be adding updates and more useful information to this blog post in the coming days.     

 Your blogger,

Sandra Annette Rogers

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

How to file a claim: UPDATED on 9-25-2010

1. The Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) is accepting claims from private individuals and businesses for the Gulf Coast oil spill, and BP accepting claims from government entities.  For more information on submitting a claim, please visit the official website of the US government: http://www.restorethegulf.gov/claims.shtm.

2. Visit the US Coast Guard Web site to see who can submit and the types of claims: http://www.uscg.mil/npfc/claims/

ALABAMA

Alabama Wildlife Federation: www.alabamawildlife.org/oilspill

Please help with the oil spill by calling Mobile Baykeeper at 251-433-4229 or email info@mobilebaykeeper.org.Please help with the oil spill by calling the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at 211 within Alabama.

Please help with the oil spill by calling  the Alabama Coastal Foundation at  251-990-6002 or email info@joinacf.org

To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information call 866-448-5816, regarding the BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast. 

Mobile Bay National Estuary Program:
www.mobilebaynep.com 251-431-6409 mbnep@mobilebaynep.com

Mobile Baykeeper:
www.mobilebaykeeper.org 251-433-4229 callaway@mobilebaykeeper.org

Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Contact the state-organized volunteer bank by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-421-1266

MISSISSIPPI

Pascagoula (MS) River Audubon Society
www.OilSpillVolunteers.com - organized by residents of Ocean Springs

FLORIDA
 

Be Ready Escambia (County) Response
Volunteer Florida

LOUISIANA

Volunteer Louisiana

FACEBOOK LINKS  

Page:Mobile Bay NEP (National Estuary Program) on Facebook
Group: ‘Let’s Save our Gulf Coast’ (from oilspillvolunteers.com)
Group: Oiled Wildlife Rescue volunteers
Group: Mobile Bay NEP: ‘Help Save the Gulf Coast from the Oil Leak’
Page: AL.com & NOLA.com: ‘Save the Gulf of Mexico’
Page: ‘Louisiana Shore Clean-up’
Page: Deepwater Horizon Response 

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Posted in Workforce Development, Philanthropy | Print | 2 Comments »

December 30, 2009 by Sandra Rogers.

Technology didn’t replace face-to-face service related jobs, so where did they go?  For example, what happened to the full-service gasoline station attendants?  Where are the doormen/women at the hotels?  How come I can’t  find a sales person in a department store…just the cashier?  Obviously, businesses cut back on these service-related jobs but at whose expense?

I understand that machinery and/or technology replaced many skilled workers; however, this really hasn’t affected the service industry.  They may say that high prices or lack of sales has caused them to cut back on face-to-face client services.  In contrast, I propose that the reduction of service-related jobs has actually caused financial losses.  If you’re a certain age, you may not be familiar with the above mentioned services, as these jobs have disappeared in the last decade.

In my humble opinion, the gasoline stations should bring back the full-service attendants.  I realize that many customers would probably not want to pay higher gas prices.  However, as a single woman, I used to rely on the full-service attendants to check my car before I went on a trip.  I didn’t mind paying the extra money for gas since it gave me a peace of mind.  Also, if I was dressed nicely and didn’t want to get my hands dirty, then I’d go to the full-service station.

My 87 year-old mother has to pump her own gas!  The service-related job industry should consider not only the elderly but also persons with disabilities and bring back the jobs that provide face-to-face assistance to those in need.  Instead of charging more for gas, they could rethink the way that a gas station attendant gets paid.  For example, attendants could work for tips and get paid the low service wage akin to a waiter.  For quality assurance, the major gasoline service stations could conduct market research to find the best way to serve the customer.

Providing gas station attendants could help reduce highway accidents because drivers generally don’t keep their tires properly inflated.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Underinflated tires impact a driver’s ability to control a vehicle against skidding, blowouts, and other tire failures.  While not a leading cause of highway accidents and fatalities, a NHTSA study shows that, in 1999, underinflated tires contributed to 247, or 0.8 percent, of 32,061 fatalities and 23,100, or 0.8 percent, of almost 3 million injuries. In addition, NHTSA estimates that 41 vehicular-related deaths occur annually because of blowouts alone from underinflated tires.”

Secondly, I wish that hotels would bring back the doorman or bell hop.  I traveled for work and found myself encumbered with luggage and a computer bag when trying to open the hotel door.  Most hotels, at the very least, have a remote door at the entrance, but many hotels do not.  It should be a basic service that hotels provide to visitors.  Hotels often provide perks and privileges afforded to frequent travelers like a free bottle of water or free wi-fi.  Perhaps they should think about providing the basic customer service of opening the door for clients!

Sometimes I’d wait at the hotel door with my hands full until someone exited before I’d enter the building because I didn’t want to place my items on the floor in order to open the door.  As for the handicapped, many hotels have a large button to push for the door to open but many do not.  It’d be nice to have a door man/woman or bell hop to greet you as you enter.  In addition, I’m sure this would help with the safety and security of the visitors and hotel businesses.

Thirdly, I don’t know how many times that I have put clothes down and walked out of a department store because there were so many customers in line with only one cashier.  Nowadays, when you go into a regular department store it’s like a ghost town.  I have to search for a salesperson.  Generally, there’s one cashier/salesperson in charge of several sections of the store.  This can’t be good for sales!  I’m certain that this is fueling the online shopping experience.  If you can’t find something in a store and don’t see a salesperson around, you’ll probably go elsewhere or online.  The sales assistant job will be replaced by online shopping if retailers continue to function with only a few employees on the sales floor.  Having a salesperson available in each department store could increase the number of items sold.

In conclusion, service-related jobs are an important part of our society, not only for convenience or the sake of satisfaction, but also for meeting the needs of the elderly, providing accommodations for persons with disabilities,  and for overall safety.   Furthermore, it would aid the economy by adding jobs and increasing sales!  I acknowledge the promotion of “green jobs” to simultaneously rebuild our economy and save the planet.  However, let’s not forget about the basic service-related jobs that should provide the necessary face-to-face interactions with customers.  Imagine the job growth if every gasoline service station had an attendant or every hotel no matter how small had a doorman.  Wouldn’t retail sales increase at stores if they had at least one salesperson at every department?  Think about it!

Sandra Annette Rogers
sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

Look for jobs: http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333

Posted in Workforce Development | Print | 1 Comment »