tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2010:/blog//1 2010-03-07T02:17:57Z Resources for Women Business Owners in NYC. Read and participagte in NAWBO NYC news: public policy, speakers, events, articles of interest. Movable Type 3.31 tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2010:/blog//1.50 2010-03-07T02:07:23Z 2010-03-07T02:17:57Z

NAWBO ATTENDS WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON WOMEN’S CONTRACTING PROGRAM; APPLAUDS FORWARD PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTING PROGRAM Washington, D.C.—The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) attended a meeting at the White House today to discuss the proposed rules just released by...

NAWBO ATTENDS WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON WOMEN’S CONTRACTING PROGRAM; APPLAUDS FORWARD PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTING PROGRAM Washington, D.C.—The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) attended a meeting at the White House today to discuss the proposed rules just released by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that would implement a long-delayed federal program designed to expand federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses (WOSBs). media@nawbo.org]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2010:/blog//1.49 2010-02-04T20:12:08Z 2010-02-10T15:04:35Z

Remember all the questions you had as a kid: Why does the sun set? Why is the sky blue? Why do fish swim? We baffled and exhausted adults, but we needed to know. Starting and managing your own business unleashes...

NAWBO NYC are a real life line as well. Another resource at hand to add to your list: the NYC Business Solutions Center, part of the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). ]]> six centers you can visit throughout the five boroughs. • Monthly business course eventss are available. • Information on how to start a business. • Learn how to do business with the city and the Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program, • View a full list of services and the NYC Business Solutions website. The NYC Business Solutions slogan is Helping New York City Business: Start. Operate. Expand. If you have a business in NYC, this resource is for you to use! To sign up for the SBS e-newsletter, click here.]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2010:/blog//1.48 2010-01-27T22:04:28Z 2010-01-28T02:38:21Z

Many thanks to the great speakers at the event this evening hosted at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Many great questions were asked. Continue the discussion and share your feedback, thoughts and ideas.......

Many thanks to the great speakers at the event this evening hosted at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Many great questions were asked. Continue the discussion and share your feedback, thoughts and ideas....

]]> Speakers at the the Jan. 27, 2010 Successful Sales Strategy Event: Julie Lewit-Nirenberg is president of the Lewit Group, a marketing and sales consulting firm. She has served as publisher of Mademoiselle, Mirabella, and NewYork Woman magazines, oversaw advertising sales at Esquire, and founded Mode, a magazine for full-figured women that was named "Start-up of the Year" by AdWeek and "Launch of the Year" by Advertising Age. A recipient of the "Outstanding Achievement" award by the Ad Council, Lewit-Nirenberg is also the founder of the American Prostate Cancer Initiative, a not-for-profit consumer awareness organization. Beverly Hyman is President of Beverly Hyman, Ph.D. and Associates. Her clients include cultural institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lincoln Center; corporations such as Con Edison and General Electric; and governmental organizations such as The United Nations. Dr. Hyman has been a featured speaker at many conferences and has facilitated The Day of the International Woman at the United Nations. She is Chair of the Board of Trustees of NYU's Steinhardt School, Vice President of the NYU Alumni Association, and a founding member of the university's Women's Leadership Initiative. She received NYU's Meritorious Service Award for 2008. Jeri Quinn is president of the consulting firm, Driving IR. She has created, managed, and sold small businesses for more than 25 years. As a small business owner, she dealt with the same issues her clients face: cash flow management, growing sales, employee issues, financial risks, and the changing marketplace. Before starting her own company, she was helping people and organizations expand their potential as an educator and as a creative arts therapist. This combination of business experience and educational psychology has positioned her well to coach small business owners to grow their businesses to new levels. Moderator: Jane Wesman is president of Jane Wesman Public Relations, Inc. and author of Dive Right In - The Sharks Won't Bite: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide To Success. She is currently Vice President, Programs, NAWBO-NYC. For information on future NAWBO NYC events, click here.]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2010:/blog//1.47 2010-01-20T16:56:50Z 2010-01-20T17:19:24Z

The massive January 12, 2010 earthquake and aftershocks in Haiti is a terrible tragedy. Following are ways that you can help: The American Red cross: Donate to the Haiti Relief and Development Fund Updates from the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake The...

Donate to the Haiti Relief and Development Fund Updates from the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake The rebuilding of Haiti is an ongoing effort. Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti. ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2009:/blog//1.45 2009-12-03T21:47:03Z 2009-12-04T00:52:16Z

On Oct. 8, 2009 NAWBO hosted a Social Networking Event at TAI with speaker Melea Seward on "Storytelling and Social Media for Business Owners:
 How To Create Compelling Content and Market Your Business, Blogging" Following are her comments and follow...

TAI with speaker Melea Seward on "Storytelling and Social Media for Business Owners:
 How To Create Compelling Content and Market Your Business, Blogging" Following are her comments and follow up information from this event:]]> http://www.socialmediaismedia.com. I’m answering the specific NAWBO questions there.

Event Notes and reference information:

1. Why Blog: Hubstop article on study showing how good is blogging is for your business. 2. Twitter: How to Use Tweet Deck -- For all things TWITTER, follow this blog, Twitips. 3. How Blogs help raise your SEO (aka getting found easily in google's search index)--if you want to know why don't just take it from us here are 10 good reasons Google loves blogs. 4. Tips on how to keep blogging and building content and trust: -Use images and videos as content (flip video-inexpensive video cameras.) [Melea recommended her friend Todd Ritondaro as a videographer contact: todd.ritondaro@gmail.com] -Find your niche--write about your passions -Respond to stories in the news--show your knowledge and get involved. Use a niche agregator such as alltop.com to find articles to get your muse flowing. -What questions do people ask--write your responses on the web -Find sister businesses, link, share articles -Use images--your own or from Creative Commons 5. Even without a website or a blog, you can get your business online using: Yelp (user generated reviews) for local businesses with street address--claim your own page before someone else does -Google local listings--you can add up to 10 picts and 5 links 6. Other social networking places to link yourself, promote yourself, and create a community: Facebook and LinkedIn 7. Tips to engage your audience: Start competitions such as what is the best caption and create Surveys. Use them to engage your audience. A popular online survey tool is survey monkey. 8. Time Saver Tips: How I manage my ideas. And my life. Evernote is free. It rocks. Anyone who is blogging should download it on their phone and also on their laptop/desktop computer. Here is a resource for how--and why--to use it. Here's a list of tools I like from my website; specifically, around keeping track of contacts, managing projects, and collaborating with virtual teams. 9. List Making: I use this free list-making tool (TA-DA!) both on my own--and with others. I brainstorm ideas/lists here. 10. I feel like I should have a list of ten things, but I'm not sure what the tenth should be.... Hmmm. Helpful, helpful, helpful. Or interesting. Or both, maybe? You should know about BizBrag and Squidoo. And the top 20 places where you can put an online press release--that links back to your website--for free.

How to Start A blog

Want to play around with a self-hosted Wordpress blog before you go further? Here are 100 Great Free Wordpress Themes. Hosting references. I like Bluehost for self-hosting. Why? Because their customer service is very good. I've dealt with many hosting companies (GoDaddy, HostGator, Aplus, and more) and they are easiest. If you already have a host you're happy with, then don't change. But for those who don't, Bluehost is a good option. I love Thesis - the pro grade Wordpress theme that is highly customizable. My big project is being created with Thesis. Out of the box it is plain, but with a designer, you can make this thing sing. The link above shows you some examples. If you want some recommendations for Thesis designers, google Rowboat Media (Cynthia LaLuna) or Cody McBurnett. As with any web related initiative you embark upon do your research and make sure you have a list of resources of where and how you can get help as you are learning any new technology. Thank you again, Melea Also, find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Or LinkedIn. And of course, email me here at melea@meleaseward.com. ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2009:/blog//1.46 2009-10-03T22:55:01Z 2009-12-03T23:39:39Z

In July the public policy committee held a social networking workshop that was geared for getting your feet wet in the social networking arena. Social networking sites have become such a vital part of outreach and communication. We had a...

NAWBO NYC social networking wiki to keep up! ]]> Event Speakers Melea Seward: Melea Seward is a technologist, writer, speaker, teacher, and internet marketer. She teaches Search Engine Marketing and social media for entrepreneurs at the Fashion Institute of Technology, in addition to providing small business coaching and blog coaching both one-on-one and in small groups. In her consulting work, she regular works with small- and micro-business owners, internet start-ups, entrepreneurs, non-profits, universities and foundations to help them find and increase website traffic, connect people from disparate locations, build stronger relationships on-line and off, and improve end-user experience. When she isn't teaching or consulting, she is creating social experiments and conducting thought experiments on the web and in the world. You can read more at http://www.meleaseward.com. Janet Wise: Janet Wise is President of WISE Solutions, a personal and business development company that provides resources, networking events, and development opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Janet focuses on leadership and entrepreneurial skill building – one conversation at a time. Many of her clients have transitioned from a corporate role to entrepreneurial role and are seeking was to fast track their success. By creating innovative action learning programs and facilitated networking forums, Janet connects, inspires, and mentors women to leverage the collective power of many, take action to achieve results, and build a Dream Team of advisors and collaborators. Her signature program, The Collaborative ™ , is an innovative marketing and mindset program –supporting goals with a proven plan devised to give women the support, team and structure needed to quickly reach optimal success . Her upcoming book, The Collaborative Factor™, demonstrates how collaboration is the competitive advantage in the new economy. Sarah Johnson: Sarah Johnson founded SeekingDesigners.com shortly after launching her first fine jewelry collection, Sisu (www.ilovesisu.com). After experiencing much frustration marketing her products, Sarah realized there must be thousands of designers like herself who needed to gain exposure and connect with new business opportunities. SeekingDesigners.com was then born as an online showroom to link designers to editors, stylists, retailers and online shoppers. It is the internet's first inclusive online marketplace, media product resource, virtual showroom and designer directory. Seeking helps you find the fabulous in fashion, accessory, beauty and lifestyle design. Find new designers, save favorites, contact designers directly, link to websites, source products, review brands and shop the best products on the web.Seeking also provides its registered designers with affordable PR and marketing services. Thousands of registered editors, publishers, bloggers, buyers, boutique owners, stylists and more use Seeking's free services to locate the freshest designers the internet offers. Pat Aheasy: Pat Ahaesy, CMP. CSEP, has over 25 years of experience planning and implementing corporate and non-profit conferences and special events, as well as incentive programs. The background that led to her collaboration in P&V began first as an educator, then in the world of corporate and incentive travel. Pat has planned CME meetings, conferences, trade shows, special events as well as tours for art and incentive groups. Often quoted in meeting & events industry publications Pat is a co-moderator of the leading online community for meeting professionals. She uses Twitter, Facebook and Linked in as an integral part of her business and professional development. Recently, all three were used as part of the promotional effort for a conference that her company, P&V Enterprises produced. Stephanie Bagley is a New York City-based sports writer who writes for several online and print publications including ESPN The Magazine, HockeyBarn.com and FromTheBlueSeats.com. She reports from games, tracks down exclusives with athletes like Brian Leetch and has recently been reporting on how social media is affecting sports. She also writes about gossip and nightlife for BlogLuxe Award- nominated blog AsGoodAsItsGuests.com where she recently scooped Page Six on a major story. Stephanie also just launched a new “web execution” company, Iceberg Digital, that offers full-service web design and social media marketing to help brands launch or improve their current websites and online identity. She be- came interested in social media for an ESPN story and has continued to explore the subject and use social media tools like Twitter and Digg to promote her own brand as a sports expert. stephbagley@gmail.com. ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.44 2008-06-13T22:29:26Z 2008-06-13T22:34:34Z

Does Pay Equity affect women business owners and is this an important issue for women business owners. Please take this online survey and share with other business owners you know. http://survey.intracommunities.org/limesurvey//index.php?sid=54292&lang=en...

http://survey.intracommunities.org/limesurvey//index.php?sid=54292&lang=en ]]> BACKGROUND What is Pay Equity? Pay equity is a means of eliminating sex and race discrimination in the wage-setting system. The NYS Fair Pay Bill (A.2712/S.3936) requires that job titles where women and/or people of color predominate, receive equal pay with comparable job titles that have the same level of skill and responsibility. The economic, social, and political impact of salary inequity continues to be staggering. An initial salary difference of $1000 over a 40 year career is an accumulated cost of $84,550. Our goal and purpose for this questionnaire is to educate, promote awareness, and survey the experiences of pay-equity for women and minority business owners. We appreciate your participation. As women and minority business owners are we shortchanging ourselves by undervaluing our worth. What are your experiences? [About the author of this survey: Since 1985, the The National Association of Women Business Owners-NYC Chapter (www.nawbonyc.org) has been the collective backbone of the city's 330,000 women business owners, who generate nearly $65 billion in sales annually. NAWBO-NYC offers facilitated networking, supportive and educational programs, inspirational speakers and other special events to help members grow their businesses. NAWBO NYC is a coaltion member of NYWA's Equal Pay Coalition (www.nywa.org).] http://survey.intracommunities.org/limesurvey//index.php?sid=54292&lang=en ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.43 2008-06-13T22:16:05Z 2008-06-13T23:33:06Z

Great News! Yesterday afternoon the NYC Council overwhelmingly approved resolutions calling for the passage of the New York Fair Pay Act and comparable federal Pay Equity legislation!

Great News! Yesterday afternoon the NYC Council unanimously approved resolutions calling for the passage of the New York Fair Pay Act and comparable federal Pay Equity legislation! (details below) The Equal Pay Coalition NYC was a driving force in making this happen…and we’ve only just begun! We will be sending a Coalition letter, the Council’s Resolution, and the Gittell study to all NYS Senate in the next few days, and we are already working on NYC measures to remedy wage inequity. Congratulations to all! Read the NYWA Equal Pay Coalition Press Release:]]> BREAKING NEWS: NYC Council Calls for State and Federal Pay Equity Laws June 12, 2008: The New York City Council overwhelmingly approved resolutions calling for the passage of the New York Fair Pay Act and comparable federal Pay Equity legislation. Addressing the Council, Councilmember Letitia James, sponsor of Res. No. 896A and, Councilmember Helen Sears, Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee and sponsor of Res. No.1152, highlighted the critical need for these legislative solutions to wage inequities. The Equal Pay Coalition NYC, a growing consortium of civic organizations, advocates and experts coordinated by the New York Women’s Agenda, was a driving force in this important step toward ending persistent economic discrimination in NYS and NYC. The Equal Pay Coalition NYC thanks Councilmembers Sears and James for their leadership and commends the Council for this clear message to Albany and to Congress that when it comes to Pay Equity….NYC means business! The Council’s Resolutions are a direct response to recent efforts in Albany and Washington to thwart passage of Equal Pay legislation. In New York this April, instead of supporting the Fair Pay Act Bill that has passed in the Assembly since 2002, State Senator Joseph Robach, chair of the Labor Committee, introduced a substitute bill asking for yet another study, estimated to cost $1,000,000. This bill would inevitably stall passage of comprehensive legislation and would be an enormous and unconscionable cost to taxpayers since so many studies already exist. With advocates statewide, EPCNYC is calling for action, not more studies. Time has not remedied continuing wage inequity, making strong laws a top priority. Although more than 40 years ago Congress outlawed wage discrimination based on sex, women and people of color in the U.S. are still underpaid for the work they are doing. On average a women makes 77 cents on the dollar as compared to men. Those are dollars that don’t add up every week, underscoring that Equal Pay is a family pocket book issue. Those lost earnings impact the lives of women, their families and our communities. (More information can be found at: www.nywa.org) With historic numbers of women in the workforce, and almost half are heads of households, fair pay is a top priority of women voters. The Equal Pay Coalition NYC is working to give voice to this issue. Make sure your voice is counted -- express your support! Thank your Council member for standing up for economic justice! Go to: http://www.nywa.org/call_to_action.html#actionalerts EQUAL PAY COALITION NYC A Better Balance AAUW – Manhattan AAUW – NYC Catalyst Center for the Women of New York CUNY - Howard Samuels Center Junior League of the City of New York League of Professional Theatre Women NY League of Women Voters of the City of NY Legal Momentum Manhattan Chamber of Commerce- Women’s Business Committee National Association of Female Executives Nat’l Association of Women Business Owners NYC NY Coalition of 100 Black Women NYC Coalition of Professional Women in Arts & Media New York Women’s Agenda 9 To 5: Nat’l Association of Working Women NOW-NYC 100 Black Men Roundtable of Food Professionals-NYC Women in Development, New York Women in Health Management Women on the Job Taskforce-NYSPEC Women’s Center for Education & Career Advancement Women's City Club of New York Authors Ellen Bravo, Debra Condren and Barbara Ehrienrich List as of 6/12/08 For further information contact: Beverly Neufeld bneufeld@optonline.com or Joan D .Firestone: JDF248@aol.com Co-Chairs, Government Affairs, New York Women’s Agenda NYWA □ P.O. Box 8419, FDR Station, New York, NY 10150-8419 Phone/Fax 212 937-2411 □ nywa@adminoffice.biz □ www.nywa.org 100 Organizations │100,000 Women │One Voice ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.42 2008-06-13T21:55:52Z 2008-06-13T22:08:10Z

Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: Why Women's Lives Aren't Getting Any Easier--And How We Can Make Real Progress For Ourselves and Our Daughters (Hardcover) by Carolyn Maloney...

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Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights

Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act

Pay Equity

http://maloney.house.gov/ ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.38 2008-06-13T21:13:14Z 2008-06-13T21:26:09Z

City of New York Preliminary Report, FY2008 Compliance Information (July 1-December 31, 2007) Pursuant to New York City Administrative Code 6-129(l)(1): This report, covering Local Law 129 data from the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2008 (July 1- December...

this report and let us know your comments. ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2006:/blog//1.6 2008-05-28T17:36:07Z 2010-01-28T02:14:31Z

Our mission is to provide leadership, direction and political action on issues of public policy with municipal, state and federal governments that will benefit the membership of NAWBO-NYC and women-owned business in general. What We Do: Annually recommend to NAWBO-NYC...

What We Do:

• Annually recommend to NAWBO-NYC a slate of public policy issues and draft statements on behalf of and reflecting the political positions of NAWBO-NYC;
• Execute and manage NAWBO-NYC’s annual program of advocacy events and activities;
• Maintain active contact with elected and appointed officials at municipal, state and federal governments;
• Educate the membership of NAWBO-NYC about public policy issues that are impacting their businesses;
• Identify and research public policy issues of importance to women business owners on a continuing basis;
• Serve as an information resource of first resort for public policymakers and the media on issues of public policy that affect women-owned businesses.

Stay Informed! Search for the latest NY State Governmenment and Political News:

]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.39 2008-05-13T21:28:46Z 2008-06-13T21:36:10Z

Following are some sites that have found some interesting ways to do some good: FreeRice Website: Vocabulary game, each word you get right, 209 grains of rice are donated through the UN World Food Program. Join the campaign to make...

FreeRice Website: Vocabulary game, each word you get right, 209 grains of rice are donated through the UN World Food Program. Join the campaign to make a US Department of Peace, the original proposal dates back to George Washington. Contribute more sites like this. ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.37 2008-04-22T22:15:33Z 2008-04-22T22:24:21Z

JOIN THE COALITION AND NYC LEADERS! BE THERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! REACH OUT TO YOUR NETWORK! SPREAD THE WORD! Get lots of information about Pay Equity from NYWA's coalition google group: Equal Pay Coalition NYC (EPCNYC). NAWBO NYC is...

JOIN THE COALITION AND NYC LEADERS! BE THERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! REACH OUT TO YOUR NETWORK! SPREAD THE WORD! Get lots of information about Pay Equity from NYWA's coalition google group: Equal Pay Coalition NYC (EPCNYC). NAWBO NYC is a coalition member. Download the Download the flyer. ]]> WHY CARE? Maybe it’s someone you know – a neighbor or spouse. Maybe it’s you. But women and people of color in the U.S. are still underpaid for the work they are doing - 77 cents on the dollar as compared to the highest paid group, their white male counterparts. Those are dollars that don’t add up every week, making Pay Equity a family pocket book issue! www.pay-equity.org - Singles: About 50% of American women live without a spouse which demolishes the myth that women need less money because they have “someone to lean on.” - Moms: In NYC, a single mom and her preschooler needed about $39,000 to live in Brooklyn and over $60,000 to live in South Manhattan in 2004, just for a basic standard of living. But, the median income for a single mother was about $26,000. Government subsidies help fill some of the gap between income and the reality of city life. How does she choose between good childcare and necessary healthcare and healthy food? - Professionals: Higher education isn’t protection from pay inequities, though it increases annual incomes. NY women with professional degrees earn 67% of what their male counterparts earn! - Aging Workers: Over a working lifetime, wage disparity costs $700,000 to $2 million in lost wages, impacting families every day, but also Social Security benefits and pensions. - Private Sector Workers: Private for-profit companies have the widest gender gap! The greatest gender parity is in the federal government where Pay Equity policies exist. This loss of earnings - every day, every year - affects the lives of these workers, their families, and our community. It is the product of society’s undervaluing the work of women and people of color. It’s time for a change! Stronger legislation is key. Call for passage of the NYS Fair Pay Act (A.2712/S.3936)! tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.41 2008-03-13T21:37:49Z 2008-06-13T21:54:32Z

NAWBO NYC is a partnered with the New York Women's Agenda. Bringing individuals and organizations together to affect public policy issues in New York City The New York Women's Agenda (NYWA) is a coalition of women professionals and community activists...

Bringing individuals and organizations together to affect public policy issues in New York City The New York Women's Agenda (NYWA) is a coalition of women professionals and community activists who support the diversity and interests of New York Women through collaboration, advocacy and education. NYWA’s mission is to advocate and collaborate for the interests of New York women in public policy decisions that affect our lives; to increase women’s participation in public policy discussions on economic, political and social issues; and to support member organizations in their individual efforts. ]]> tag:www.nawbonyc.org,2008:/blog//1.33 2008-02-18T21:38:27Z 2008-02-20T21:48:15Z

A one-sheet overview on how the New York State Legislation is a good benefit, good for business, and good policy from the New York State Paid Family Leave Coalition. Download 2008 Fact Sheet...

Download 2008 Fact Sheet ]]> NEW YORK STATE PAID FAMILY LEAVE COALITION Working New Yorkers Need Paid Family Leave NO SENATE BILL Senator Morahan was last session’s Sponsor ASSEMBLY BILL (NUMBER A9245) Sponsor: Speaker Sheldon Silver Statement of Purpose~ Changing Times Demand New Solutions Over fifty million Americans have been able to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave since 1993, when the federal Family and Medical Leave Act was signed into law. This policy has been used to care for new babies, sick family members and for individuals to recover from their own serious illnesses. But FMLA provides only unpaid leave, which means too many people still can’t afford to take time off to deal with urgent family needs. The demands on our families have changed dramatically over the past 30 years, but our workplaces have not kept pace. For many working people taking unpaid time off is virtually impossible, no matter how serious the situation. Staying home for a limited period with a new baby or a very sick relative should not be a luxury only some people can afford. Expanding New York’s Temporary Disability Insurance The New York State Paid Family Leave Coalition is working to change that this year. The coalition is working to win at least partial pay during family leave by expanding the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) that New Yorkers already have. This important initiative would expand New York’s existing TDI program to cover a worker who needs time off to care for a newborn or bond with an adopted child, or a seriously ill family member. Workers would receive up to 12 weeks of benefits, funded through a modest increase in premiums paid within the existing TDI program. An Affordable Benefit This is a very affordable benefit for both workers and businesses. Paid family leave would not increase payroll costs. The weekly benefit is covered by insurance and paid for by employees out of small deductions from their paychecks. Since employers would not have to pay workers who are on leave, the savings could be used to hire temporary help if needed. According to studies and to the governor’s estimates, the estimated cost of this addition to the current TDI structure is just pennies per week or $23.40 annually per worker at the current benefit rate of $170 per week. Good Business Making it possible for working people to stay home during these crucial times makes sense for all of us. Paid Family Leave would make it economically feasible for workers to take time off, allow employers to retain valuable workers and give workers the time to attend to issues early on so that those issues don’t turn into a family catastrophe later. Good Policy The United States is alone amongst wealthy industrial nations – and in fact one of only four countries in the world along with Liberia, Swaziland and Papua New Guinea – that does not already provide such paid leave. It's time for New York to follow California and Washington’s lead and adapt to reality of the changing demographics of the American workforce. The New York State Paid Family Leave Coalition is a statewide organization dedicated to addressing the work/family balance through public policy. For more information, contact us at 212-226-1808 or online @ http://www.timetocareny.org/ ]]>