Be a Seed for Change

your doctor – and your boss?

STAND With WOMEN

One of the biggest benefits of Obamacare is that being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition. In fact, insurance companies are now required to cover preventive services, including birth control, at no additional cost.
But that might be about to change.

More than 40 for-profit companies, most of which are owned by men, are suing to deny their employees’ access to birth control without a copay. Republicans opposed to the Affordable Care Act are arguing that women’s bosses should have a say in their personal health decisions. This is an extreme move that could undermine a core tenet of Obamacare and compromise women’s health.

In 2012, millions of Americans had the opportunity to vote for a Republican presidential candidate who supported those companies’ position. (You might remember how that one turned out.) But today’s news shows that this fight is far from over — and that we can’t let up.
Add your name to make sure a woman’s health care decision stays between her and her doctor — not her boss.

The Supreme Court just announced that they’re going to hear this case. And if the Court rules in favor of the companies, then it could be up to employers to decide whether or not the women who work for them will have free access to birth control.

We’ve made great progress in fixing our broken health care system by guaranteeing women access to preventive care, and we can’t go back.
Speak out in favor of a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions:
http://my.democrats.org/Stand-with-Women

Thanks,

Lily
Lily Adams
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic National Committee

Lonnie Bunch on 60 Minutes | Sunday, Dec. 1st

NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lonnie Bunch Director

Hello Charter Members and Friends of the NMAAHC,

We hope that you all have the opportunity to enjoy some special time with family and friends over the next few days!

Also, we would like to inform you, our valued Charter Members and supporters, that Lonnie Bunch, museum director, will appear on CBS News’ 60 Minutes this Sunday, December 1^st at 7:00PM ET. Lonnie was interviewed by Scott Pelley for a feature on the 150^th anniversary of the Capitol Dome and its upcoming restoration. His interview helps tell the story of African Americans’ contributions to the building of our nation’s capital, the dome, and Philip Reid, the enslaved man who helped raise the Statue of Freedom at the top.

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!

Edison R. Wato, Jr. Membership Program Manager Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture

This is big: The First-EVER White House Student Film Festival

Check out our official page here — where you can learn more, read the official rules, learn how to submit your video, and hear from Bill Nye (the Science Guy). And if you’re a parent, guardian, or teacher, make sure you spread the word to kids with big ideas.

The First-EVER White House Student Film Festival:Something big is happening today, and you don’t have to be a kid to be excited about it:

We’re launching our first-ever White House Student Film Festival — and we’re inviting K-12 students from around the country to create and submit one- to three-minute short web videos.

Finalists could have their videos screened at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, and posted on the White House website. It might just be cooler than having your homework up on the fridge.

The topic: Highlighting the importance of technology in the classroom — and imagining how technology will change the educational experience for kids in the future.

Interested, or know someone who would be?

Here are more important details you should know:

Every student entry has to have a parent/guardian or teacher sponsor.
Films can be submitted now through January 29th, 2014.
If your video is selected as an official selection, you could have a chance to attend the mid-February screening at the White House.

Read the complete rules (and submit your video!) here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/filmfestival

We can’t wait to see what you make.

Stay Connected

Small Business – Happy Entrepreneurship Month

Celebrating America‘s Entrepreneurs

It’s National Entrepreneurship Month!

SBA is excited to work with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to support and celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month. At SBA and OSTP, we’re focused on the intersection of private enterprise finance, capital investment, technology-driven innovation, and high-growth small businesses.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

SBA introduced a video in recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), to encourage and inspire entrepreneurs to collaborate, innovate, and explore international business opportunities. Every November, GEW brings together innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

Nominate a Business for the 2014 National Small Business Week Awards

Are you a small business owner with an amazing success story to tell? If so, submit your nomination today for the 2014 National Small Business Week Awards. Nominations are currently being accepted online at http://nationalsmallbusinessweek.sba.gov/.

Link Detroit: A Small Business Matchmaking Summit

To provide the tools and resources small businesses need to become effective suppliers, the SBA is collaborating with other agencies and companies on the American Supplier Initiative, which includes a series of supply chain events across the country – continuing in Detroit.

WHAT: Link Detroit: A Small Business Matchmaking Summit
WHERE: Wayne State University – Community Arts Auditorium
WHEN: Tuesday, December 10 | 12:00-6:00 PM ET

> Read more and register

Free Affordable Care Act 101 webinar covering healthcare reform and your small business hosted by SBA and Small Business Majority. Click to RSVP today

Affordable Care Act 101 Webinars – December Dates

With new health insurance marketplaces open, the SBA and Small Business Majority are excited to announce the next set of dates for our free Affordable Care Act 101 weekly webinars so small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how they can enroll in health insurance marketplaces.

Thursday, December 5 at 2:00 PM ET: Click to Register
Thursday, December 12 at 2:00 PM ET: Click to Register
Thursday, December 19 at 2:00 PM ET: Click to Register

TIP! BusinessUSA’s health care tool can help you better understand what you need to know about the Affordable Care Act and your health insurance options.

Webinar Series—How Small Businesses Can Gain Competitive Advantage through HUBZone Certification

Are you a small business owner located in or relocating to an economically distressed urban or rural community? Is your company seeking a competitive advantage in the federal contracting arena? Then the HUBZone certification may be for you. Learn more with this webinar series.

Part I: December 3rd at 2:00-2:45 PM ET: Click to register
Part II: December 17th at 2:00-2:45 PM ET: Click to register

5 Tax Rules for Year-End Bonuses

If 2013 has been a profitable year for your business, you may want to share your good fortune with your staff – perhaps with year-end bonuses. Before you cut a check, understand what these bonuses mean to your business and your employees as well as some alternatives to cash bonuses.