It Pay$ To Know National Payroll Week 2006
Chicago Chapter American Payroll Association		P. O. Box 836 – Chicago, IL 60690 – (773) 631-8480 www.chicagopayroll.com
Note about National Payroll Week:	What Is National Payroll Week? National Payroll Week – September 4-8, 2006 National Payroll Week is a salute to the American worker and payroll professionals that coincides with the nation's Labor Day celebration. All employees expect and demand that their paychecks be accurate and on time. National Payroll Week is a public awareness campaign that pays tribute to the payroll professionals and the more than 140 million people who work in the United States. National Payroll Week highlights the payroll professionals who support the American system by not only processing their wages, but also reporting their earnings and withholding employment taxes, which keeps America running smoothly. With each and every check issued, company payroll divisions are required by law to withhold the correct deductions for federal, state and local taxes. (American payroll professionals collect and report 71% of all federal revenues.) Any delay or error has serious financial consequences that not only affect employees, but also company’s bottom line. A paycheck that has a single mistake can result in noticeable morale problems and reduced productivity. It is the payroll professional’s job to ensure that each and every employee is paid accurately and on time. Why? Because payroll is the one corporate function where 99.9% accuracy is simply not good enough. Payroll operations are regulated more closely than perhaps any other company division and scrutinized by a myriad of local, state and federal agencies, auditors, collection agents, and of course, by employees. National Payroll Week was designed to honor payroll professionals, but also to celebrate all American workers, because they generate the revenue needed to maintain and continue to build this country. NPW Fast Facts: The American Payroll Association founded National Payroll Week in 1996. National Payroll Week coincides with the celebration of Labor Day. This special week celebrates many things important to each of us who works, including the economic, cultural, and social achievements of workers, and the significance of “an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.” AMERICA WORKS BECAUSE WE’RE WORKING FOR AMERICA®—NPW celebrates the unique partnership among America's workers, our companies, the payroll professionals who pay us, and critical government programs such as social security, Medicare, fair labor standards, and child support. Together, through payroll withholding, we contribute and collect 71% of U.S. Treasury revenue. NPW is a national campaign to help America’s workers understand more about their paychecks, the payroll withholding system and other payroll-driven benefits. NPW 2005 was showcased in ads in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, CFO, and Human Resource Executive Magazine. During National Payroll Week, local APA chapters and members host presentations to school and civic groups, participate in community service initiatives, and use local media to pass along information to today’s workers and the workers of tomorrow. In 2005, 111 NPW government proclamations were issued across the United States. In 2000, APA created a year-round touchstone, www.nationalpayrollweek.com, to provide workers with valuable information about their paychecks, withholding, the payroll industry and celebrating National Payroll Week.
National Education Day:	National Education Day Sept. 8, 2006 What is "Money Matters" National Education Day? During "Money Matters" National Education Day, payroll professionals from across the country will unite to stop the spread of financial illiteracy. Do our young adults really understand the value of their dollars? Do they know where their taxes are going? Do they understand the withholding system or how to complete a W4 form? Payroll professional and the program for National Education Day will help young adults understand their paychecks and their financial responsibilities. Volunteer payroll professionals will teach local high school students in their community the ins and outs of their paychecks and the payroll withholding system. Become a part of APA history … become a volunteer for the first "Money Matters" National Education Day. Helping young adults understand their money has never been easier. All volunteer instructors receive an easy-to-use lesson plan and worksheets (for each student) to teach students at local high schools or youth groups about their paychecks and the payroll withholding system. APA needs you to be a champion of education and volunteer for this exciting new event. As a thank you for your efforts, you’ll get some cool gifts and you can register for the National Education Champion Contest. For more information on National Education Day please go to www.nationalpayrollweek.com and click on How to Celebrate.
Ways to Celebrate NPW:	Celebrate National Payroll Week: Could You or Someone in Your Company use an Extra Paycheck? Don't miss a chance at NPW's "Getting Paid In America" online survey grand prize!  Take the survey and be automatically entered to win a free paycheck and trip to Las Vegas! The survey can be found at www.nationalpayrollweek.com Encourage your fellow employees to participate in the "Getting Paid In America" online survey.  Add the following message to your letterhead, pay stubs or e-mail signature: Voice your opinion on the latest issues affecting how you are paid! Take the “Getting Paid In America” online survey now at www.nationalpayrollweek.com It only takes a few minutes and participants are entered to win a free paycheck and trip for two to Las Vegas! Other ideas: Put an article in your company newsletter or Web site about NPW and your Payroll Department. Host an "About Your Paycheck" meeting to educate coworkers about their paychecks, deductions, benefits and Forms W-4. Give out copies of Your Paycheck. Show Your NPW Support in your Company! Do you celebrate National Payroll Week in your company?  If so, make sure your company receives the recognition it deserves!  Register your company as an NPW Supporter!  To be an NPW Supporter is free!  All you have to do is help APA spread the NPW message to your company.  All participating companies receive a corporate link from www.nationalpayrollweek.com and lots of other free publicity opportunities.
Chapter Events for NPW:	Chicago Chapter Celebrates National Payroll Week : Proclamations: The Chicago Chapter has sent out 15 requests for proclamations for National Payroll Week. We have received back 5 of them including the City of Chicago. Please contact your local Mayor and see if they have signed their proclamation. National Education Day: The chapter is working with the local Rotary Club to present materials to their teen groups. We have two schools already signed up for presentations at the end of September. If you know of any other Schools that would be interested in having us present educational materials on paychecks please let us know. NPW Contest: Once again we would like to offer a contest for our members. Just send a quick e-mail to the chapter mailbox at chicago_chapter_apa@hotmail.com tell us how you celebrated NPW in your company. The entries will be reviewed and a winner selected based on the most original ideas. The winner will receive a free entrance to our Holiday Party on Friday November 17^th and free chapter membership for 2007.
Happy National Payroll Week:	The Chicago Chapter of the American Payroll Association wishes you a very Happy National Payroll Week. Be Proud to work in Payroll!!