Welcome to our 2021 Board of Directors!
2020 Chair Report
The chamber has had an interesting year. We have had a change in staff, welcoming a new Chamber Manager and Office Administrator. They’ve both been working hard placing priority in setting up much more efficient procedures within the office and better communication with our membership.
Kathy-Jo joined us last March as a temporary support staff and later applied and was offered the Office and Career and Employment Resource Centre Administrator as a permanent position. She has been a big part in organizing the office and procedures, and she has excelled in promoting and running the CERC program.
Pauline joined the team in September and came with experience that will be a big asset to the Chambers growth. She has been working extremely hard at reconnecting with our membership and putting new member incentives in place that will be a benefit to your membership.
Though Covid19 has provided some serious struggles as I’m sure we can all relate. The Chamber has also used it as an opportunity. We realized that the Chamber had become more “event based” and had slowly been moving away from what we thought should be the Chamber’s priority, and that is supporting it’s members. Though events are super important to the Chamber’s financial well being, Covid 19 is forcing us to look at the addition of other avenues for revenue. While we are still hoping to eventually be able to have our traditional events, we are working to offer more programs and initiatives that will promote our members, providing them with the support and exposure that is becoming ever more important.
We now have a POS Machine to allow us credit and debit payments. We have also enrolled in online banking which allows us to accept e-transfers.
The Chamber’s website got an overhaul and our directory has been entirely redone to include only our members. Our website from Jan 2021 to date, has had as many hits as we did in total in 2020. Pauline has reached out to each of the members in regards to their directory listing to ensure the information is accurate and up to date. So, if you haven’t received an email with a link to your listing please let her know.
We had our Chamber business awards during small business week and were able to hold a small ceremony to recognize the businesses that received the awards.
Moonlight madness was a great success with lots of positive feedback and at member requests it was decided to hold a second moonlight madness that was also received very well. We were able to track $778,000.00 that was spent locally at participating members’ businesses.
The board is hoping to have a strategic planning session soon and would appreciate any thoughts and feedback from our membership regarding what you’d like to see from the chamber. Including any strengths, areas for improvement, or gaps in your membership programs & benefits. Our goals are to have an active engaged board and to see an involved and informed membership. It is difficult to set a direction without this information so we are asking that you reach out to Pauline or any of the board members with your honest input.
