The gavel is passed

For over 100 years the Chamber tradition has been to pass the gavel to a new president each year. What a great opportunity I have, as Executive Director, to work with and learn from a variety of community leaders, with different leadership styles, personalities and ideas. I enjoyed working with Wendy Plandowski in her role as president in 2010. Her wonderful sense of humor and her ability to speak to most topics with poise and confidence was a real asset to the Chamber. Our new president, Kevin Lundell, is no stranger to the Chamber. Kevin capably handled the duties of Political Action committee chair in 2010. I look forward with confidence to Kevin's leadership over the next year.

From time to time we say farewell to board members who have served the Chamber well. Florence Blois and Rhonda Perepelkin, although on the board for a short time, offered insight and perspective from their specific areas of expertise. Peggy Bosch, our 2009 president, has retired after being on the board for six years. Peggy's positive attitude and focus will be missed, but she will remain on the Membership Relations committee, so we will still have access to her and knowledge and ideas. Aaron Buckingham, our 2007 president, retired after 10 years of service. Aaron has been very influencial in bringing that young persons perspective to the board. His hard work and passion for this community is appreciated. We wish all of our retired board members the very best as they go on to do other things in the community.

As we say farewell, we also say welcome to three new board members. Michael Holden, Angela Rooks and Darren King will join the board and I look forward to getting to know them better and working with them this next year.  The board members were sworn in by Judge Kim Young at the AGM on February 16th.

Elaine Lawrence, Executive Assistant - Finance, was also recognized for her 10 years of service as a staff member at the AGM.  Elaine joined the Chamber staff in 2001 and has been such an asset to the Chamber. Elaine will receive a day off work during golf season and some passes for the Lloydminster Golf Course as an appreciation for her commitment and loyalty to the Chamber.

I was pleased to speak to the Lakeland College Events Planning class last week sharing some of my experience and knowledge about events planning, as well as providing information about the importance of the Chamber of Commerce in the community. We will be pleased to welcome a practicum student from that class for a six week experience with our staff.

I will be doing an interview with Kurt Price on the morning show this week (Thurs) to talk about the upcoming Business Ed Month kick-off luncheon on March 2nd. I have heard the speaker, Kordell Norton, a couple of times, and I always take away some new ideas about leadership, marketing and events.

Till next week
Pat

Launch of the Gold Star Service With A Smile program

Due to feedback from the community, the Chamber has once again launched the customer service recognition program. This new program is a combination of the former very popular Service With A Smile program and the Gold Star Service Excellence program. Nominations can be for a business or an individual. Chamber members are encouraged to print off a poster from the Chamber website as well as some nomination forms and have them available in their business so that if customers receive a great service experience, they can easily make a nomination. The Meridian Booster and NewCap Broadcasting are once again the promotional sponsors and there are several new program sponsors. Check them out on our website at http://www.lloydminsterchamber.com/. Congratulations to Trans Canada Automatic Truck Wash and to Chelsey Fast - Canada Safeway for being the first two recipients of the Gold Star Service With A Smile award.

As a follow up to the Lloydminster Chamber's policy resolution on Labour Force Enhancement & Quality Pre-kindergarten Progams, a member of the Chamber board will work on the Early Learning Coalition this next year. This will enable the Chamber to get a better understanding about what is available in our community and where the gaps are. Qaulity child care or the lack of it, has a real impact on a buisness's  ability to attract qualified and skilled labour.

I was excited to be appointed to the new Lloydminster Economic Development Corporation. I attended the first meeting last week and am looking forward to working with this board and providing economic development services in a different way than in the past.

The Chamber is a member of the Drug Strategy committee bringing the business perspective to the table.Although I was unable to attend, I have heard some really positive feedback about the Susy Vanderlip "Legacy of Hope" theatrical presentation last week. I had an opportunity to meet with Susie on Wed. and found her enthusiasm and passion for her topic of helping kids make good choices and giving adults some tools to communicate, inspiring and exciting.

The Chamber's workshop on Income Tax for Small Business and T-4's was well attended. Unfortunately the session on T-4's didn't happen so to make up to our members we will be holding another session on T-4's on February 18th at 8:30 am. Call the Chamber office to register if you haven't received a call.

Preparations are in full swing for the Chamber AGM on Wednesday night. This is an opportunity to learn about what the Chamber has accomplished this past year and what is being considered for 2011. You also won't want to miss the swearing in of the new board, black tie bingo and the great prizes.

till next time
Pat

Busy Week at the Chamber

On Monday, Jan 24th the Chamber partnered with the Lloydminster Rotary Club to being to town Celine Favreau , Project Manager with Saskatchewan Economic Development Assoc. who spoke on the Employee Investment Program. There are pamphlets and contact information available at the Chamber of Commerce office.

On Tuesday, I attended the federal budget consultations with MP Leon Benoit and other community leaders. Later that day, our President Wendy Plandowski hosted a meeting with Tiaingio International and Chamber members to learn more about the Chamber Business Trip to China in May. Information is available at the Chamber office and I encourage you to consider this great opportunity to visit China, learn about the culture and about what business opportunities might be available for you.

The Chamber is an active member of the Drug Strategy committee and I attended the monthly meeting on Wednesday. This committee is bringing to town, Susie Vanderlip, who presents a one woman show on how to improve communication between teens and parents. She has an amazing message about how to protect children. This event is being held on Feb. 10th beginning at 7:00 pm at the Legacy Centre. Call the Chamber office to register.

In preparation for the Annual meetings of both the Chamber and Streetscapes, we have been busy preparing documents for the meeting as well as the auditor. There will be a couple of proposed bylaw changes presented at the Chamber AGM this year on Feb. 16th.

I attended the Synergy Credit Union members meeting on Jan. 26th. What a great turn out to debate the amalgamation proposal. We heard some good arguments from both the yes and no perspective and ultimately the members made their voice heard. We are so lucky to live in this great country where anyone can speak up, have their say and have their wishes counted in a democratic way. The outcome was not to everyone's liking of course, but I would like to commend the Synergy Credit Union board and staff for all their hard work on behalf of their members.

Following the members policy development roundtable on January 19th, five policy resolutions will be presented for debate on Feb. 1st. Topics will include: Creating a Safer Community, Improvements to the Lloydminster Airport, Labour Force Enhancement & Pre-Kindergarten programs, Access to Primary Health Care, and Fair & Equitable Funding for Health Care Services in Lloydminster. If you have an interest in expressing your opinion on any of these topics, call the Chamber office and register for this event.

Till next time
Pat

City of Lloydminter e4 plan consultations moving forward

Economic Development Stakeholders Workshop - Chamber Particpates in the Strategic Planning Session

Jan 19, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chamber Participates

Kevin Lundell, Chamber Vice President & Executive Director, Pat Tenney, at work at the Economic Development E4 Strategic Planning Session on January 18, 2011.

E4 Lloydminster is a collaborative planning process introduced by Mayor & council that will create three planning documents for the City of Lloydminster. The 4 e’s embody the City’s desired goals of the entire project – engage, energize, execute & evolve. An interactive and engaging workshop was facilitated by planning consultants Armin A Preiksaitis & Associates Ltd.

The Chamber Political Action committee hosted a meeting of members on January 19th to consider the policy resolutions  that will go forward to the member's debate on Feb.1st . Eighteen members discussed issues concerning health care, airport improvements, quality child care, and safer community.

The Chamber staff is pleased to welcome our new marketing coordinator, Carley Shkopich. Carley has been a member of the Lloydminster community all her life and brings some excellent knowledge and skills to the team.

Till next time,
Pat

Chamber & Synergy Credit Union Business Mixer

Les Messmer CEO of Synergy Credit Union addresses the large crowd at the first business mixer of the new year.  Les informed the group about the work so far of the committee looking at the potential merger of the Synergy Credit Union, Conexus Credit Union and Innovation Credit Union. Les invited all Synergy Credit Union members to attend a public meeting on January 26th at 6:00 pm at the Stockade Convention Centre to learn more about the potential merger and to ask questions.

Some great prizes were up for grabs with Michael Hall winning the Dave Heibert framed print. In addition, president Wendy brought the members up to date on some of the events and projects currently on the go at the Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on Chamber Business mixers go to http://www.lloydminsterchamber.com/

Pat

Mt. Joy will be smiling with all this snow

Thanks to our City staff for getting our streets cleaned and passable after our large dump of snow. We encourage our business members, especially those in the downtown, to clear their sidewalks to make walking easier.

There is a number of events happening in the next few weeks.
Jan. 19th - Lloydminster Economic Development Corporation will sponosr the EARN breakfast with s
                      speaker from Sask Tourism Education Council.
Jan. 24th - Celine Favreau will be speaking at the Rotary luncheon on Employee Investment Program
Jan. 25th - Leon Benoit will be holding pre-budget consultations at the Best Western at 11:30
Jan. 25th - Chamber will host an imformation meeting concerning the next business trip to China
Feb. 4th -  Chamber will sponsor a Income Tax & T-4 workshop for business members
Feb. 10th -Drug Strategy committee will host Susie Vanderlip as she speaks to teachers and parents
                 about helping kids make good choices.
Feb. 16th - Chamber of Commerce AGM. Usually an intersting and fun event
Mar. 2nd    Business Education Month kick-off event featuring Kordell Norton speaking on leadership
Mar. 15th   Chamber will host a Labour Standards workshop on Alberta laws
Mar. 22nd  Chamber will host a Labour Standards workshop on Sask laws.
Mar. 30th   Business Education Month wrap up event for women featuring Pat Katz speaking on work
                  and life balance. Fashion Show & Trade Show as well.

These are just a few of the events that the Chamber is involved with. For information on any of the above, call the Chamber office at 780-875-9013

Policy Development is happening right now. If you have an issue that you think the Chamber should address, either locally, provincially or nationally be sure to let us know. Currently we are considering resolutions on Airport support and upgrades, quality child care and supports for schools dealing with special issues.

Well I'm off to the business mixer at the Synergy Credit Union. Hope I'll see some of you there.
Stay warm
Pat

We're Ready for the New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are ready for another exciting year to come.  Last year was a great year of growth and change for our community. The Chamber grew as well by over 50 new members as well as the introduction of some new programs and services.

Upcoming this month will be several important meetings and events. The Political Action Committee will meet on Tuesday. This hard working group of individuals, led by Vice President Kevin Lundell, are presently preparing policy resolutions for the upcoming year. The Policy Development Roundtable will be held on Wednesday, January 19th at 11:30 am at the Chamber office and is open to Chamber members. Just call the Chamber office to register and come out for lunch and have input into the policy direction for 2011.

Lakeland College Soiree on Friday, January 7th will celebrate 20 years of Learning at the Lloydminster campus. Congratulations Lakeland College. We are proud to have you as Corporate members and value the contribution you make to the Lloydminster community.

An adhoc Chamber committee led by board member Stephanie Dobson is in the process of reviewing the Business Awards processes and criteria. This committee will continue their work over the next few weeks to ensure that the awards continiue to be relevant and current with our community.

A meeting concerning the next Business Trip to China will be held on January 25th. Last year, Chamber president Wendy Plandowski along with members of the Lloydminster, Leduc, Cold Lake and Lethbridge Chambers spend ten days in Shanghai and Beijing learning more about the culture and the business oppourtunities that are available in China.  If you would like to get more information, please call the Chamber office and register for the meeting at the end of the month.

Also on January 25th, our Alberta MP Leon Benoit will be giving our community and members an opportunity to have input into the federal budget. This consultation will be held at lunch time at the Best Western Wayside Inn. Call the Chamber office for more details.

The Lloydminster Chamber and the Lloydminster Rotary Club will host a noon hour speaker at the regular Rotary meeting on Monday, January 24th. This speaker will explore how companies can get their employees more involved in the company through employee investment programs. Call the Chamber office to register.

The Chamber Board of Directors will be holding a strategic planning session in March, soon after the election of the new board.  This planning session will set the course for the next few years. A member survey will be part of this plan, so watch the Chamber newsletter for your opportunity to give feedback and suggestions.

We will be working with the Saskatchewan Chamber over the next year to try and get some clarification in a variety of existing pieces of employment legistlation. In order for employees and employers to resolve conflicts it will be necessary to streamline and bring clarity to the process.

We are looking forward to the development of the new economic development model for our community. The Chamber will have a seat on this board and we are excited about the possibilities that this new structure will have for our community.

If you have a comment about the Chamber, please set up a google account and let us know your thoughts and ideas.

Pat