February 21 marks the beginning of Chamber of Commerce Week 2011; an opportunity for local Chambers across the province to demonstrate the outstanding value they provide to their communities. In appreciation of business, we will be serving tea, coffee and snacks from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011, at the Chamber Visitor Centre, at 125C South Shore Road.
Leadership, community and partnership. These are the three elements that define a Chamber of Commerce. Chamber contributions are a tangible part of the municipalities and regions they represent. While each Chamber of Commerce is as unique as the community in which it operates, the value of every Chamber is grounded in three common areas of importance: advocacy, benefits and services.
The advocacy efforts of local Chambers represent some of the most important work that they do. Through provincial and national avenues, Chambers bring local issues of concern, not only to their members, but to the community at large, and to the attention of government. By giving these issues a voice beyond the local level, Chambers provide much needed input to public policy which benefits their local economic and social well-being.
Benefits and services constitute two other areas of Chamber focus.
Our Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce provides direct benefit and service programs for its members, helping them to put their very best foot forward in business, which in turn stimulates the local economy.
Our Chamber is also hard at work promoting and assisting our local communities; whether by hosting and organizing events, or by running the area Visitor Centre and promoting tourism, our contributions are a tangible part of the region we represent.
Chambers’ of Commerce are leaders in action. Chamber of Commerce Week serves not only to recognize and applaud that action, but also to bring further awareness to members of the public, and members of Chambers alike, of the true breadth of the Chamber Network’s influence and importance in British Columbia.
Our mandate is to represent and promote the business community of the Cowichan Lake area. We also work to make our communities better places to live, work and play. During 2010 we were pleased to be part of the following:
2010 began with the Chamber’s AGM, February 11, as well we held our 2009 Awards Night, Pat Jung received the Nichole Stock Community Service Award and the Citizen of the Year Award went to Laurie Johnson.
April 24 the Chamber held its Eight Annual Spring Fling Dinner/Auction, led by Pat Weaver and her very dedicated team who made sure that it was an enjoyable and fun filled evening for all.
Thank you again to all the businesses that donated items for our Spring Fling auction. Plans for the 2011 9th Annual Spring Fling set for Saturday, April 23, are well underway. Support this event by volunteering and donating auction items.
In May, the Chamber was involved with Family Heritage Days. We hosted the community at the Visitor/Business Centre by providing coffee, cookies and juice which were donated by Country Grocer. There were awards for best heritage costume, best business window, and best parade costume. More than 600 people were in attendance in Saywell Park for treats and prizes. This was a great day for the community and it brought us a lot of positive exposure.
In June, as part of the Lake Days, we organized and staffed the “Breakfast in the Town” which is funded by the CVRD Electoral Areas F and I CVRD Regional Directors.
Bill Allan and his team of pancake flippers once again contributed by ensuring the day started off with a great breakfast.
After cleaning up from breakfast we moved to Saywell Park under the gazebo where the concession was constructed and again Chamber members helped in making sure the day’s events were successful. We look forward to continuing to assist where we can in the future.
Lake Days is a tremendous opportunity for the community and volunteers are really needed to keep this event successful.