Feb./Mar., 2014
Volume 14, Issue 1
KawarthaChamber.ca
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
President’s Message .......................... 2
Annual General Meeting .................... 3
Congrats, Welcome & Goodbye ......... 3
Your Local Guide to Business ............ 4
Membership Investment Options ....... 4
Business Assistance Services ............. 5
Member News .................................. 6
National Media Visiting ...................... 7
Ontario & Canadian Chambers .......... 7
Winter Festivals ................................ 7
Coming Events ................................. 8
BRANDING INITIATIVE
Many thanks to the over 30 people who attended our January Business After
Hours which was a Branding Session. Sponsors for the evening were: Lead the
Way Group of Clinics, Lakefield Foodland and the Royal Canadian
Legion, Branch 77. The Ladies Auxiliary prepared a super batch of chili!
Our new Strategic Plan was approved in the fall of 2013. You can review the
completed plan and our five directions here. Our ‘membership to value’
direction (see page 11 of the Plan) calls for a review of the Chamber’s name,
tagline, brand identity and brand story to ensure that it resonates with and is
championed by members. Our ‘destination with appeal’ direction (see page
12 of the Plan) indicates that to better serve our members, the Chamber will
strengthen its role in the promotion of the region as a destination for seasonal
residents, day trippers and tourists. These are the two directions that are being
addressed during the Branding Initiative.
Membership to Value: We will be considering the name and corporate identity
of the Chamber as an organization. During the Strategic Planning process we
gathered some useful feedback and comments with respect to this. More
feedback will be requested on this aspect as we move forward.
Destination with Appeal: We are looking at this with the broadest definition of
‘destination’ – both the physical place as a destination as well as our website. We
also intend to focus on a broad market – not just the ‘true tourist.’ We want to
make sure that seasonal residents and those in nearby communities, such as the
City of Peterborough, are aware of the services and products that the businesses
in our region have to offer.
It was also acknowledged during the Strategic Planning process that
implementation of these two directions would require a significant refresh or
complete redesign of our website. The thinking here is that the current site is
very corporate and it focuses on providing information that is of interest to our
members. This information is certainly still required on the Chamber’s site, but
the Home Page and many other pages would become more consumer focused –
attracting consumers to and making it much easier for them to find the
businesses in our Directory, special offers and coupons offered by the
businesses, events & activities, etc.
Please do not hesitate to forward any questions or thoughts you might have to
Sherry Boyce-Found ([email protected]) or any member of
the Branding Task Force: Heather Sadler ([email protected]), Kris
Keller ([email protected]), Gillian Exton ([email protected]) and Alan Pinn
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Chamber Board Mtg. - Mon. Feb. 10th
AGM - Wed. Feb. 19th
BAH: New Member Welcome - Tue.
March 4
Chamber Board mtg. - Mon. Mar. 17th
BAH: Lakefield College School & Greater
Peterborough Chamber - Tue. April 1st
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Well, is it cold enuf fer ya?
What a winter it has been, but of course that is a good thing for all those who enjoy the snow and the cold crisp days here in the Kawartha Lakes! After several very poor years for snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoe-ers, it couldn’t be better!
Winter is a time for the rest of us, those who are less keen on freezing temperatures, to catch up on inside things and to plan for the warmer days that come with springtime. It’s also a time for some of us to escape to sunnier climes for a few days, weeks or even longer, if we are able. Safe travels to those who are headed south in the coming weeks!
Over the course of this winter the Chamber has been continuing to reflect on how we can best serve our members and our member’s customers over the coming year/s. We can’t do it alone, so along with our consultants Small World Marketing, we will be continuing to ask for your ideas and reactions to suggestions as our Branding Exercise unfolds. We are wondering, “How should we describe who we are, what we do, what we can offer and what makes us special?” Once we have that figured out, we will be in a better position to effectively communicate that information to others near and not so near!
We recognize that sometimes it is difficult to tear ourselves away from the business of running a business. Often it is hard for us to put our finger on how the pieces of the puzzle fit together, how each of our own businesses are connected to others. Living within the “East Kawartha” community and typically within smaller communities such as Woodview, Hall’s Glen, Lakehurst, Galway, Douro and Youngstown, we are connected in ways that are very special.
The Chamber wants to help strengthen those ties and to help to build new ones, so that together we can go forward from a point of strength.
I hope you will be able to join us for our Annual General Meeting on February 19, at 5:30 pm at the Village Inn in Lakefield. As always, you have the chance to weigh in on how we are doing. Our Annual Report will be circulated to you and copies of the financial statements will be available at the meeting. We will share some news about the Branding initiative and other activities around the area. I look forward to seeing you there.
Meanwhile, try to stay warm and think spring!!!
Heather
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Heather Sadler,
Board President
“How should we describe who we are, what we do, what we
can offer and what makes us special?”
AGM, Wednesday,
February 19th
5:30 - 6:30
The Village Inn
39 Queen St.
Lakefield
2014/15 Slate of
Directors
Those beginning the
second year of a two-year
term:
Bryan Kingdon, Irwin,
Sargent & Lowes
Dan Rosborough,
Rosborough Accounting &
Consulting
Esther Inglis, Gallery on
the Lake
Heather Sadler, EcoVue
Consulting Services
Kevin Dyck, Kingdon
Timber Mart
Those nominated to renew
or begin a two-year term:
Brian Harrington,
Clearview Cottage Resort
Chris Wilson, Let’s Get
Digital
Gillian Exton, Stuff
John Penny, JC Penny
Accounting & Tax Services
Kathy Newton, Eastview
Property Management
Kris Keller, RBC
Tom Podd, Ennismore
Automotive Repair
Tracy Logan, Logan Tree
Experts
The Board encourages all members to join us for the AGM, Wed. Feb. 19th, 5:30 - 6:30 at the Village Inn, Lakefield. The agenda will include:
2013 highlights
Nominating Committee will present
the slate of directors for the coming year (see list on right). Nominations from the floor will also be accepted. While the slate meets the minimum number required, additional Directors can be
accommodated. Contact the office for more details.
Executive will be elected at the first
meeting of the new Board - on March 17, 2014.
Network with fellow members over
light refreshments.
Draw prizes! If you wish to
contribute an item, please call the office.
The Annual Report will be
circulated prior to the AGM.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering for a committee or the Board, the AGM is an excellent opportunity to meet the current Board and chat with them about some of the things they
do and what it means to contribute to the Chamber in that role.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CONGRATS, WELCOME & GOODBYE
The Chamber’s Business Office has had some comings and goings since our last Newsletter.
Jasmine Sager, Marketing & Membership Coordinator left us the end of December to make ready for her new bundle of joy, Hadley Dawn, who arrived on January 14th. Jasmine’s professionalism and easy going nature will certainly be missed.
Tammy Underwood, our Administrative Assistant will be acting in the Marketing & Membership role until we move forward with filling the position. This will happen once future directions are determined with the Branding Initiative.
We welcome Angie Butwell, who joined us in January as the Acting Administrative Assistant. Angie and her family live locally so she has a great sense of the community. She brings experience as a bookkeeper and frontline staff member. Be sure to introduce yourself at the AGM.
At the end of January, we bid farewell to Jacob Tarala, our Co-op Student from Lakefield DHS. We greatly appreciated Jacob’s help during our very busy fall period with Gala preparations and we put his computer skills to good use. Some members also benefitted from Jacob’s assistance with special projects. Jacob
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Angie
Hadley
2014-2015 YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL BUSINESS
Are you looking for some cost effective advertising for your business? How does 1.25¢ per copy for a
1/4 page ad sound?
This year’s edition of the Directory has many different options available for promoting your business.
The Directory will be delivered to 13,500 homes, businesses and
high traffic areas in Douro-Dummer, North Kawartha, Selwyn and Trent Lakes.
Save 20% - pay for your ad by Feb. 26th
Save 32% - upgrade your membership to a Standard or Select level
Save 40% - on a premium ad by
upgrading to the Select level!
Upgrade your membership and receive many more value added bonuses! (See below.)
For more details on these great rates, click here for the ad rate sheet, or contact Tammy at the Chamber office.
Basic Level - $165.00
Includes:
Listing in printed,
online and mobile directories, including social media info online
Business card or
literature displayed in Chamber locations
Use of “Proud
Chamber Member” Logo in your marketing
Member only
referrals
Preferred rates on
group insurance, ESSO programs, Member to Member discounts
Ability to post
consumer coupons
A voice at all levels
of Government in decisions that impact business.
Standard Level - $295.00
Add these extras:
Enhanced online
listing with colour blocks, photo/s on your information page, and map locator on search results page
40 word business
description in print and online (searchable text)
Additional keywords
to improve online search results
Additional online
category with business description
An online display ad
in rotation on search and results page
Two NewsFlash
messages
One business card
sized ad in a Newsletter
Select Level - $595.00
Even more extras:
Priority placement in
search results
Business logo
displays on search results page
Two additional
online categories with business descriptions (4 total)
Video capability on
your listing page
One 15 second ad
for six months in our 3 monitor locations
Your business logo
in rotation on the Chamber home page, linked to your listing
Two additional
NewsFlash messages (4 total)
One more business
card sized ad in Newsletter (2 total)
MEMBERSHIP INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Below is a snapshot of the three different membership options with EKCC. You may upgrade your membership at any time, even if you have already renewed for this year. Take advantage of some great savings on advertising in our Business Directory by upgrading now! Contact Tammy for more details.
As low as
1.25¢
per copy
for 1/4 pg. ad
Save
20 - 40%
on your ad!
Remember to
Update Your
Business Listing by
Feb. 7th to have
changes reflected in
2014/15 printed
Directory.
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According to Statistics Canada, the
failure rate for small businesses in
Canada is alarmingly high. While 85
per cent make it through their first
year of business, only 51 per cent
survive through year five.
Small business owners know that
they can use some help, with two-
thirds wanting help with financial
planning or tax payments and over
half wanting to learn more about
cash flow, as reported by the 2012
Sage North America's financial
literacy survey. The survey of 300
also revealed three quarters of
owners do their own invoicing and
over half of owners do their own
payroll and accounting.
Expert opinions can be expensive,
and most small businesses cannot
afford to have a full-time accounting
specialist on hand to solve financial
issues and offer advice on how to
manage company finances.
That's where the Chambers of
Commerce Group Insurance Plan's
Business Assistance Service
(BAS) can help. BAS is a confidential
service that provides up to six hours
of access to professional accounting,
legal and human resource experts
who understand the challenges small
business owners face.
The Chambers Plan BAS is a free
service built into every Chambers
Plan benefit program. Owners simply
contact BAS by telephone or email,
and a trained specialist will ask some
basic questions to determine which
services will best resolve the issue. A
counselling appointment will then be
arranged for the owner with a
Certified Accountant, Certified
General Accountant, professional
Lawyer or a Human Resource
Specialist.
Advice from a professional enables
owners and managers to strengthen
management and control functions
through expert counsel. BAS can help
owners obtain the answers and
recommendations to solve business
accounting challenges, make
informed compliance decisions and
resolve employee issues. And all at
no cost; a part of every Chambers
Plan package.
One-on-one consultation is often
financially out of reach for many
businesses, but with the Chambers
Plan BAS, owners have access to
expert advisors able to help their
business grow.
If you wish to know more about the many benefits of the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, please call Brian, The Life Insurance Guy at 705.741.1400. You can also view buychambers.ca and chambersgroupplan.com
A HELPING HAND WITH BUSINESS
ASSISTANCE SERVICES
5
Up to six hours of access to professional accounting, legal
and HR experts - FREE to Chambers Plan clients.
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MEMBER NEWS
DUENORTH KENNELS
DueNorth Kennels is launching DueNorth Dog Training Academy. Come out for our open house in our new location, 3165 Lakefield Rd., Creekside Plaza, Unit #3, Saturday, Feb 15th from 9 to 5. There will be refreshments and demonstrations of obedience, and canine scent detection. Please feel free to bring friendly dogs by for a visit or an assessment. duenorthkennels.ca
45 YEARS OF SERVICE
Township of Douro-Dummer Mayor
J. Murray Jones presented CAO Dave Clifford with a certificate at the end of December commemorating 45 years of service with the Township. Dave began his career with Dummer Township in 1968. Congratulations Dave! Here’s to 45 more!
VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER
Fredrick’s at Beachwood is coming out of hibernation for Valentine’s Day Dinner with a delectable four course menu. beachwoodresort.com
WREN ANTIQUES IS MOVING
Beginning February 1st, I will be partnering with Brittany ‘N’ Bros, 15 Queen St. Lakefield! We’re both really excited about the move and hope to make the location a destination with appeal! Drop by my new location, check out my window display and come in to see all we have to offer.
FREE HORSEBACK RIDING
From our Family to Yours. Again this year, Buckhorn Riding Academy is offering FREE FAMILY DAY RIDES! Monday February 17th from 10 am-3 pm..... book a time by calling 705.772.9332, email [email protected] or message us on Facebook.
We will again be supporting Kawartha Food Share on this day so any donations of non-perishable food or cash will be gratefully accepted. Located minutes north of Peterborough...2185 Buckhorn Rd (first farm on the east side just past Selwyn Rd.)
AN AWARD WIN & AUDITIONS FOR DRAGONS DEN
11-year old Faith Dickinson, the creator of Cuddles for Cancer, has been named one of 12 recipients of the 2013 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award. Each recipient goes above and beyond what is expected of someone their age. The award will be presented at a special ceremony in the spring. Congratulations Faith!
On January 29th, Faith loaded up her “cuddle” blankets and stood in line at Trent University to pitch her organization to Dragon’s Den. She was the only youth in line and received lots of well wishes from her fellow entrepreneurs.
Faith asked the Dragons for $25,000 in return for 25% of her ‘company.’ The producers indicated that she would be notified in four weeks if she was successful in her quest to meet the real Dragons.
If she makes it to the Den, filming would occur in March/April, but even that doesn’t guarantee that her pitch would be aired.
Best of Luck Faith!
Municipal elections will take place for all of Ontario on Monday, October 27, 2014.
Below is an unofficial list of declared candidates for Council, as of date of circulation. School Board Trustee nominations can be found on the municipal websites.
Mun. of Trent Lakes
Mayor - Janet Clarkson
Councillor at Large - Peter
Franzen
Councillor for Harvey Ward
- Peter Raymond
Twp. of Selwyn
No candidates have declared for Council as of circulation date
Twp. of Douro-Dummer
Mayor - James Murray
Jones
Deputy Mayor - Karl Moher
Councillor Ward 2 Dummer
Ward - Shelagh Landsmann
Twp. of North Kawartha
Mayor:
Barry Rand
Jim Whelan
Rick Woodcock i
Deputy Mayor - Doug
Hutton
Councillor Chandos Ward 1
- Jim O’Shea
Councillor Burleigh-
Anstruther Ward 2 - Carolyn Amyotte
Councillor at Large:
Richard Lote
Roman Miszuk
MUNICIPAL
ELECTIONS
NATIONAL MEDIA VISITING THE REGION
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism (PKT) has successfully secured the
opportunity to host the 2015 Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC)
Conference & AGM in Peterborough. The EK Chamber was pleased to provide a
letter of support for their bid. This will be the first time the association has
chosen to host its conference in a rural destination, and will result in significant
media coverage for the area.
TMAC is comprised of 450 members who are experts in the field of travel across
Canada, consisting of writers, photographers, filmmakers, bloggers, social media
mavens and highly respected representatives of the travel industry. The annual
conference is a place for members to gather story ideas, to explore new
destinations and to keep-up-to-date on skills, trends and techniques.
In the near future, PKT will be looking for community partners and sponsors with
an interest in helping to showcase the best this region has to offer. Businesses
and organizations interested in receiving information about sponsorship and
partnership opportunities are encouraged to send an email to
ONTARIO & CANADIAN CHAMBERS
Read the Ontario Chamber’s submission to the Minimum Wage Panel and Panel’s
Recommendations here. Read the Canadian Chamber’s Annual Report including
an update on their progress tackling the Top 10 Barriers to Competiveness.
CHAMBER SUPPORTS WINTER FESTIVALS
PolarFest, in the Township of Selwyn, certainly had a winter atmosphere for a
weekend of fun activities, Jan 31 - Feb 2. Once again the Chamber supported the
ice carving in Lakefield, Bridgenorth & Ennismore. More PolarFest photos can be
viewed on our website. Be sure to check out the Apsley Winter Carnival
schedule (Feb. 21 - 23) and the Skijoring event that the Chamber sponsors.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Check out upcoming community
and business events including
Heritage Day, Apsley Winter
Carnival and the Chamber’s
New Member Welcome
Curling Event.
Click here to be taken to the
events page of our website where
you'll find information on those
great events and so much more.
If you have upcoming events that
you would like posted or
mentioned in an upcoming
NewsFlash or Newsletter submit
them to Tammy via email.
Jenny McKenzie,
Lakefield Pantry, Polar
Paddle Organizer
2014 Polar Paddle Champions -
Team Stuff
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LOCATIONS
Business Office
12 Queen St. Lkfld., PO Box 537 P: 705.652.6963 T: 1.888.565.8888 F: 705.652.9140 ServiceOntario Office
133 Water St. Lkfld., PO Box 537 P: 705.652.3141 F: 705.652.0134
Apsley Information Centre
Rustic Roots in the Kawarthas (Ask at Tucker’s Marine for access.)
COMING EVENTS
2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday, February 19th, 5:30-6:30 pm
The Village Inn, 39 Queen St., Lakefield
The Board of Directors encourages you to attend the AGM. The evening will include an overview of 2013 Chamber highlights, a presentation of financial statements and the election of Directors for 2014. Join fellow Chamber members for refreshments, networking and prizes!
A minimum number of members in attendance is required, so advance registration is appreciated. Click here to register.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Welcome New Members - Try some Curling!
TUESDAY, March 4th, 4:30 - 7:00pm (Note day & time.)
Ennismore Curling Club, 555 Ennis Rd., Ennismore
We welcome all members to join us for our annual New Member Welcome event! This year you will have the opportunity to try your hand at one of the world’s oldest team sports. Local curlers will be on hand to give some instruction on the rules of the game and how to play. All that’s required of you is a clean, scrubbed pair of shoes and the desire to have a great time! The number of curlers is limited so register early.
We will curl from 4:30 - 6:00pm and network over refreshments from 6:00 - 7:00pm. Can’t join us for curling? Then come for the networking.
All new members (since March 2013) are encouraged to bring brochures or business information for display.
No experience is required - our focus will be having fun and meeting new people to expand your business network. Bond with your colleagues and register your own rink, or ask to be matched with curlers from other businesses.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Peterborough Business Exchange
TUESDAY, April 1st, 4:00-6:00 pm (Note day & time.)
Lakefield College School, 4391 County Rd. 29, Lakefield
Join us as we partner with The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce for Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX). This event is a chance for EKCC
members to network with Peterborough Chamber members and the LCS Faculty and Board. Take a tour of Lakefield College and enjoy their hospitality as host of the event. Refreshments and a major door prize to be given away! Register here.
BOARD MEMBERS
Executive
Heather Sadler, President EcoVue Consulting Services Kris Keller, Vice President RBC Kawartha Lakeshore John Penny, Interim Secretary-Treasurer JC Penny Accounting & Tax Services Scott B. Davidson, Past President Hendren Funeral Homes Directors
Kevin Dyck, Kingdon Timber Mart Gillian Exton, Stuff Leslie Graham, Viamede Resort Esther Inglis, Gallery On The Lake Kevin James, Health Insurance & Financial Advisor Bryan Kingdon, ISL Insurance Tracy Logan, Logan Tree Experts Tom Podd, Ennismore Automotive Repair Dan Rosborough, Rosborough Accounting & Consulting
STAFF
Sherry Boyce-Found
General Manager [email protected]
Tammy Underwood
Acting Marketing & Membership Coord. [email protected]
Angela Butwell
Acting Administrative Assistant [email protected]
ServiceOntario Office
Deb Lowcock, Supervisor Krista Laidley, Assistant Supervisor Carla Hunt, Customer Service Rep. Jennifer Kidd, Customer Service Rep. Laurie McGee, Customer Service Rep. Deb Yandt, Customer Service Rep.