Welcome to our newest members: C.A.L. Transport, Smashin Smoothies, the Gazebo Flowers and Gifts, Sweet Arrangements and Tour Wood Rings.
We are so pleased to see our gala 18th Annual Business Excellence Awards evening on March 9 shaping up to be another special evening for everyone! Nominations are starting to come in with the deadline to nominate Feb. 8. Our theme is “The Fabulous 50’s” and the décor will be fabulous once again. Nomination forms have been sent to all members and are online at www.williamslakechamber.com; Community Futures Development Corporation, Save-On Foods and the Chamber office.
We have a number of benefits that will help you in your business as well as your bottom line. Here is some of what we offer; fuel discount programs, Interac 0.069 cents per transaction; low credit card rates from 1.657 per cent, WorldHost training for your staff; luncheon meetings offering high profile, interesting and informed guest speakers.
Your membership fees were due Dec. 1 and we sincerely thank those that have renewed for the coming year. All member information will be updated on our website and our email database will be adjusted accordingly. If members have not received an invitation by email for our luncheon, please let us know so we can make any changes necessary. Our 16 member volunteer Board recently spent the day reviewing and updating the strategic plan and identifying our priorities. The draft will be ready for final proofing by the Board in February.
Feb. 17 is Chamber of Commerce Week in the province, an opportunity for Chambers of Commerce across the province to demonstrate the outstanding value we provide to our communities. This value comes in the form of benefits and services to stimulate local economies, direct community promotion and support, and engaging in an important multi-level advocacy role which benefits the entire province. Chambers of Commerce are community leaders in action. Chamber of Commerce Week recognizes and applauds this important contribution, and brings further awareness about the Chamber Network’s influence and importance to members of the public and Chamber members alike. We are currently seeking partnerships with our members to celebrate success and achievements during this celebration week.
We will be holding a PST Seminar presented by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 9 – 11 a.m. The Ministry is conducting seminars across the province to assist businesses in transitioning to the PST. Cost to attend is $10 and includes refreshments; everyone is welcome however pre-registration is required by Feb. 11.
We have had a few inquiries about having our MP Dick Harris host a Passport Clinic. We have a very tentative date of Feb. 20. If you are renewing or applying for a passport for the first time we are asking you to call us. We will not be having a clinic if there isn’t enough interest. Passport fees will be going up in July so now is a good time to look at this.
We invite members to attend our General Meeting luncheon Thursday, Jan. 31, at 11:45 a.m.to 1 p.m. at Signal Point Restaurant. Chamber meetings offer businesses the opportunity to meet other businesses. Please RSVP by Tuesday to 250-392-5025 or e-mail visitors@telus.net. Speakers: Junior Achievement (JA) is the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business. With over 120 charters worldwide, JA brings a global view of business to local communities.
This program will give students in grades 5-12 the confidence and skills they need to become the next generation of business and community leaders.
Paul Eves, a volunteer with the organization will provide more in-depth information on what this organization can provide to our youth; our children in the area.
We welcome Graham Kelsey who, since his retirement from teaching in the Faculty of Education at UBC has had a professional interest for many years in the administration and governance of not-for- profit organizations. He has served on boards nationally, provincially and locally. In 2002 he was appointed to the B.C. Arts Council, an appointment he held for six years, for two of which he chaired their Strategic Planning Committee. For ten years he also served on the Board of the Central Interior Regional Arts Council as Vice President, President, and Past President. Members can enter the Chamber Chatter draw sponsored by the Williams Lake Tribune and The Wolf/Rush and you could win the business profiles for the next Chamber Chatter.
Chamber Chatter winner for January is Adventure Charters and Rentals.
Some of the things about the winner are they are a locally owned and operated bus charter company doing charters for local sports clubs, mines, schools, weddings, community events, Mt. Timothy ski bus just to name a few. Whatever the need is for a charter we they can accommodate you. They are Adventure Charters and Rentals.
The company is owned by and operates under the umbrella of Gertzen Ventures. Randy Gertzen is the division manager. Adventure Charters is a bus charter and rental company. We are proud to be locally owned and have lived here all our lives. By being here so long we have a very knowledgeable back ground to the Cariboo and its history.
Gertzen Ventures has been in business going on four years and has owned Adventure Charters going on two years in June. We very much enjoy the interaction with our customers on a daily basis and plan to be around many years! Give us a call at 250-305-2251 or visit our website at http://www.adventurecharters.ca/
