By Judy Goodman, Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Have you been watching the ten percent shift? Spending within the community, buying locally made products, and supporting local services all count towards the shift. The shift doesn’t ask you to spend more – it just says if you change how you spend. This is the last of my “shift” articles, but I think the most important one.
Did you know non-profit clubs and community groups receive an average of 350 per cent more support from local businesses than they do from non-locally owned businesses?
When we support local businesses, they hire our neighbours, friends and family, who buy homes and pay taxes. Those same taxes pay for our municipal and community services and fund local infrastructure. These same business owners sponsor local teams and clubs, donate products and services for fundraisers, attend charity events and often purchase a donated package.
They are members of clubs that support the community and raise money and share their knowledge and experience by serving on non-profit boards. Simply put, our local business owners are the backbone of community support.
Business owners and managers are pivotal to the success of any community, big or small. Since joining the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce team, I have met some incredible people that freely share their knowledge, time, and resources to maintain our amazing community.
These are the citizens that strive to create a better place for all of us today and for our children to enjoy in the future. Many local business clubs and not for profit organizations depend on membership revenue to deliver services to the community.
A good example is the Rotary Club. Rotarians are business owners and managers that meet for lunch on Thursday’s to scheme up ways to make money to support the local and global community. They work hard all week then roll up their sleeves to volunteer on evenings and weekends for the benefit of the community. Proceeds from this years’ Rotary Raffle went to the Highway Rescue Society for the purchase of a new Jaws of Life and every month the Food Bank receives $100. Youth mentorship is always in fashion with Rotarians. Each year a student from Revelstoke is sponsored to visit a foreign country for one year while the club receives an inbound foreign student.
The Revelstoke Snowmobile Club works to promote tourism in Revelstoke by offering a first class sledding experience for our visitors. They are ambassadors for Revelstoke at several snow shows throughout Canada and the US. The sledding industry brings about $8 million dollars annually to Revelstoke, and creates jobs throughout the winter season. The club’s annual membership of $130 single and $180 for a family, offers great value. Club membership includes trail passes and infrastructure at Boulder and Frisby Ridge mountains, funding of the grooming program and a BC Snowmobile Federation membership. The Snowmobile club has always felt it important to give back to Revelstoke in a positive way. They proudly fundraise for the Revelstoke food bank and have contributed a large amount of food and $3,800 in much needed cash over the last two years. The Canadian Avalanche Association and Avalanche Days have also received significant funding from the Club.
The Revelstoke Cycling Association membership offers access to group road rides, time trials, out of town excursions, participation in local club races and events and discounts at bike shops with your RCA member card. Your membership also allows RCA to provide insurance, obtain grants, mobilize volunteers, and build new trails.
The Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization, dependent on membership dues to deliver valuable services, business advocacy and member events. Membership in the chamber is a valuable asset to your business. As a business owner you can choose the benefits that save you time and money. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our chamber members for their support this past year. I look forward to working with you and our future members towards a prosperous new year. Happy holidays!
Your participation in the community and membership organization support makes a difference! Remember, if it works for you it works for everyone. You can take the pledge at tenpercentshift.ca. Please let us know your local success stories. Call Judy at 250-837-5345 or send an e-mail to executive@revelstokechamber.com.
Judy Goodman is the executive director of the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce.
