Annual Report 2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Wow, I can’t believe how fast this past year has gone by! February means the AGM for the Chamber, and that means new faces will join the Board, and hopefully the “not so new” faces that leave the Board won’t go too far. This also means the end of my term as President, which I am proud to say was full of work and fun, but mostly full of people and building relationships in many different ways. Some of the many goals we attained this year, as a Chamber are: Business After Hours Events: Providing networking events where our members can connect with other businesses and build relationships. Business Owners Sharing Solutions: Providing educational/professional development opportunities where our members can learn new things to help them in their business journey. (BOSS Events) Being an advocate on a Municipal, County, Provincial, and Federal level regarding policies that affect small business and rural communities. Expanding our social media presence to keep us relevant in this changing marketing world. This is just a small sample of what your Chamber is doing for you, and it wouldn’t be possible without partnerships. Thank you to Gerry Herron of Blue Diamond Window Cleaning for once again being our Networking Sponsor (even though you were too busy to get out to many events) , and to Lynn Woodcroft of Royal Lepage Frank Realty, who was our Professional Development Sponsor this year. We are thrilled and This is just a small thankful they have both renewed their sponsorship for the coming year! sample of what your I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our ServiceOntario Chamber is doing for staff who received an award from the Provincial Government in 2017 for Excellence in Service Quality. As local residents, we are lucky to have you, and it wouldn't be their professional and friendly service! possible without partnerships. We encourage you to visit our ServiceOntario office, located at 133 Water Street in Lakefield, for your drivers license, health card, and organ donor transactions. Page 1 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE By completing your transactions at this office, you are supporting your local Chamber, and therefore your community. This also helps to keep the cost of Chamber memberships affordable. Every year, it seems that some new issue arises that takes our time and resources, to advocate on your behalf. This past year, it was Bill 148 and the changes to the ESA, as well as proposed changes to the County Sign Bylaw. We engaged strongly on these issues, which means we provided information, resources, time and a voice that we know was heard. This voice also included working with the Peterborough Chamber, another great partner we have that is committed to local business. And, let's not forget the opening of Lakefield District Public School. This has been quite a journey, as we fought hard to keep our high school. Having been to the recent Open Housefor LDPS, I must say we have a fabulous school that goes from K-8 and offers French Immersion up to Grade 8. This is a huge benefit to the Ridpath school community, who had been overflowing their previous location for years. And to all the teachers and staff of the school, this new and larger facility is certainly what they deserve to be working in. Finally, one of our slogans is “Join us and be amazed!” and I certainly am amazed at the quality and commitment of our business community. Not just in the way you all own, operate or work for a company, but in how our local businesses contribute to our communities in so many ways. From organizing events, to donating prizes, to volunteering on committees, the desire to give back is incredible. That’s what makes us so great – the common goal to help each other thrive. Priceless! Thank you to Sherry and all the staff at the Chamber Office who always greet people with a smile and helpful attitude, you make us look so good! “If you’re going to dream, dream big!” See you around town. Cindy Windover Board President That’s what makes us so great – the common goal Board President, Cindy Windover with Tessa Smith, the guest speaker at our Volunteer to help each other thrive. Appreciation Breakfast in April. Page 2 A MEMBERSHIP TO VALUE Membership & Programs Committee Cindy Windover, Windover Plumbing, Chair Emily Ferguson, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region Lynn Woodcroft, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Frank Real Estate Scott Matheson, CIBC Sheri Hockaday, Salon Sorella & Day Spa Tom LaBranche, Village Pet Food & Supply Tracy Logan, Logan Tree Experts Chamber Members visit Adventure Outfitters during the 8th Line Hop in September. In 2017, our goal was to continue networking events, and introduce some professional development sessions that would help our small businesses. This goal was as a result of feedback from the membership. In addition to the usual Business After Hours format, we also did two "Hops." At these events members visited a few business in close proximity and networked over refreshments. This is a very popular format and one we will continue in 2018. Overall, we have seen an increase in memberships, and we are proud to offer this range of programs to our members, and also future members. Please watch your NewsFlashes for some really great offerings we have planned for 2018. CHAMBER EVENT HOSTS: Kawartha Lakes Construction 12 Chamber Events Lakeshore Designs The Village Inn Royal Canadian Legion Branch #77 (Lakefield) 531 Attendees Beachwood Resort & Frederick's Restaurant Events were held or supported in Douro- Adventure Outfitters Dummer, North Kawartha, Selwyn, Trent RotaSpa Hot Tubs Lakes, and Curve Lake First Nation. Classy Chassis & Cycles Buckhorn Canoe Company Style Your Nest Pizza Alloro Gallery on the Lake Westwind Inn on the Lake Elmhirst's Resort 2016-17 Networking Event Sponsor Page 3 A MEMBERSHIP TO VALUE Our professional development series, Business Owners Sharing Solutions (B.O.S.S.) was well received. Chamber Members contributed to panel discussions to share tips from their own business experiences. Attendees appreciated hearing local experts. B.O.S.S. MODERATORS & PANELISTS: Chris Calbury, Emmatt Digital Solutions Erin McLean, McLean Berry Farm Jeannine Taylor, kawarthaNOW.com Rachel Sloan, Trinkets & Treasures Victoria Whitney, Griffin's Greenhouses Krista Morgan, Beachwood Resort Matthew Savino, Savino Human Resources Partners Limited Mike Walker, Agilec Scott Wootton, Kawartha Lakes Construction Cindy Windover, Windover Plumbing Scott Matheson, CIBC Tom LaBranche, Village Pet Food & Supply Tonya Kraan, Strexer Harrop & Associates Social Media & Online Marketing B.O.S.S. Panel B.O.S.S. TOPICS INCLUDED: Social Media & Online Marketing Human Resources & Hiring 2016-17 Professional Development Sponsor How to Network Effectively COMMUNITY INITIATIVES SUPPORTED: PolarFest Lakefield Horticultural Society Hanging Baskets All-Ways Apsley Motorcycle Rendezvous Lakefield Fairy & Dragon Festival Selwyn Skateboard Park Canada Day in Lakefield Canada Day Celebrations in Buckhorn Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival Ennismore Shamrock Festival Lakefield Sidewalk Sale Rock the Locks Kawartha Outdoor Adventure Weekend Events Coordinator, Erica Milne presents the Lady Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour Rider Award at the All-Ways Apsley Motorcycle Kawartha Butter Tart Taste Off Rendezvous in June. TSW Trail Towns Workshop Remembrance Day Services in Apsley, Curve Lake, Bridgenorth, Buckhorn, Lakefield and Warsaw Page 4 A MEMBERSHIP TO VALUE 18th Annual Awards of Excellence Gala Committee Cindy Windover, Windover Plumbing, Chair Rita O'Brien, RBC Emily St. Pierre, Community Volunteer Sheri Hockaday, Salon Sorella & Day Spa Jennifer Rosborough, Rosborough Accounting & Tom LaBranche, Village Pet Food & Supply Consulting Once again our Annual Awards of Excellence and Gala was a huge success! This event is the Chamber’s largest fundraiser, and it doesn’t happen without all of you! Thanks to all of our auction item donors, award sponsors, networking sponsors and those who attended, we surpassed our fundraising goal! With this year being Canada’s 150th, and also our Chamber’s 70th birthday, we tried to incorporate come “Canadiana” décor, with a feeling of celebration and I think we succeeded. These events don’t happen without a lot of work and planning behind the scenes, so a HUGE thank you to the Gala Committee for being troopers and making this happen, and of course, Sherry and the Chamber staff who are the real heroes behind the scenes. See you next year at the Gala! Thank You to Our Sponsors AWARD SPONSORS AUCTIONEER BALL Real Estate Inc., Brokerage Keith Monk Auction Service CIBC Community Futures Peterborough PHOTOGRAPHY County of Peterborough Robyn's Nest Photography & Beauty Darling Insurance Gastles - Registered Patent Agents TABLE DECOR Nexicom Swanky Events Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development RBC (Two Awards) NOT-FOR-PROFIT TICKET SPONSOR Nexicom NETWORKING SPONSORS Municipality of Trent Lakes Township of Douro-Dummer Township of North Kawartha Township of Selwyn WINE SPONSORS Herod Financial Services Savage Arms Timberline Custom Homes Gala decor had a Canadiana theme in honour of Canada 150. Page 5 A MEMBERSHIP TO VALUE This event recognizes our business leaders and the exceptional work they do. Over 80 nominations were received with 60 different businesses recognized! In some categories, the number of nominees received double digits. Congratulations Award Recipients! Citizen of the Year: Jennie MacKenzie, Lakefield Not-for-Profit