Welcome to our newest member: Purdy Cabinets and Designs Ltd.
Our guest speakers will be the BC Chamber of Commerce Chair Rod Cox.
Rod has more than 30 years of accounting, financial and general business management experience and has been involved in a wide range of industries including forest products, logging, road maintenance and construction, retail/wholesale and media (radio, TV and cablevision).
In April 2014, he was appointed CEO/CFO of the Kitsumkalum Economic Development Group, the economic development arm of the Kitsumkalum First Nation. He has served as treasurer and President of the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce.
He is also a past director of the BC Games Society and the Northern BC Winter Games Society. He is currently vice chair — Northwest of the United Way Northern British Columbia and a director of the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada.
***
The Chamber of Commerce with the Social Planning Advisory Network and the BC Northern Real Estate Board will be holding two forums this year. The councillors forum will take place at the Gibraltar Room on Monday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. and the mayoral forum will be a luncheon on Oct. 28 at the Pioneer Complex. Please call 250-392-5025 to register for this event, deadline to register is Oct. 24. Limited seating tickets $20 each.
***
As of Nov. 1, 2013, B.C. businesses have new obligations under the Workers Compensation Act (Bill 14) to take action to prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace.
The grace period for implementing a compliant program ended Feb. 1, 2014.
Your Obligations: To comply, all B.C. business owners and workers need to complete anti-bullying and anti-harassment policy and procedures training around reporting and investigation, as well as to be trained to recognize and respond to this issue.
Please contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 250-392-5025 to receive your discount code and registration information.
***
Do you go the extra mile? What percentage of your customers return? Are you helping your staff?
We all know when customers have a great shopping experience in a business as a result of excellent customer service; they will continue to shop there.
If their shopping experience is less than desirable, they will look for other places to conduct their business.
It makes sense that business owners would want to send their staff for customer service training simply to ensure return customers. The Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce can help. We offer many workshops depending on your needs.
One workshop a one day targeted customer service program is called WorldHost Fundamental. Give us a call and we can customize a workshop made just for your type of business.
***
The Fifth Annual Made in the Cariboo Fair will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Tourism Discovery Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A couple of spaces are still available. Call 250-392-5025 or e-mail visitors@telus.net.
***
We invite members to attend our AGM and Election of Officers during Small Business Month. This will be held Thursday, Oct. 30 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Signal Point Restaurant.
We ask that you help us and Signal Point by providing your RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 28: call 250-392-5025 to reserve your seat; $16 for members and $20 for guests.
Chamber meetings offer you the opportunity to meet other businesses and talk about ideas and issues that you have in your workplace. Members are encouraged to enter one of our draws and your business could be profiled in the next Chamber Chatter
***
Business profile for October: FBB Accountants’ Rachel Meldrum.
Rachel was born and raised in Williams Lake. She attended university in Kamloops to obtain a business degree and, after graduating chose to return to the Cariboo to begin her career as an accountant.
Since then, she has been working towards obtaining her Chartered Accountant designation.
Currently, she works at FBB Chartered Accountants LLP with Kane Fraser, partner in charge of the Williams Lake office. The office was opened in February of 2014.
At FBB, we believe in giving back to our community, which we do through The Beautiful Mind Project. With this project, we are able to provide support to our local charities. FBB is located at #301-19 First Avenue North.
The Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce is The Voice of Business in Williams Lake and area. We promote the well being of business in Williams Lake and District and foster a work, stay and play at home atmosphere to all residents.