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The West Prince Chamber of Commerce has recently re-emerged as a united voice for business in West Prince. The Chamber is becoming active in social programs in the community as well as advocating by business on different issues. The Chamber works to promote business opportunities and economic development within the West Prince Region.

We host monthly mixers for the membership to come out and socialize with other business owners in the community. As well we usually host guest speakers at our mixers that speak on behalf of different business concerns.

FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Call 902 853-4555
e-mail chamber@resourceswest.pe.ca

Upcoming Events

1. Your stake in the community will be best safeguarded by working with others through the Chamber of Commerce. You can ensure success by helping the community thrive and grow.

2. By supporting the Chamber of Commerce you and the community will reap the benefits of concerted community and business development.

3. With your support the community will benefit from new industries with increased payrolls, health and safety legislation, business protection and overall community advancement.

4. Your active participation in the work of the Chamber of Commerce will increase your influence in the community decision making process.

5. Your membership in the Chamber of Commerce allows you give to give back to the community. You can take pride in your contribution to the community.

6. The Chamber of Commerce is a forum where a united public spirit can be directed into useful and constructive purposes.

7. Without a strong and effective Chamber of Commerce our community is less able to compete with other areas for new industries. Your support is important.

8. The Chamber of Commerce is an excellent forum to discuss the broader issues that affect our community, province and country.

9. The Chamber of Commerce is an essential organization that can continually monitor and spur our community’s economic development.

10. The Chamber of Commerce is an effective and constructive body that advocates the improvement of our community. We can, through organized effort, create the kind of community we desire.

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The West Prince Chamber of Commerce Executive for 2007-08 includes (seated, from left) Past-president Emmerson McMillan, President John Lane, Vice-president Elmer Arsenault, Director Natasha Gilks (standing from left),Executive Assistant Justine Lewis, Director Perry Batten, Director Cathy Bullied and (missing from photo) Secretary-treasurer Chad Smallman and Director David Dalton. 

Executive Meeting Minutes – July 23rd, 2008, 4.00-5.45 pm

Alberton Business Center Boardroom – Alberton

Attendance:      John Lane, Natasha Gilks, Blair Horne, Cathy Bullied, Dennis Gallant Courtney Matthews (recording)

Welcome

John welcomed the new directors to the meeting (Dennis Gallant, Blair Horne and Ralph Clark).

Topics for Discussion:

1. Executive Portfolios/ Signing Authority/ Financial Report – Credit Union Bank Statement

The Chamber has two bank accounts i) O’Leary Credit Union – balance of roughly $4,900 ii) Alberton Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce – balance of roughly $6000.  Courtney circulated the latest Credit Union balance statement to the group.

Dennis forwarded a motion that the Executive would remain the same with the exception of Natasha Gilks who will become Secretary-Treasurer replacing outgoing Secretary-Treasurer Chad Smallman.  The Executive for the upcoming year will be John Lane as President, Elmer Arsenault as Vice-President and Natasha Gilks as Secretary-Treasurer. The directors will be Cathy Bullied, Perry Batten, Blair Horne and Dennis Gallant.

The motion was moved by Dennis Gallant. 

The motion was seconded by Blair Horne. 

The motion was carried unanimously.    

It was also clarified that it was necessary for two out of the three Executive members (President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer) to sign all Chamber cheques.

Dennis suggested that the Chamber set up electronic accounts with the Credit Union and CIBC.  This would allow day to day monitoring of account balances and online bill payments.

2. Golf Tournament/Summer Social

Dennis thought that mid September would be a good time for the Chamber to hold a social.  At this point things would be slowing down and people would be ready to participate.  He mentioned a corn boil, comedy skit and a guest speaker as ideas.

John thought September was a good target.  The event could include a round of golf, some music, food, mussels, a kitchen party and other entertainments.

Cathy though a relaxed evening minus the business side would be attractive.  It could be held at the restaurant in Northport.  She suggested a fishing boat cruise from Northport.

3. Young Millionaires

John briefed the group on the donation request from the Young Millionaires Program.  The Chamber donated three hundred dollars to the program.

Courtney circulated a thank-you letter and card from the area co-odinator of the Young Millionaires program, Eric Wagner.

4. Westisle Graduate Bursaries

John discussed the Chamber’s recent donation of two, two hundred and fifty dollar bursaries that were awarded to Westisle graduates who will be pursuing an education in business.

John then opened discussion by asking how money for future bursaries could be generated.  He suggested partnering with the Community Foundation of PEI in a matching fund scenario.  John stated that a partnership would allow the Chamber’s money to be placed in a tax free Community Foundation account with no service charges and a higher interest rate.  John has a long term goal of two hundred fifty thousand in the bank so that larger bursaries can be provided for local students.  John gained the consent of the group to approach the Community Foundation for further information about a partnership.

5. Katimavik Project

Courtney provided an overview of the Chamber’s potential participation in the Katimavik program.  The program provides young people, seventeen to twenty years old, an opportunity to live, work and travel throughout Canada for nine months.  These young people work as volunteers for not-for-profit organizations.  The Chamber will benefit greatly from having one or two people working in the Chamber office creating administrative continuity.  The Katimavik volunteers will be here in three, three months shifts for a total of nine months.

Dennis tabled a motion that authorizing the Chamber’s participation in the Katimavik program. 

Cathy seconded the motion.

The motion was passed unanimously.

6. Deblois school playground donation?

The group decided unanimously that making a donation to the Deblois school playground would open the door to increased solicitation.  There will not be a donation.

7. Membership Drive

The membership drive continues.

Courtney told the group that to date there are 63 fully paid members for 2008-09.

Natasha suggested that the Chamber should provide Certificates for members.

Dennis asked Courtney what complaints about the Chamber he had encountered.

Courtney stated that the major complaint about the Chamber was one of lack of consistency and momentum.  The Chamber is perceived as lacking forward momentum.

8. Topics of Interest

Blair brought up the topic of Worker’s Compensation.  There are many business owners who have questions, issues and complaints with the current system.

John suggested inviting Keith Mullins, the employer advisor from the Provincial government, to speak to a general meeting of the Chamber.

Dennis agreed and suggested a list of questions to be addressed be sent to Keith prior to the meeting.  Questions could include 1) general questions about worker’s compensation 2) concerns 3) changes 4) quicker returns to injured parties 5) ways to review worker’s compensation.

9. Hospital

John stated that it has been two or three years since the Chamber has discussed the hospital situation in West Prince.  It was stated and agreed to unanimously that the West Prince Chamber of Commerce is in favour of one hospital for the region.  This hospital must be a constituent part of a larger and more comprehensive health care plan for West Prince.

John then reminded the group that is has been almost fifteen months since the new Ghiz government came to power and placed an eighteen month moratorium on hospital construction in West Prince. 

John then suggested that the Chamber draft a private to the local MLAs, Health Minister and Robert Ghiz reminding them of the Chamber’s concerns and position.  After this private letter has been sent a public letter should be published in local newspapers.

There was then some general conversation about hospital issue.

John though that local doctors should join the Chamber.

Blair pointed out that the hospitals attracted people to move into O’Leary and Alberton.

Natasha noted that people working in and accessing mental health services in the area were not being respected.

Blair suggested a meeting with the Health Minister and the Premier to discuss the Health care strategy for West Prince.

There was a general sense that if one hospital for the region was not secured we could face a situation in the near future where services are further centralized in Summerside and Charlottetown.

10.  Other Business

John talked briefly about “block release” programs for people training in the trades.  It would be beneficial to have this type of training in West Prince.

Dennis wanted to know more about the proposed public bus system for PEI.

In conclusion John thanked everyone for attending and suggested a general meeting in September.

Our Members