Special Features - MyBusiness - March 21 2014

Abbotsford News Friday, March 21, 2014

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myBusiness E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y

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One of the largest networking events coming to the Fraser Valley Alina KONEVSKI ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Anyone looking to grow their business and make a few extra connections will soon have the networking event of the year on their doorstep in Abbotsford.

Fraser Valley chambers of commerce are banding together to create this year’s Business Showcase.

The seventh annual event will have more than 1,000 business people from the region mingling with about 200 exhibitors of all types.

“We have local businesses ranging from small to large.

We have not-for-profit organizations. We have home-based business.

We have chamber members and non-chamber members,” said Carole Jorgensen, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce’s events coordinator.

The chambers from Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Cloverdale, Langley, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, Mission, Surrey and South Surrey-White Rock, present the show every April in Abbotsford and every fall in Langley.

Admission is free, and there will be complimentary appetizers and beverages.

“It’s a unique event. Yes,

Photos from last year’s successful networking event at Tradex.

we have exhibit booths, but because we have it complementary to attend,

and we’re providing food and beverages, it makes for a unique networking

event,” said Jorgensen. “And because of the members attending from all the

participating chambers, we have a great mix of exhibitors.”

New for this year is a line up of speakers. IGL Financial Solutions’ will give a talk at 3 p.m., with John Hakkarainen and Dustin Hughes; the topic will be about the Chamber of Commerce group insurance plan. At 4 p.m., Guy Steeves of Constant Contact will speak about the power of social media, while at 5 p.m., IQ Management’s Gerry Wiebe will present on employee training. Finally at 6 p.m., Ken Keis of CRG Consulting Resource Group will speak on creating greater value to improve credibility in the workplace.

The 2014 Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce Business Showcase will be held at TRADEX in Abbotsford on Wednesday, April 16, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Attendees are required to pre-register at abbotsfordchamber.com.

Organizers are also looking for one more event sponsor, to join the list of three already signed on: Canadian Blood Services, Jani-Clean Janitorial Services, and Instant Imprints.

There are still booths left for exhibitors, and non-member businesses are welcome.

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Abbotsford News Friday, March 21, 2014

myBusiness

Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:

E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y

2014

BOARD OF

abbotsfordchamber.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

DIRECTORS Membership updated on accomplishments in past year Mike Welte PRESIDENT

Joshua Bach

Brandon Kelley

VICE PRESIDENT

TREASURER

Kenda Allen

John MacDonald

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

On Wednesday March 19, members of the Chamber gathered at the Rancho for our Annual General Meeting. At the meeting, the membership had the opportunity to elect 5 board directors for a 2 year term and hear from the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade & Member of Parliament for Abbotsford.

One of my favourite parts of the AGM is the opportunity that I have as President to update the membership on what we have accomplished over the last year.

Here are a few of the highlights.

In 2013 we celebrated our 100th year as a Chamber with many events to mark this great milestone. We organized a trip to China and created a

community grant program where we awarded $2,500 to three deserving local non-profit organizations. We launched this new Chamber publication with the Abbotsford News called myBusiness and worked with a class of UFV students to help us with a membership drive.

From an advocacy perspective, we protected the interests of local berry producers by opposing an audible bird scare device bylaw. We saw the completion of the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Prosperity and creation of an Economic Development Strategy for the City. The city announced that it will continue with the Mobile Business License Program brought forward by

the Chamber.

Another area where we supported small business was our opposition to the location of a very controversial supportive recovery home. Although we support the need for this low barrier facility in Abbotsford, we don’t agree that the C7 zone within the Business Improvement Area is the right location.

We continue to lobby to ensure that MMBC will have a minimal impact on businesses that produce paper or packaging that will enter the residential recycling stream.

As we look forward into 2014 we have many new exciting initiatives underway which I will elaborate on in future issues.

NEW BUSINESSES: Hilary Beard

Jason Blumenfeld

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

Mark Dana

Parm Sidhu

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

Dave Miller

Cameron Wilson

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

Sara Lawson

Mark Warkentin

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

The Abbotsford Chamber would like to welcome 5 businesses since February 21: Becoming a member of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce provides substantial benefits to generate more business and reach the heart of your community.

Industrial Quality Management – Gerry Wiebe – 604-746-6447 The Chef’s Pantry and Catering Co. Ltd – Pamela Scott – 604-855-2545 Jelly Marketing – Darian Kovacs – 866-459-1648 Abbotsford Paint & Decorating – Martin Prus – 604-850-6750 Killer B’s Renos – Matt Beingessner – 778-242-1191

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Abbotsford News Friday, March 21, 2014

myBusiness

Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:

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abbotsfordchamber.com

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Chances are you have a busy lifestyle and need expert help Wayne & Jimmy are eager to help and have the ‘know how’ to get you rolling! ‘ wnelson@murraygmabbotsford.com

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Allan Asaph, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, working with UFV business students.

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to cold call 30 businesses to encourage a decision-maker to attend one of six information sessions being led by the students at the Chamber’s Sevenoaks boardroom.

Allan Asaph, executive director of the Abbotsford Chamber, has been working with the students, letting them know what benefits to highlight when making their cold calls.

During the week of March 24-28, the student groups will make in-person presentations to the “prospects” who have expressed interest in the Chamber after having heard the initial pitch via phone or in person.

A component of the students’ grades in their UFV course will be based on their ability to fill the room with prospective Chamber members — some of whom will hopefully proceed on to membership.

“This is active learning at its

best,” says Breedveld. “Our students enjoy the opportunity of being able to apply the knowledge they are learning in the classroom.”

Some of the benefits that the students are explaining to potential members include networking opportunities, advocacy that the chamber provides on issues such as taxation, access to group benefits, the chance to meet new potential clients, and advertising opportunities in various Chamber media products.

So if you see a few new members at Chamber functions this spring, ask them how they heard about the Chamber of Commerce. Chances are, a UFV business student sold them on the concept by showing how Chamber membership could solve some of their business challenges.

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Practice makes perfect. That may seem like a cliché, but it holds true when students are trying to finesse a new skill.

And since students in UFV business professor Mark Breedveld’s BUS 322 (Advanced Selling) class are working on honing their sales skills, it made perfect sense to team up with a local organization that was looking to expand its client base.

Third-year business students have been working with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce on a sales campaign aimed at boosting awareness — and ultimately membership numbers.

The students were divided into teams, and assigned to do “cold calls” from a list of business names drawn from the city’s business licence registry.

Students were welcome to call their own “warm” contacts as well, but each student had

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Abbotsford News Friday, March 21, 2014

myBusiness

Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:

E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y

2014

CHAMBER

TEAM MEMBERS

abbotsfordchamber.com

Bill 14 requirements Made easy with St. John Ambulance Training

Allan Asaph EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR allan@abbotsfordchamber.com

La Vonne Bandsma

Carole Jorgensen

OFFICE MANAGER

EVENT COORDINATOR

Lavonne@ abbotsfordchamber.com

Carole@ abbotsfordchamber.com

ABBOTSFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 207 - 32900 South Fraser Way

Phone: 604-859-9651 Fax: 604-850-6880 lavonne@abbotsfordchamber.com

myBusiness Published 10 times per year.

For advertising in this special section please call 604-853-1144 or email m.molnar@abbynews.com

Workplace bullying and harassment is a growing issue in British Columbia. So much so that last May the Government of B.C. passed Bill 14, aimed at addressing revisions to the Workers Compensation Act as it relates to compensation for mental health disorders.

The government gave employers a six-month timeframe ending November 1, 2013 to meet these new requirements which include official anti-bullying policies, anti-bullying and harassment training for all employees, clear reporting and complaints procedures for bullying and harassment as well as detailed records for all cases of bullying and harassment.

Given the significance of the changes, St. John Ambulance British Columbia and Yukon recognized the policies may be difficult for companies to meet.

“Bullying and harassment is a major occupational safety issue that poses potential risk to the physical and mental health and safety of workers and it’s hard to know where to start when implementing new company

policy,” says Karen MacPherson, CEO St. John Ambulance British Columbia and Yukon.

“While the initial six-month timeframe has passed, it’s still just as important that companies, regardless of industry or area, are educated on the importance of Bill 14 and are capable

which shares resources and information needed to ensure compliance with Bill 14.

A second, online employee program “Workplace Bullying and Harassment – How to Recognize and Respond” provides the required training and tools to prevent and respond to workplace bullying and harassment, including: a training program for supervisors and workers on how to recognize and report workplace bullying and harassment, adaptable templates for managers to develop an anti-bullying and harassment policy for the workplace, and procedures for reporting complaints and incidents of bullying and harassment.

St. John Ambulance’s online format makes it easy for Abbotsford businesses to meet these requirements.

For more information on these courses, or to register, visit bc.sjatraining. ca, call our Abbotsford branch at 604-853-8700 or Customer Service at 1.866.321.2651.

of meeting these new requirements.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting workplace health and safety, we developed online support and training programs aimed at employers and employees to make these adjustments as easy and accessible as possible.”

The two-part program includes a free online tutorial, “BC Bill 14: Workplace Bullying and Harassment – Meeting Employer Requirements” for employers

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IMAGINE WHAT ABBOTSFORD WILL LOOK LIKE IN 2020 Maybe you can see our city having lower taxes, creating a better environment for small business, stimulating jobs, improved transit or solving social issues.

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WE ARE ASKING YOU . . . WHAT IS YOUR BOLD IDEA FOR ABBOTSFORD? Our goal is to stimulate conversations from Abbotsford residents to bring ideas and issues to the table for this year’s review of the Official Community Plan and the fall Municipal election. Also, BOLD Forums will be held for your opportunity to submit your idea(s) in person. Dates will be posted on the website below.

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Discover China April 4-12, 2014 Watch for updates coming from your Chamber team during their visit to China.

Abbotsford News Friday, March 21, 2014

myBusiness

Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:

E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y

abbotsfordchamber.com

Transforming the lives of our most vulnerable children

Have you ever wondered how you could truly make a difference in the life of a child in this commuity?

The Abbotsford School District recognizes the significant role that community plays in the success of our students. We know that it takes more than just a school to transform the lives of some of our most vulnerable children, and that is why we are asking for your support.

The CIS initiative proves that a dedicated school staff and parent group, together with community volunteers, can make a significant impact on the future of our children.

The project aims to break the cycle of poverty for students living in identified priority neighborhoods, by combining a focus on academic achievement and a positive school environment.

We are not asking for financial resources, we are asking for the gift

of time. If you think you are part of a community-minded organization that may be able to release you to volunteer for up to 1 hour per week and are interested in helping the most vulnerable members of our community, then we would love to talk to you about how you can become a Community in Schools partner agency.

It Takes an Entire Village to Raise a Child…

Please contact us today at andrea_ senft@sd34.bc.ca or david_dewit@ sd34.bc.ca to be part of your next staff meeting.

Best regards, Andrea Senft & David de Wit Community in Schools Coordinators

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For community and business leaders, a Community in Schools (CIS) partnership can be one of the most efficient and effective ways to contribute to significant community change: • Partnerships are making a significant and direct impact, and they have engaged the community to be part of that change.

• Volunteers return to work feeling positive and satisfied with their contribution.

• Volunteers enjoy sharing in children’s lives and celebrating their successes.

UPCOMING

CHAMBER EVENTS THE ART OF SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING DATE: TIME:

Thursday, April 10 7:30am - 9:00am

LOCATION: abc Country Restaurant

FRASER VALLEY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE BUSINESS SHOWCASE DATE:

Wednesday, April 16

TIME:

2:00pm – 7:00pm

LOCATION: TRADEX

CHAMBER LUNCHEON WITH DOUGLAS VERMEEREN DATE:

Wednesday, April 23

TIME:

11:30am – 1:30pm

LOCATION: Garden Park Tower

YOUNG LEADERS MINGLE DATE:

Thursday, May 8

TIME:

4:30pm – 7:00pm

LOCATION: Chances Abbotsford All events require pre-registration.

Visit www.abbotsfordchamber.com to register.

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