Please ensure you vote in the upcoming provincial election.
Elections Ontario has an excellent website with valuable information: www.wemakevotingeasy.ca.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has published a
booklet titled Ontario Election 2014 Business Priorities. In the preamble,
the OCC states: “. . . the provincial government must focus on creating a
business climate that is conducive to investment and growth.” In order to restore Ontario’s competitiveness in the global economy they recommend (in consultation with the provincial
chambers) the following:
·
Tackle the debt and deficit
·
Create a better business climate
·
Invest in critical infrastructure
·
Build a 21st Century workforce
The publication can be accessed from the OCC’s home page
at www.occ.ca. Update: Political Party Leaders have responded to the Ontario Election 2014 Business Priorities. You can read their response here.
ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The OCC is preparing resolutions to be presented at the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting (AGM) that will be held in September
2014. Their objective is to support resolutions submitted by Ontario Chambers
and to ensure support for resolutions that will affect all Canadian businesses.
OCC POLICY
COMPENDIUM NOW AVAILABLE
The 2014-2017 OCC Policy Compendium
is now available. It includes 34 new resolutions that were approved at the
Ontario Chamber’s recent AGM, with the exception of two resolutions that have
been directed to the Board of Directors for review.
2014 AURORA CHAMBER HOME SHOW
I feel like the Aurora Chamber Home Show was months ago
rather than six weeks ago! It was a great success because of the dedication of
so many incredible volunteers and exhibitors. We would also like to thank the
staff at the Community Centre. They are absolutely amazing and always available
to help out. Thank you very much.
The attendance was down this year due to the wonderful
weather, devastating fire at the United Church on Yonge Street and an incident
Saturday evening that closed Leslie Street. However, feedback from many
exhibitors said it was one of the best shows of the season, as they met with
quality “shoppers” rather than a large quantity of indifferent attendees.
During the Show, the Chamber collected donations for the
Aurora United Church. Over $1,000 has been sent to the Church to assist with
their re-building project. Thank you very much Aurora!
19th ANNUAL AURORA CHAMBER
STREET FESTIVAL:
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Please join us THIS SUNDAY, June 1, for the Street
Festival on Yonge Street in Aurora (between Wellington and Murray) from 11 am
to 5 pm. It is a fun-filled event featuring over 700 vendors, including food
and entertainment. Parking and admission are free. The weather forecast
predicts a warm, clear and sunny day. Bring your whole family!
33rd ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC:
Thursday, June 12, 2014 at St. Andrew’s
Valley Golf Club
There are still a couple of foursomes available for the Golf Classic. Please call the Chamber Office at 905-727-7262 or visit the website at www.aurorachamber.on.ca/golf-classic for further information. Hole sponsors are always welcomed and appreciated ($500 for a single hole sponsorship and $250 for two sponsors at one hole).
TOASTMASTERS
There are still a couple of foursomes available for the Golf Classic. Please call the Chamber Office at 905-727-7262 or visit the website at www.aurorachamber.on.ca/golf-classic for further information. Hole sponsors are always welcomed and appreciated ($500 for a single hole sponsorship and $250 for two sponsors at one hole).
Information about the Aurora Chamber Toastmasters has
been circulated to all members who indicated an interest. We have proposed two
potential dates for the initial information session: Wednesday, June 18 or
Thursday, June 19 at noon (bring your lunch), 5:30 pm or 7:00 pm. If you are
interested in learning more about Toastmasters please contact me to be added to
our participant list. We can arrange an alternate date or time for the
information session if required, based on feedback. Contact Judy Marshall at
the Chamber office at 905-727-7262 ext. 33 or j.marshall@aurorachamber.on.ca.
Toastmasters is a world leader in communication and
leadership development. Participating in this program offers many benefits to
people in all walks of life, throughout their whole lives. As a result of
participating in Toastmasters, you will:
·
Increase your self-confidence
·
Become a better speaker
·
Become a better leader
·
Communicate more effectively
Members of Toastmasters learn communication skills by
working through the Competent Communications manual, a series of 10 self-paced
speaking assignments designed to provide the basic foundation for public
speaking. Leadership skills are developed by working through the Competent
Leadership manual and assuming various club positions with mentors to help you
develop the required skills. The decision to become a member of a Toastmasters
Club will, in my opinion, be one of the best decisions you will ever make in
terms of personal and professional development. Joining was one of the best
decisions I have ever made!
For help on making business presentations, please visit
Toastmasters International at www.toastmasters.org. Click on Business
Presentations (left side of the page – blue printing).
DON’T FORGET:
Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) comes
into force on July 1, 2014.
ARE YOU PREPARED?
The Chamber is hosting a final CASL workshop at the end of June (date TBD), before the legislation takes effect. Please visit www.aurorachamber.on.ca/events
for more information.
2014-2015 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
CALLING ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS:
Update Your Directory Listing by July 1, 2014!
The 2014-2015 Aurora Chamber Business Directory will be
circulated to every Aurora household, business, and Chamber member in September
2014 – a distribution of 20,000. It will also be available to the world online.
Login at www.aurorachamber.on.ca to update your company
listing before July 1, 2014 to ensure the most accurate information is
represented. Search for your company at www.aurorachamber.on.ca/business-directory to
review your current listing and determine if changes are required. Please note
that members are responsible for ensuring their listing is accurate.
DOES YOUR BUSINESS
NEED A FULL YEAR OF EXPOSURE IN AURORA AND BEYOND?
Advertise in our cost-effective Business Directory! There
are a variety of opportunities to suit every need. Contact Judy Marshall at
905-727-7262 or visit www.aurorachamber.on.ca/advertising-directory for
more information. Don’t delay, promote your business today!
We are looking forward to seeing you really soon. Being
involved is how you will benefit most from your membership.
Judy
Marshall, CEO
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
905-727-7262
