There was a good turnout for the AGM held at Springdale Inn and Suites on October 18, 2018.  Eleven new executives were appointed for the upcoming two year term.  MHA Brian Warr spoke regarding economic developments in the area and how this may impact our businesses locally, and there were also a few words from of the president of the Baie Verte Chamber of Commerce, Lloyd Hayden.  A door prize was also given away for Small Business Week, provided by Kristopher Spurrell with the BDC.  The members and executives are looking forward to another successful year with the Chamber of Commerce!

We would like to thank the members who came forward to help sponsor the lighted Christmas trees on the median on Cpl. S Bouzane Blvd this year. Special thanks go out to:

Eastern Analytical
G. Pelley Ltd.
Harvey’s Accounting Services
Hewlett Group Ltd.
Lawton’s Drugs
Lead Enterprises Ltd./Subway
Main Street Pharmacy
NL Vegetation Control Ltd.
Noble’s Construction Ltd.
Remax
Scotiabank
Seabright Financial Services
Shawn Colbourne Law Office

During Small Business Week this year which runs from October 18-22, the Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with CBDC Emerald and the BDC, will be hosting a free breakfast.  This is open to all members as well as any of the public who would like to come.  Our speaker will be Pauline Pennell.  The meeting will take place at Marie’s Restaurant, at 8:00 am on October 20.  Please RSVP with your organization as well as the number attending to cassandra@seabrightfinancial.com.  The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank CBDC Emerald as well as the BDC for helping to support this event!

We will be holding a luncheon meeting for members at the Riverwood Inn on October 13 at 12:00.  The speaker will be Wanda Cuff-Young, Vice President of Operations at Work Global Canada.  She will be speaking on the topic of hiring seasonal or skilled workers from outside Canada to fill the workforce needs of businesses in our area.  Please RSVP to cassandra@seabrightfinancial.com if you will be attending.  The cost will be $25 per person.

The Chamber of Commerce with the support of it’s members was happy to provide a monetary donation to the local Food Bank, as well as some food items.  Harold Saunders, a representative of the Food Bank, was glad to accept the items to be put to good use locally. Thanks to all our members who supported this initiative!

Harold Saunders, representative of Food Bank, and Glenn Seabright, President Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce has again partnered with the town of Springdale to sponsor the annual Christmas Tree campaign to decorate the median between Little Bay Road and Captain Bouzane Boulevard.  Special thanks go out to our member contributors for helping to beautify our town:

• G. Pelley Ltd.
• George Warr Ltd.
• Harvey’s Accounting
• Hewlett Group Ltd.
• Main Street Pharmacy
• Newfoundland Vegetation Control Ltd.
• Remax
• Seabright Financial/Steers Insurance Ltd.
• Shawn Colbourne Law Office

The tree lighting ceremony for the Town of Springdale will be taking place Thursday, December 1 at 7:00pm.

The Chamber is pleased to announce that, in partnership with Women In Resource Development Corporation, member businesses have the opportunity to attend the workshop Creating A Respectful Workplace at no cost.

The objectives of this workshop include providing information about what constitutes harassment and discrimination in the workplace, providing interpersonal communication skills necessary to encourage an inclusive work environment, and to equip individual employees with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively advocate for a healthy harassment-free workplace. Topics include sexual harassment, gender/cultural/disability discrimination, mental health and bullying.

This workshop will take place December 1 from 8am-12pm and will include breakfast, location TBA.  All members who are interested should RSVP Carissa@seabrightfinancial.com no later than Wednesday, November 16 to secure a spot in this limited attendance event.

The Chamber was happy to host a free breakfast meeting open to the public on October 19, 2016 in honour of Small Business Week, at the Riverwood Inn in Springdale.  There were 24 in attendance.  Brian Pittman, Vice President of Newfoundland and Labrador for the BDC was the speaker.  He spoke about the benefits of measuring productivity in your business, and announced a new tool the BDC has developed to enable business owners to compare their productivity to other similar businesses, with a view to increasing profitability.