The Admin. Team consists of Lori Wall who takes the Minutes at our monthly Admin. Committee Meetings and facilitated her first meeting when Dr. Konrad visited, and does networking in the East of our County; Linda Crawford [...]]]> We started our humble beginnings in 1997 under 10 members and as of today have 79 members.

The Admin. Team consists of Lori Wall who takes the Minutes at our monthly Admin. Committee Meetings and facilitated her first meeting when Dr. Konrad visited, and does networking in the East of our County; Linda Crawford who looks after PR and Marketing as well as Facebook, is our liaison with the St. Thomas Chamber and hosts our Exhibits; Anne Kenny who updates our Monthly Meeting List of Speakers, and facilitates meetings; Ann-Marie Cheung who does everything Website involved as well as tweets, blogs and uses facebook to initiate interest in the EBWN; Susan Fortin-Smith who is our Treasurer and Membership coordinator, handles registration and facilitates meetings; Yvonne Brooks who facilitated a recent meeting with Pamela Andersen (and what a great team), handles Salviade and does networking in the West of the County and myself. I handle registration, chair the Admin. Committee meetings and facilitate at meetings as well as tweet about new members who join our network.  I also answer e-mail, phone and website inquiries about membership.

We are a solidified team, with job descriptions, who attend to the administrative details of the EBWN.  In the beginning of this network there was one person doing all jobs.  We believe in the mindset of a volunteer and have lots of fun doing our tasks and sharing ideas.

We had a smooth transition when Mary Pfeffer left her role as Treasurer and Susan Fortin-Smith took over handling the Treasurer and Membership roles.  Susan keeps accurate and up-to-date records and also produces a Membership List which she updates on a monthly basis for the Admin. Committee.

Added to our team are: Jean Cluness who assists the Guest Speakers and Facilitators, Pamela Andersen who has taken on a new role of welcoming guests and April who is continually taking photos at our events trying to get the perfect shot of all of us.  These we see on the EBWN website.  We appreciate each of their volunteer contributions.

At our Success Meeting last year the Admin. Team sang a song, verse by verse that we all made up, Lori Wall got a wedding gift from the EBWN and we gave her some funny gifts.  We also had it here at the Wayside so it is fitting we are here once again.

We have $2,845.00 in the bank thanks to our membership renewals and new members and this amount must last us the entire year for any expenses.

We have a history of the EBWN evolution on line thanks to the efforts of Aniko Varpalotai who is a long-standing member.

We erected two commemorative plaques at The Arts & Cookery Bank on their Heritage Walkway – one to honour our beginning in 1997 and one to honour the evolution of our name to EBWN in 1999 from Women & Rural Economic Development.

Our membership is from all walks of life with a recent emphasis on health care and the farm.

We conducted a Survey on Survey Monkey which Susan Fortin-Smith will tally and give us the results – she has over 20 responses back already.  This is our second Survey which Susan has orchestrated.

We have made continual contributions to Salviade over the years which is our not-for-profit, of choice, in El Salvador.  We have also made contributions to FreshStart with their Baby Bottle drive.

We initiated Diva Awards and to date Melissa Bishop, a former EBWN member and Yvonne Brooks have received this award.  This award is given to outstanding women who have made a significant contribution and is decided upon by the Admin. Committee adhoc.

We have held monthly meetings across Elgin County from West to Central and are going to hold our summer picnic in the east at Silverthorn Landscape Supplies in either June or July.  We had a fashion show one year, we play games and mix and mingle and went to Mackie’s in Port Stanley to pig out on comfort food and dress in crazy outfits.

We’ve had our Christmas Event at Karen Huggett’s, Susan Fortin-Smith’s, at various restaurants and last year and this year it will be at the Railway Station.

We’ve spread ourselves around holding meetings at golf clubs, restaurants, at places of business and at homes.

We have had member presentations, outside guest presentations and have had learning and training sessions giving us a variety of experiences.

We have over 400 unique visitors to our website on a monthly basis.  Most people come to our Blog.  Ann-Marie Cheung is our website manager and continually advances us in social media.

We are utilizing twitter, facebook, our blog and this has been invaluable for spreading our cause professionally.  We have a positive reputation in Elgin County and beyond.

We can register for events on-line and this makes the registration task much more efficient.  Paying by PayPal has been a significant contribution to allow payment upfront for catered events and makes it easier at the Registration Desk.

We have maintained our membership fees at $40.00 with an early bird discount of $35.00 for early payment.

We updated our EBWN Membership Benefits which can be found on our website.

We all appreciate being a member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce as well as the Dutton Chamber of Commerce which allows us to attend Business After 5 events.

We participated in the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce Business Sample Show as well as the Home Based Business Showcase and Sale.  Lori Wall promotes us in the East and Yvonne Brooks promotes us in the West.

We continually get in the news through our individual members and as well Linda Crawford places free ads at every opportunity she can in local papers and publications.

We participated in Elgin This Month and several EBWN members took out secondary ads.  We also participated in the YWCA Women’s Day Directory.

A long “arms length” of Successes, but most of all, the success of meeting new and old friends and colleagues on a monthly basis and expanding our own professional networking circles as well as the EBWN as a whole.

If I have forgotten any Successes you know about, now is your time to share them with the group and we will take note of them and add them to this brainstormed listed contributed by the Admin. Committee.

Gail McNaughton
May 16th, 2012

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide this week’s update on events and issues impacting our Members and our community…

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The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide [...]]]> The EBWN is a member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and the Dutton Chamber of Commerce. When attending Business After 5 Events, your name badge should read EBWN unless you have a personal business membership with the Chamber(s).

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide this week’s update on events and issues impacting our Members and our community…

In This Issue

• St. Thomas Public Library – Business After 5
• MP & MPP Luncheon
• 38th Annual Member’s Golf Day
• diSTRICTLY Business
• Free Enterprise Awards Coming
• Gordon Lightfoot Live in St. Thomas
• 2012 Free Enterprise Sponsorship Opportunities
• Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)
• Local Plumber! Local Service!
• BUYERS GUIDE OPPORTUNITY
• Get a complete phone system with no initial investment

Chamber Events Calendar

Tuesday May 15 – Business After 5
The St. Thomas Public Library hosts and sponsors our May event in their newly-renovated premises at 153 Curtis Street. The door prizes include a men’s and a ladies Caravelle watch by Bulova from Toth Jewellers worth $300, and a $450 3M Micro Professional Projector from Office Plus a VanPelt Company. Look for your favourite refreshments and tasty hors d’oeuvres along with a private opportunity to explore the new library premises. With almost 1000 people in every day, parking can sometimes be a challenge. So here’s a link to the parking map that will help you find a parking space close by.

Thursday May 24 – MP & MPP Luncheon
Over 100 of your business neighbours have already registered. Tickets are selling fast! In a couple of weeks the Chamber will host a MP & MPP Luncheon with discussions and remarks from our federal MP and provincial MPP to be held at St. Anne’s Centre. Member of Parliament Joe Preston and Member of Provincial Parliament Jeff Yurek have both accepted our invitation to appear, and both are enthusiastic about this face-to-face opportunity for dialog with the Chamber and our Members. The Chamber will welcome questions from all Members via email in advance of the event, or from the floor during it.

Tickets for the event are on sale now through the Chamber office. $25 per person Plus tax, with reserved seating on single orders of 4 tickets or more. Admission by advance sale only. Order your organization’s tickets today by downloading this order form and faxing it to 519-631-0466 or contact Wes Bailey at the Chamber office at 519-631-1981 Extension 526, or by email events@stthomaschamber.on.ca

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and our program will start at 12 Noon with remarks by both speakers, followed by a question-and-answer session.The event will conclude by 1:30 p.m. Lunch is included in the same “bistro” style format used for our event with the Mayors in February and will be available to everyone attending as soon as they arrive.

Thursday May 31 – 38th Annual Member’s Golf Day
Are your sticks polished yet? Rinse them off quickly as space is going very fast! An exclusive opportunity for our Members to play one of the top-rated courses in Canada, The St. Thomas Golf & Country Club in Union is the place for 18 holes of golf, power cart, access to the club driving range, and a magnificent Tournament Dinner.

Registration is $150 per person or $590 per foursome plus tax. Registration will begin at 9:45 a.m., tee time is a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. Order by downloading this order form and faxing it back to us at 519-631-0466. Call or email the Chamber today to book your foursome, or email events@stthomaschamber.on.ca.

Thanks to our main event sponsor LIBRO Financial Group. Special thanks also to our Cart Sponsor OLG Slots at Western Fair, half-way house sponsor Talbot Trail Physiotherapy, and hole sponsors including IDS Integrated Digital Solutions, Reith & Associates Insurance & Financial Services, Southwold Mayor Jim McIntyre, and Phil Mauer & Associates.

The Chamber’s 38th annual Member’s Golf Day is one of the oldest, continuously-run golf functions, offered every year since 1974 exclusively for our Members. Our quality promise is an exclusive chance to enjoy one of the finest golf experiences in Ontario at St. Thomas Golf & Country Club and to play in an environment limited to a maximum of 120 players.

Would your business or organization like to play a role in sponsoring our supporting this popular event? Hole sponsorships are an option, and we can always welcome items for our pre-dinner Silent Auction. Contact Linda Crawford in the Chamber office for full details at 519-631-1981 Extension 523 or email: linda@stthomaschamber.on.ca

Thursday June 14 diSTRICTLY Business – Book Exhibitor Space Now!
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“diSTRICTLY Business” is a showcase of and for enterprise in the local and regional economy.

Part networking event, and part trade show, the inspiration behind this event is to have a multi-chamber tradeshow that will not only expand our Members’ opportunity to network, but also be open to the public so that we can showcase some of the amazing businesses in the London/St. Thomas area.

“diSTRICTLY Business” is a joint venture organized by the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce plus the chambers in London, Strathroy, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg in partnership with Western Fair District. Our location will be the popular and spacious Progress Building. Exhibitor costs for display space start at just $225 for a 10-foot by 10-foot space. 10 by 20 ($450) and 10 by 30 ($675) spaces are also options. The show will be open to the public on June 14 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the Progress Building. All exhibitors will receive complimentary tickets to give to clients and prospects and each of the participating Chamber offices will also have a supply for free distribution. Electrical service and a small group of other options will be available to exhibitors at cost.

The London Chamber staff have agreed to handle all space booking and payment processing on behalf of the five sponsoring Chambers. For further details, St. Thomas & District Chamber Members should contact Bob Hammersley in our office at 519-631-1981, Extension 523. Event registration is to be completed online via the London Chamber’s website at this address: https://www.londonchamber.com/_forms/districtlybusiness/

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Wednesday June 20 – 36th Free Enterprise Awards Coming

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce proudly presents our 36th annual Free Enterprise Awards Dinner on Wednesday June 20.

Since 1974, the Free Enterprise Awards night has been the biggest event on the Chamber’s annual calendar.

Recognized as the “Oscars” of local business, the Awards celebrate and recognize exceptional success and achievement by individuals and businesses. The Free Enterprise Awards of Merit honour recent or short-term accomplishments. The Free Enterprise Master Awards, generally a once-in-a-lifetime honour, reflect on long-term success. In both cases, recipients must be proven to be actively and successfully engaged in free and fair enterprise as well as in activities that contribute to the social or cultural health of our community. The Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors also has the opportunity, at his or her discretion, to present the Chamber Chair’s Award to honour exceptional contributions that have supported and bettered the Chamber.

Keynote Speaker: CBC’s Dianne Buckner
Articulate, straightforward and funny, Dianne Buckner is a respected journalist and television producer. She has hosted programs on both of Canada’s major networks, from national newscasts to quirky magazine shows.
Dianne Buckner is best-known to Canadians as the host of CBC Television’s hit reality program Dragons’ Den, where eager entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a group of self-made Canadian millionaire investors. Other viewers may remember her 10 years as the host of Venture, the successful and long-running series that chronicled the adventures of entrepreneurs.
In addition to her role on Dragons’ Den, Buckner is a member of the Business Team at CBC News. She writes a weekly column about small business for cbc.ca – the number one site for news in Canada. She also appears regularly on CBC’s local supper-hour newscasts across the country, reporting on the top business stories of the day.
Buckner is an incredibly versatile presenter with an appealing, self-effacing manner and endearing charm. She has a talent for synthesizing information and making it accessible to a broad audience – the talent that has made her one of Canada’s most popular speakers.

Tickets for the event are on sale now through the Chamber office. $95 per person Plus tax, with reserved seating on single orders of 6 tickets or more. Admission by advance sale only. Contact Wes Bailey at the Chamber office at 519-631-1981 Extension 526, or by email events@stthomaschamber.on.ca

Sunday June 24 – Gordon Lightfoot Live in St.Thomas
St. Thomas will welcome the legendary Gordon Lightfoot on Sunday June 24 at the Timken Centre. Be part of the magic! It’s the event of the summer of 2012 with the iconic singer songwriter!

Tickets are available to purchase at the City of St. Thomas Parks and Recreation Department office located inside the St. Thomas Timken Communty Centre, 2 Third Ave. For additional information contact 519-633-7112.

Ticket Prices: General Admission $49.50, Reserved Rear Floor Seating $59.50.
Reserved Stands Seating $ 85.00, Reserved Front Floor Seating $85.00.
VIP Packages $125.00 (includes seating in the first 10 rows, food and beverages before the show and an opportunity for 5 individuals to upgrade to front row seats and a chance to meet Gordon Lightfoot before and after the show!)

Friday, Saturday & Sunday July 13-15 & 20-22 – Day Out with Thomas
All aboard! In July, Thomas the Tank Engine will chug into St. Thomas for Day Out With Thomas: Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012. This local event typically draws over 25,000 fans of Thomas over the course of 6 days and is a welcomed boost to local restaurants, gas stations and local businesses. For over 65 years, children have been captivated by the courageous adventures of Thomas and his engine friends. During its 17th consecutive year, Day Out With Thomas will make stops in more than 45 cities in the United States and Canada and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers.

Business & Chamber News

2012 Free Enterprise Sponsorship Opportunities

There are several Sponsorship Opportunities through which your business or service can gain unique marketing exposure including:

GOLD – Our leadership level of program support includes 8 tickets ($760 value), pre & post-event promotion, participation in a pre-dinner reception with our keynote speaker, & plenty of on-site recognition during the event. $3200. Maximum 2 sponsors at this level.

SILVER– A premium position of support that includes 4 tickets ($380 value) and inclusion in all promotion before, during and after our Awards Dinner. $2000. Maximum 4 sponsors at this level.

BRONZE– A distinguishing level of support that includes 2 tickets ($190 value) and participation in all recognition opportunities. $1200. Maximum 6 sponsors at this level.

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS- $450., including 2 tickets ($190 value) and on-site recognition.

Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)
Increase your productivity and profitability using e-business. Elgin Business Resource Centre is once again encouraging St. Thomas & District businesses to participate in the Small Business Internship Program. The program is designed to help you implement an e-business project to grow your business, allow you to hire a post-secondary student for a 12-week internship, reimburse you for up to 75% of the intern’s wages and benefits. The program is open to all established Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises, incorporated or sole-proprietorship SMEs that are for profit, and SMEs that have an existing website and are seeking to enhance their e-business capability. Interested businesses must submit a project application.
Full details can be found at www.ic.gc.ca/sbip or by contacting Marilyn Crewe at 519-633-7597 ext 327 or mcrewe@elgincfdc.ca
Local Plumber! Local Service!

Show us your stuff!! BUYERS GUIDE OPPORTUNITY
An Ad in the next Membership and Buyers Guide is your perfect opportunity to show the St. Thomas & District business community what you can do for them.
The Chamber, in partnership with AE Media are now preparing this year’s guide. This handbook contains important contact information for business and services in St. Thomas and Central Elgin – names, phone numbers and email addresses of all those you want to do business with. An ad in this Buyers Guide will put you in front of over 700 businesses.

An agent from AE media will be in touch with you shortly or to reserve your ad space, call or email today, Michelle Barrett 519-773-3126 ads@aemedia1.com

With rates starting as low as $65 for the entire year’s exposure and ad design included FREE.

Bundle your directory ad with website advertising and save. We build business networks in Elgin.

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Iristel’s experience of 12 years as a Licensed VoIP carrier guarantees professional, reliable and secure service. Iristel has deployed services in St. Thomas in August 2011, entering the market as a telephone service provider of innovative solutions, enabling the local businesses to benefit from reliable and cost efficient alternatives.

Iristel offers the broadest portfolio of IP services in Canada, including VoIP telephone services (residential and corporate), Hosted IP telephone systems, Internet services, virtual faxing, and IP Trunking products and services.
Contact us: 866-779-4747 option 2 sales@iristel.ca www.iristel.ca

Canada’s #1 Plan for Employee Benefits
Getting and keeping the right people in any business environment is often about more than a paycheque. Any business or organization that is registered as a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber has access to our national Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan. It’s a great way to offer benefits that touch employees and their families and is proudly Canada’s leading group benefit plan for firms with 1 – 50 employees.

Direct personal service and information can also be provided by our local Group Plan advisor, Brad Bedford at Bedford Financial. Call 519-637-0181 or email brad@bedfordfinancial.ca

The Benefits of Membership
The Chamber’s exclusive Member Benefits Bundle has savings on a range of products and services that can’t be matched. Our benefits can be very meaningful extras that extend to all employees, and often members of their immediate families and retirees. All registered Members of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce can take advantage of HOME and AUTO insurance at special discounted rates. This group plan is brought to you exclusively by the Chamber and Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services and is underwritten by NOVEX Group, part of Intact Insurance. Not only do you save, but you continue to support local business and your Chamber. Recently, we have saved new customers as much as $1,100 per year when they have combined their home and auto insurance and placed them with Novex.
Why not give it a try? You’re a Member…You belong!

Call for a quote today, 519-631-3862 and ask for Jennifer Boone or Jason Amero or go to www.QuoteReith.com and click on Get a Quote.

Green Mail Advertising
Having trouble getting your message or event heard in St. Thomas and area? Turn up the volume with Green Mail’s advertising available to Members only. Your event or service can be seen by more than 1000 people within the businesses and organizations that are Members of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.

Each week there are only three slots available for advertising, and they have been booked solid for the past few weeks. Book in advance, and don’t miss out on this promotional opportunity. Your business or organization can book an advertisement slot for $65 plus HST. Text, graphics and photos, links to other websites or downloadable documents are welcome. We want to keep it simple and straightforward, and hope you will, too. For details, contact Wes Bailey by phone or email, 519-631-1981 Extension 526 or wes@stthomaschamber.on.ca

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce distributes this update on events to coincide with news, plans and events throughout the year.
You have received this information as a primary contact designated by your business or organization, or because you have requested a copy.
Please feel welcome to share the information with your colleagues.
Our goal is to inform, not annoy. If you do not wish to receive this update please let the Chamber know.
Contact us at: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca or call 519-631-1981

This week’s edition of the Chamber’s Green Mail is sponsored by myFM 94.1
St. Thomas

For all who are interested a Reminder…

Planning Meeting =>  Monday May 14th @ 5pm   – Location = RBC Branch here in Dutton  (address below).

Please come prepared with your ideas and key words as we will be focusing on selecting a title, theme etc.

Something to think about   (to get you [...]]]> Hi Folks.

For all who are interested a Reminder…

Planning Meeting =>  Monday May 14th @ 5pm   – Location = RBC Branch here in Dutton  (address below).

Please come prepared with your ideas and key words as we will be focusing on selecting a title, theme etc.

Something to think about   (to get you inspired)….  “what says DUTTON/DUNWICH to you?”  

Thanks
Adrienne

M. Adrienne Bennett | Branch Manager, RBC Royal Bank | Royal Bank of Canada

M. Adrienne Bennett | Mutual Funds Representative | Royal Mutual Funds Inc . 206 Currie Road, Dutton, Ontario | T. 519-762-2439

CLICK [...]]]> Too little sleep, and your body won’t function and you’ll gain and retain weight. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but 68% of us don’t get 8 hours of sleep per night, and almost the same percent is overweight. Sleep, and you’re body will de-stress, de-tox, and retain less cortisol to make you gain weight.

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Dutton/Dunwich Chamber of Commerce General Meeting Minutes April 23,2012 at Dutton Meadows Golf Club

Enhancing Your Board Opportunities

May 16 (Wednesday) at the London Club, London May 17 (Thursday) at the Westmount Golf & Country Club, Kitchener Insights from a panel of experienced [...]]]> S A V E T H E D A T E – R E G I S T E R E A R L Y

Enhancing Your Board Opportunities

May 16 (Wednesday) at the London Club, London
May 17 (Thursday) at the Westmount Golf & Country Club, Kitchener
Insights from a panel of experienced directors that will help you position yourself for board placements
• How boards select new board members
• How to evaluate board opportunities
• What to do before accepting an offer to join a board
• How prospective board candidate lists are developed
• The role of board recruiters and professionals in the candidate recruitment and selection

An Afternoon Session
• 3:45 p.m. Registration
• 4:00 p.m. Session Begins
• 5:30 p.m. Networking & Cocktails
• 7:00 p.m. Event Concludes
Cost: NO CHARGE for ICD members
$55.00 for non ICD members

Consider ICD membership prior to the event.
To become an ICD member visit: ICD Membership

http://www.icd.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Join_the_ICD&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=6656