Committees & Roles

The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce is a Not For Profit organization and as such our Board is a Working Board.  The Directors are active on various committees.  We welcome the participation of our members on a committee(s) of their choosing.  Each committee meets on a monthly basis for 1½ to 2 hours per month.  There may be tasks assigned to be done between meetings as well.  This is a great opportunity to expand your ideas and become active with your Chamber of Commerce.  Outlined below is a brief description of each committee.

Business & Government Affairs
This active and involved committee is for those with a drive to advocate for business at the local, county, provincial and federal level.  From attending local Council meetings or participating as a Chamber representative on a community committee or writing articles with a passion for economic development in Centre Wellington.   
The aim of our committee is to bring together the business leaders of our community to share the positives and negatives of doing business in Centre Wellington.  With this information we want to share and partner with our different levels of government using our contacts within  other Chambers, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce to move our ideas forward to make Centre Wellington a better place to do business.

Communications
This committee provides the 'voice' of Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce.  We publish an electronic monthly newsletter - The Business BLINK.  Our recent venture is to provide content for a pulication called Minding Our Business, pulished by The Wellington Advertiser.  This committee is also responsible for the development and maintenance of the website.  There are advertising opportunities on our website.  Your participation in this committee is an opportunity to write or proofread or assist in developing great information for our membership. 

Events & Affairs
The Events and Affairs (E&A) committee is aptly named.  This committee coordinates the events (the functions, socials and meetings) that lead to the affairs (the business matters, interaction, contact and relationships that transpire).
E&A committee takes on the responsibility for Networking Breakfasts, Business-After-Hours, business training seminars, keynote Luncheons, Ribbon Cuttings and the Chamber Christmas party.  The goal is to provide membership value through member-centered networking opportunities where attendees can interact, learn, exchange ideas and promote business in Centre Wellington.
Networking Breakfasts are held monthly (September through June) and allow members to make contacts and take in a presentation on a wide range of topics of interest to the business community.  The annual Mayor's Breakfast is a perennial favourite and always draws a large crowd.  Our Business-After-Hours meeting is an exclusive opportunity for a business in Centre Wellington to showcase their business.  This event actively promotes and showcases the host business and gives members the opportunity to learn more about a local company.  Business training seminars are conducted in cooperation with other agencies and provide valuable business training content.  The seminars are offered periodically throughout the year.  The E&A Committee also coordinates an annual Business Luncheon featuring keynote guest speakers focusing on issues like industrial development charges and economic development.  Celebrating new business and growing businesses in our community the E&A committee organize Ribbon Cuttings to proudly observe and recognize our local business achievements.  The Christmas Party is also organized by the E&A group.

Membership
The Membership Committee is the 'heart' of the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce.  As a Not For Profit organization, our main source of revenue is from derived from membership dues.  We wish to provide all of our members with a superior value for their dues.  As a member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) we can offer great Visa/MasterCard rates and excellent Group Benefits through Chamber Group Plans.  As part of our membership with Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) we offer a 3 cent per litre discount on fuel through Esso Business Card Program.  Another recent benefit is terrific discounts on office supplies through Grand and Toy.  It is our aim to keep our membership growing through retention and recruitment.  Our best advertising are our satisfied customers.  If you are happy with our service, tell everyone...if something has displeased you, please tell us! 

Nominations
The Nominations Committee is led by the Past President with the primary objective of finding a slate of suitable candidates to run for a two year term on the Board of Directors by March 15th of each year.  The committee is open to suggestions from any of our membership throughout the year.  If you or someone you know would be willing to run for office - please contact Gladys Schmidt at 519-787-2513 or Paul Walker at 519-846-5690.  Elections are held annually in April.

Special Events
Over the past several years, this hard working committee has enhanced and expanded the amazing Awards of Excellence event.   This annual event has won provincial and national economic development awards.  The Awards of Excellence celebrate local community individuals and businesses within CW.  There are several award categories for which you may nominate yourself or someone else.  For details click on Awards of Excellence

The annual Golf Tournament is our one fundraising event...remember that the first three letters of that word are FUN!  That's what the focus is on.  A great day to take in a round of golf with co-workers, friends, family or an opportunity to meet some new people.  Held at a local golf course the day includes a round of golf with a golf cart, dinner and prizes! 

If you would like more information about one of these committees or would like to become active in one or more of them, please contact the Chamber office, located at the Fergus & District Information Centre (400 Tower Street South, Fergus) or call 519-843-5140 or email rscarrow@cwchamber.ca.  We welcome your participation!