PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
As a Chamber of Commerce it is our mission to provide Summerland businesses with effective business advocacy, marketing & networking opportunities, and to speak on our members behalf at all levels of government to affect positive change for our business community.
At the Summerland Chamber, we have established a new committee of eager volunteers looking to affect change on behalf of the business community and its called the Government Affairs committee.
This committee’s purpose is to identify, address and discuss issues of the local, provincial or federal government that have a substantial impact on our business community.
While many issues may remain local in scope and will be addressed through the committee at the local level, it is when the concerns reach provincial and federal level (effecting not only our community but businesses across the province or country) that things get exciting.
When an issue/concern is identified as provincial or federal in scope, the committee will work together with other chambers of commerce around the province and or country to learn more about the impact of the issue and begin the process of developing policy to address the issue. The policy development stage is where the members of the committee get to research the issues and come up with solutions that will fit our business needs.
The intention is to create policy that will bring light to the issue and suggested solutions for government to follow. Every year Chambers of commerce come together at their annual AGM in the spring to bring forward and vote on all the policies presented. Those approved policies form part of the annual policy manual presented to the Provincial or Federal government for review and action. This grass roots policy development process is a well respected and well established relationship between chamber and government.
Policy development and advocacy is not every persons “cup of tea” it takes a strong desire and understanding of the issues to bring together a solid platform to advocate on behalf of the issues at hand.
Needless to say, this committee is vital to the Chamber’s mission. It is a side of our Chamber that makes a difference locally, provincially, and even federally.
In order for the committee to meet their mandate, they must hear from businesses in Summerland about issues affecting them.
Coming up on November 16, the Government Affairs Committee is hosting a free Lunch & Learn event at the Chamber boardroom. Come out and learn more about what the committee is currently working on and share your views on important issues in your business community. The committee is looking for members of the business community to join the committee and or share your concerns/issues with them so they can represent your voice to government.
Luke Johnson
President
Summerland Chamber of Commerce
