“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
- Sir Francis Bacon
So what is a Chamber of Commerce, anyway?
Don’t worry if you’re asking yourself this question, you’re not the only one! The official description of a Chamber of Commerce is "A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization established to promote civic, commercial, industrial and agricultural progress of the community and district which it serves and to work for sound legislation and efficient administration at the community and aU levels of government."
A little cut and dry, eh? Andrew Wynn-Williams of the BC Chamber of Commerce thought so, too and has written an excellent article defining the role of the Chamber of Commerce within a community (Which you can find HERE) in which he further defines a Chamber of Commerce: “The Chamber exists to make any community a better place to live. Period. A Chamber of Commerce provides an avenue for the business people in a community to create a positive business environment. It also provides the local business community with a vehicle to promote their region to the outside world - either for tourism or business investment. It then serves to help people find their way when they arrive.”
So what can We do for You?
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
A membership with the Chamber of Commerce can bring many benefits to you as a business owner. Below are listed just a few of the great opportunities that we here at the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce provide for our members.
Support in the Community
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”
Henry David Thoreau
US Transcendentalist author (1817 - 1862)
One of the major purposes for the Chamber of Commerce is to support local businesses when issues arise. The Chamber will act as a unified voice for all those businesses affected by various issues that arise from within the community. One voice is strong, but when many voices speak as one the result is magnified enormously. The Chamber is ready and willing to fill that role whenever need be!
Most recently the Chamber of Commerce took a stand and spoke up for the various B&B’s on Gabriola Island in opposition of the new B&B Bylaw. John Woods, acting president of the Chamber, had this to say on the matter:
“The Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce representing 64 small, medium and large size business wants to clearly go on record as opposing the changes to the Bed and Breakfast sections of this bylaw. We see no reason to down size from 3 bedrooms to 2 bedrooms based on the size of lot. … This community's economy can little afford to lose any more over night tourist accommodation or the potential for the development of such accommodation.
We ask the Trustees to reconsider this proposed bylaw and maintain the existing requirements which we are not aware have caused any problems or concerns that have been brought to our attention or the attention of any of our members.”
Promotion/Advertising
“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.”
-Mark Twain
Being a member of the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce is a great tool for promoting and advertising a business to the thousands of residents and visitors of Gabriola Island and the surrounding areas. The Visitor Information Centre has ample room for business cards, brochures, rack cards and pamphlets that we are happy to display for our members. On top of this our VIC’s (Visitor Information Counselors) are encouraged to promote our members services over the services of those businesses that are not members of the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce.
The Visitor Information Counselors (who donate close to 1,000 hours over the course of a summer!) work hard through the season promoting Gabriola Island and all of our members. In 2006 the Visitor Information Centre had almost 1,500 visitors walk through their doors, over 400 phone calls and hundreds of email inquiries!
To top this all off? The Gabriola Island Tourism Information Centre recently received a 95% on their annual Quality Service Report! And exceptional score that surely shows just how hard working and dependable all the volunteer Visitor Information Councilors really are!
The Chamber also has a web site (you’re looking at it!) that is used to the fullest extent, informing visitors and residents about all about the island and showcasing our members and their businesses.
Benefits Plans!
To freely bloom - that is my definition of success.
-Gerry Spence
How to Argue and Win Every Time
Need more reasons to join? How does cheap gasoline sound? Maybe special long distance phone plans? Not enough? How about special rates at accommodations throughout British Columbia?
The point is, membership with the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce comes with a lot of benefits. We take our members very seriously and thanks to the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Canada Chamber of Commerce we’re able to provide our members with the best service and benefits possible.
Please feel free to contact us at (250) 247-9332 or info@gabriolaisland.org if you have any more questions.
A Membership Application Form, including a full list of benefits, can be downloaded HERE.