- What is the Olds and District Chamber of Commerce?
The Olds and District Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer, not for profit organization, incorporated under the Society's Act, and is a Member of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
- Who are the members of the Chamber?
Over 185+ businesses and services in our community are members of the Chamber. For the year 2007, Chamber members gave a total of 11,985 volunteer hours. At the proposed minimum wage of $7.00/hour, this is a donation of $83,895 to enhance the quality of life for all in our community.
- Where is the Chamber office?
The business of the Chamber is organized and coordinated out of the home of a person contracted by the Chamber. The contract person coordinates and acts as a support to the members who volunteer to do the actual work of the Chamber.
- What is the role of the contract person?
In addition to coordinating the member's volunteer activities of the Chamber, the contract person also answers the phone, handles the mail, responds to inquiries and sends out information packages. The office also faxes out information to members for other community services such as the R.C.M.P., Shop in Olds Committee, Olds Fashioned Christmas, Olds Agricultural Society, Olds Institute of Community & Regional Development, Olds Grizzlys and the Town of Olds.
- How is the Chamber involved with economic development?
The Chamber believes that economic development can not be done in isolation and requires people in our community and other communities working together. We believe that any development that is done must improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.
- How has the Chamber supported this belief?
The Chamber has:
- Organized and sponsored many meetings between stakeholders in ours, and other communities.
- Organized and sponsored many workshops for stake holders and become a member of CAEP (Central Alberta Economic Partnership).
- Attended and participated in the reverse trade show in Red Deer.
- Attended and participated in the Smart Communities meetings. These meetings are used to gather information for the allocation of grant money for economic and community development purposes.
- Has several Board Members and Chamber Members on the Board of the Olds Institute of Community and Regional Development, Chamber Representation on the Business Attraction and Retention Committee, a Board Member on the Regional Tourism Committee and several Board Members on the Physical Centre Research Committee.
- What are the results of these efforts?
These efforts have improved communication and cooperation between the various stakeholders and promoted the sharing of information and ideas such as:
- The BAIS Program (BAIS stands for Business Attraction Information System. It gives a profile of our business community on a web page on the internet).
- The Chamber Website at www.oldsalberta.com is linked to other organizations in our community, the CAEP website, Alberta Chambers of Commerce, Olds College, Town of Olds, and the Olds Agricultural Society. There is a hotlink to our Chamber Members which lists their email addresses and websites so people can have easy access to our members through our website.
- Leadership development at Olds College and Innisfail.
- The Mountain View Phone Directory. The Chamber published a phone directory for Olds. It was done in larger print and was very well received by the Community.
- The development of a post card for Olds.
- The Leadership Development Program. A training program for adult and youth adults which focuses on things such as public speaking, team development and listening & communication skills. The end result being volunteers trained to take leadership roles in the community.
- What does the Chamber do for the community?
The Chamber
- Works with the R.C.M.P. on the Community Policing Committee.
- Sponsors and organizes the Annual Chamber Pancake Breakfast in support of the Olds Agricultural Society during the Annual Olds Rodeo and Fair.
- Organizes Business Awards Week in October through:
- Three "Business of the Year Award" and "Community Spirit Award" for business/organizations, "The People's Choice Award", and the "Exceptional Customer Service Award", are presented at a banquet at which businesses and services have an opportunity to network and showcase their product and/or services.
- Ensuring a theme is incorporated and promoted at the workshops, luncheons and breakfasts also organized and held during that week.
- Organizes the Staff/Employee Appreciation Luncheon in April; 325+ people attended for the Year 2007.
- Worked with the Town on the "Communities in Bloom" Project, Prairies 2 Peaks Tourism and promoted and supported "Olds Fashioned Christmas" and also support & promote the Olds Tyme Music & Dance Jamboree hosted by Olds Rotary Club in August, 2006 by providing administration duties.
- Attends provincial meetings and conferences of the Alberta Chambers to learn from the ideas and experiences of other communities.
- A Chamber Board Member sits on the Alberta Chambers Policy Committee and reports to members on current issues, through the newsletter, at monthly luncheons and other Chamber events, members are encouraged to bring forward issues.
- Partners with the Olds Agricultural Society for the Olds & District Marketplace Trade Show held annually the first weekend of May.
- Organizes political forums.
- Gives other volunteer community organizations the opportunity to raise funds at all of our venues.
- Acts as an umbrella organization for other community projects.
- Initiated the "Community Centre Research Committee" and takes a leading role in this initiative.
- What are the benefits of membership in the Olds Chamber?
Members receive newsletters and may attend monthly luncheons or breakfasts, giving them the opportunity to:
- Network with other businesses and organizations and meet new members
- Share information and ideas
- Learn about upcoming events so they can use the information to market, promote and prepare their business or service
- Showcase their products and/or services by hosting a networking/social event "Business After Hours"
- Listen to interesting and innovative speakers
- Participate in recognizing volunteers and services or businesses that have served our community
- Receiving information by fax, which may be of interest and support to them.
To make the Chamber successful takes the commitment and dedication of many hard working volunteers. As our track record shows, there are many people in our community who are willing to take on that kind of responsibility.
