Chamber of Commerce wants to boost membership

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Bill Freeman

EMC News -Hastings - With an updated web site and a big local issue to sink its teeth into, the Hastings and District Chamber of Commerce hopes to see a jump in its membership.

"We're all volunteers in the chamber, we're all giving as much time in the volunteer side of it," president Dennis Savery said during a meeting last week at Jiang's Chinese Restaurant.

"Anybody who has extra time and would like to contribute we'd like to have you on board. We can't do it all ourselves," said Savery. "Everybody has expectations for the chamber but there's only so many people out there.

"Please don't criticize, just get involved," he added.

According to secretary Lynn Rogers there are 100 local businesses listed in their directory with a catalogue of 50 e-mail addresses, from that list they would like to add to their membership but emphasize that you do not need to be a business owner to be a chamber member.

"Surprisingly, there are a number of people who don't have e-mail addresses," said Rogers.

Doing a phone blitz would be ideal, she said, unfortunately they don't have the volunteer base to do that.

Savery wants to hear from people about the new web site.

"We're open to feedback and discussion at any time," he said.

They want new ideas to "help build the chamber" in a positive way, Savery said.

The new web site, < www.hastingsontario.ca>,was a "long-planning ordeal with many involved. We're expanding it to make it reflect what this area is about. There's always room for improvement and we look for feedback."

"There is a lot of useful and useable information," commented Paul Stevens.

"That's the whole idea," Savery replied.

"The chamber is always looking to expand (and) it's not limited to businesses," he said. "Help us grow."

"We started off very strong then ended up very weak, we didn't have the cooperation of all the different groups at that time," added treasurer Hank St. Onge recalling the chamber's return to prominence a few years ago and Front Street East location.

Duplication of effort and mandate were reasons why the group sputtered, he said.

"Our goal is to work with the three or four groups that are here," an optimistic St. Onge added. "I can see how it can all fit together, it just needs co-operation."

"We're working on a shoestring budget. It takes ten members just to pay for the phone for a year."

"It's something we have to work on. I'm still enthusiastic. I don't live here anymore but I have a building here. I have intentions of moving back."

One "drawback," he said, was the fact that there is a Hastings and a Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce.

"That's always been a sore point for some people," he said.

"But Hastings needs its own instrument to work with and that's why we put it together. I think it's still viable. I think we can still work with the Trent Hills chamber and just look after the day-to-day things needed in Hastings."