Far down on the chamber web page it reads: “The Chamber can help.” It goes on to list six ways the Amherst & Area Chamber of Commerce works to support its members.
In this column we’re going to add one more on how the Chamber can support it’s community. On April 27, 2016, the Town of Amherst and Engage Nova Scotia hosted the second of two Community events in Amherst. There were so many attendees at that event interested in discussing ‘business growth’ that they were divided into two rooms to allow everyone time to have their say. Out of that process two years ago more than forty people still receive the notes generated by the twice monthly meetings of the Everyone Matters - Business Growth Group. Fourteen of those people attend these meetings on a regular basis. Not everyone makes every meeting, but they try. Originally separated into two groups at that meeting they soon after combined into one group and were approved as an ad hoc committee of the Chamber. It was also decided that although connected to the local Amherst Chamber the work of that committee should consider the whole county in it’s thinking. That committee is co-chaired by Evan Oxner, pastor of the Amherst Wesleyan Church, and myself as the representative of the Amherst Chamber. The committee’s mission: To be proactive in building a vibrant revitalised economy using a “can-do” attitude.
Over the course of the past two years we’ve completed, handed off, or watched as others take on the tasks we also saw as important to building a vibrant revitalized economy. We’ve watched as the Cumberland Business Connector organized itself, hired a CEO, and became effective in bringing people and ideas together. We’ve watched as the Cumberland Energy Authority put together working plans to capitalize on the unique energy opportunities offered within Cumberland County. Most recently the position of Business Development Officer for the Town of Amherst was once more filled on a permanent basis. So much is happening! What’s our current role? Where’s the value for a Chamber of Commerce subcommittee made up of well-intentioned citizens who want to make a difference in their County?
The key is in the phrase “…using a “can-do” attitude.” We think we can help with figuring out if our communities’ attitude is truly “can-do” and where it’s not yet, we think we can help get it there. To accomplish that the Committee will be soliciting individuals who know what the attitudes are and asking them to share them with us. Since perception is reality to the person seeing it that way, those are the attitudes of the community.
There will be three ways for sharing information: 1) attending a committee meeting, 2) through posting on blogs on the Amherst & Area Chamber of Commerce website and Facebook page, and 3) directly share your comment with the Chamber by mail or email. Unfortunately, we don’t have the skills, technology or budget to consider phone calls or voice messages in this process. For those who would like to attend one of our meetings, simply email the chamber with your contact information and we’ll work with you to find a time.
Although this article is all about the Everyone Matters – Business Growth Group please keep in mind that the principal activity of the Chamber and Chamber administration is about the members and their specific needs. Let us know how we can help our members, and visit the Chamber offices or our website to find out what we’re already doing.
Ron Furlong is the executive director of the Amherst & Area Chamber of Commerce
