Welcome to New or Returning Chamber Members

We are very pleased to add the following businesses to our growing list of members:

• Curves – for ladies who want to shape up, stay fit or lose a few pounds.

• Don’s Renovations – construction and renovations

• CIBC – one of our leading financial institutions and community supporters

• McLeod Photography – another business who has re-joined the Chamber. Call Neil for those special portraits or events

• Desert Shade Interiors – Stop in and see the retro furniture and vintage jewelry. Diane has in her cozy store

• Coldwater Custom Sawmilling – another vital industry and employer in Merritt

• K. P. Construction – owned by Karl Penner

• Merritt Lodge Motel – now owned by Man Wing

• Hire Power – wage subsidy programs for employers

The Merritt & District Chamber of Commerce has reached a milestone in that approximately 30% of the licensed businesses in Merritt have joined the Chamber, which is comparable to other BC Chambers. Our goal is to reach 40% by the end of this year and we feel confident we can achieve it. If you are interested in becoming a member, please call 250-378-5634 or stop in and see Karen Fox or John Philp. You can also obtain an application from this web site. While your surfing our web site, check out the exposure members receive such as Nicola Ranch Tourism – their web site has been visited 45 times from exposure on our web site since June.

Volunteer is Needed

Our summer student, Amanda Sherman has left her employment with the Chamber, as she will be returning to school to earn a degree in Social Work. She did an excellent job for us, and both John and I will really miss her bright smile. We were one of the lucky chambers in the province who received funding for Amanda’s wages through Service Canada’s wage subsidy program, otherwise we would not have been able to have an extra person during the busy summer season. We are still practicing our strict spending policies carried over from 2007, and there is no budget to hire an extra person. If you know someone who has "idle hands", or is trying to re-enter the work force, have them contact the Chamber to volunteer a few hours a week. They will learn some valuable office and customer service experience. The only qualifications he/she needs is a bright smile, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

2008 Business Excellence Awards Banquet

The 2008 Business Awards Excellence Banquet will be held on Friday, November 7, 2008 at the Civic Centre. Click here to download a nomination form to nominate a business that you think is deserving of special recognition for their services and/or community involvement in Merritt. Make sure you print off copies to distribute to your employees and customers to cast a vote for you! Further information regarding this event will be available towards the end of September, but the important thing now is to vote!

Business after Business

The September "Business after Business" meeting being hosted by the Toastmasters is being held on September 16th, 5 pm at the Merritt Library. Toastmasters International has over 200,000 members in over 80 countries, and we are fortunate to have them in Merritt. Find out what this dynamic group has to offer, and maybe pick up a library card while you’re there.

Local Elections

Elections will be held for Mayor, City Councilors and School Trustees on November 15, 2008. The nomination period is from September 30th to October 10th, and the nomination packages are available for pick-up at City Hall. For more information regarding the election process, you can visit the City of Merritt website.

BC Chamber

Quote of the Month:

"The greatest power that a person possesses, is the power to choose."