The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce is looking to a similar leadership group to continue the momentum it built in 2018.
Cecily Coppola, executive director for Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent, was elected chair of the local chamber for the second consecutive year at its annual general meeting Thursday morning. Coppola said the strategic plan this year will start by asking its members and the community what they would like to see from the group this year.
"First and foremost is our members, but also looking for potential members and seeing how we can bring people in and retain them," Coppola said. "We really want to flip it back to the community and see what they need. We know what we have been doing well but maybe that's not necessarily what [the community] wants."
Coppola added that surveys will be going out after the chamber makes some changes. She added 2019 will be a little bit of trial and error to see what the organization needs to grow into and what it needs to do better.
One of the new initiatives the chamber will push this year is YconneCKt which kicked off last December. Coppola said it is a different format than Business After Hours because it is less formal and less intimidating.
"Its really about getting people together who maybe haven't met before and going out to do something good for the community at the same time," Coppola said. "In December, they packed toys with the Goodfellows and then went out for drinks and some socializing afterwards. It is all about keeping it light with no formal agenda and just trying to bring in people that way."
She added it is a great networking opportunity for new business owners in the community who may not know anyone.
According to Coppola, last year's successes were highlighted by advocacy work with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. She said the Chatham-Kent chapter was able to align itself with the province's priorities in terms of repealing Bill 141 -- the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017 -- which was going to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour January 1, 2019.
"We had a great meeting with the minister of the treasury board and talked about some concerns for Chatham-Kent," Coppola said. "We really just brought the voice of Chatham-Kent business to the forefront."
As for being elected for the second consecutive year, Coppola said it is a "unique circumstance." According to the chair, the position is usually only held for one year and then a new person is elected. She believed as a not-for-profit business owner she brings a different perspective to the board. Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent organization provides alternative pathways for at-risk youth to create a safer, healthier community by restoring a positive connection within it.
