Welcome to our regular newsletter with the latest updates from the Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Following our AGM at the beginning of the month, there are a few items we would like your input on:- Frequency of our members meetings and chamber charities for the next 12 months.

Please feel free to forward onto anyone you think would find this of interest using the forward button at the end.
AGM and Members' Meeting

There was a good turnout for our meeting held on 9th June at the BIZ Centre and I'm certain it wasn't just to do with the delicious spread we all got to enjoy after the meeting either.  I'm sure those of you who were there would agree that the meeting was informative, interesting and lively in parts.  Our resident hecklers were there jollying things up (I'll not mention any names but you know who you are) and much was covered.  Anyway, our Secretary Di Kingham has made a full record of discussions and minutes will be emailed out separately.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Frequency of our Members' Meetings

Following a recent Chamber Executive Committee Meeting it was suggested that the Chamber meet every other month.    

The reasons were to encourage more members to attend, keep meetings fresh, and the Executive Committee would meet in between members meetings.   Should the need arise, such as prior to our large events, then exceptions of course would be made.  Of course there is now the regular newsletter to keep members informed too.

On the other hand it was argued out that if the Chamber meet every other month and a meeting is missed by a member then it would be 4 months until that member could attend a meeting.

So, with the above points in mind, can you now choose your preferred meeting arrangement.  If you do not attend our meetings perhaps one of the options could tempt you to come along in future?

HAVE YOUR SAY:
Chamber Charities

Each year the Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce choose three local charities to benefit from the fundraising activities by the Chamber.  The charities for 2014/2015 were:
Cheques were presented to representatives of the charities at the AGM.

In addition to this, money raised from the sale of the Dr Who Tardis, built by Terry Blake (Resimend) for the Fun Day last year went to Autism AllStars (?340)

As a Chamber we do like your input.  A short poll has been created where you can choose up to 3 local charities you would like to see supported for 2015/16 and there is also space for any suggestions you might like to put forward.  Simply follow the link and you'll be presented with multiple choice options:

EDENBRIDGE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Business Survey Extension until 29th June

 

Following on from a piece in an earlier newsletter, there has now been an extension to the date to submit your responses to be included in a development planning framework for Edenbridge between now and 2030.

 

Your views really matter, so the Neighbourhood Plan group would be very grateful if you could spare just a few minutes of your time to help shape the future of Edenbridge.

 

To complete the survey please follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2D72X8L
Membership Fees NOW DUE

You should have received an email from our Membership Secretary Di with an invoice for your2015/2016 membership fee (unless you have very recently joined the chamber then you will receive your next invoice next year).  

Don't forget, settle by 9th July and receive a ?5 early payment discount.  If you've misplaced your invoice or think you should have received one but haven't, please email Di at info@edenvalleychamber.org.uk.
Networking Events

It's a shame that the June event didn't take place in the end but it wasn't for want of trying to organise something for our keen regular networkers!  All remaining slots have been booked up by host businesses but just to cover myself in the event a host business has to cancel and you would like to be considered to host an event, drop me an email at networking@edenvalleyb2b.co.uk and I can put you on the reserve list.  Alternatively I can always start my 2016 networking schedule.

In each newsletter we will be picking a chamber member at random to be featured in this section.  Next time it could be you!


SPOTLIGHT ON...

James Kemp of Well Kempt Gardens
Local gardening business, Well Kempt Gardens, has been around for 4 years and owner James Kemp has been a member of the chamber for 3.5 of those.  He's one of the newest members to join the Executive Committee and has started getting more and more involved in chamber activities.

1. You are becoming more and more active as a member of the chamber.  What has made you want to become more involved?

I have found that the more I've got to know the members and how the chamber works, it has made me want to join in with some of the activities and play more of a part myself by joining the Executive Committee.

2. As a local business, what do you feel you have got out of the chamber since joining?

It's been great to get to know other business people locally, especially during the very early days as it was extremely useful to be able to speak to the other members for advice and tips.  

3. Your business is growing and you're no longer a one man band but have 3 vans and 3 full- and 3 part-time employees.  How easy/difficult has it been to find the right staff in order to achieve this?

It was very hard finding the right staff, more difficult than I had expected.  It was through the process of word-of-mouth that I was able to find the right people to bring on board and they are all local too.  I find that by working them to their own individual strengths I get the most out of them as employees. 

4. Where do you see your business in the future?

I'm very contented with where the business is at the moment.  By keeping it fairly small it is more manageable and I can retain the good relationship I have with my customers.  It's nice to think about growing the business but I know the headaches running a big business can cause.  It's important that I remain the face of my business as it's my name on the side of the vans!

5. What is the best piece of advice you have learnt while running your business?

Don't walk before you can run and don't let your business get too big too soon.


If you would like to be considered for this section, please drop me an email at networking@edenvalleyb2b.co.uk

If you would like to make any contributions to the next newsletter, please email the editor at  networking@edenvalleyb2b.co.uk

Promoting business in Edenbridge and the Eden Valley, Kent.
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