January 12 | 2020
CHAMBER NEWS & UPDATES
2021 - 2022 KCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN.
Interested in joining a dynamic team of business and community leaders making a positive impact on our economy and community? Applications for the Board of Directors are now being taken. Nominees must be a current member of the Chamber. Directors are volunteers from diverse professional backgrounds who are elected to the Board in order to establish the strategic direction for the organization. Nominations close February 8, 2021.
KNOW AN INSPIRING LEADER OVER THE AGE OF 40?
BDO's Top 40 Over 40 program celebrates remarkable individuals in our community over the age of 40. This annual program allows the community to showcase mentors, celebrate champions, and honour role models who encourage and foster the future leaders of our community.  Honourees will be recognized by the Chamber and in the media between February and July 2021. Nominate someone today .
BETTER POSITION YOUR TEAM & BUSINESS FOR SUCCESS.
Engage your customers in a more meaningful way, strategize new approaches to serving your clients and position your business for long-term success. All these benefits flow to those who participate in the Building Resilience to Thrive Program, offered in partnership with the BC Chamber of Commerce. Invest in your employees by signing them up for this hour-long session once a week for six weeks. Kelowna Chamber members get a 50% discount. The final cohort begins Feb. 24, 2021.
ON THE CHAMBER BLOG: What Will Be Your Legacy?
Why did you open the doors to your business? Today's business owners often say it's because they want to make a difference, fill a need, solve a problem, or support their community. There's little doubt that business ownership isn't just about making money; it's about making a difference. What role will your business play in supporting, molding, and developing our community? That's left up to your goals. Read more on our blog, at the link below.
UPDATES IN OUR NETWORK
NOMINATION PERIOD FOR CITY OF KELOWNA CIVIC AWARDS NOW OPEN.
The City of Kelowna's Civic & Community Awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements in our city each year. The award program includes categories for youth, artists, athletes, volunteers, businesses and volunteer organizations. Nominations will be accepted until Friday February 12, 2021.
CHAMBER MEMBERS MAKING DIFFERENCE: Pandemic Assessment Centres Set Up.
Peter Raja and the team at Norelco Cabinets, as well as the team at Flex Structure have stepped up to show their community support and leadership through this difficult time. Norelco offered their truck this summer to deliver donations from Flex Structure throughout the community, and on short notice, Norelco stepped up again when asked on Dec. 30th to provide Flex Structure their truck to deliver TempWalls to Interior Health to be used at a pandemic assessment centre.
AO PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES TO EXPAND ONLINE
Do you have a idea on where your business should go online but need advice? Accelerate Okanagan (AO) is launching the Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency (DER3) program in the Okanagan. This program, developed through Innovate BC is designed to support small and medium-sized businesses that are looking to enter or expand into the digital economy.
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COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES
BC EXTENDS PROVINCE-WIDE RESTRICTIONS
Last week, the provincial government announced that province-wide restrictions that came into effect on November 19, 2020 will now be extended until February 5, 2021 at midnight. These restrictions include, but are not limited to: a suspension on all events and social gatherings, no social gatherings of any size at your residence with anyone other than your household or core bubble, and a requirement to wear masks in indoor public settings.
EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR BC'S SMALL BIZ RECOVERY GRANT.
Eligibility criteria for the Small Business Recovery Grant changed as of December 18, 2020. The revised application process and eligibility criteria are now in place, and available online.

In addition to changing the required minimum revenue drop of 50% to a drop of 30%, the new criteria also reduces the previous three-year operation requirement to 18 months.

If you applied to the program prior to December 18, 2020, you do not need to resubmit an application as applications received prior to changes will be reviewed under updated program criteria and grant amounts.
KGH FEELING SECOND WAVE - MEDICAL LEADERS MAKE PLEA TO COMMUNITY.
A group of physician leaders who work at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) in hot spots in the hospital affected by the increase in COVID-19 cases have written an open letter to share their experience and make a plea to the community for more vigilance and adherence to restrictions. (Read more of the story online with Castanet)
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KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org