Atlantic Chamber of Commerce May-June 2019
Greetings
 
We were excited to host our 123 rd PD Day & AGM in St. John’s, NL from May 26-28 th !

This year boasted a record member turnout with more than 80 in attendance. I wish to express my sincere thanks to all of our members, board members, corporate partners, guest speakers and sponsors...

ACC Board Meeting Highlights

May 27 and 28, 2019

Financial statements (March 31) presented and approved.

New annual board survey reviewed and approved, to be conducted by Mar. 31 st each year for presentation and review at the AGM Board Meeting...
#InTheirWords

A Chamber Feature Moment

We can tell everyone how great you and the Chamber network are, but its always better to can hear it
#InTheirWords.

So, ACC launched the new Chamber promotion campaign #InTheirWords on Monday June 3 rd via social media channels.

As part of the program, each week ACC will post (several times during the week) a unique Chamber ad on the website, Facebook, LinkedIN and via Twitter.


Corporate #MemberMoment
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline has public safety as its number one priority. Through collaboration with other underground facility owners and damage prevention stakeholders, M&NP was able to help launch the Atlantic Common Ground Alliance (ATLCGA), a regional partner of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance.

The ATLCGA strives to ensure public safety, protect workers, preserve the environment, safeguard underground infrastructure, and maintain the integrity of services, by promoting effective damage prevention practices. M&NP and the ATLCGA would urge anyone involved in ground disturbance, from a contractor building a new highway to a homeowner installing a new fence, to dig safe and call 1-866-344-5463 or visit www.clickbeforeyoudig.com prior to starting their project.

Additional information on the ATLCGA can be found on the newly redesigned www.atlanticdigsafe.ca .
Meet Your ACC Board of Directors
This month, meet :  
Jean-Marc Picard ACC’s 2019-2020 Chairman of the Board
Meet all of ACC's Directors at Atlantic Chamber Board-of-Directors
Atlantic Chamber Matters
Updates, Meetings & Activities

ACC membership - 94 chambers and boards of trade, and 25 corporate partners
 
ACC Website – new French section and enhanced board and affinity program/benefits pages
 
Chamber member resources – remember to check out the member resources section for tools, templates and ideas to help you with your day-to-day activities.
 
ACC’s Voice for Business
 
Policy Pillars – ACC released the results of its annual policy survey and recommendations to government. The 2019 Policy Pillars for Growth calls upon Atlantic Canadian Governments to work collaboratively with business and focus on four priority areas:
 
Pillar I - Reduction of public debt
Pillar II - Provision of predictable and reliable government services
Pillar III - Creation of positive investment and job environments
Pillar IV - Improving access to workers
               
For more information or to download a copy, visit Policy Pillars for Growth .
 
Policy Submissions - ACC continues to put forth positions in a number of areas of concern for out member Chambers and business in Atlantic Canada. Recently, ACC made a Submission to the House Standing Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities, as well as participated in a panel session discussing the opportunities and experience of Atlantic Canadian businesses with the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) program.

Visit ACC’s Policy Submissions page to learn more. 
 
 
Provincial Matters - ACC continues to analyze and provide perspective on provincial matters, including the recently released Federal and provincial budgets in NS, NB and NL.

Visit ACC’s Press Announcements to learn more.


National Chamber Matters

CICC News

Directors’ Report to Local Chambers

Following the spring meeting of the Chambers of Commerce Insurance Corporation of Canada

Sheri Somerville and David Hooley attended the annual meeting of the Chambers of Commerce Insurance Corporation of Canada (CCICC) board in Winnipeg, MB on June 14, representing the Atlantic Canada region. The Board is comprised of two Directors from each region of the country, one a local volunteer involved in the Chamber movement and one a senior Chamber or Board of Trade staff member. This meeting was the 34 th annual meeting of the corporation.

The plan is administrated by Johnston Group Inc. and they, along with the Regional Marketing Directors presented the annual report to the Directors summarizing the financial results of the Plan as well as the marketing efforts for the current year. Some of the highlights from the report are listed below.

The Plan had a fantastic year of exceptional growth, adding 3,578 new firms representing $42.8M of new premium. The Plan continues to be of great importance for small firms across the country as 2,730 of the new firms (76%) have fewer than 10 employees.

This growth has come in every region of the country with British Columbia leading the year over year growth, followed closely by Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The Board heard about a number of new Plan changes and enhancements that have been or are being added to the program over the past year. These include an enhancement to the HR tools available to all firms with the addition of the Healthy Business Bookmark coming in July. There was also an announcement that the Plan is working with Teladoc Health to introduce a virtual medicine component in the next few months. In addition the my-benefits® site for administrators has been completely redesigned and there have been numerous new benefits and higher limits introduced. All of these show how the Chambers Plan is constantly thinking about how to help small business.

The Directors heard about work that is being done by the regional Marketing Directors in a number of Chambers across the country to strengthen the relationship between the Chamber and advisor and the very positive results that it is producing.

The board reviewed the financial reports for the year and the Plan had another very good year financially, which simply translates into more stable rates for the participating firms across the country.

The Board reviewed the annual report. It is available online at chamberplan.ca or by requesting a copy from Johnston Group.

The CCICC meets next in Montreal, Quebec in November 2019. If you have any questions about the program or issues for the board, please contact one of us before then.
 

CCC News
Be sure to review CCC’s latest report released this month:
Cultivating Competitiveness: Turning Agri-food Regulatory Reform Promises into Action
 
 
CCC & CCEC Annual General Meetings
September 21-23, 2019 │ Saint John Trade & Convention Centre │ Saint John, NB
 
Be sure to register, the CCC & CCEC AGMs are the Chamber networking events of the year. This year it is in our region, so we are counting on a large contingent of CCC/CCEC/ACC members to represent and showcase our wonderful hometown Atlantic Canadian pride, spirit, and community successes. http://www.chamber.ca/events/2019-agm /
 
CCC Policy Process
Please watch for the 2019 guide to preparing policy resolutions and documents for the 2019 resolution debate as they become available on the CCC website ( http://www.chamber.ca/advocacy/policy-resolutions/ ) . Important dates to remember:

Late August – Proposed resolution book posted for review
August 26 - Sep 6 - Regional Resolution Review conference calls
Sept. 21 – Caucus meetings in Saint John, NB.
Sept. 22 – 23 – Policy debates at the CCC AGM
Resources

Atlantic Exchange

Often in our conversations we hear the that members are looking for a way to connect, network, share ideas, best practices and ask questions. As a way to help Chambers with this we created The Atlantic Exchange Facebook page.

The page is for Chamber staff and directors. T his is a private page for members only so the information you post will only be seen by members of this group. For that reason individual Chamber Facebook Pages are not able to become members. Please join individually.

On the Atlantic Exchange we post information for our members and we encourage you to post questions for us and your colleagues on this site. Please share good news stories about members, special Chamber events and milestones, post event pictures and so on.
In a region as vast as ours it is important for members to stay connected with us and with other Chambers throughout the network. The Atlantic Exchange is one way to help us do this.

Events Calendar

We are often asked what business events are happening throughout the region. The Events page on the ACC website is for the entire Atlantic Region. This calendar allows others can see what events there are within the chamber network to connect and build business relationships. http://www.atlanticchamber.ca/events/calendar/

With 93 chambers and boards of trades, the power of our network is one of greatest strengths to help influence an strong and resilient business environment.

Resource Material

The following templates have been added to our member resource center:
  • Sample Consent Agenda for Board Meetings
  • Sample CEO Report to the Board
  • I’ve joined ACC now what – 30-60-90-180 day member / chamber checklist
  • I’ve joined a Chamber, now what – Lansing Chamber’s member /chamber checklist
If there is a specific tool you are looking for, please contact Sheri , Tracy or Patti and we will see about sourcing it for you.

To access the Chamber resource section, simply log into your own Chambers members area , access resources for “Chambers & Boards of Trade.”
Congratulations

Belated congratulations are extended to the Burin Peninsula Chamber of Commerce on celebrating their 28th Anniversary in March.

Congratulations to Parrsboro & District on celebrating their 120th anniversary this year.

Congratulations to Sherry Martell on being selected from candidates across Canada to work with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce this summer to help strengthen the relationship between the national Chamber and the Chamber network.

If you have anniversaries or other special announcement you would like included in this newsletter please forward them to Patti.
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