Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

    In this issue
           06       06
                          34th Annual Fairway Friday
                          Hosted at Royal Ashburn Golf Club

                    10
                          Membership Committee Update
                          New initiatives, revamped supports and more

                    11
                          Join One of Our Fabulous Committees
                          Three different committees to chose from

                    12
                          New #ShopLocal Guide
                          Check out our Shop Local Membership Directory

                    18
                          The Advocacy Section
                          All things Chamber Advocacy can be found here

                    23
                          Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
                          Get an update from the DEI Committee

                    24
                          June was Pride Month!
                          Check out a blog post written by a DEI committee
                          member explaining what Pride is all about

                    25
                          New Member Welcome
                          Find a list of new businesses that joined the Chamber this
                         qquarter

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

                                                                                                                            upcoming events
                                                                                                 mnetworking    COFFEE WITH...           JAVA JOLT

  As summer takes hold,            the Advocacy Committee        publication with the Ajax
so do the painfully slow           page on our website, make     Pickering Board of Trade.
business re-openings. I
am hopeful that as this is
                                   your way there and learn
                                   more about their efforts.
                                                                   Members received their
                                                                 printed copy in the mail this
                                                                                                       july14          july16                    july23
released at the end of June,       Oh, and have you seen the
                                                                 month, and you’re welcome
the light at the end of the        updates to the FanSaves
                                                                 to check out the electronic
tunnel is shining brightly.        page? You can now view
                                                                 version and our Shop Local
                                   all of the savings not only
  You will see in this quarter’s                                 Membership Guide on our
                                   on your phone through the
Chamber Insider some great                                       website.
                                   FanSaves app, but on the
updates from our Board
                                   Chamber’s website.             I look forward to seeing
conduits for three of our
                                                                 you soon (and in person!)
critical committees. Updates         I’m very excited
regarding events and some          about having a fulsome
                                                                 #SupportLocal
exciting things to look            conversation regarding
forward to.                        culture at our annual
                                                                 - Natalie Prychitko, Chief
                                   Business Summit in
  Thank you all for your                                         Executive Officer, Whitby
                                   September and celebrating
generous donations and                                           Chamber of Commerce
                                   our Business Achievement
fueling our Feed the Need
                                   Award winners this fall.
drivethrough Food Drive,
                                   Thank you all for your
especially given we had to
                                   nominations and desire
reschedule this collection as
                                   to recognize deserving
a result of the stay-at-home
                                   businesses.
order.
                                     Lastly, what do you think
 A big shout-out to all
                                   of our joint membership
of our committees, who
                                   directory, the Shop Local
continue to work tirelessly
                                   Guide? In partnership, and
on your behalf.
                                   for the first time, we have
 If you haven’t yet checked        combined our membership
out our Chamber Blog or            directory into one

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

34th Annual Fairway Friday Golf
Tournament
  For the past 34 years         some food and beverage            This annual signature event
the Whitby Chamber              from local restaurants and      is a major fundraiser for the
of Commerce (WCC)               breweries.                      WCC that helps support
has brought together                                            programming year-round.
                                  After completing 18 holes,
its members and the                                             Events like this wouldn’t
                                golfers had the opportunity
community to enjoy a day                                        be possible without all the
                                to participate in a putting
on the green at its annual                                      generous volunteers, local
                                contest hosted by Krista
Golf Tournament. More                                           businesses, participants and
                                Deacon from Edward Jones
than 140 golfers teed off on                                    sponsors.
                                before grabbing their three-
June 11 at Royal Ashburn
                                course dinner sponsored by
Golf Club for this year’s
                                MicroAge Peterborough-
tournament, presented by                                         – Rylie Wilton, Manager,
                                Whitby and PGL
Campkin’s RV Centre.                                            Events & Communications,
                                Environmental Consultants.
                                                                Whitby Chamber of
  To ensure the safety of all   Golfers had the choice to
                                                                Commerce
that attended, tee times        take dinner to-go or enjoy it
were staggered by 10            with their foursome on the
minutes with the first group    patio.
tee-ing off at 8 a.m. Upon
arrival, golfers grabbed
breakfast or lunch sponsored
by North American Steel
and a ticket to the Caesar
bar compliments of Vickery
Electric. Before hitting the
course, they also had the
chance to participate in a
raffle to win some amazing
prizes donated by local
businesses.
 Throughout the day,
golfers enjoyed a variety
of on-course activities
hosted by the many hole
sponsors and got to sample

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

1855 Accelerator Partnership                                  Welcome to the Chamber Family!
                                                                Understanding the value of   all about maximizing the        out to opportunities@
  I’m very pleased to              Dennis Croft, CEO, 1855
                                                              your Chamber membership        many aspects of Chamber         whitbychamber.org. When
announce our strategic            Accelerator to further
                                                              is key to growing your         membership.                     we reopen, drop by our
partnership with the 1855         enhance our ‘north star’:
                                                              business, just ask our                                         office with your business
Accelerator here in the Town      Because your success is                                      Our objective is to ensure
                                                              Chamber Champions! As the                                      cards for display and meet
of Whitby! Our objective          everything.                                                the business community
                                                              Manager of Engagement                                          the team. Don’t forget
is simple, to work closely                                                                   is well-supported through
                                                              & Outreach, I have the                                         to take a peek at our
together and remove                                                                          advocacy, programming and
                                                              pleasure of introducing you                                    boardroom, which is free
barriers and access to the         – Natalie Prychitko,                                      savings. The best way to
                                                              to programming, savings                                        to members for one hour a
local business ecosystem.         CEO, Whitby Chamber of                                     grow your network is to be
                                                              and unique and innovative                                      month!
There are so many                 Commerce                                                   seen and heard, so check
                                                              opportunities for growth
businesses interested in how                                                                 out our events calendar and       We look forward to getting
                                                              - then it’s up to you to
we can help our community                                                                    get into the habit of growing   to know you and your
                                                              really take advantage of
grow and thrive; that                                                                        your business through           business!
                                                              everything the Chamber
working together to provide                                                                  referrals and networking.
                                                              has to offer. From being
subject matter expertise and
                                                              able to offer savings to        If you have any questions
co-sharing programming just                                                                                                   – Lorna McGhee, Manager,
                                                              customers and exclusive        about our member
made sense.                                                                                                                  Engagement & Outreach,
                                                              member savings through         centre, or specifically our
  The 1855 Accelerator fulfills                               FanSaves to leveraging our                                     Whitby Chamber of
                                                                                             updated New Members
a much-needed gap for                                         event programming, it’s                                        Commerce
                                                                                             page, feel free to reach
local tech start-ups and has
become a recognized home
for technology companies
looking to establish and
accelerate here in Canada.
If you haven’t learned more
about them, check out their
website. With the Whitby
Chamber of Commerce
championing our business
community for almost 95
years, we understand the
programming our members
require. I’m looking forward
to working closely with

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

Membership Committee Update                                                                    Join a Committee! ConnXGEN,
  The Membership                  Always striving to              The next Coffee With         YEP and Advocacy
Committee and Chamber            improve, the Chamber            event will be hosted by
staff are proud to announce      has implemented virtual         Dennis Croft, CEO, 1855
                                                                                                 The Whitby Chamber             ConnXGEN:                     Interested or have any
several new initiatives          networking events such          BDO Accelerator.
                                                                                               of Commerce (WCC) is                                          questions? Email info@
designed to support the          as Java Jolt and Chamber                                                                        To develop programming
                                                                   Moving forward, the         looking for dedicated                                         whitbychamber.org and
membership and encourage         on Tap. Each with its own                                                                     and events to retain and
                                                                 Membership Committee          members of the community                                      we’ll get back to you
companies to join.               unique characteristics                                                                        attract members under the
                                                                 would like to ask your        to join three different                                       with committee terms
                                 designed to enhance the                                                                       age of 30 to the WCC, while
  Now, when visitors go                                          assistance by writing a       committees, two of which                                      of reference and the
                                 participants’ networking                                                                      inspiring and supporting
on the Chamber website,                                          positive Google review for    aid in the development of                                     opportunity to respond with
                                 experience.                                                                                   the next generation of
they will notice several                                         the Chamber.                  programming for young                                         an Expression of Interest.
                                                                                                                               professionals in the Durham
strategically placed videos.       Recently, The Landing                                       professionals. A WCC
                                                                                                                               Region.
Each video performed by          Pad’s Coffee With series has                                  committee is for you if you
a Chamber staff member           been introduced to rave          - Dean Smalley, President,   have a keen interest in          The committee is
detailed a specific element      reviews. These events allow     Unique Media Solutions and    volunteerism and supporting     composed of post-
of the site such as:             informal conversations with     member of the Membership      the continued growth and        secondary students and
                                 experts in their given field.   Committee                     success of the business         professionals in the Durham
 • the latest Advocacy                                                                         community.                      Region aged 30 and under.
   activities
                                                                                                                               Committee members do
                                                                                                Advocacy:
 • upcoming Chamber                                                                                                            not need to be active WCC
   events                                                                                        Interested in advocating on   members to join.
                                                                                               behalf of our membership?
 • how to rent the                                                                                                              Young Entrepreneurs &
                                                                                               If you’re a policy
   Chamber board room                                                                                                          Professionals (YEP):
                                                                                               professional with experience
 • how to use FanSaves to                                                                      in the development and            To develop youthful and
   its full potential                                                                          implementation of policy        innovative programming,
                                                                                               strategies and programs,        while inspiring and
 • details on savings                                                                          add experience working          supporting the next
   opportunities offered,                                                                      to advance policy issues,       generation of entrepreneurs
   including the latest from                                                                   join this committee! You        to build successful
   the Whitby Library                                                                          will ideally have an ability    businesses in the Durham
 New blogs are being                                                                           to create and articulate a      Region.
added monthly to the site,                                                                     vision, develop and execute
                                                                                               supportive strategies and        The committee is
with the latest discussing the                                                                                                 composed of WCC
benefits of networking at                                                                      plans for both the short and
                                                                                               long-term development.          members in good standing,
Chamber events.                                                                                                                aged 40 and under.

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

Shop Local Membership Guide
   Our 2021/22 Shop Local
Membership Guide
is here and we are so proud
of our partnership with the
Ajax-Pickering Board of
Trade (APBOT)! Included in
your membership, your
business can be found in our
printed directory which was
mailed to our membership,
posted online, celebrated in
unison with a Shop Local
Launch Party! Check out the
flip book version
Shop Local Guide available
on our website OR
search by name or business
category in our online
Shop Local Membership
Directory - Whitby Chamber
of Commerce.

Your business received
double the distribution
across Durham Region
thanks to our partnership
with APBOT. If you’re
looking for some great
advertising opportunites,
like next year’s directory, let
us know! We have special
offers for new members.

Enjoy your guide and
remember to #ShopLocal!

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

Benefits of Networking with the                                                                customer connections while
                                                                                               supporting other businesses
                                                                                                                             business. The Whitby
                                                                                                                             Chamber of Commerce
                                                                                                                                                              hosting fun and enthusiastic
                                                                                                                                                              meetings. Yes, fun! Owners

Whitby Chamber of Commerce                                                                     and your community. Check
                                                                                               out the list below to see
                                                                                               how networking can benefit
                                                                                                                             teaches you how to
                                                                                                                             recognize and capitalize on
                                                                                                                             these opportunities as they
                                                                                                                                                              alike gather and discuss new
                                                                                                                                                              and exciting ideas, share
                                                                                                                                                              stories, and much more.
                                                                                               your company.                 are presented. Use these
  Networking is an essential   and many other advantages.     have to be hardwork or                                                                            Professional and personal
                                                                                                                             advantages and see what
tool when owning and           Connecting with other          daunting. The Whitby              Five Key Benefits:                                            relationships are made
                                                                                                                             positive changes happen to
operating a business.          businesses is a great way to   Chamber provides a fun and                                                                      and the benefits for these
                                                                                                1. Knowledge                 your company.
                               introduce yourself and your    enthusiastic atmosphere                                                                         alliances are proven to
  Not only does it provoke                                                                       Knowledge is power! By       4. Confidence                   be successful. Come and
                               company and promoting          where business people can
new relationships, it                                                                          visiting the Whitby Chamber                                    join the meetings to see
                               in your local area is a good   be creative, brainstorm new                                      Confidence is key!
provides you and your                                                                          of Commerce meetings you                                       the countless benefits for
                               start!                         ideas and build professional                                   Expanding comfort zones
business with endless                                                                          will share experiences and                                     yourself.
                                                              relationships. Guest                                           by regular networking,
opportunities for growth.       The Whitby Chamber                                             ideas with other attendees.
                                                              speakers are also invited on                                   public speaking and                You and your business
Ideally, an entrepreneur       of Commerce provides                                            Increasing knowledge,
                                                              a regular basis to share their                                 schmoozing will increase         will NOT regret it. See you
should always be networking    an excellent setting for                                        wisdom and experience
                                                              experiences and success                                        confidence. Whether it be        there!
in and out of the office.      businesses to interact with                                     motivates and inspires
                                                              stories.                                                       leading business teams
                               one another in the Durham                                       owners to achieve greater                                       Find opportunities to
  Engaging in regular                                                                                                        or conducting sales,
                               Region.                         Your business is sure to        success.                                                       network!
events generates new                                                                                                         confidence is essential. At
                                                              see a growth in revenue
information, ideas, contacts    Networking doesn’t                                              2. Connection                the Chamber, there are
                                                              with increased supplier and
                                                                                                                             many ways to build your
                                                                                                 Connections are             poise and own the spotlight!      – Dean Smalley, President,
                                                                                               everything. At these                                           Unique Media Solutions
                                                                                               meetings, you will create      5. Profile                      and Whitby Chamber
                                                                                               business relationships,                                        of Commerce, Board of
                                                                                                                               Build your profile.
                                                                                               exchange contact                                               Directors
                                                                                                                             Knowledge, connection,
                                                                                               information and generate
                                                                                                                             opportunity and confidence
                                                                                               countless opportunities.
                                                                                                                             will raise the bar for your
                                                                                               Referrals are the best
                                                                                                                             business profile. Establishing
                                                                                               form of compliment
                                                                                                                             professional relationships
                                                                                               so establishing great
                                                                                                                             and creating great
                                                                                               connections will keep your
                                                                                                                             impressions allows your
                                                                                               business on top.
                                                                                                                             company to build a positive
                                                                                                3. Opportunity               reputation. Create your own
                                                                                                                             impact in the community
                                                                                                When opportunity             and manifest a force
                                                                                               knocks, answer! By simply     everyone talks about.
                                                                                               engaging and interacting,
                                                                                               opportunities are endless      The Whitby Chamber of
                                                                                               when promoting your           Commerce prides itself on

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

Inclusive Procurement                                                                        it is situated in. It also helps
                                                                                             achieve cost efficiency.
                                                                                                                                procurement process needs
                                                                                                                                to be friendly and with no
                                                                                                                                                                  solving, presenting:
                                                                                                                                                                  inefficiencies, high costs,
                                                                                                                                barriers to tendering.            reactionary responses,
                                                                                               As well, by adopting
  Inclusive procurement is     supply chain. Supplier         efficiency through utilizing                                                                        lacking finesse and
                                                                                             the inclusive procurement            Opportunities are provided
a positive business process    diversity programs can be a    minority, underrepresented                                                                          entrepreneurial spirit.
                                                                                             approach, there is an              to all regardless of size.
that supports the purchase     crucial way to combat social   and underutilized groups.      increased business                 If leveraged effectively
of goods or services           injustice.                     These are groups like small-   consciousness of social            through the diversification
from minority-owned and                                       business enterprises (SBEs),                                                                         – Shirin Mandani, CEO,
                                Inclusive procurement                                        issues that affect everyone in     of suppliers, supply chain
historically underutilized                                    minority-owned enterprises                                                                          GrantX Inc.
                               delivers broad societal                                       the community. It shows that       dynamics could then
groups in order to advance                                    (MBEs), and women-owned        an organization cares about        advance social equity,
                               benefits by generating an
social and economic                                           enterprises (WBEs). By         everyone in the community,         environmental sustainability,
                               economic opportunity for
development.                                                  diversifying suppliers and     not just its employees.            and financial success of the
                               disadvantaged communities.
                                                              promoting competition,                                            organization itself.
  These underutilized                                                                          Aside from the moral
                                 With the scarcity of         there is a better chance of
groups include Women;                                                                        and ethical standards                The suppliers that an
                               resources and the economic     advancing social equity,
LGBTQ+ and people                                                                            that are sound and viable          organization decides to go
                               and social challenges faced,   creating new jobs and for
with disabilities. Inclusive                                                                 commercial reasons for             with will determine its ability
                               inclusive procurement          the organization to be a
procurement is the process                                                                   diversifying strategic             to deal with issues of cutting
                               helps lead to economic         reflection of the customers
of diversifying a company’s                                                                  suppliers, and inclusive           carbon emissions and
                                                              it serves and the community
                                                                                             procurement strategy helps         wastes, supporting quality
                                                                                             widen the pool of potential        education and learning,
                                                                                             suppliers and promotes             reducing inequalities
                                                                                             competition in the supply          across gender, disabilities,
                                                                                             base. This can improve the         sexualities, and race (Jones).
                                                                                             quality of products and
                                                                                                                                  The risk of not adopting
                                                                                             reduce costs.
                                                                                                                                an inclusive procurement
                                                                                               By providing more                strategy is ending up with
                                                                                             sourcing options, inclusive        inefficient, high-priced
                                                                                             procurement can make               strict supply chains that lack
                                                                                             supply chains more resilient,      competition and innovation.
                                                                                             which is an increasingly
                                                                                                                                  As a result, organizations
                                                                                             important advantage in
                                                                                                                                could end up being out of
                                                                                             these uncertain times.
                                                                                                                                touch with the demand of
                                                                                             Diverse suppliers are also
                                                                                                                                their customers.
                                                                                             more flexible.
                                                                                                                                 Businesses that don’t take
                                                                                               It is important to maintain
                                                                                                                                an inclusive approach to
                                                                                             transparency and fairness
                                                                                                                                procurement could end up
                                                                                             while targeted procurement
                                                                                                                                with a supply chain that
                                                                                             is being carried out. The
                                                                                                                                cannot handle problem-

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Insider - Whitby Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

                                                                                              Advocacy Committee Update
                                                                                                The economic impact of       Representation at the Tax
                                                                                              the COVID-19 pandemic          Court of Canada. Thanks
                                                                                              remains at the forefront.      to Dan White and Steve Kee
                                                                                              We continue to advocate        for their hard work on these
                                                                                              for transparency and equity    resolutions.
                                                                                              for our business community
                                                                                                                              We encourage all
                                                                                              that have been significantly
                                                                                                                             members to leverage our
                                                                                              impacted by public health
                                                                                                                             Ask a Leader feature on the
 Have you checked our            Interested in learning          Interested in learning       measures.
                                                                                                                             Chamber Website. You can
Chamber Advocacy page?         more? Pick the year              more about the committee        While the pandemic’s         submit a question to one
                               and open each month’s            or joining? Reach out to      impact on business remains     of Whitby’s MPP, MP, Mayor
  Our Advocacy Committee
                               subpage. From submitting         Natalie@whitbychamber.        top of mind, the committee     or Regional Chair on any
at the Chamber has been
                               recommendations for pre-         org and I can provide you     has also been busy             business related topic.
extremely active for many
                               budget consultations to          with our Terms of Reference   attending consultations and
years. Although we’ve                                                                                                          Lakeridge Health has
                               attending the Ontario            and Expression of Interest    ensuring our membership
always engaged with our                                                                                                      announced details of its
                               Chamber of Commerce              application.                  are updated on a number of
local elected officials,                                                                                                     site selection process for
                               or Canadian Chamber of                                         issues such as the Bus Rapid
advocated at a Provincial                                                                                                    a new acute care hospital
                               Commerce AGM and Policy                                        Transit Project. We attended
and Federal levels and                                                                                                       in Durham. Whitby will be
                               Resolution debate, this team                                   the Federal post-budget
hosted various events to                                                                                                     one of the communities
                               has actively promoted our                                      engagement in May with
ensure our members had                                                                                                       to apply to be a host site.
                               business community.                                            Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull
access and opportunity, we                                                                                                   You will hear more about
did so with little fanfare.     I would like to thank the                                     and the Honourable Mona
                                                                                                                             engagement in the coming
                               committee for their work on                                    Fortier, Associate Minister
 Our Chamber Advocacy                                                                                                        months and can visit
                               various files, dictated by our                                 of Finance and Minister of
page launched earlier this                                                                                                   Whitby.ca/NewHospital for
                               membership through our                                         Middle-Class Prosperity.
year and features the work                                                                                                   more info.
                               annual Advocacy Survey and                                      We have two Canadian
done by this committee,                                                                                                        Lastly, the committee
                               ongoing efforts!                                               Chamber of Commerce
with links to letters, blogs                                                                                                 acknowledges Peter Garrett
and other actions taken         We think this Chamber                                         Resolutions that will be
                                                                                                                             who has taken over the
by this committee on your      Advocacy page                                                  submitted to this year’s
                                                                                                                             role of advocacy chair. Mr.
behalf.                        demonstrates your                                              AGM and Convention
                                                                                                                             Garrett is the Manager of
                               commitment to our                                              Commercial insurance:
                                                                                                                             Strategic Reporting and
                               membership.                                                    Enhanced Protection for
                                                                                                                             Government Relations at
                                                                                              Small- and Medium- Sized
                                                                                                                             Durham College.
                                                                                              Businesses Fighting to
                                                                                              Recover from COVID-19
                                                                                              and Self Corporate

 18                                                                                                                                                                            19
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

Advocacy Committee Meets with                                                                Attending the 2021 OCC AGM
Mayor Mitchell                                                                               and Policy Resolution Debate
  The Advocacy Committee        downtown continue to              boundaries and how
had the opportunity to          encourage residents to            the Town intends to          The 2021 Ontario                 our business representatives    priority for our team, Board
meet with His Worship,          shop and support local            manage that                Chamber of Commerce                remain focused on key           and Advocacy Committee.
Mayor Don Mitchell,             businesses.                                                  (OCC) AGM and Policy               priorities for maintaining      Our member volunteers
                                                               • The Town’s Customer         Resolution Debate took             business strength and           are a critical component
on March 17, 2021, to
                                 Other notable discussions       Service Strategy will       place again virtually on           success in the province while   of our success and for
discuss the needs of local
                                at the meeting included:         address ‘red tape’          May 5, 2021, and I was             working towards a successful    that, we thank you. For
businesses and gather a
                                                                 within the municipality’s   proud to represent our             recovery.                       more information about
better understanding of          • The Durham-
                                                                 service offerings and       business members at this                                           our advocacy efforts,
ongoing Town of Whitby             Scarborough Bus Rapid                                                                          Shout-out to the Ajax-
                                                                 make adjustments            virtual event. Kudos to the                                        check out our Chamber
initiatives and their impact       Transit Route and                                                                            Pickering Board of Trade
                                                                 to how residents            OCC team that created an                                           Advocacy page and feel
on the greater community.          the proposed route                                                                           that authored a resolution
                                                                 and business owners         engaging space allowing                                            free to contact me with any
The committee developed            designs through the                                                                          to support Ontario’s diverse
                                                                 conduct their business      for debate, discussion and                                         questions or concerns.
an agenda focused on the           Downtown Whitby core.                                                                        business community that we
                                                                 with the Town               voting capabilities all in real-
Town’s economic recovery           If you missed the public                                                                     happily co-sponsored!
plans, transportation,                                                                       time. And congratulations to
                                   meetings hosted by the       The entire committee
intensification strategy, and                                                                the many CEOs, Executive             The link to the 2021 OCC       – Natalie Prychitko,
                                   project team, visit the    appreciates the time Mayor
customer service strategy.                                                                   Directors and Board                AGM Proposed Policy             CEO, Whitby Chamber of
                                   Chamber’s webpage          Mitchell made to discuss
                                                                                             Presidents that attended this      Resolutions Compendium          Commerce
                                   dedicated to sharing       the varying challenges and
  Throughout the meeting,                                                                    two-day meeting to ensure          allows you to review the
                                   information regarding      opportunities affecting
the committee discussed                                                                      the community’s short and          depth and breadth of
                                   this project               our members. If you have
with Mayor Mitchell the                                                                      long-term business needs           those debated. Although
                                                              a question you would like
role of our municipal            • Introduction of the                                       remained a priority.               there were edits made
                                                              answered by any of our local
government in supporting           Town’s new Culture Plan                                                                      and someone withdrew
                                                              leaders, check out our Ask a     Among the 33 resolutions,
businesses to open                                                                                                              while another defeated,
                                 • Growth and                 Leader Program.                we voted on supporting the
their doors and return                                                                                                          it provides you with the
to heightened levels of            intensification in                                        construction sector, creating
                                                                                                                                context of how your
operation. Whitby Council          the Town of Whitby                                        a Provincial pandemic-
                                                                                                                                individual membership
has been a leading                 as outlined in the          – Hailey Wright, Director,    response strategy and
                                                                                                                                impacts all businesses in
municipality in advocating         Provincial Policy          Economic Services for the      plan, creating a responsible
                                                                                                                                the Province. Check back
for evidence-based                 Statement and Growth       City of Oshawa                 business protocol and
                                                                                                                                to the OCC website for the
decisions before widespread        Plan. Check out Mayor                                     raising tax credits for
                                                                                                                                completed resolutions with
sector shutdowns are               Mitchell’s recent                                         Ontario charities to a
                                                                                                                                the edits accepted.
implemented. Additionally,         article discussing the                                    competitive level, just to
programs like reduced              accommodation of a                                        name a few. This pause and           Both short and long-
parking fees in Whitby’s           large amount of growth                                    investment in time was well-       term advocacy remains a
                                   within the existing town                                  worth the outcome: knowing

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CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

YEP Drive-Through Food Drive a                                                              Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Huge Success!                                                                               Committee Update
  Thanks to our presenting    on Saturday, June 26. FTND     with Karey Anne Large our        In April, I started my term     This quarter, the DEI         blog posts, and in June the
sponsor Meridian              confirmed that we collected    Board President and Robyn      as a newly elected Board        Committee continues             Town of Whitby joined our
Credit Union, the             the equivalent of 430 meals    from FTND collecting food      member of the Whitby            to finesse its workplan,        committee meeting to take
Young Entrepreneurs &         for individuals facing food    from local businesses. Great   Chamber of Commerce             reported to BlackNorth its      us through their BIPOC tech
Professionals Committee       insecurity! A big shout-       to see folks in person, and    and the Board conduit to        first year of results and has   programming. Our next
developed a partnership       out to not only those that     execute a COVID-friendly       the Diversity, Equity and       already planned its February    guest at our meeting will
with Feed the Need            contributed, but to Coughlin   event to help nourish our      Inclusion Committee (DEI). It   2, 2022 Black History Month     be will be Allison Hector-
Durham (FTND) to develop      Homes for allowing the         community.                     was a pleasure meeting such     event! You’ll hear more         Alexander from the Region
a Drive-Through Food          Chamber to leverage our                                       a great team and learning       about that later this year.     of Durham.
Drive. Although we had to     parking lot for the event,                                    more about their work plan.
                                                                                                                              I’m proud of our action        We are committed to
reschedule the event due to   Farm Boy Whitby for the         – Natalie Prychitko,
                                                                                              As per last year, the newly   plan as it includes clear       managing against our
the last lock-down, we were   grocery cart, and Mayor        CEO, Whitby Chamber of
                                                                                            elected Board members and       objectives and activities       objectives and workplan.
fortunate to collect food     Don Mitchell who walked        Commerce
                                                                                            staff received DEI training     that are measurable. You’ll
from generous supporters      through our downtown
                                                                                            and this year the training      see our commitments
                                                                                            was recorded and provided       include continuing with          - Ana Rejab, Business
                                                                                            to all of the 80+ member        the reading of the Land         Development Manager,
                                                                                            volunteers. Thank you to        Acknowledgement at events       CIBC Business Banking
                                                                                            member Janelle Benjamin of      and committee meetings,         and member of the DEI
                                                                                            All Things Equitable!           educating with various          Committee

 22                                                                                                                                                                                    23
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 40

What is Pride Month all About?
                                                                                                                        Canada’s #1 Plan
  As we come into June,
oftentimes businesses
                                 celebrate those still with us.
                                  Having been to numerous
                                                                  support them. Putting a
                                                                  rainbow flag in your window                           for Employee Benefits
paint themselves in a                                             does not help LGBTQ+
                                 Pride events over the years,
rainbow to show support                                           people, but hiring them will.
                                 online and in-person, I often
for LGBTQ+ people and
                                 question a business’ role in       So, before you participate
our communities. This is
                                 Pride.                           in Pride events or marches,
seen in everything from
                                                                  whether it is this year or
big, expensive commercials         Businesses often say
                                                                  years in the future, ask
featuring gay couples to         they’re at Pride to support
                                                                  yourself: what is my business
local businesses hanging         their LGBTQ+ customers
                                                                  doing throughout the year
pride flags in their windows     or employees, but what
                                                                  to meaningfully address
for 30 days before               does your business do year-
                                                                  homophobia, transphobia,
participating in pride events    round to support LGBTQ+
                                                                  biphobia, queerphobia, and
or marches.                      communities?
                                                                  more in my community and
  Pride isn’t a march or           Do you actively seek out       my business?
a party, though – it is          LGBTQ+ employees when
a riot, led by the most          you hire, recognizing that
marginalized among us, by        in a 2011 study of trans           – Nathan R. G. Barnett
the black, indigenous and        Ontarians, only 37% were         (he/him), Vice President
queer people of colour, by       employed full-time?              of University Affairs, Trent
the trans women, by those                                         Durham Student Association
living in poverty, and by          Do you work to educate
                                                                  and member of the DEI
those of us with disabilities.   yourself and your work
                                                                  Committee
                                 culture to be supportive
  On June 28, 1969, police       of LGBTQ+ people,
raided a bar in New York         recognizing that 40% of
called Stonewall and             discrimination happens in
patrons, fed up once more,       the workplace?
fought back. This was not
the first time, and this was       Pride is often viewed
not the last time. A year        as a party and a way to
later, marches happened to       get the word out about
commemorate the riot. This       businesses, but it is not. It
is why Pride is held in June     is to uplift Queer people
every year, to commemorate       and experiences and the
                                                                                                  For more information, please contact:

a riot, to mourn those lost      organizations that actively                                                                                For details, or to request a free quote, visit:
                                                                                                                    Wendy Matton
in the past year, and to         do the work year-round to                                                          905-668-3518
                                                                                                                    wmatton@hmabenefits.ca

 24                                                                                                                                                                                              25
CHAMBER INSIDER | JULY 2020 | VOLUME 40

 welcome new members                                  COVID-19 Self-Screening Program
CSI Forterra JV            Nerds On Site - Derek
905-515-8669 Ext. 229      Hodgson                      In partnership with the    helping to curb the spread   out free rapid tests for
                           289-278-6733               Town of Whitby, the Whitby   in the workplace, at home    small- and medium-sized
DSV DENTAL - Brooklin                                 Chamber of Commerce          and around the community.    businesses in communities
Village                    Pure + Simple
905-285-0633                                          is pleased to provide                                     across the province. Click
                           905-240-6764                                              This COVID-19 Rapid
dsvdentalbrooklin.com                                 COVID-19 rapid tests for                                  here for more details.
                           pureandsimpleoshawa.ca                                  Screening Initiative was
                                                      small- and medium-sized
                                                                                   developed by the Ontario       Businesses (including non-
Finishes by Hahn                                      businesses. Any businesses
                           RainSpark Media Group                                   Chamber of Commerce,         chamber members) with
905-706-4246                                          with 150 employees or less
FBHahn.com                 647-391-9158                                            in partnership with the      150 employees or less are
                                                      are welcome to participate
                           rainspark.ca                                            Canadian Chamber of          welcome to participate in
                                                      in this program. The
Fortitude Construction                                                             Commerce and Ontario and     this program. Click here for
                                                      goal of the program is to
289-240-5444               Rituals for Recovery                                    Canadian governments.        more information about how
                                                      identify asymptomatic or
fortitudeconstruction.ca   289-210-1258                                            Through this initiative,     your business can benefit.
                           ritualsforrecovery.com     pre-symptomatic cases of
                                                                                   participating chambers of
                                                      COVID-19 in the workplace
Glass Doctor of Durham                                                             commerce and boards of
                           RPM OnLine Limited         that might otherwise be
Region                                                                             trade have been rolling
905-953-8222               905-925-9049               missed,
glassdoctor.com/durham-
region                     Thompson Solutions Ltd.
                           thompsonsolutionsltd.com
Gleed Financial Services
905-668-5138               WWMD Home Care
                           905-242-6944
KDM Home & Gas             wwmdhomecare.com
905-243-2355
kdmgas.com

Malion Contracting Inc
905-259-1236

Manchester Integrated
Solutions

Media Gone MAD
289-354-3344

                                                                                   o

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All Whitby Chamber of Commerce initiatives
   are made possible with the support of our
       membership, partners and volunteers.
                               ...thank you.
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