News Leader News for May 08, 2007
CHAMBERS UNITE FOR WORKSHOP
Princeton and District Chamber of Commerce joined Similkameen Country at a workshop on Chamber entrepreneurship. Workshop organizer, EDO Michael McLaughlin, says the purpose was to assist Similkameen Chambers to find ways to raise more revenue.
"Chambers in small communities are extremely challenged financially. Their revenue comes from local government, membership and entrepreneurship. The last one offers the only real growth opportunity."
Managers of the Oliver and Revelstoke Chambers of Commerce gave presentations on entrepreneurship. The Oliver Chamber raises over 60% of its budget from sales of ads, merchandise and hosting events. The Revelstoke Chamber raises 75% of its $400,000 annual budget.
A key note in the presentations was the need for local government, the Chamber and economic development to work closely together. Chambers should operate in a business-like way and not take on community services that drain their staff and budgets.
Revelstoke Manager Thom Tischik said businesses need to "pay if they want to play." Business directory listings, ads in print materials and websites and consumer show representation should be paid for by businesses. The revenue can then be used to promote the business community.
Following presentations, the two Chambers broke into working groups to figure out what they could do to raise additional funds.
The Princeton group focused on the need to define what the Chamber's activities should be. One recommendation was to have a facilitated session with Chamber Directors, business community members and local government to clarify priorities. The need to define a fee for services arrangement was identified.
Similkameen Country listed several of the suggestions made by the guest speakers as having potential for their organization. Manager Colleen Christiansen said the workshop "gave us some real tools we can use to raise more funds."
McLaughlin commented that the SVPS is willing to continue working with Similkameen Chambers after their Directors assess how they want to follow up on recommendations.
COMMUNITIES FOR KIDS LAUNCHES WEBSITE
The most important time in a child's development is from conception to age 6.Research shows that the kind of care and attention children receive in early childhood has a major impact on the rest of their lives. Parents, caregivers, volunteers, professionals and others will soon have a new resource to help with those important first years. The Communities for Kids website is full of information to raise healthy, happy children.
Please join Communities for Kids for a showcase and celebration of the website (www.communitiesforkids.ca) at the Penticton Health Centre, 740 Carmi Avenue, Penticton from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon on May 17, 2007.
Visitors to the easy-to-use website will be able to:
- Find useful parenting tips and information on child development
- Join a discussion forum to talk with other parents and caregivers
- Locate family resources within communities using maps and directories
- Link to other websites full of ³must have² parenting information
- Find suggestions for family activities
- Discover who we are and how we work
The website will appeal to all community members interested in healthy child development and healthy communities, including parents, grandparents, service providers, preschool teachers, childcare providers, council members, teachers, recreation leaders, business people, faith community members and others. Explore and enjoy the Communities for Kids website!
The Communities for Kids coalition includes Understanding the Early Years (UEY), Success by 6®, and Communities for Kids. The coalition promotes optimal health and development of all children, from conception to age 6, in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. For more information email us at communitiesforkids@shaw.ca.
FAMILY FAIR BAKING CONTEST RESULTS
Here is the list of Baking Contest Winners at the PSS Family Fair:2007 Baking Contest Winners:
Grade 12 - Miranda Grigg (1st Place x 2), Grade 8 - Kira Miller (1st Place x 2), Grade 5 - Layne Robillard (1st Place), Grade 4 - Kayley Belanger (1st Place), Grade 4 - Morgan Grigg (1st Place + 2nd Place), Grade 4 - Shaylyn Douglas (1st Place), Grade 4 - Kennady Holland-Krenn (2nd Place), Grade 4 - Breanne Lindley (1st Place + 2nd Place), Grade 4 - Kassidy McCutcheon (1st Place), Grade 3 - Kylee Holland-Krenn (2nd Place), Grade 3 - Jessica Musgrove (1st Place), Grade 3 - Shelby Maynard (1st Place), Grade 1 Austyn Cochet (1st Place), Kindergarten Kelcie Holland-Krenn (1st Place), Kindergarten Austin Gelineau (1st Place), Kindergarten Matt Maynard (1st Place).
Here is the list of winners for the "Taste of Princeton" Raffle and the "Art of Princeton" Raffle at the PSS Family Fair: Taste of Princeton Raffle:
1) Blake Bertucci. Art of Princeton Raffle: 1) George White Painting Stephanie Boyce 2) Ruth Kavanaugh Print Susan Later 3) Lyn Malnechenko - S. Currie 4) Harvey Donahue Painting - Milan Bertucci 5) Kathy Schneider Print - Charles Whitlock 6) Sue LePoidevin Vase - Steve Kovacs 7) Dick Trehearne Lamp Chrisy Stein.
