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HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN-5-88 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File Res. # By-Law # NES-TING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE DATE: MARCH 21 1988 REPORT #.ADMIN. 5-88 FILE #: SUB.ECT: DELEGATION OF MR. RON STRIKE, BOWMANVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That Report ADMIN. 5 - 88 be received for information; 2. That Report ADMIN. 5 - 88 be forwarded to Mr. R. Strike, Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce; and 3. That Mr. R. Strike be advised that the efforts of the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce are acknowledged and appreciated, and that Council looks forward to further discussion regarding the concept of a Board of Trade/ Chamber of Commerce umbrella group for the Town of Newcastle. BACKGROUND: At its meeting of December 14th 1987, Council received a delegation from Mr. Ron Strike on behalf of the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce. In this regard, Council adopted, in principle, the Chamber's 1988 operating plan and endorsed the request for a name change to the Town of Newcastle Board of Trade/Chamber of Commerce. ADMIN. 5 - 88 PAGE 2 ot As a result of the above presentation, (refer to Attachment #1) , Council directed that the Chief Administrative Officer submit a subsequent report to the General Purpose and Administration Committee (Resolution #C-991-87) prior to the 1988 operating budget deliberations dealing with the Chamber's request for the following a) space in the new Administration building or other Town Facility; b) a fee for service which would provide for support to the Town's commercial and industrial strategy. This report focusses attention on these matters. REPORT: In order to address the above mentioned issues, several discussions have taken place with Mr. Ron Strike and representatives of similar organizations elsewhere. It has become apparent that in order for a group similar to that proposed by the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce to be successful, there must be widespread acceptance of the various interest groups involved. In the Town of Newcastle, there presently exists five such groups which consist of the following: * Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce * Bowmanville Business Improvement Area * Newcastle Village Chamber of Commerce * Newcastle Village Business Improvement Area * Orono Business Improvement Area. Each group has played an important role in their respective areas in an attempt to enhance business activity. In order to accomplish with effectiveness the intentions of the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce to establish an umbrella group to assist in dealing with promotional and other business activity matters, certain prerequisites are required. Firstly , each interest group must understand the respective roles within the overall effort. Secondly, each interest group must be in agreement with the concept being proposed in order to lend complete co-operation. Thirdly, the efforts of each group must complement the thrust of the umbrella group. (A ADMIN. 5 - 88 PAGE 3 Discussions with Mr. Strike indicate that a considerable amount of work must take place in this regard in order to achieve the support required for the concept to be successful. Accordingly, the Bowf©anville Chamber of Commerce is continuing to hold informal sessions with the various interest groups in order to address the above aspects. Quite clearly, this first step is critical and of utmost importance. In conjunction with the above attempts, the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce has indicated that efforts are being made to increase membership through a more aggressive campaign. This aspect is extremely important such that increased revenues can be realized for operational purposes. Discussions with representatives of similar organizations in other locations indicated that the membership base is critical to the organization's success. Once the above aspects are in place, the proposal and report of the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce could be more appropriately considered by the participants. With respect to the request for office space, it would appear that space for the Board of Trade/Chamber of Commerce would be most suited to a store-front or high profile location on Highway #2 in Bowmanville. This would provide highly visible space which could accommodate the displays and information related to all of the previously mentioned interest groups in the Town of Newcastle. It is felt that this would be a critically important step in unifying all groups under the umbrella organization. i Furthermore, this aspect could be considered at an appropriate time in the future , when, in fact, space could be shared by many organizations, industries and interest groups as part of a more comprehensive information centre related to economic development and tourism in the Town. If this type of approach is deemed appropriate at some point in time, a suitable location and cost sharing arrangement by all participants could be defined and implemented with others. In this regard, the availability of funding services from senior levels of government could be explored . I ADMIN. 5 - 88 PAGE 4 The question of assistance for manpower received by the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce is appreciated, however, it is felt, again, that such a request is premature until the matters raised above have been resolved by the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the Town would be required to assess its own needs and fulfil its responsibilities related to economic development and industrial promotion at one point in time. This could be more appropriately dealt with once the Town has formulated an economic development strategy. In this regard, it would be most appropriate and desirable for any additional staffing to be employed directly by the Town for a variety of reasons which do not require elaboration at this time. It must be recognized that the efforts of the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce and those of similar interest groups, are important elements in the overall context of the Town's business development and promotional efforts. However, prior to any commitments being made, general concensus regarding support from all participants, an understanding of each participant's role and responsibilities, and the identification of a comprehensive program for implementation are all necessary ingredients that must be agreed on. It is expected that Council will be kept informed by the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce on an ongoing basis regarding progress related to the above. Respectfully submitted, Lawrence E Kotseff Chief Administrative Officer LEK:nof att. i ATTACHMENT #1. TO ADMIN. 5 -- 88 L)f , 1) PROPOSED OPERATING PLAN - 1988 r TOWN OF NEWCASTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAME CHANGE: The name of the organization will be changed from the Bowmanville Chamber of Commerce to the Town of Newcastle Chamber of Commerce in order to respond to the needs of a larger cross section of the Municipality, and, to broaden its membership base to enhance more individual participation in attaining its goals . MANDATE: The mandate of the Chamber is to promote the economic, civic and social well -being of the Town of Newcastle through the voluntary, united association of its members . OBJECTIVES : In its formative years , the Chamber will pursue four active objectives : 1 . Enlarge its membership across the Town of Newcastle and encourage active participation of its members in various projects. 2 . Establish fund raising programs and income producing activities 4._ to meet the objectives of the Chamber . 3 . Support the Council and the Administration of the Town of Newcastle in implementing a commercial/industrial development strategy which will encourage new industry and commercial organizations to locate in the Town of Newcastle . 4 . Provide services for its members and the public that will contribute to its long term growth and be consistent with its goals , objectives and mandate . r - Page 2 ORGANIZATION: The Chamber will be organized with a committee structure to accomplish its mandate . The Executive Committee of the Chamber (Board of Directors) will be responsible for the day to day operation , will conduct the activities of other operating committees , will determine its financial requirements through the budgetary process, will liaise with the Town of Newcastle Council and Administration , and , will deal with policy matters . The operational committees will be established initially to attain its objectives as follows : 1 . Membership Committee - This committee is vital to the future growth and development of the Chamber . It will be concerned with attracting new members from a broad cross-section of the Town and for the retention and development of existing members . 2 . Fund Raising Committee or Projects Committee - This committee is essential in seeking out programs and projects that will contribute to the long term financial strength of the Chamber . 3 . Industrial/Commercial Development Committee - This Committee will actively pursue the objective of broadening the industrial/commercial base within the Town of Newcastle and work in concert with the Town Council and Administrative staff in implementing its industrial/commercial development strategy. As significant issues or projects are identified in the future, additional committees will be established or members assigned to deal with each situation , through the Executive Committee. The Chamber will continue to serve as an information resource centre for inquiries from the public and business . MEMBERSHIP OBJECTIVES AND FEES TOWN OF NEWCASTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1987 COMPANY SIZE FEE MEMBERS $ ------------ --- -------------- Less than 5 persons $40 62 2 , 480 6 to 10 persons $50 15 750 11 to 25 persons $75 11 825 26 to 99 persons $125 8 1 , 000 100 persons and over $200 5 1 ,000 TOTALS 101 $6 ,055 1988 COMPANY SIZE: FEE MEMBERS $ ACTUAL REVENUE ------------ --- -------------- -------------- 1 to 2 persons $ 60 25 $1 , 500 3 to 5 persons $ 75 120 9 , 000 6 to 10 persons $100 30 3, 000 11 to 25ersons P $150 20 3, 000 26 to 50 persons $200 10 2 , 000 51 to 100 persons $300 10 3 ,000 101 persons and over $400 10 4 , 000 Retired/Non-Profit $ 40 10 400 TOTALS 235 $25, 900 $19 ,000 * *It is assumed that 50% of the new members will be recruited between July and October and will pay one-half membership fees for 1988 . i i d r 1988 OPERATING BUDGET THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REVENUE: Fees - Town of Newcastle $12 ,000 Summer Students - Government Grant 2 , 500 Office Services 3 , 000 Membership Fees (235 @$80 . 85 average) 19 , 000 Special Projects 10 , 000 Meetings 1 000 TOTAL $47 , 500 EXPENSES: Wages and Benefits ------------------ 1 part-time secretary (5 days/wk 10 : 00 to 3 : 00) $ 8 ,000 1 part-time summer student 2 ,500 1 co-op student (high-school ) 0 1 part-time manager 12 ,000 Office Costs ------------ Telephone 800 Postage and Supplies 4 ,200 Rent 0 Membership Promotion 11000 Special Projects 5 ,000 Publications 4 ,000 Industrial Promotion 6 ,000 Miscellaneous (travel , equipment , etc. ) 4 , 000 TOTAL $47 ,500 I j December 18, 1987. Mr. Ron Strike, Bowmanville Chamber of. Commerce, Box 415, • . BOWMANVILLC, .Ontario.._ U C 3K9. Dear Sirs Re: Our File 35.60.14. At a regular meeting of Council held Monday, December 14, 1987, tho following resolution was passed. "That the delegation from the Bowmanvilie Chamber of Commerce be acknowledged, and their 1988 Operating Plan be received and adopted in principle; and That their name change to the Town of Newcastle Board of trade/Chamber of Commerce be endorsed; and That the Chamber's request for space. in the new Administration Building or other Town Facility, and their request for a fee for service for providing a unique service and for supporting the Town of Newcastle's commercial and industrial strategy be referred to the Chief Administrative Officers and That a subsequent report be submitted to the General Purpose and Administration Committee by the Chief Administrative Officer prior to the 1986 operating budget deliberation that addresses ttW.requests, from,,the. Chamm�er; ,i and That the Chambor,4f, Com ree be '601 sad of Council"s loci+si on." Yours truly, Rosemary Rutledge, A.M.C.T., Deputy Clerk. RR/os. Copy to , Chief Administrative Officer. x