November 25, 2009
We have come a long way in two years. And we still have a lot to accomplish.
When the now retiring executive took office, in November, 2007, we did so under unusual circumstances. The Board of Trade was not in the best shape. Financially, we were in the red. The leadership was tired, or had actually moved out of the community.
It was not even possible to assemble the normal nominating committee of a past president, the president, and the first vice president. So three members volunteered all of whom had been presidents in the past - and an executive was nominated.
The 2008-2009 executive included some members who returned to serve on the executive after many years absence; a few who continued from the previous term; and a few new executive members. It turned out to be a great group, just the right mix to get the Board back on track.
Now, we move ahead. Many of the veterans who offered to help out for that term are now, once again, retiring from the Board. Our thanks to Audrey Cook, Ed Lemont, Lynne Mackie, Terry McIntosh, David Seyler, and Larry Zehr. They did a great job; the Board is again financially stable, a significant player in community issues, and making a contribution to the social and cultural life of our community. We should be proud.
The Board of Trade has accomplished a lot during the last term. Let me highlight some of these things:
- We partnered with local churches to raise more than $60,000 for local flood victims
- We have tirelessly lobbied the Provincial Ministry of Transportation to stop the proposed bypass, to prevent loss of access to our town from Highway 7&8 and to protect our local businesses. We carried our arguments right into the office of the Minister of Transportation - and while the fight is not over, the route through town will remain the same, and we are continuing to be heard.
- We have, each summer, operated the New Hamburg Tourist Information Centre, and we found ways to make better use of our excellent summer staff member.
- We have, thanks to Nigel Gordijk, developed two websites the search engine site, www.newhamburg.ca, and the Board of Trade site, www.nhbot.ca.
- We have operated a number of successful fundraisers that have also been fun events:
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the annual Board of Trade Golf Tournament
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the July 1 Rubber Duck Race; we also partner with other community groups to sponsor the overall Canada Day celebrations.
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the Sidewalk Sale Days food tent.
- In the fall of 2008, we organized the very successful parade and celebrations for the 150th Anniversary of New Hamburg; we successfully lobbied Doors Open Waterloo to return to New Hamburg for the occasion.
- We have partnered with other community groups to present the New Hamburg Santa Claus Parade; this year, we are the lead partner, and we have re-introduced the tradition of having the kids meet Santa at the fire hall to get a bag of treats.
- We, with the help of dedicated volunteers, maintained the beautiful hanging flower pots all summer long.
- And, with the help of dedicated volunteers, we also are responsible for the Christmas lights in our retail areas.
- We maintain New Hamburg's symbol, the water wheel, which was built by the Board of Trade.
- We have joined the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation.
- We have brought our financial statement into a sufficiently healthy place that we are able to employ a very part-time staff member, Cheryl Gordijk, year-round, and this has helped in so many ways.
- We bit the bullet, collected outstanding pledges for the New Hamburg Bucks program, and brought that rather haphazard enterprise to a successful conclusion, with many thousands of dollars directed toward New Hamburg businesses.
- We have presented important and informative speakers, giving our members the opportunity for face time with our governmental leaders and meet other community leaders.
- There have been some other accomplishments, as well:
- We replaced the broken garbage can liners down town.
- We attended the Wilmot community information day at the Recreation Centre.
- We sponsored a contestant in the Ambassador of the Fair competition.
- We sponsored two bursaries for Waterloo-Oxford graduates.
- With the help of the women from Gaia's Gardens, we maintain the New Hamburg sign adjacent to the highway.
Upcoming issues:
- Highway 7&8 - we must continue to work to prevent the loss of access from the highway
- The future of New Hamburg assets such as the arena and community centre and Scott Park - I believe it is incumbent on us to work to preserve these important New Hamburg assets.
- Tourism committee - we need to grow the potential for attracting visitors to New Hamburg
- More New Hamburg signage - there is a joint committee of local groups, under our leadership (thanks, Shirley Koehle), exploring this.
- Focus on Fundraising - both to maintain financial stability, and also to encourage our members to become involved as volunteers in one or more of our annual events.
- Membership: There may be a reason why every businessperson in New Hamburg is not a member of the Board of Trade... but I can't think of one. Meanwhile, I have just shared with you almost two dozen recent or current reasons why we all should be involved in our Board of Trade.
- Bylaws: our bylaws need updating.
- Thanks to everyone who has made the past term so successful. And tonight, a special thanks to those who have agreed to join me to serve - and work - on the 2010/2011 New Hamburg Board of Trade Executive:
Tim Bender, Doug Brenneman, Nick Cressman, Nigel Gordijk, Meredith Hagen, Kristen Hahn, Tom Hinz, Deb Myers, Chris Spotswood, Steve Wagler, and Deiter Walch.
We've come a long way in two years... and we will accomplish much more for our community, our businesses, and our Board during this coming term. |
