Paul Demenok
Contributor
A comprehensive series of workshops for businesses and non-profit organizations (NPOs) will be conducted this spring and fall under a collaboration between the South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce, Shuswap Community Futures and the CSRD, in an effort to help strengthen our community. Given the critically important contributions to our community made by businesses and non-profits, I believe this workshop series has the opportunity to significantly enhance the quality of life throughout the South Shuswap. Here’s a brief rundown:
• How to Maximize Your Business through the Customer Experience, Saturday April 7, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sorrento Memorial Hall.
Facilitator: James Grieve, Nucleus Strategies. Successful companies and organizations have long understood that the key to maintaining and increasing customers and members is the delivery of a memorable and superior customer experience. But how do you get there? Having attended a seminar led by James Grieve, I can tell you that your participation will be a very useful and memorable experience.
• Society Act Changes Due November 2018-Are You Ready?, Saturday, April 28, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sorrento Memorial Hall
Facilitator: Kathryn Vennard, LLP, Brooke, Downs, Vennard. Every non-profit society and association is facing an important deadline in November. This workshop is an opportunity for directors of non-profit groups to better understand the new Society Act, to get their questions answered and to appreciate what they need to do on behalf of their NPO to comply. Kathryn Vennard is a local lawyer well-versed on the details of the Society Act. She is a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and entertaining workshop leader.
• Marketing Through Social Media, Saturday, May 5, 9:30 to 12:30 a.m., Carlin Community Hall
Facilitator: Sidney Barron, Sidney Barron Web Concepts. Surveys conducted in the development of this workshop series indicated that improving knowledge and skills regarding use of social media is a high priority for both businesses and NPOs. The goal of this session is to provide participants with a practical, current and hands-on experience to enhance their ability to use social media to market a business or NPO. Sydney Barron has a degree in Information Technology Management, has spent years in web and social media marketing and communications positions and now resides in Salmon Arm.
• Governance Training for Your Non-Profit Group, Saturday, May 12, 8:30 to 1 p.m. Quaaout Lodge (full lunch included)
Facilitator: Deb McClelland, Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. There are few opportunities for directors of NPOs to receive education about good governance practices. The goal for this session is to provide NPO directors with a useful and practical framework they can employ to enhance their approach to policies, practices and decision-making in a transparent and effective manner. Deb McClelland is the executive director for the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and, in 2013, was the Canadian Chamber Executive Director of the Year. Deb also provides governance training and strategic planning for non-profits.
• Succession Planning and Selling Your Business, Saturday, June 9, 9:30-12:30 p.m., Cedar Heights Centre
Facilitator: Rob Marshall, Shuswap Community Futures. Most small business owners have no formal plan to sell, transfer or wind down their business. Succession planning is all about taking control of your eventual exit from the business. It’s a process, not an event, and success requires careful planning and decision-making over time. Rob Marshall is executive director at Community Futures, which is in the business of helping businesses grow and succeed.
As you can see, we have developed a top notch educational program. I would encourage all businesses and non-profits in the South Shuswap to participate. To register, please go to www.southshuswapchamber.com or call 250-515-0002