About
Chair's message
June 17, 2008
So begins another year! A year that holds great promise for the BC Chamber, but one that will also pose many challenges for our organization. The BC Chamber is a truly powerful and highly principled organization that is member driven through the chamber network. Our Accreditation with distinction, received in 2007, adds to the credibility that we can and will achieve our goals and objectives.
The economic times have changed radically since I first joined the Board as a District Director from the Northwest. The BC Chamber’s loud voice and constant advocacy fell on deaf ears, despite great efforts in developing policy. Today, the economy is vibrant and our voice is being heard, our advocacy continues and we have had many successes. Yet despite the air of optimism, we debated a large number of policy resolutions at our AGM in Whistler. Our members are asking for more services, placing greater demands on our resources and bringing forth more issues than ever before.
Our board and staff recognize these demands and through our Strategic Plan it is our goal to:
- Make BC the #1 place to do business
- Be the Leading Voice of BC Business
- Build the strongest Chamber network in North America
We have developed many strategies for the goals set out in our Plan; however, it will only be through positive, proactive and sometimes provocative thinking, and execution of that thinking, to be successful. We need the support of our Chamber and Corporate membership to make these goals a reality. We need to continue to enhance our reputation as the leading business organization in the Province and to encourage increased membership. Finally, we need to be responsive to our members’ concerns and issues.
In 2008, the BC Chamber plans to embark on a new Communications Strategy to get our message out, to highlight our advocacy efforts and successes and to keep members informed. Today we operate in a very dynamic, ever changing environment and we need to be alert to our members’ needs. This strategy will help overcome past challenges but new strategies will be needed as we face future challenges. Our board and staff are highly committed to making the necessary decisions to grow and build our organization.
In addition, while advocacy and policy development will occur on many issues, the BC Chamber has determined 5 Policy Priority areas:
- A Vibrant Resource Sector
- Competitive Taxation and Regulation
- Crime and Public Safety
- Skills and Labour Shortage
- Transportation
We are committed to focusing our advocacy on these areas in order to garner government’s attention to issues that are of prime concern to our member businesses. As well, we will continue to focus on how sustainability relates to these priority areas as our members, communities and government continue to stress the importance of this emerging topic.
Finally, we recognize that there are a number of Emerging Issues that are becoming increasingly urgent in the province. We need to be at the forefront of these issues and exhibit the leadership to help resolve these issues. The BC Chamber has always been a leader and getting out in front of emerging issues will further enhance our reputation.
I am proud and honoured to be a part of the BC Chamber. As a past president of a local chamber I am well aware of the effort chambers put forth in their communities, the leadership they exhibit and their influence on business and how the BC Chamber impacts that effort and leadership. I have seen first-hand what chambers and the BC Chamber can accomplish and it is nothing short of remarkable.
I would like to thank the BC Chamber staff, the staff and board volunteers of local chambers and our corporate members for all your support and efforts. We cannot achieve our goals without your help. We need you all working together, being proactive and providing your input to make British Columbia the #1 place to live and do business.
Justin Rigsby
Chair