Chamber toast of the province: Timmins Chamber of Commerce wins Membership Award for boosting ranks.

Taking its membership to new levels reflects positively on the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.

Recognized as the fastest-growing chamber in the province, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) bestowed its Membership Award to Timmins during the OCC's Annual General Meeting in Sarnia in May. The award was given based upon membership growth over 25 percent and a retention rate of 95 percent in one year.

Chamber president Dave Roberts says James Rae, membership services co-ordinator, has been working aggressively with new members to promote the benefits and the plan.

This has helped quite a bit with retention and growth, says Roberts.

As a membership-driven organization, it is important to know the value of its 550 members.

"Our number one priority is the membership," Rae says.

He focuses on the needs of the members by listening to their issues, engaging them in activities, heightening their awareness to the benefits of membership, and by following up and taking action on dissatisfaction to rectify a problem.

"We are now being recognized that we have an open ear," Rae says. "Five minutes of listening can solve a hundred hours of problems down the road."

Increased involvement from members who did not previously attend events is one visual measurement of their success.

Rae contributes this to the teamwork of the staff and the membership.

"If everyone on the team recognizes the value of the membership, it catches on and takes off."

Roberts says they are holding more feedback sessions and are doing more advocacy, on behalf of the members, to various levels of government. Sharing concerns with provincial and federal chambers about the environmental process is one such example.

"We are working on strategy issues so our members have an opportunity throughout the year to provide feedback to the board, so we are assured we are working on proper priorities."

In an effort to become more policy-focused, Roberts says they are leveraging the chamber network to help bring Timmins' issues to the provincial and federal governments.

Manager Keitha Robson was also the recipient of the Canadian Chamber Executives of Canada Award (September 2004) in recognition of her efforts and dedication to the chamber and to the membership.

"It was an extreme honour to be recognized by my peers from coast to coast," Robson says. "The award is a symbol that there is recognition for the type of hard work put in by chamber managers across Canada."

www.timminschamber.on.ca

By ADELLE LARMOUR

Northern Ontario Business