Chamber News
Read about what’s happening in and around Sparwood.
2nd Annual Midnight Madness!
Display of Lights
Join in on the fun on November 25th! Help us light up the Christmas Tree in Centennial Square. There will be hot chocolate and Santa!!
October is Business Month!
The Sparwood Chamber has decided to do things a bit different thing year! Instead of having our Business Awards, we are going to celebrate every business! We’ve all had to face difficult times and overcome numerous obstacles and challenges over the past year and we think everyone deserves to be celebrated for all their hard work!
We came up with this initiative to 1. Get customers more involved in the businesses success 2. Get the businesses free promotion and 3. To win come awesome prizes!
HR Strategy Toolkit: Recruit, Retain, Manage Webinar Series, Fall 2021
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
Small Business BC is offering this free course on management in the workplace on August 5th from 11:00 am to 11:45 am
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Performance management helps employees realize their full potential and employers align individual performance to organizational goals.Implementing effective performance management is something all business owners should invest time in, but it can be a challenging process. Join us for this informative webinar session and understand how to streamline the process and support the continuous development of your staff. Presented by Thao Tran, Senior Advisor of Human Resource Business at ADP, this session covers best practices for consistent assessment and feedback. Upon completion of the 30-minute presentation, there will be a Q&A session where Thao will be happy to address your individual questions.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
- Understand how performance management is an essential set of processes and systems to help employees and employers
- Recent trends such as the shift to a continuous developmental approach
- How to ensure consistent actionable feedback and coaching
- Strategic approaches to address performance issues
Register HERE
This webinar will take place via Zoom. Instructions to join our Zoom meeting will be sent to you two hours in advance. At Small Business BC, our number one priority will always be the health and safety of our clients, staff and service providers. As a result, we continue to deliver all our services online, or over the phone until further notice. View our resources for getting Back to Business, or connect directly with a business advisor through our COVID-19 Support Service. Please note: all webinar participants will also receive access to a recording for seven days after the live session.
Communicable disease prevention – A guide for employers
As of July 1st, employers should develop a communicable disease plan. An effective plan includes ongoing measures to reduce the risk of communicable disease and additional measures for when there’s an elevated risk of communicable disease.
Please see the below guide to develop a communicable disease plan. Or click here to download the file.
Sparwood Farmers Market
Join the Sparwood Farmers Market every Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Titan Park! Starting June 25th, 2021 to September 7th, 2021.
Come and check out some of the awesome vendors they have! An updated list on who is joining this year will be posted June 24th on here and on their website, Sparwood Market
BC’s Restart Plan
BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan to help bring us back together again. Starting May 25th, we can gradually begin to restart some of our important social connections, businesses, and activities. This is in huge part thanks to everyone who followed public health guidance and the more than 2.7 million people who have already received dose 1 of the vaccine. Let’s continue to support our family, friends, and community to get vaccinated so we can keep moving forward, together. gov.bc.ca/restartBC
COVID Travel Restrictions as of April 23rd
Travel regions
The order combines B.C.’s five health authorities into three regions of the province. Travel into and out of the regions for non-essential reasons is not allowed and is now prohibited by law. The regions are:
- Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley (Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health)
- Northern/Interior (Northern Health and Interior Health, including Bella Coola Valley, the Central Coast and Hope)
- Residents from the Hope area can travel to Chilliwack for essential goods and supplies
- Residents from the Bella Coola Valley and Central Coast area can travel to Port Hardy for essential goods and supplies
- Vancouver Island (Vancouver Island Health)
Enforcement
The goal of the order is education and reminding people about travel restrictions. If the restrictions need to be enforced, police can issue a fine. At the discretion of police, people not obeying the travel restrictions may be subject to a $575 fine. Police will not be engaging in random checks. Periodic road checks may be set up at key travel corridors during times associated with leisure travel to remind travelers of the order. People from outside the province who are travelling to B.C. for non-essential reasons can be subject to the same enforcement measures.
Reasons for essential travel
Essential travel between regions is allowed. Essential reasons include:
- Returning to your principal residence, moving or helping someone move
- Work, both paid and unpaid (volunteer)
- Commercial transportation of goods
- Getting health care or social services or helping someone get those services
- Court appearance, complying with a court order or parole check-in
- Exercising parental responsibilities
- Child care services
- Attending classes at a post-secondary institution or school
- Responding to a critical incident, like search and rescue operations
- Providing care to a person because of a psychological, behavioral or health condition, or a physical, cognitive or mental impairment
- Visiting a resident (as an essential visitor) at long-term care or assisted living facility
- Attending a funeral
- Travelling under a PHO variance. For example, BCHL
Additional measures
Additional measures are in place to support the restriction on non-essential travel, including:
- Increased signage on highways and at border crossings reminding travellers of current restrictions
- Hotels and resorts eliminating or cancelling bookings from out-of-area guests
Do not go on long trips within your region. Now is not the time for overnight vacations away from your community. Stay close to home. Visit your local beach, hiking trail or park.
BC Parks reservations
If you have a camping reservation in another region, you can reschedule or cancel for free at any time and get a full refund.
Entering B.C.
From another province or territory
Road signs are up at the Alberta/B.C. border reminding travellers that all travel at this time should be essential. People from any province or territory are subject to the same travel restrictions as everyone in B.C.If you travel to B.C. for essential reasons from another province or territory, you do not need to self-quarantine when entering B.C.
- Review province-wide restrictions
From a United States border crossing
All non-essential travel at the Canada-U.S. border is restricted. Additional screening measures are in place at key points of entry.
- Learn about arriving in Canada at a land border crossing
From an international destination
To limit the further spread of COVID-19, travel restrictions are in place across all ports of entry. The Canadian border is closed to most international travellers. You are allowed to enter Canada if you are a:
- Canadian citizen
- Permanent resident of Canada
- Temporary resident of Canada
- Protected person (refugee status)
- Person registered under the Indian Act
- Foreign national with a non-discretionary (non-optional) reason to travel to Canada
The Forum E-Series
Teck wants to share some information with you in hopes you might know some amazing women entrepreneurs who would want to apply for an opportunity of receiving a Teck bursary to attend The Forum’s E-Series program confirmed to take place virtually this year for May 4+6, 2021. We are looking forward to offering full tuition to women entrepreneurs who reside in regions where Teck operates.
Who is E-Series for?
E-Series is for any self-identified woman entrepreneur who is currently leading a business at any stage, in any industry. This includes businesses in the start up, high growth or mature stage. They will walk away with the tools and resources to grow their business such as marketing, legal, financials, leadership and so much more!
Here’s where we need your help!
They are looking for a growth-driven female entrepreneur from our area to register and attend E-Series as a Teck bursary recipient. Their bursary will cover full tuition of $669 for the virtual program and 12 months of Mentorship. Given the fact that the program is virtual again this time, we are able to offer multiple bursaries for entrepreneurs in our region, so feel free to nominate numerous candidates. They are more mindful that during this difficult pandemic that this program will also provide a deep sense of support and community and we leave no woman behind.
Details and registration form on the website HERE
Stronger province-wide restrictions COVID 19
Stronger province-wide restrictions
Between March 29 at 11:59 pm and April 19 at 11:59 pm the PHO is strengthening province-wide restrictions:
- The variance allowing indoor religious gatherings and worship services between March 28 and May 13 is suspended
- Indoor low intensity group exercise classes are cancelled
- Restaurants, pubs and bars are closed for indoor dining. Outdoor patio seating and take-out or delivery is allowed
- Whistler Blackcomb ski resort is closed
Safety recommendations:
In addition to the orders, the PHO strongly recommends:
- Working from home whenever possible, unless it is essential to be in the workplace
- Keeping your child home from school if they feel sick or have any sign of illness
- Getting testing immediately if you or anyone in your family feels sick
- Avoiding all non-essential travel
Social gatherings
Indoor gatherings
No indoor social gatherings of any size at your residence with anyone other than your household or, if you live alone, your core bubble. For example:
- Do not invite friends or extended family inside your residence or vacation accommodation
- Do not host a party or event inside your house
Outdoor gatherings
Up to 10 people can gather outdoors. For example:
- Up to 10 people can gather at a park or beach
- Up to 10 people can gather in the backyard of a residence
Do not gather with several groups of new people. Stick to the same people. Continue to use COVID-19 layers of protection and maintain physical distancing. Patios and outdoor areas at restaurants, pubs and bars are not included as places to gather with 10 people at one table.
Group Benefits Plan for Chamber Members
Employees Value Employee Benefits
As a small business owner, you understand how important your employees are to you. Simply put, the right employees can “make” the company. But, it can be challenging to attract and retain the right talent. Today, top employees demand a comprehensive health insurance plan. In fact, in a 2016 Canada health survey, 77% of respondents say they wouldn’t move to a job that didn’t include health benefits.
By providing your employees financial protection as well as fast and easy claim reimbursement, you can find and attract the best employees. The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan® can offer you a truly flexible benefit solution based on what’s best for you and your employees.
The Group Benefits Plan Made Specifically for Small to Midsize Businesses
The Chambers Plan was specifically designed with the products, services and administration tools to match the needs of today’s small businesses. With more than 30,000 firms insured under the Plan, it is the most popular employee benefits program in Canada for small to midsize businesses.
There are no industry restrictions. All for-profit businesses are eligible while they are members of a participating Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade, a membership that allows you to access a multitude of business resources and connect to a network of professionals like yourself. The Chambers Plan’s innovative offerings and proven rate stability allow you to provide a comprehensive benefit plan to fit any budget.
Email us for any questions! administrator@sparwoodchamber.bc.ca
Business Continuity Checklist
Small Business BC and the B.C. government Small Business Branch have prepared a joint informational electronic resource that provides a checklist of considerations that small businesses can use to help minimize the impacts of COVID-19 to their employees and operations.
Our collective organizations encourage and support B.C. entrepreneurs with business continuity planning as they start and grow their business. Business continuity is especially relevant as small businesses consider the possible impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on their employees and operations.
Small Business BC advisors are ready to answer entrepreneurs’ questions about implementing or updating business continuity plans, accessing the Talk to an Expert program, or finding online training to help them take the next step.
Please visit Small Business BC for more informtion and links
New Sparwood Chamber of Commerce Members!
Why Join the Chamber? Here are a number of benefits that include:
- Publicity boosts
- Networking opportunities
- Mailing list access
- Freebies & discounts
If a consumer knows a business is part of its local chamber of commerce, the business will have an increase in the likelihood that the consumer will shop with them! Joining a Chamber of Commerce is a great way to be part of the community.
Our newest Members know the importance and benefits to being a Chamber Member. Please help us welcome: