A22 • THE NEWS, Friday, September 30, 2011 www.pqbnews.com THE NEWS, Friday, September 30 , 2011 • A19 www.pqbnews.com It’s a busy time of year for us at the Chamber as we set our sights on preparation for 2012 and strategic planning is the critical first step towards our success. Each year our Chamber measures its success in terms of the accomplishments of our goals and objectives. We clarify the current and emerging issues, which directly relate to our mandate and formulate a plan on how we will address them. This method of issues-based planning works from the present to the future, is broken into short and long term planning and is focused primarily on local and regional matters. So how do we know which issues are priorities? Over the next two months we will conduct a series of strategic planning sessions. We will ask our volunteers and staff for their input. Our volunteers are our most valuable asset. Who better to ask for direction than the front line workers who hear and see the wants and needs of our visitors and local residents. We will meet with the Town of Qualicum Beach and ask them to share their priorities and goals so that we can identify common areas of focus and lend our support. We will solicit feedback from our membership and ask them to identify our: • strengths, so that we may build on our assets; • weaknesses, so that we may minimize their impact; • opportunities within the community, so that we may take advantage or leverage new and existing partnerships ; and lastly • the threats they face, so that we may mitigate the risks to our community At our upcoming Annual General Meeting in November, we will bring in new Board members and expand our committees and working groups. Once these initial consultation sessions are completed, our Board of Directors will start a formalized strategic planning process to ensure linkage and alignment of all our goals and priorities. We will support our members and the community, while focusing on long term community sustainability. If you are a Chamber member and are interested in joining us, as either a Board member or committee volunteer, please call the Chamber office today. If you are part of an organized group that’s working towards strengthening our community and have identified issues that require attention or initiatives that require additional support, then please contact the Chamber office so that we can develop a strategy which is inclusive of our entire areas needs. Pull out and fold here Join the conversation. Follow us at http://twitter.com.qbchamber New Members New Members Message From Our Chair, Peter Doukakis Message From Our Chair, Peter Doukakis Board of Directors Dianna Rivard, Chair Quality Foods Case Co Moira Hauk, 1st Vice Chair Coastal Community Credit Union Geoff Ball, 2nd Vice Chair Milner Gardens & Woodlands Jason Moore, Treasurer McIntosh Norton Williams Pat Weber, Past Chair RE/MAX Anchor Realty Rusty Joerin Woodsgift Enterprises Jim Lynch NR Insurance Services Sheri Waters 2 Maids A’ttendin Jean Young Arbutus Emporium Julie Chambers The Gardens at Qualicum Beach The News You can dance, you can jive…having the time of your life! Join the community for the 20th Annual Rotary-Chamber Gala Auction on Saturday, November 12th. Your evening starts with complimentary wine and hors d’oevres followed by a five-course dinner. Games, balloon surprises, silent and live auctions and dancing to ABRA Cadabra will give you a most memorable evening. This annual fundraiser for charities and not- for-profit groups in our community benefits a broad range of organizations and ages. Gala 2011 is a great way to give to your community, do some Christmas shopping and have a special evening with friends, family and colleagues. Call the Chamber office at 250-752-0960 for more information. 20th Anniversary Gala Auction 20th Anniversary Gala Auction The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce is pleased to operate a Chamber business office and a Visitor Information Centre. For more information on local attractions, events and activities that take place throughout the year, call 250-752-9532 or 250-752-0960 or stop by and speak with one of our Visitor Centre Counsellors. check out our events calendar online at www.qualicum.bc.ca 124 West 2nd Ave., Qualicum Beach 2711 West Island Hwy, Qualicum Beach Qualicum Qualicum Beach Beach Chamber of Commerce John Sedgwick-Hall John Sedgwick-Hall - Royal LePage 679 Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC 250 752-6926 johnsedgwickhall@ gmail.com Veronica VonConruhds Kris Kringle Craft Market 3030 Keighley Road, Nanaimo, BC 250 758-9750 [email protected] Maggie Towns RE/MAX Anchor Realty 113 Second Avenue West, Qualicum Beach, BC 250 951-7653 maggietowns@shaw. ca MONK MONK Art Gallery & Studio 151A Morison Ave., Parksville, BC 250 248-8189 monk@artbymonk. com Peter Doukakis The Best Place to Live on Earth! Qualicum Beach Tel: 250-752-2466 1-800-668-3622 (Can/US) Tel: 250-752-2466 1-800-668-3622 (Can/US) www.remaxanchor.ca Email: [email protected] www.remaxanchor.ca Email: [email protected] 113 West 2nd Avenue, PO Box 1890 113 West 2nd Avenue, PO Box 1890 Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1T5 Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1T5 E Each Office Independently Owned and Operated ach Office Independently Owned and Operated Anchor Realty Anchor Realty Proud supporter of the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce since 1982. www.qualityfoods.com Chamber expands the Kwalikum Senior Secondary Chamber expands the Kwalikum Senior Secondary (KSS) scholarships specifications to be more inclusive (KSS) scholarships specifications to be more inclusive The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce offers three scholarships, two in the amount of $750 each and one in the amount of $1,000. The two, $750 awards are open to any KSS graduate, while the $1,000 award is available to the child or dependent of a current Chamber of Commerce member in good standing as of December 31st of the previous year. The specifications for all three scholarships has been expanded, as a result, a KSS Graduate must be proceeding into post- secondary studies related to business, entrepreneurial or general studies (in preparation for careers in business management, marketing, retailing, service sector or other related fields). Entrepreneurial and general studies were added this year to better reflect the makeup of the current Chamber membership. To be eligible for consideration, every application must include: 1. This scholarship checked off on the KSS Scholarship Application form. 2. A letter addressed to the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce Selection Committee outlining the graduate’s education, school related activities, and community activities they have been involved in. List certificates, diplomas, and any rewards received. 3. A copy of the graduate’s most recent transcript and a scholarship resume outlining their achievements and activities throughout grades 11 & 12. 5. At least two letters of reference. They may come from teachers, employers, community leaders or personal references and must reflect community or leadership contribution. 6. A brief essay (not more than 1200 words or 3 pages, typed and double spaced) outlining what motivated and inspired them in their chosen field. When they first discover their desire to pursue this program and what education facility will they be attending? In addition, graduates are asked to include their future goals and aspirations and how this scholarship will help to achieve them. Recipients of this bursary will have two years in which to claim the funds upon graduation. Upon registration at a post-secondary institution, the recipient will be required to provide proof of registration to the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce and funds will be transferred to the post-secondary institution in the recipient’s name. Any graduate wishing to apply for the scholarship must contact KSS directly or go the KSS Counseling Centre. Dianna Rivard presents a 2011 scholarship to Kieran Collery Municipal All-Candidates Municipal All-Candidates Debate Debate Wed., November 2 nd , 6:30pm Qualicum Beach Civic Centre Sponsored by: •Compounding Pharmacy •Home Heathcare •Natural Health •Cosmetics •Giftware •1 Hour Digital Photo Lab Order online prints @ www.qualicumbeachpharmasave.com 720 Memorial Avenue Qualicum Beach 250- 752-3011 Open 7 days a week • We Deliver A portion of every commission is donated to the Oceanside Hospice Association. B B renda renda Nicolls Nicolls Personal Real Estate Corporation Personal Real Estate Corporation 250-752-3375 Check out my new website at www.brendanicolls.com In the Heart of Qualicum Beach Qualicum Beach