The Timmins Chamber of Commerce[1][2] is one of the largest accredited Chambers in northeastern Ontario, with over 840 members. It is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, member-driven business advocacy organization that has been the voice of business in Timmins since 1949[3]. The Timmins Chamber is recognized as a leader in Northern Ontario business issues and valued as a contributor to its members’ business success[4].
Acting as a catalyst for a positive business climate for over 60 years[5][6], the Timmins Chamber provides business advocacy, networking, information sharing, and member programs. Its advocacy and policy initiatives, which are led by its membership and organized by its Board, promote favorable changes to various conditions affecting the Timmins business community.
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has earned accreditation with distinction twice from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce[7][8][9]. They are a 21-member board[10] with nine executive members. They are followed by a staff of four[11]; Office Administrator, Member Development and Events Specialist, Policy and Communications Director and the Chamber Manager.
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce also hosts a Service Ontario License Bureau, Tourism Information Centre, and Timmins Gift Shop[12].
Policy Development
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has two standing committees, the Marketing and Communications Committee and the Timmins Young Professionals Committee, which are composed of volunteer business members who meet on a monthly basis.
The Marketing and Communications Committee provides overall guidance and direction for the Chamber's marketing communications, including publications, fundraising, sponsorship, membership services and promotional programs, and contributes towards their implementation. The committee is also responsible for the ‘Member of the Month’ program and guides the Chamber's public communications initiatives.
The Timmins Young Professionals Committee serves as a committee for young professionals, young entrepreneurs and those new to the community who are seeking to build their business networks by getting involved in the Timmins Chamber of Commerce and connecting with other young professionals. The committee aspires to assist in the engagement and retention of young professionals by organizing networking and professional development initiatives. The Young Professionals Committee identifies and addresses issues of importance to young professionals, promoting Timmins as a great place for young professionals to live and work, as well as identifying opportunities for growth as a talent magnet.
In addition to the standing committees, the Timmins Chamber plays host to various task forces which also meet on a monthly basis. The task forces discuss a wide range of topics as well as identify and address issues that affect local area business. Task forces vary year-to-year and are decided upon during a Board planning session whereby the board decides which issues will be of priority during that Chamber year. For a complete list of current task forces, visit: www.timminschamber.on.ca
The task forces gather Information from sources, which is then synthesized to draft policy positions that inform members and which provide the basis for recommendations to the municipal, provincial and federal governments to bring about positive change.
Many of these policies have been adopted by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, who in turn lobby on the Timmins Chamber’s behalf for change in provincial and federal government standards. Most recently the Ontario Chamber adopted the Timmins Chamber’s ‘Endangered Species Act’ as well as their ‘Achieving Funding Parity for First Nations Education.’ For a complete list of active Timmins Chamber policies, visit: www.timminschamber.on.ca/activepolicies.php.
Advocacy
Advocacy is the process of providing active verbal and written support for a given position. The Timmins Chamber of Commerce strives to determine the most common issues of concern to its members by seeking their feedback at the beginning of each term. This input guides policy development for the fiscal year.
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has been recognized on provincial and national levels for its advocacy efforts; the Ontario Chamber of Commerce recognized the Timmins Chamber in 2005 for its outstanding membership development efforts, in 2007 for its outstanding policy initiatives, and in 2009 for its work in obtaining clarification for retailers on the handling of Retail Sales Tax exemptions[13].
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has also received accreditation with distinction twice from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Membership and Information Services
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has over 840 members from various business sectors, including: mining, forestry, automotive, retail, professional services, recreation and agriculture. Each member pays an annual membership fee pro-rated to the number of employees in their business.
Members of the Timmins Chamber are kept informed via weekly e-newsletter (Chamber Inside), bi-monthly newspaper (Inside Business), Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and a regularly updated website.
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce website has a community events calendar, Chamber and member news, Chamber press releases, business resources, member benefits information, member directory and a members-only section. The site also features a monthly poll question about issues that affect the local business community.
The Timmins Chamber works diligently to encourage members’ growth and development while engaging them through informative events and exclusive member benefits.
Brief History and Highlights
In 1949, a group of local businessmen, led by Dr. J.B. McClinton, formed the Porcupine Chamber of Commerce. The goal of the group was to secure the future of Northern Ontario. The original mandate stated “We are a non-profit volunteer organization which represents a wide range of business and community interests. We are committed to our community and encourage its growth by promoting business opportunities.[14]”
The Chamber has since expanded its mandate to include advocating for business interests, lobbying for growth and economic stability of the region and hosting various networking events. The focus is on the Timmins Chamber’s ability to act as a catalyst for positive business climate, while providing business advocacy, networking, information sharing, and member programs.
For more detailed historical information, visit the Timmins Chamber of Commerce website at www.timminschamber.on.ca.