Autumn News


The Voice Of Pelham - 09-22-2008



Is the Pelham Business Association (PBA) meeting its objectives and are events planned meeting the needs of members and the community?

They're questions that members asked themselves during a brainstorming session at the PBA's Annual General Meeting on Sept. 9 at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club.

Dr. Jim Jeffs explained to the Voice before the meeting that one of the key aspects of the workshop was to see what members want from the PBA.

Jeffs, whose term as president ended with the annual general meeting, said the workshop, with members divided into small groups for discussion on a number of set questions, offered members an easy opportunity to voice their opinion.

"What comes out of that is what the members want and we'll go in that direction," he said.

Members offered a range of ideas on how PBA activities and events can meet the objectives of the business organization and how to increase attendance at events.

Jean Bancroft, chair of the program committee that plans PBA events and meetings, said the purpose of the workshop was to discuss ideas and members were definitely doing that.

"It went better than I expected. The participation was great," said Bancroft, adding she was happy to hear members say they could have talked longer on several issues.

Now, she says she'll amalgamate all of the ideas that came from the discussion, take it to the next PBA board meeting and then begin implementing as the board decides how to move forward.

As part of the annual general meeting members were updated on the work of the PBA through its various committees.

The membership committee, said chair Tony Mule, is one of the easiest portfolios within the PBA, noting the phone rings a few times every month with new members who want to join. Currently, he added, membership sits at approximately 80 businesses.

Chair of the communications committee, Lance Wiebe, noted he will be working to increase the profile of the PBA with updates to the website, at www.pelhambusinessassociation.com and articles in the Voice of Pelham.

Community affairs chair Gayle Baltjes-Chataway talked about the success of the Christmas in Pelham program, which has received notice in a national magazine and in regional publications. Christmas in Pelham will run again in 2008 and was the topic of one of the brainstorming sessions by members.

Other community affairs committee projects include support of the Band Shell concerts each summer, support of the Pelham Art Festival by local businesses that feature original pieces of art in their stores during the Festival; and helping the Rotary Club provide free games for kids at this year's Canada Day celebration.

Todd Barber says he's enjoyed working with town staff and council with the government affairs committee, getting to know them and to know where their support rests.

He noted the committee has been part of the Pelham Beatification Committee working on a community improvement plan, which should have a draft report ready in the spring.

Other work of the PBA includes working in conjunction with the Town on the creation of the Pelham Business Directory, an online, searchable, indexed business listing for the town of Pelham that will be launched later this month; and sitting on the town's Sign Bylaw Committee.

Elections were also part of the annual general meeting. Returning to the board of directors will be Wiebe, Bancroft, Barber, Baltjes-Chataway, and Gary Acursi. Newly elected to the board are Sue Telecki, Suzanne Rose, Cathy Berkhout-Bosse and Larry Clark. Jeffs becomes past-president on the board. Stepping down this year are Tony Mule, Bob Kilyk, and Michael Lewis.

In closing, Jeffs said this was the first time he's been involved in an organization from the beginning and praised the executive for their hard work over the past two years.

"It's been a great group to work with," he said, noting it is a great executive that will carry on.

Baltjes-Chataway commended Jeffs for his leadership and thanked him for his service to the community as inaugural president of the PBA, before he received a standing ovation from the membership.