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Connect. Engage. Achieve. Mar. 7/2014

Duncan Cowichan Chamber of

Commerce eNews

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The Black Tie Awards & Auction are

Sat.Apr. 5 at Brentwood College School

Welcome Black Tie Awards Sponsors for 2014 ...

Spring Fwd. this Wkd.2014 BLACK TIE AWARDS AND AUCTION - April 5

Black Tie Nominees Announced - Avail. Online Here

We are excited to release the names of all the nominees for Black Tie 2014. We

Set your clocks ahead 1 hr.,

Sun. morning @ 2 am

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received a total of 142 nominations for 108 individuals. (Some nominees received

multiple nominations).

A Round Table Panel met and selected the 3 Finalists in each of the 8 categories.

We expect to release the Finalists' names early next week. The Award winners are

selected from among the Finalists. Winners are announced, and the Finalists are

honoured at the Black Tie Awards and Auction on April 5, at Brentwood College.

See the complete list of Nominees 2014 here.

Black Tie Tickets - Available from the Chamber Office

Tickets are available through the Chamber

office. Tickets are already moving - last year we

sold out in 3 short weeks! We make every effort

to accommodate preferred seating, but as ticket

sales pick up, we cannot guarantee placement.

Tickets are $85 (plus gst) and include champagne

reception (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.), the Awards banquet

(6:30 - 9:30 p.m.) in the beautiful Crooks Hall on

the waterfront at Brentwood College, and Silent

Auction.

Contact the Chamber for Your Tickets

E: manager@duncancc.bc.ca T: 250.748.1111

Another Amazing Black Tie Silent Auction

Our thanks to the many businesses who have

generously donated to our Silent Auction - fabulous

weekends away, baskets stuffed with cool stuff,

coupons and more. Please consider donating to the

Chamber's major fundraiser, and have a presence at

this high profile event. Please contact Kirsty Grant,

Silent Auction Co-ordinator.

Black Tie Silent Auction

Kirsty Grant, Silent Auction & Visitor Centre Coordinator

E: visitorinfo@duncancc.bc.ca T: 250.746.8222

Crooks Hall - venue for Black Tie 2014

Sponsorship Opportunities for Black Tie

Sponsor a Table - only $175 - Great Exposure!

Our most popular sponsorship offering. Your business card is attached to a take-

way gift at eight place-settings on a table. Your company is listed in the program

and included in an appreciation ad in both local papers. Table Sponsors are tweeted

as they come on board, and posted to Facebook. Table sponsorships make an

elegant client gift to open doors and solidify relationships.

Funding for Business

Listing of Wage, Training

& Other HR Funding

Global Vocational Wage

Subsidy Program

Western Diversification

Funding

Resources for Small

Business

New BC Requirements for

Anti-Harassment at Work

Sm. Bus. to Workplace

Harassment & Bullying

BDC FREE Website

Analysis Tool

Mobile Business Licence for

Vancouver Island Now Avail.

Official Trade & Investment

Site for BC

Mentorship BC

Women's Enterprise Centre -

Free Resources

W.E.P. Funding for Non-

Profit Organizations

Province of BC - Business

Management Tools

Small Business BC - Business

Education 0nline

Gold and Table Sponsorship details

Contact Sonja at manager@duncancc.bc.ca to confirm your table sponsorship

Chamber News & Events

Chamber Events Take a March Break

We will not be holding a monthly luncheon, lunch n learn or mixer in March.

Historically, it has been difficult to get attendance to March events due to spring

break. Plus we are gearing up to host another spectacular Black Tie & Auction on

April 5.

Cowichan Job Fair - Mar. 25 - Excellent Opportunity for Employers & JobS

seekers

Global Vocational Services, the Cowichan WorkBC Employment Services Centre for

Cowichan is hosting the 2nd annual Cowichan Job Fair. Last year, businesses filled

one hall at Quw'utzun Cultural Centre with 800 prospective employees in

attendance. This year, the Job Fair will expand to 2 Halls. Businesses exhibit for

free! If you are a business who is hiring now, or recruiting for the future, the Job

Fair is an exceptional efficient way to find top employees. Registration is required.

Cowichan Job Fair 2014

Tues. Mar. 25, 10 am - 3 pm

Quw'utzun' Cultural and Conference Centre, 200 Cowichan Way

Register online here, or RSVP to: info@gvsjobs.com T: 250.748.8990

Chamber Partners with Global Vocational & Dynamic HR Solutions, Employer

Forums Continue - March 27

Part 1 and 2 of this series were excellent: Interviewing Skills and Retention and

Attraction. March 27 features Employee Engagement. These are 2 hour sessions,

free to Chamber Members. Every business looking to recruit, retain and engage

employees should be attending these forums.

RSVP tojassica@dynamichrsolutions.com or 250-597-1901

Coming Soon ...

Co-Op Housing Presentation with Thom Armstrong, Co-op Housing Federation

of BC, Mar. 14

Cowichan Co-operative Connections and the Cowichan Region Affordable Housing

Directorate present "Housing Co-operatives: A solution to the affordable housing

problem in the Cowichan region". Thom Armstrong is the Executive Director of the

Co-op Housing Federation of BC. He will discuss how to create housing co-ops in a

workshop setting. The event is Fri. Mar. 7 at 7:00 pm in the Lecture Theatre at

Vancouver Island University.

Housing Co-op's

Presenter: Thom Armstrong, Co-op Housing Federation of BC

Fri. Mar. 14, 7:00 pm

Lecture Theatre, Vancouver Island University

2011 University Way

Contact Roger Hart to register. E: info@cowichan.coop T: 250.715.3039

Opportunities

CVRD Tenders & RFP's

Provincial Bid

Opportunities on BC Bid

Government of Canada

tender notices

Cowichan Talks: Benefiting Business Through Diversity - Mar. 19. Registration Deadline Mar. 14

The Cowichan Intercultural Society and their partners present an evening of presentations and panel discussions on the

diversity advantage and how it contributes to community sustainability and business growth. Be sure to attend to hear

keynote speaker Alden E. Habacon - Diversity and Inclusion Specialist at UBC. Cowichan Talks takes place at Cherry

Point Vineyards; tickets include canapes and dessert by Amuse on the Vineyard and the wines of Cherry Point Estate.

Tickets available through Cowichan Intercultural Society or at the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre.

Cowichan Talks

Wed. Mar. 19, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Please register and pick up your tickets by Mar. 14.

Cherry Point Vineyards, 840 Cherry Point Rd.

For tickets contact: catherine@cis-iwc.org or francoise@cis-iwc.org

Or purchase in person at the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre

Click here for the Cowichan Talks Schedule of Events

Cowichan Talks partners: Gov't of Canada, WelcomeBC, Vancouver Island University,

Global Vocational Services, Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce,

Economic Development Cowichan and the Duncan Business Improvement Association.

Social Media is Simple - LinkedIn - Mar. 13Brenda Burch of Social Media is Simple is offering the "How to Create an Excellent LiinkedIn Profile". The first sessionin Feb. sold out early - so Brenda is offering this popular session again on Mar. 13. LinkedIn is emerging as one of thebest Social Media tools for developing new prospects, strengthening your business and personal brand, marketingusing laser-sharp demographic tailoring, educating, and connecting you with your business community. On LinkedIn,success starts with a great profile that includes the correct information communicated in the right tone, with the rightkeywords. This is a hands on training session (please bring your tablet or laptop) and we will go through - section by section - thevarious sections of a LinkedIn profile, what each section means and the optimum way to complete it. As always, a Brenda-led training seminar includes lots of learning in a comfortable and relaxed setting with a dash ofhumour. Coffee and tea is provided and you are most welcome to bring your lunch.

How to Create an Excellent Linked In Profilewith Brenda Burch of Social Media is Simple

Thurs. Mar. 13, Noon - 1:30 pm$30

Dynamic HR Solutions Boardroom, 64 Station St.

THIS Event is a NEW event, being held March 13th, to accommodate those unable to attend

the sold out Event originally held on February 19th.

This Just In ...

New Featured Courses at Vancouver Island University!

The Craft of Acting:Join professional actor, producer and artistic director Michelle Tremblay in an exploration of

acting techniques and exercises. Develop your actor's imagination and listening ability, and explore senses and

emotions to better portray a believable character. Be prepared to learn and perform a monologue in class. Michelle

creates a safe and supportive environment, and her dynamic style appeals to both young and mature adults. This is a

practical class for the beginner or intermediate actor. Tue, Mar 25-May 13; 7-9pm

Shabby Chic: Furniture Painting: Rescue and reinvent tired, old furniture and fabulous, second-hand finds. Through

demonstrations and hands-on practice, explore various techniques in the "Shabby Chic" style. We are continually

reminded of the precious resources and sustainability of the environment around us, and with that in mind our course

aims to encourage participants to reuse and enhance existing items. Bring a small project to work on. Beginners and

those with experience welcome. Painting materials supplied. Tue & Thu, Mar 25-27; 6-9pm

MS Excel: Databases & Multiple Worksheets

Tue, Mar 11; 6-9pm

iPad Tablet: Next Step - Registration deadline: Mar 10

Sat, Mar 15; 9:30am-12pm

Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Next Step - Registration deadline: Mar 10

Sat, Mar 15; 1-3:30pm

What's WHMIS (4 Hrs) - Registration deadline: Mar 7

Sat, Mar 15; 9am-1pm

Beekeeping In The Warm Land

Mon & Wed, Mar 17-Apr 7; 7-9pm

Dealing With ICBC Personal Injury Claims

Thu, Mar 27; 6:30-9:30pm

Community Extension Spring & Summer Courses

Call us to register today! 250-746-3519 ~ 1-888-747-3519 or

Avoid disappointment and Register Online today.

Community Extension & Contract Services

Vancouver Island University, Cowichan Campus

National Volunteer Week April 6 - 12

National Volunteer Week - April 6-12 is fast approaching. As part of the weeks activities Volunteer Cowichan and

CRAD will host the Volunteer & Community Resources Fair, April 5 at the Duncan mall 10-2. Please see poster and

registration form attached. As part of the days events we will once again host the Helping Hands Volunteer

Recognition ceremonies at 1pm. Please see attached nomination form. We look forward to seeing you at the Fair!

Cowichan Sportsplex Spring Fitness Challenge - Registration Open

Healthy Employees are Happy Employees! For $95 each, enter them into the Cowichan Sportsplex Spring Fitness

Challenge, sponsored by Duncan Paving. Enjoy 31 outdoor classes over 4 weeks from April 22 - May 15 at 12:10 PM &

5PM. PRIZES! Mt Washington Stay & Ski! Helicopter Ride!

Register now for the Spring Fitness Challenge

Call 250-746-5666 or email events@cowichansportsplex.com

Cowichan's Own Dragon's Den

Eight youth teams are preparing to wow judges with their business ideas come May. With support from Coastal

Community Credit Union, Community Futures, and business mentors the teams are competing for more than $1000 in

cash and prizes. They will be judged on three criteria: Innovation, Marketing & Promotion and Finance.

Coastal Community is sponsoring the competition - Moira Hauk, Branch Manager of Coastal Community Credit Union's

Chemainus and Duncan branches, says sponsoring the event was the obvious thing to do for her credit union. "By

providing youth with the opportunity to experience their first taste of business success, our hope is that we will be

building young entrepreneurs who will become our business community of the future." Between now and the end of

May, teams will compete in three stages with a final awards event in early June.

Youth Dragons' Den

True to the spirit of encouraging young business skills, Coastal Community is also

sponsoring the Young Entrepreneur category at Black Tie 2014.

Cowichan Food Connection (The Bread Van) Needs Your Help!

CFC is looking for a volunteer book keeper to sit on our board of directors as Treasurer. If you have a accounting

background & 1-3 hours a month spare time please contact:

Bill Macadam 250 856 0048 or publisher@cowichannewsleader.com

Go to http://cowichanfoodconnection.com to find out how you can help.

Every week CFC delivers hundreds of Loaves of Bread from Mill Bay to Ladysmith

to people who would otherwise go hungry (schools, Food Banks, Seniors Centres, & many more).

St. John First Aid Training Classes Coming Up - Emergency for Industry (OFA Level 1) - class held weekly

- Transportation Endorsement: March 28

- Emergency for Community Care: March 29

- OFA Level 2: March 10 - 14

- OFA Level 3 - 1 week Renewal (call for date)

- OFA Level 3: March 31 - April 11

- CPR C/AED Renewal: March 22

- Standard for Industry (AB or BC): Mar 15 & 16

- CPR C & AED for H.C.P.: March 15

- H2S Alive: March 25

Any private class can be arranged: WHMIS, CPR, Babysitter, etc.

St. John Ambulance - Cowichan Valley

Suite: #205, 169 Craig St., Duncan, BC

PH: (250)746-4058 E-mail: Cowichan@bc.sja.ca

Charitable Not-for-Profit - Serving Duncan 50+ years

Need First Aid Kits, Supplies or an AED? Visit our New Estore.

More News & Events

Mentorship BC Seeks Your Input

Mentorship is seeking business input to help improve the programs they offer to small business. The online survey is a

single page, takes about 2 minutes to complete. And you can be eligible to win a 16GB iPad Mini. Follow the link below.

Mentorship BC Survey

Find out more about the MentorshipBC programs here.

Seven Ways to Prevent Retail Crime - Video Available OnlineCommunity Policy encourages Chamber members to view excellent video series about simple, practical, cost effectivesteps to keep your business safe from crime. Each video is just 3 minutes and cites proven CPTED techniques - CrimePrevention Through Environmental Design. Please feel free to share this link with your network.

Seven Ways to Prevent Retail Crime

Read about Crime Prevention Through Environmental (CPTED)Design on Wikipedia.

Community Policing Website

E: warmlandcops@shaw.ca T: 250.701.9146

Merridale and Unsworth Contest - Grand Prize One Night Yurt Stay, Dinner for 2 and Basket of Goodies

Merridale and Unsworth Vineyards are giving away a romantic night in the country with a one night stay in Merridale's

yurt, dinner for two at Unsworth Vineyards, and a basket of goodies from both places as one big grand prize. The

contest starts today and goes until April 30th. Grand prize draw is on May 15th when the winner is announced. Enter

online at either Merridale or Unsworth Vineyards.

Enter Online at Merridale

Enter Online at Unsworth Vineyards

Required Anti-Bullying Workplace Training Available Online - Special Member Pricing

The BC Chamber has partnered with the Respect Group Inc. to offer a 1.5 hour online training program for all

employees of chambers and their members. This program will assist so they are in compliance with the new workplace

discrimination, bullying and harassment provincial law (Bill 14, which came into force Nov. 1, 2013). RGI meets the

training requirements as outlined in the WorkSafeBC legislation/toolkit. Fast, effective, accredited and economical,

the course is $32 for members (regularly $40). Contact the office to get your access code and have the required

training done by the end of the day.

Bill 14 Training Requirement Available Online - Special Member Pricing

Contact: chamber@duncancc.bc.ca T: 250.748.1111

FAQ - What Business Needs to Know

Meet and Greet with BC Finance Minister, Cowichan Bay, March 11

The BC Liberals Cowichan Bay Riding Association presents An Evening with BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong on Tues.

Mar. 6, 6:00 pm at the Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay. Tickets are available online and include drinks, reception &

dinner.

An Evening with the Finance Minister

Keynote Speaker: Mike de Jong, BC Finance Minister

Tues. Mar. 11 at 6:00 pm

Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay

1681 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay, BC

Tickets $150 ~ ($100 eligible for tax receipt)

Tickets available online here

Contact Steve Housser, BC Liberals Cowichan Bay Riding Association for details. E: shousser@gmail.com

Save the Date for these MAY events

Randy Bertsch, COO, Island Savings Guest Speaker at May 1 Luncheon

Randy Bertsch, Chief Operating Officer of Island Savings presents at the Chamber's May 1 luncheon. Mr. Bertsch will

provide an overview of Island Savings' new partnership with First West. Through First West's partnership model, Island

Savings retains its local brand, leadership, decision-making and Island-centred community focus. See the media

release here, and attend this event to hear the details and understand how the partnership will benefit our community.

Randy Bertsch, Chief Operating Officer, Island Savings

Guest Speaker at May 1 Chamber Luncheon

Duncan Travelodge, 140 Trans Canada Hwy.

Members $26.25 Non-members $36.75

RSVP: admin@duncancc.bc.ca T: 250.748.1111

11:30 - Noon Networking & Registration; Noon - 1:00 pm Buffet & Presentation

Mixer at Pratz Bookkeeping and Tax

Corrine Pratz of Pratz Bookkeeping & Tax is hosting a Chamber Mixer on May 15 (at the close of tax season) Come see

Corrine and her colleagues at their new downtown location at 166 Station St. Good company, good food and good

networking.

Pratz Bookkeeping & Tax Hosts Chamber Mixer

Thurs. May 15/14, 5:30 pm

166 Station St.

RSVP to: chamber@duncancc.bc.ca T: 250.748.1111

Amazing Video

Spoiler Alert: The Squirrel is OK

https://www.youtube.com/v/XBEyCr5AoIs

Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce

New address:

2896 Drinkwater Road

Duncan, BC V9L 2C6

E: chamber@duncancc.bc.ca | T: 250.748.1111 | F: 250.746.8222

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