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H alton Hills Chamber of Commerce is growing. Since January, we have welcomed 22 new members. Take a moment and read page 4 and 6 to meet our newest members. Now it's time to make your membership pay for itself. Just like your business, it takes involvement and dedication to reap the rewards. One of the expectations people have when they join the Chamber is they believe that from the moment they sign up, their business is going to automatically benefit without their participation. They write a cheque for their membership fee and they feel the rest should take care of itself. I compare it to joining a fitness center. You can join a gym, pay the annual membership fee, but if you don't actually go to the gym, it's pretty much wasted money. You not only have to invest in a membership fee, you also have to invest time in attending events or joining committees. If people never meet you, joining the Chamber isn't enough. One of the main advantages of joining a Chamber is the opportunity it offers to raise your profile in the business community. We recently received two comments from new members to that effect. The first, from Louis Violo, of Power Quest Electric states, "On joining in late summer of 2005, I was uncertain how I could play a role or even contribute my time to the local community. I attended a couple of Business After Hours and handed out a few business cards. From then on I received a few phone calls and e-mails asking for quotes on projects from other local business people. Wow! Networking! What better way to promote your business! I soon turned to the friendly and courteous staff at the Chamber for help in introductions to the many business links in town to become better acquainted with General Manager's Desk Sue Walker them and to share thoughts and ideas on everyday issues pertaining to our line of work. I've met a great deal of interesting individuals, and wish to extend a warm welcome to new or existing businesses in town to come out to a Business After Hours meeting and see what these great people have to offer. Come out, have some fun." Lara Torrance of Savvy Staging Solutions wrote, "Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce has offered a great deal of exposure, support and ongoing networking opportunities to increase our business. Our clients are happy to support a local business active as a Chamber member. I take great pride as a participant in those events that are organized to support our community and fellow small business owners." Take their advice. Join us at a Business After Hours and watch your business grow! Sadly, the Chamber is saying good-bye to a dedicated staff member. Gina Alderman joined the Chamber in the summer of 2002 as a Travel Councillor having just completed high school at Bishop Reding. She continued her studies at York University and we were fortunate that she continued to work with us full time each summer and part time during her school years. She has been a familiar face at many local events, promoting local "Pick Your Own" farms and other local attractions. We wish Gina well. "Working together for a strong business community"