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Members share desire to improve community All of these benefits are valuâ€" able, but when you ask a member what they‘re getting out of the Chamber, the common response is a desire to improve the comâ€" munity in which they live and work. This seems to be the main reason members stay in the Chamber, get involved in comâ€" mittees and regularly attend events. (Continued from page 1) local, national and provincial scenes, and there is resource material offered to members including _ the _ Business Opportunities Sourcing System. "The majority of people are involved because they want to put something back into the comâ€" munity," says President Rick Kedzior. "It feels good when you accomplish something that will benefit the Town and its people." It‘s called the Women‘s Network and although it started off small, now 50 to 70 women attend the monthly meetings where they can get to know one another on a business level and hear guest speakers discuss a variety of topics. Meetings are held at local restaurants, usually owned by Chamber members, and the cost of dinner is $20. "The success of the Chamber revolves around active participaâ€" tion in the community," says Ross McBean, Chairperson of Membership Services. "At social functions like the boat cruise, the baseball game at the Skydome group Although women like Bullied have played a large part in the Chamber since day one, it‘s only been in the last 10 years or so that women members have had the opportunity to network and share information in their own W‘omen's involvement /‘ in the Chamber dates P back to its earliest years, when Arthur Bullied, owner and founder of the Oakville Credit Union in 1952, didn‘t even give up her memberâ€" ship when she retired in 1958. "I don‘t want to stagnate," she said in a May 31, 1962 article in the Oakville Recordâ€"Star. "I want to know what‘s going on." By Shelly Sanders Greer Special to the Beaver Oct. 20. 1993 Women‘s Network provides important service to female Chamber members "You only get out of the chamâ€" ber what you put in," says memâ€" ber Andres Paara. ‘"The Chamber is very supportive to those who support it. I think it‘s the best vehicle for networking and getâ€" ting involved in the community: It‘s almost essential to belong." "The Chamber is not just an outlet for networking," says member Jack Jamieson. "I do thing because I enjoy them. People like volunteering their and Business After Hours, you get to renew old friendships and learn about different businesses." ‘"Membership also helps me in my professional development," says Kedzior. "By chairing a committee, you gain an underâ€" "Some companies have used my service because I‘ve met conâ€" tacts through the Network," she says. "I‘ve made two or three good contacts and I‘ve referred a lot of business as well. But this Network is more than just a way to get business. The quality of speakers is good and I like sharâ€" ing information." Joelle Adelson, an associate lawyer with O‘Connor MacLeod, has been involved in the Women‘s Network for two years Higgins (also (feels the Women‘s Network has helped her in her position as branch manager for DGS Personnel. "When you‘re at one of our meetings," says Brenda Higgins, a member of the Network, "you discuss business issues. We get advice from each other on things like the new labor laws." "This is something I really enjoy," says Gloria Ingram, Chairperson of the Network. "I‘m surprised at all the talent there is. The women are in so many different careers such as law, optometry, accounting, therâ€" apy, public relations and marketâ€" ing. At our meetings, I feel a lot of energy." \Downey Awnings Congratulations on your 40th Anniversary â€" MOVING SOON â€" RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ‘"The Chamber makes it possiâ€" ble to expand your horizons," says past president Ewart Carberry. "Meeting people is important and you‘re always encouraged to do business with other people in Oakville." standing of the structure of comâ€" mittees. It has been a help both personally and professionally." Past president Michael Caine agrees: ‘"The Chamber system is second to none. I have used the principles of the Chamber model in other work I‘m involved with. I have always been impressed by this structure." "It definitely helps you meet other business people, it enhances your reputation and you‘re supâ€" porting the community," says past and has been a speaker talking about estate planning and wills. "This is a very important group in terms of making contacts," she says. "Many women have joined the Chamber because of this netâ€" work. It provides a forum and is a structured way to meet business people." "I‘ve met a whole lot of really wonderful women," says Marilyn Belleghem, a marriage and famiâ€" ly counsellor who has been a member of the network since 1985. "I came to Oakville in three good contacts and I‘ve referred a lot of business as well. But this Network is more than just a way to get business. The quality of speakers is good and I like sharing information." "I‘ve made two or RE TRA ANVAS AWNINGS M 8 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER president Bill MacLeod. "But you can never identify the people who come in because of the Director David Pollard believes "being a member gives you credibility as an upstanding member of the business commuâ€" nity. But if all you want to do is pay your membership and put a sticker on your door, then that‘s all you‘ll get. To get involved and meet people, you have to make a commitment." 1985 to establish my practice." she explains. "I wanted to become known to lawyers and schools which I‘ve done through this network. And my networkâ€" ing within the Women‘s Network has also led to public speaking opportunities for me. This is the most valuable group of local women I would belong to." The future looks good for the Women‘s Network, with new faces at many meetings and an enthusiasm that cannot be denied. P ||||||||||| 1| 1111111 Right Homeâ€"Right Price ROYAL LEPAGE Right Homeâ€"Right People â€" 239 Lakeshore Rd. E. _ 326 Lakeshore Rd. E. Oakville Oakville (416) 845â€"8522 (416) 845â€"4267 2448 Lakeshore Rd. W. _ 251 N. Service Rd. W. Oakville Oakville (416) 825â€"1171 (416) 338â€"3737 Brenda Higgins on their TH A Compliments of the four Royal LePage Offices in Oakville ngmfu/afibm lo â€"_aokVi/ OVJCQ ® 2 NC : 0o CA JÂ¥ 0o c & B o 36@.\. /n@s " of C TO THE OAKVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE! EOUAL LOW CALORIE SWEETENER "Canada‘s best Community Newspaper Congran on 40 years Congratulations on your 40th Anniversary We thank you and the many present and past business persons who helped to make your organization a great success in Oakville. 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