14 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 13, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Tool Kit good business A new Chamber of Commerce Tool Kit should help inoculate businesses against the effects of a possible pandemic. A Pandemic Planning Tool Kit has been released to businesses across the province to help them prepare for an influenza pandemic. Prepared by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the kit will be made available to 57,000 businesses across Ontario in an effort to minimize disruption to the province's economy should a pandemic occur. "This is not about being alarmist. It is about being ready," says Len Crispino, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "Although we hope that scientific warnings of an influenza pandemic will never be realized we have a responsibility to our employees and our customers to be prepared with a plan that will enable us to continue operating as best as possible during a widespread emergency of this kind," he said. Scientists predict an influenza pandemic could occur within the next few years and yet statistics show that few small and medium businesses have plans in place to contend with this eventuality. "Our local economy and individual businesses were impacted by the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2003 and the blackout later that same year," said Stephen Sparling, President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. "The Pandemic Planning Tool Kit will help local businesses prepare themselves for the next catastrophic event, ultimately reducing the impact on business owners and their employees," he said. The tool kit includes the following: · Estimates of potential staff absences · Legislative requirements governing staff absences during an emergency and subsequent return to work · List of possible effects to services and business operations · Prevention techniques to limit the spread of disease · Business continuity checklist · Additional resources "We urge all businesses to take the threat of a pandemic seriously," said Crispino. "Careful planning and preparation will help businesses protect themselves from such things as staff absences, energy supply disruptions and trade interruptions," he said. The Pandemic Planning Tool Kit is available electronically or in hard copy from the Oakville Chamber of Commerce or online at www.oakvillechamber.com. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce represents over 57,000 businesses through 160 local chambers of commerce and boards of trade, and has been Ontario's business advocate since 1911. Its advocacy and policy initiatives focus on six areas key to the economic well-being of the province: health; education; energy; finance and taxation; transportation and infrastructure; and border issues. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the Oakville business community. It provides member benefits which include advocacy, corporate benefits, networking opportunities, business development and educational forums. Our mission is to foster a healthy economic environment for Oakville. TOPS: James Keirstead,vice president of sales for Blue Falls Manufacturing (BFM, makers of Arctic Spas) presents a polar bear statue to the Oakville Group in recognition of their success as top North American dealership in Arctic Spas. Accepting the award are from left, Trevor Wasney, President; Kevin Rurka, Warehouse; Melanie Fogolin, Sales Manager, Arctic Spas Mississauga; Alain Henderson, Sales Manager, Arctic Spas Barrie; Paul Scanlan, Sales Manager, Arctic Spas Oakville; Phil Edey, Sales Manager, Arctic Spas Hamilton; and Chris Osborne, Sales Manager, Arctic Spas Kitchener. Spas are serious business The Arctic Spas store in Oakville has been recognized as part of the highest volume Arctic Spas dealership in North America. The Oakville Group received an award presented by Blue Falls Manufacturing of Thorsby, Alberta, makers of Arctic Spas, at its annual Dealer Conference in Cancun, Mexico in late December. Blue Falls Manufacturing's James Keirstead presented the award to Oakville Group president Trevor Wasney in recognition of the group's outstanding sales performance in 2006. "It was wonderful to receive this award. Our experience in the hot tub and billiards industry, our dedication to customer service, and our hard work is what has allowed us to reach this level of success. We have to thank our staff and above all our many customers," said Wasney. The Arctic Spas Oakville Group owns and operates stores in Mississauga, Hamilton, Kitchener, Barrie and Oakville. The Arctic Spas Oakville Group was recognized in 2003 as a finalist for Retailer of the Year and in 2005 as winner of the Oakville Business Awards of Excellence Retailer of the Year award. The Arctic Spas Oakville Group was formed in 2001 by a partnership with over 30 years of combined experience in the spa and billiards industry and specializes in sales and service of Arctic Spas, Coyote Spas, and Guild Billiards. It also provides parts and service for all makes and models of spas. Blue Falls Manufacturing is one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies, and has has more than 230 dealers in almost 30 countries. Let your creativity soar To new heights Art and Pottery Classes Adults ° Children Space is still available in the following classes: Adult Pottery Mornings, afternoons and evenings Kids pottery weekends, after school Adult drawing Adult Chinese Brush Painting New Class!! Oil/Acrylic Friday evening Kids - New Class!! After school art Special Portrait drawing Workshop Sunday Jan 28, 9AM 4PM ______________________________ Register today! Give us a call or drop in to the OAS studios for a descriptive class Brochure UP TO ladies waterproof Luneberg REG 60 Tambar REG SA L E OFF REG. PRICE % 179.95 mens waterproof Trails Edge REG 179.95 NOW $ 8999 99 NOW NOW $ 8999 Crestone REG www.oakvilleartsociety.com y www.oakvilleartsociety.com Gift certificates available The Oakville Art Society Teaching Art in your community since 1965 560 Bronte Rd. 905-827-5711 Office hours: Mo Fri 9:30 4:30. 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