Interested business owners met at the Drayton Theatre on May 10 to begin the process of reactivating a Chamber of Commerce in Mapleton Township, which has been without an active local chamber since 2005.
Guest speaker Greg Durocher, president and CEO of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the chamber and the travelling he has done around the globe with the organization.
“I am a part-time resident and full-time taxpayer in Mapleton Township,” Durocher said. “I have a cottage at the lake but live and work in Cambridge.”
Durocher’s credentials include a stint as a businessman and a 10-year term on Cambridge municipal council. After losing the mayoral position by 26 votes, Durocher decided a change was in order. Eight months later he joined the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
Under Durocher’s charge the chamber has grown to become the largest in Ontario with 1,900 members.
“The first Chamber of Commerce began in 1599 in Marseille, France. Champlain, the explorer who discovered Canada, was funded by the Paris Chamber of Commerce. The Golden Gate Bridge was built by the Chamber of Commerce to encourage economic ties between both sides of the Golden Gate Strait. Even the Boston Tea Party had Chamber involvement,” Durocher stated.
Today there are 2,500 Chambers of Commerce worldwide, whose goals are to build better, stronger, healthier communities.
“Often communities let government build their community, but the Chamber of Commerce need to be proactive by planning and acting on issues,” Durocher said.
He meets with the mayor and CAO of Cambridge on a weekly basis, representing Cambridge businesses.
“Ninety percent of municipal councils are comprised of baby boomers and retirees, who do not readily accept change. These mature individuals need to keep an open mind, bring sanity to the situation and build the community for the future,” Durocher said.
He emphasized that the Chamber of Commerce membership comes together with a shared interest in the economy and the future of the community. Networking, knowing, liking and trusting each other is important. As is finding solutions for each other’s problems. Immediate benefits will follow after an individual business is recommended to another business within the organization. The community will grow economically as long as there are business transactions taking place.
“Move forward, keep membership fees low and get as many businesses involved as you possibly can. As this is a rural municipality, agriculture is big business. All businesses need to be represented. Not only will the Chamber of Commerce businesses benefit, but the township as a whole will,” Durocher added.
“You are the forefathers of a new entity that you can bring to light. With a cooperative attitude you will be able to attain benefits including group insurance and discounts not currently available to your business,” Durocher said.
A new book, the first full length history of the Chambers of Commerce in the United States titled The Magicians of Main Street written by Chris Mead, describes how the chambers changed the nation’s finance and currency, public health, public works, local government and cultural life. Teams of businessmen and women built up their communities and shaped the country into what it is today.
This book is highly recommended by Durocher for any business owner.
Interested individuals will be meeting over the summer with Durocher to discuss the planned launch of the Mapleton Chamber of Commerce in September. Items on the agenda will include bylaws, board members, budgets, membership fees and services.
Chamber officials from the cities of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo will be assisting with the reestablishment of the Mapleton Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on the Mapleton Chamber of Commerce contact the Mapleton Township office at 519-638-3313.
