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RED DEER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FEATURE |
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Good policy is part of the committee harvest
09/03/08
This time of year, people are bringing in gardens and farmers are taking off crops. It’s a time to see how things went, what worked and what didn’t grow. Unless you’re taking a seat at a committee table at the Chamber of Commerce, that is. September is when Chamber standing committees reconvene and start setting their agendas for the year ahead.
Members will be looking at the issues that need tending over the next few months, gathering information, considering the impact of policy change over a wide variety of topics.
The Red Deer Chamber currently has eight active committees, and each one will have its initial meeting this month. The Agriculture Policy Committee, which last year delivered a comprehensive carbon credit offset policy that was adopted by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, will again have an active agenda. With Alberta’s land use framework, water strategy and lake management all influencing agriculture, and a host of other ag issues, this committee will cover some fertile ground and foster robust discussion.
Transportation is never far off the front page and when that committee gets underway, on Friday, the discussion is sure to travel in all directions. There has already been considerable discussion of interurban transportation in the corridor as well as intermunicipal transportation and this diverse group has some interesting policy alternatives on the horizon.
With a federal election looming, the Finance and Taxation Committee will likely provide an interesting context to the campaign. The membership of this committee ensures discussion is more than idle speculation on the economy and beyond, but more likely an interesting dissection of platforms and tax policies.
The economic expansion we’ve seen in Alberta highlights labour shortages, foreign workers and a skilled workforce. The Chamber’s Labour Committee has worked for some time on policy alternatives for the province to consider and much of that research and discussion is reflected in the comments we hear coming out of the legislature. The same holds true for Health and Education. Not just large parts of the provincial budget, but issues that are raised in practically every home and business in some context. When the Committee first meets September 15, they’ll have more than housekeeping on their minds and likely wade into meaningful discussion of public health care needs right off the bat.
The Civic Affairs Committee has a broad local mandate and their first meeting on the 11th will pick up the discussion from the spring session where planning, culture, the Downtown and land use were discussion centres. The Environment Committee formulated compelling policy recommendations that were approved by the Board, focusing on a province-wide natural resource management plan, watershed management and the long-term consequences of land use and environmental policy.
This fall should also see the relaunch of the Chamber’s Energy Committee, and there will be plenty for the newly constituted group to discuss and decide.
For many people, committees are the most compelling reason to belong to the Chamber. Meaningful discussion. Intelligent, passionate speakers and guests. Outcomes that matter and progress that we can take pride in. All in the context of colleagues that are committed to seeing positive, thoughtful change.
For more information on Chamber policy committees and how you can participate, call 403-347-4491
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UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS |
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Mentoring Breakfast
September 18, 2008 – 7:00 am
‘Strategic Living’ seminar series called “Eat well, move well, and think well”
Speaker: Dr Jeff Hindbo
Location:North Hill Inn
Members: $15.00 p/p incl. GST
RSVP Required by September 15
Annual General Meeting
September 19, 2008
Location:Red Deer Lodge
Members: $27.00 p/p, incl. GST
RSVP Required by Sept. 17th
Whole Brain Training Ignites Business Productivity
Sept. 23, 2008
Evening workshop 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Desiree Bauer, 2020 Mindsight
Location: JA Boardroom, Red Deer
Chamber of Commerce 3017 50th Ave.
Registration: $149.00 plus GST
Phone: 403.347.4491
Fax: 403.343.6188
Business after Hours
September 30, 2008, 5pm-7pm
Host: Red Deer Lodge
Please contact the Chamber for information on exhibiting your products or services at a Business after Hours.
No charge to attend. No RSVP.
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PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS |
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