Please join us in congratulating all of the nominees for the 18th Annual Business Excellence Awards held on January 28th.  Winners are:

Business of the Year                     Bliss / Jas Sabbarwal
Tourism Excellence Award             Cottonwood House Historic Site
Employee of the Year                    Lindsay Oakley – West Fraser Mills 
Home Based Business of the Year  The Dandelion Bucket
Customer Service Award               Outback Recreation Ltd.
Community Spirit Award               Blumko Flower Art –Kobus Westraadt
Business Person of the Year          Jim Rawsthorne – Mr. Mikes Steakhouse & Bar   
Go Green Award                           Cariboo Pulp & Paper   
Young Entrepreneur Award            Willow Eyford – North Cariboo K9
 

HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO RUN FOR OFFICE!

GET INVOLVED AND BE A COMMUNITY LEADER

PARTICIPATE IN THE CHAMBER AT THE WORKING LEVEL.

We are inviting nominations for our 2012 Board of Directors

The Chamber is a private, non-profit, working board organization that relies to a great extent on volunteers from its membership to conduct its affairs. It is a community builder. By supporting an economically healthy environment, we help businesses grow, attract new firms and create employment that keeps our region booming. We bring investment and economic development to our community.

Generally, the Chamber of Commerce’s main activities include the following:

Advocacy

Through its extensive Chamber network across the province and the nation, for every level of government, the Chamber advocates public policy that fosters economic vitality and prosperity.

Member Benefits

Based on the strengths of its large membership across the nation, the Chamber is able to solicit member discounts on a wide variety of services. The result is an attractive benefits program that includes discounts on group insurance plans (incl. extended health care), merchant credit card systems, fuel discounts, wireless phone services et cetera.

Networking

Maintaining and expanding a network of contacts is important to business. Throughout the year, the Chamber hosts a number of events that enable its members to meet others, making new connections and refreshing existing ones.  

Communication

The Chamber maintains good and well informed communication channels on issues that affect the business community. Through its newsletter, e-mails, informational events, as well as board and staff, it keeps its members as well as the public informed about what’s important to our business community.

Projects

The Chamber may engage in specific projects it deems interesting or relevant to the business community.   For example, over the last few years, the Chamber has been managing the local Visitor Information Centre for the community, based on a multi-year contract with the city. 

Specific activities of the Chamber over the last few years have typically included:

·         Business Policy Advocacy & Lobbying 

·         Management of the Visitor Information Centre

·         Member Benefits Program

·         Business Excellence Awards 

·         Chamber Luncheons and or CEO lecture series with Guest Speakers

·         Chamber Week 

·         Small Business Week 

·         Newsletter / Shop Local Campaign

·         Business Before Business

·         WorldHost Program 

·         Workshops

·         Various liaison positions with other groups and organizations (Shiraoi

       Twinning, North Cariboo Post Secondary Council, UNBC)

·         Chamber Employment Certificate Program

The Chamber office, the board, special committees and volunteers stay involved in coordinating these activities.

People like yourself, who have a keen interest in creating a welcoming business climate in Quesnel. People who believe that business has a responsibility to the community as a whole and that as individuals, through membership in the Chamber of Commerce, they can make a difference. People who want to intensify their involvement by being part of a team that actively works for their community.

What is a Directors Commitment?

Be self-motivated

Serve on at least one committee or task force. Committees meet on average 3 times per year. A task force is project based so there may be several meetings over the course of one month but there is a definite start and finish date.

Commit 8-10 hrs a month to the Chamber (this includes meetings and events).

Be free of conflicting commitments to other organizations

Attend Board Meetings (the board meets the third Wednesday of the month from 12:00-2:00 at the Chamber of Commerce)

Attend Committee Meetings (Meet on average four times per year)

Attend Chamber Events (Business Excellence Awards, quarterly CEO lecture series and special meetings and or luncheons as they arise (special guests such as Cabinet ministers in the community)

Attend Annual Board Planning Session (there is a one day planning session held in February to set the strategic plan)

What Committees are There?

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE:

This committee ensures that the bylaws are adhered to and that the policy manual is kept up to date. This committee coordinates board members to attend city council meetings.

VISITOR CENTRE COMMITTEE:

The committee will meet at least three times a year to set the strategic direction for the Visitor Centre. They will assist with summer student hiring and will provide the staff performance review in January of Visitor Centre Manager. 

AUDIT COMMITTEE:

This committee will work with Chamber manager annually to provide checks and balance of financials. They will randomly select cheques and find the according invoice. They will ensure that bank reconciliation is completed, director’s liability is purchased and that Revenue Canada, HST and WCB have been paid. 

BOARD COMMITTEES:

There is flexibility in board committees and these may change from year to year depending on what has been identified during the strategic planning process. During planning, annual goals and objectives are identified. From there a committee is delegated the task in partnership with Chamber staff to achieve these goals and objectives.   There is not a set annual amount of times board committees need to meet. There will be a six month review of the strategic plan to identify what still needs to be accomplished. This will provide the board with a barometer of how often they will need to meet.

ECONOMIC DEVLOPMENT:

Work with other agencies in the community to identify to move forward projects that will assist in diversifying the local economy, retain business and attract new investment.

SKILLS TRAINING AND EDUCATION:

This committee’s main objective is to act as a liaison with business, industry and review technology and skills that are necessary. The committee keeps informed on issues and trends and recommends policy positions that need to be taken to address gaps.

What Task Forces are There?

Task forces are project driven with a definite time line. These projects can vary from year to year.

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS:

This task force is responsible for getting the nomination forms out into the community in October, coordinating Nomination and Judging teams, as well as coordinating the gala event to celebrate the winners.

SUMMER SPECIAL EVENT:

This task force is responsible for coordinating a summer event for members. This could be a golf tournament, lawn bowling, and or dinner dance to name a few.

SHOP LOCAL:

This task force is responsible for the monitoring of a shop local campaign.

Why Should You Be A Director?

If you care about supporting business in Quesnel, if you care about community values and stability, if you want to see things get done, then you should be a Director. If you have energy and ideals, you should be a Director. If you see a problem that needs a solution or an issue that needs attention, there is sure to be a place for you on the Chamber Board.

You are Invited…

to meet with the Executive or staff to discuss involvement with the Chamber of Commerce at any time. Our elections take place on January 25^th from 5:00-7:00 at the Visitor Centre/ Museum.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Coralee at the office at 250-992-7262.

ELECTION DATE IS JANUARY 25, 2011 AT THE LEGION 5:00pm-7pm

We would like to invite our members to attend our 102nd Annual Election and Evening Social.

Date:         Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Location:    Quesnel Museum & Archives/ Visitor Centre

Time:          5:00 doors open

                   5:30 scavenger hunt to explore the museum (optional)

                   6:15 Chamber election

                   6:30 Official Swearing in ceremony with Mayor Sjostrom

Cost:           Free to members

The Chamber has invited the new City Council team and the CRD Northern Directors to attend.  We wanted to create an informal evening celebration that brings our business community together.  Staff will be on hand to assist you with any trip planning you may be thinking about or to support you with any of the benefit programs.  Please come drop in and say hello.

Attitude South

Bliss

Blumko

Central BC'S Academy of Nail Technology

Fountain Tire

Husky

Kal Tire

Mr. Mikes Steakhouse and Bar  

Staples

Sweet Tree Adventures

Troll Resort Ltd.

Wal-Mart

Business Person of the Year

Amy Quarry – AdBoom

Jim Rawsthorne – Mr. Mikes Steakhouse and Bar

Kelly and Shelagh Edye – Fountain Tire

Kobus Westraadt – Blumko

Laura Entzminger – Sweet Tree Ventures

Barkerville Campgrounds

Berge’s Styling

Central BC'S Academy of Nail Technology

Fountain Tire

Husky

Mr. Mikes

Outback Recreation Ltd.

Quesnel Septic Service

Spa Rivier

Staples

Trim Line

WalMart

Employee of the Year

Barb McNolty – Eagle Building Supplies

Deborah Cawdell – Tres Spa

Judy Brown – Cinema 2^nd Hand and Fire Works Warehouse

Leeanne McLennan – Staples

Lindsay Oakley – West Fraser Mills

Merlin Harker – Fountain Tire

Terry White – Northern Industrial Sales

AdBoom

Eddie de Souza

Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse & Bar

Regency Chrysler

WalMart

Young Entrepreneur

Kyle MacNaughton – Farrier Service

Willow Eyford – North Cariboo K9 (New)

Cool Cat Recording Studio

Dandelion Bucket

Get Snapped

Knotts Crafts & Candy

Protect Home Inspection

Sweet Tree Ventures

Fish Pot Lake

Cariboo Pulp & Paper

Travelodge Quesnel

Pinnacle Feed and Pellet

Tourism Excellence Award

Cottonwood House Historic Site

Hidden Lake Guest Ranch

Quesnel and Community Economic Development Corporation

Quesnel Rodeo Club

Northern Star Kennels

The community is invited to attend the Mayor and Council All Candidates Forum on October 27th at Correlieu Theatre.  Doors open at 6:30 and forum begins at 6:50.

The Community Futures of the North Cariboo and the Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend a Business Valuation and Succession Planning Seminar with Paul Maarschalk, Chartered Business Valuator.

Tuesday, November 1st from 5:00-8:30 at the Billy Barker Hotel Showroom including a dinner buffet.

If you have questions about what your business is worth, when and how to transition your business including buying and selling a business and what are successful succession planning strategies and pitfalls to avoid, you should attend this seminar.

Early bird tickets are $10.00 until October 27, 2011 and thereafter and at the door $20.00.   They are availabe at CF at 335 Vaughan Street or call 250-992-2322. 

Many of your business members are undoubtedly being impacted by Friday’s Referendum results, and there is now a high degree of confusion as to what is really going to happen next.

Fleishman-Hillard, a national Communications firm with an office in Vancouver has produced a Summary of the verdict, an analysis of its meaning, and a detailed rundown of the Transition Plan for both Federal and Provincial governments.  Please contact the Quesnel Chamber and we would be happy to provide you with the report to provide information on how the transition will work, and certainly ease your anxiety on the matter.   As well, it will hopefully clear up much of the mis-information which seems to always accompany the HST file.

Note as well, Fleishman-Hillard’s disclaimer as a footnote to the document.

BC Chamber of Commerce Best of the Best

Orientation for Chamber Volunteers/ Staff

Date:  Friday September 9th, 2011 9:00-4:00

Location:  Best Western Tower Inn

Cost:  $40.00

8:30 Registration and Coffee

9:00 Welcome and Introductions

9:05 The Role and Work of the Board

This session is about defining the role of the baord and the work associated with that role and about how it is different from the role the work of staff.  Are you governing or are you managing?  Learn the difference between what it is to govern and what it is to manage and how doing one or the other affects what you do in board meetings.  

Management & Operations Committee.  Does your board need one?

The Board's Executive Team and how it should work.

The Importance & Role of Board and Staff Committees/ Task Forces. 

How to use policies to help you govern.

10:00  Nutrition Break

10:15  The Role and Work of the Board Con't.

11:15  Building the Board's Agenda

How to set a true governance agenda.  Connecting the work of the board and board meetings agendas.

12:00  Noon

12:45  Building the Board's Agenda -con't

1:45  Building Agenda and Meetings.

What you must do and what you don't need to do.  How to have productive, meaningful and well run meetings.  How to solve problems such as getting off track agendas that have more items than time to deal with them, avoiding all the triva, getting rid of all of the time consuming reports, and many more.

2:45  Nutrition Break

3:00  Strategic & Succession Planning and Performance Evaluation

3:45  Questions and Wrap Up

Business Energy Advisor Service

Business Energy Advisor Service

Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Chamber Week February 21-25th

Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Chamber Week February 21-25th

The Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce has been working to beat the winter blues! We couldn’t think of anything better than getting out and enjoying some of the winter activities we can enjoy in our own community. The Chamber and the Visitor Center have compiled a list of Winter Activities in Quesnel and the surrounding area. We are working to help educate our community members on the fabulous winter activities that are available to us, let’s beat the winter blues and get out and try something new this winter!

This week we’d like to highlight the amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities all around Quesnel! With all of the beautiful snow we’ve been getting, it is the perfect time to hit the slopes and enjoy some fresh mountain air.

For the downhill skiers and snowboarders, check out Troll on the Barkerville Highway. Located approximately a half hour drive from Downtown Quesnel, Troll Resort has everything you need to enjoy a day on the hill! Troll has developed into a great mountain, with 4 surface lifts and 1700 vertical feet of terrain. While most of the runs are for intermediate skiers, there is a great teaching/beginner area, and black diamond runs as well. The runs are long, with great fall lines. The snow is 100% natural, and there is lots of it! The slopes at Troll are South facing, offering pretty views of the valley and bright sunny skiing. The day lodge is a big rustic log building with a huge cozy fireplace, and is a warm and friendly as the staff and locals! Serving up hot and delicious lunches, you’re going to love the rustic atmosphere of Troll’s lodge.

You’ve never tried skiing? That’s ok! You don’t need any previous experience skiing to enjoy a day at Troll, there is a Rental Shop on site to fit you with all the gear you need, including boots, skis, snowboards and helmets. They even have top of the line goggles on sale to protect your eyes! Take advantage of the available on site training with a lesson from the Ski School. Troll Ski & Snowboard offers a wide range of lessons, for beginners to advanced skiers, private or group lessons that will suit your needs. Call ahead to ensure a space and make sure that you get the most out of your Troll experience!

Troll Ski & Snowboard also offers a Sunday Program for kids, and a Freestyle Camp for kids who enjoy riding in the park and flying high over the jumps. The Freestyle Camp is coming up soon, call Troll Ski & Snowboard today to ensure your child has a space! They spend the weekend at Troll and learn park techniques that will wow everyone.

If you’re not interested in downhill skiing, consider trying a nice jaunt on cross country skis. The Hallis Lake ski trails have been developed and are maintained by the Cariboo Ski Touring Club.  These extensive and well maintained multi-use trails are located in a snowbelt, east of Quesnel and offer high quality Nordic skiing and include a 2.5 km lighted trail.  The club grooms the trails with a Pisten Bully PB100 and two Bombardier Alpine twin track skidoos.  In the summer and fall, Hallis Lake is a great place for family hiking, biking, or walking.  Ski all trails in a clockwise direction.

There are also trails out at the beautiful 10 Mile Lake. There are approximately 10 km of cross-country ski trails set in the winter, check their website for a map of these trails! Pets can come (on leash) out to 10 Mile and enjoy the day in the snow.

Contact the Visitor Center at 250-992-8716 for more information on these fabulous outdoor winter activities and enjoy the beautiful Cariboo snow. If you’d like to contact these businesses directly, here’s their information:

Down Hill Skiing & Snowboarding

Troll Ski Resort

Box 4013,

Quesnel, BC V2J 3J1  

250- 994-3200

www.trollskiresort.com

Troll Ski & Snowboard (School & Rental Shop)

250-994-3352

iride_360@yahoo.com

Cross Country Skiing

Hallis Lake

CSTC Box 4611

Quesnel, BC, V2J 3J8

info@caribooski.ca

10 Mile Lake

G & P Klennery Ltd.

250-397-2523

gpkleenery@telus.net

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/ten_mile/

Carver’s Clothing Company
Cristy’s Devine Designs & Decor

Quesnel Electronics

Urban Woman

WalMart

Willis Harper Hardware & Furniture Ltd.

Tourism Excellence Award

Cottonwood House Historic Site

Ether Ore - Leigh Cassidy

Quesnel & District Museum & Archives

Quesnel Flying Club

Troll Ski & Snowboard

Employee of the Year

Cindy Mosdell – Willis Harper Hardware & Furniture Ltd.

Dianna Metivier – Westside Liquor Store

Eldon Garvin – Fraser River GM

Lorraine Hamel – Northland Mortgages Quesnel Ltd.

Home Based Business of the Year

Door to Depot Recycling
WalMart
Northern Recycling

Young Entrepreneur

Sandman Hotel

Perry’s Picture Place

The Industry Canada Small Business Internship Program can help

The Small Business Internship Program (SBIP) helps small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) expand their e-business strategy beyond simply having email or an Internet site. An active e-business strategy can help any business prosper, particularly during times of economic instability.

SBIP provides qualified SMEs with funding to hire a student or recent gradualte intern, for 12 weeks, to assist them in adopting information and communications technologies (ICT). It has the double benefit of helping participating SMEs increase their productivity and competitiveness, and giving valuable, hands-on job experience to promising youth ages 15 to 30.

How does the Small Business Internship Program work?

Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) from rural British Columbia and Victoria can submit an application to Community Futures British Columbia. If their application is approved, they will receive funding to hire a student intern. SMEs will have the flexibility to hire an intern who os legally permitted to work in Canada, with the skills and abilities appropriate for their specific project or needs. We encourage SMEs to hire from employment equity groups.

The SME negotiates the intern's salary and benefits. Once the 12-week internship is over, the Government of Canada will reimburse 75% of the SME's eligible costs, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligible costs include:

• Student/Graduate intern wages
• Related expenses such as employee benefits

Eligibility for Students

To qualify for this program, you must be:

• Between 15 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the start of the project
• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or a person who has been granted refugee status in Canada and is legally entitled to work in Canada
• Enrolled in a post-secondary education program (or have recently graduated from such a program) and intending to return to school
• Be a recent graduate of a post-secondary education program.
• Pursuing, or have completed, an education in an e-business and/or ICT related field, which may include any field where ICT knowledge and skills are important, e.g. computer sciences, marekting, media design, business, or engineering

Interested?

If you meet the above requirements, please send your resume to // --> cempey@communityfutures.ca taxelsson@communityfutures.ca

Potential employers will have access to your resume and will contact you if you are being considered for an e-commerce project.

Eligibility for Businesses

To qualify for this program, your business must

• Be a small- or medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 500 employees
• Be Canadian owned and operated
• Be either incorporated or a sole proprietorships, and operate for profit
• Be committed to enhancing e-business capability
• Have an existing website and experience in using it (this is not always required)
• Have a process for supervising and mentoring the intern
• Have a project for the intern to work on which accomplishes any or all of the following:
  • Supports e-business marketing and market research for the business
  • Improves the business' client/customer support through e-business and/or information and communication technologies (ICT)
  • Enhances the business' productivity through ICT and/or e-business
  • Enhances the business' visibility through e-business ICT and/or e-business
  • Employs the intern full-time for a minimum of 12 weeks

Application Process for Businesses

Step 1

Ensure your business meets the eligibility criteria as described on the Eligibility – Businesses page and review the application guidelines.

Step 2

Download and complete the application form

Step 3

Submit completed application to // --> cempey@communityfutures.ca

Step 4

You will be contacted within 10 business days regarding the status of your application.

If your application is approved, please complete the reports and forms required by Industry Canada as outlined in the Reporting Requirements page.

 Contact Community Futures

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)Community Futures British Columbia409 Granville Street, Suite 1056VANCOUVER, BC V6C 1T2

Telephone: 604 685 2332 ext 227

Email:  cempey@communityfutures.ca

Notice of Public Meeting

Quesnel City Council is considering revising the Business Licence Bylaw and invites public input into the proposed bylaw.  Please see the draft bylaw.

Comments may be submitted in writing by Wednesday, November 10  to the Deputy Corporate Administrator c/o City Hall, 410 Kinchant Street, Quesnel, B. C, V2J 7J5, or via email to cityhall@city.quesnel.bc.ca .

The public is welcome to provide comments in person at a meeting to be held on Monday, November 15, 2010 in Council Chambers starting at 7:00 p.m.

Small Business Month 2010

October 13th

Business Before Business

October 13^th 8:15 am-9:30 am

The Do’s and Don’ts of Selling Your Business.  If you are looking at retiring or selling your business you should attend this valuable business session.  Darryl Atkins of Community Futures Client Services will provide some information and resources available to get you ready for that next step.   As well, Carole Morrison Citizen Services Specialist will be on hand with a special Services for Business package.   We will also be introducing the new manager of Canada Safeway Darren Koehler and new owner of Fireside Heating and Plumbing , Jeff Thraser.  This is a free event.  All businesses are welcome.  Coffee and tea will be provided.

October 13^th

Record Of Employment Workshop

Join us on October 13^th from 10am-11:30am as Carole Morrison of Service Canada goes over how to do your Records of Employment electronically.  This is a free workshop and will be held at the Chamber of Commerce.  Please register to attend by contacting the Visitor Centre 250-992-8716 or the Chamber of Commerce 250-992-7262.

October 14th

Make more Money by Marketing your Business Effectively

This workshop from 10-2 on October 14^th will cover the topics of Cross Promotions, Charitable Partnerships, Cooperative Advertising, Events, Social Media and Creative Brainstorming. Focus will be on participants learning to generate their own ideas, and learn where to look for ideas, rather than handing them a list of promotions. We will do some brainstorming exercises, and assist each other in generating ideas for marketing.   Participants will also learn how to create referral systems that make it easy for people to talk about them, and share their information, as well as learn how to ask for referrals from clients, and how to use technology to make referrals easier.  Cost of workshop is $40 and you can register at the Chamber of Commerce or the Visitor Centre.

October 25-27th

LEADERSHIP  Great Leaders, Great Teams, Great Results

The Chamber is very pleased to be partnering with the College of New Caledonia and Franklin Covey for a three day training event LEADERSHIP  Great Leaders, Great Teams, Great Results that is a proven process-driven  methodology to developing leaders.  The fact is, no organization has ever become great without exceptional leadership- without leaders who can connect the efforts of their team to the critical objectives of the organization, who can tap the full potential of each individual on their team, who can align systems and clarify purposes, and who can inspire trust.  It takes a “mind-set, tool-set” approach to develop leaders who can unleash the talent and capability of their team against the organization’s highest priorities.

Key benefits and objectives of this training includes building trust and influence with others, defining a team’s purpose and the “job to be done”, creating a strategic link between the work of the team and the goals of the organization, connecting the work of the team to the organization’s economic model.  In addition leaders will learn how to align the four essential systems that drive success, including:

·         Execution – the discipline of focusing on a few critical objectives with a process for achieving those objectives

·         Talent – attracting, position, and developing individual workers in order to tap into their full potential

·         Core work processes- creating clearly understood and aligned work process for each function of the team

·         Customer feedback- understanding the one thing you need to know about how your customers perceive you.

Cost of the training is $1500 plus taxes.  There is a training grant that BC businesses are eligible to apply to a grant that will cover cost of training (not the taxes).  The Chamber can assist you with filling out the application.

October 28^th

Focus First:  Achieving Your Highest Priorities

The Chamber is pleased to be partnering with the College of New Caledonia and Franklin Covey to bring the FOCUS:  Achieving Your Highest Priorities workshop to Quesnel.  This is a one day workshop to maximize time productivity and efficiency.  Chamber manager Coralee Oakes says that, “of all the time management training I have participated in over the years, this has certainly been the most important.  It moved me from always working in crisis management mode to clear planning mode.”  Cost of this workshop is $420 per person plus taxes.  If we get enough participants, cost goes down to $399 per participant.   There is training grant that BC businesses are eligible to apply to a grant that will cover cost of training (not the taxes).  The Chamber can assist you with filling out the application.

October 28^th 5:30-8:30

Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce CEO lecture series

Tourism... How it can become a stronger economic driver in our communities

Join Chamber of Commerce members and tourism stakeholders from the Cariboo Chilctoin Coast on Thursday, October 28 at the Billy Barker Casino Showroom.  This will be a valuable networking opportunity as well as we are pleased to announce that our guest speaker will be James Terry. (BIO COMING)

Cost for tickets are $20 each and are available at the Visitor Centre as well as the Chamber of Commerce.

October 29^th

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association AGM

Join Tourism stakeholders of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast on October 29^th in Quesnel as we focus on priorities to advancing our tourism sector.  This will be your opportunity to get involved and voice how you would like to see our region market itself.  More details will be available shortly.

The Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce is proud of two of our members: Mr Mikes and Crooked Leg Ranch. These two businesses have been working together to help each other out.

In an effort to help raise funds for the animals, Crooked Leg Ranch is always looking for fundraising opportunities and events. Some of these events include their Badminton Tournament which took place this summer, a dog wash (taking place on Aug 28) and a garage sale (also on August 28th) as well as the Santa Pet Portraits at Total Pet. They accept bottle donations, and have raised enough money through these donations so spay/neuter 9 cats.

As for Mr Mikes, they have always been a dedicated member of this community. When the opportunity to help a Quesnel charity group raise some funds, Mr Mikes wasted no time in partnering with Crooked Leg Ranch for the Mikeburger Madness event. $1 from every Mike Burger sold is being donated to Crooked Leg Ranch, and if Quesnel’s Mr Mikes outsells the other BC restaurants, they will match the money raised and donate that to Crooked Leg Ranch.

Currently Quesnel’s Mr Mikes is in second place! In order to help the donation money be given to Quesnel’s own animal rescue, rehab, and sanctuary for unwanted animals, please head to Mr Mikes today and purchase a Mike Burger. The sales are close, and until Aug 29th we have a chance to steal the first place prize.

To make the deal even sweeter and entice Quesnel’s citizens that much more, Mr Mikes is offering you HALF PRICE Mike Burgers on August 26th after 8:00 pm. Come in for an evening burger and enjoy knowing that you’re helping a great case, and doing so at a great price.

At the Chamber, we are proud to see two of our members working together so cooperatively for the greater good of both the community, as well as each others businesses. This kind of camaraderie between businesses is what we like to see, because we all need to support our local businesses. We would like to thank Mr Mikes for their dedication to the community of Quesnel. They have done an excellent job and we know they will continue to excel in the future. Also a thanks to Crooked Leg Ranch for their active volunteer work.

If any businesses or individuals feel they have something to contribute to the Crooked Leg Ranch Society, go to their website at www.crookedlegranch.com and get in touch with one of the wonderful ladies who make it possible. If you’re business acquires a large amount of pop cans and bottles, why not donate them to CLR? They are willing to pick them up, all you need to do is make a phone call. Crooked Leg Ranch has saved countless animals and continues to fight for the humane treatment of all creatures, big or small.

Crooked Leg Ranches Upcoming Events:

Garage Sale - August 28th @ 747 Allison Avenue, Quesnel
Crooked Leg Ranch Society will be holding a garage sale 8am - 4pm

Dog Wash - August 28th @ 151 Lewis Drive, Quesnel
Crooked Leg Ranch Society will be holding a dog wash at Fauna's Pet Grooming 8am - 2pm

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1417299/acctId:1407748
 

The Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of “Shop Quesnel.”

We have initiated a targeted email marketing campaign that highlights different businesses each month that will reach people both in Quesnel and out of town, offering great deals on products and services to the customers. The Chamber has initiated this Campaign as part of our commitment to developing Quesnel’s economy. The purpose of this Campaign is to increase awareness about the products and services that we have available in Quesnel, and to encourage people to spend their shopping dollars here.

This campaign is a joint initiative between the Chamber, QCEDC, and the 3 Business Improvement Associations. Each participating organization will be sending an email flyer once a month (for a total of 4 flyers) to a list of interested customers, highlighting their member businesses. If you are not a member of one of the BIA’s, for as little as $8.33 a month you can join the Chamber of Commerce and get access to our marketing campaign.

If you want to gain access to insider deals and information on neat products and services the Quesnel area has to offer, sign up for our newsletter at www.quesnelchamber.com and start receiving updates. Or, keep your eyes open for the clip boards placed around Quesnel and put your email address down, and we will make sure you start receiving the Shop Quesnel Flyer. We believe that Quesnel offers a wide range of products and services that not all of us know about, so through this campaign we are not only trying to raise awareness on what Quesnel has to offer, but we also want to get good deals for customers, and create more business for store owners.

Each E-flyer will consist of professional photographs of unique and interesting products or services offered by member businesses, with website links to each business where applicable.  As a member business you may also offer promo codes, coupons, or discounts that are only available to email subscribers, in order to track the effectiveness of this kind of campaign, as well as provide an incentive for customers to act promptly.

All businesses are invited to participate in this completely free initiative. Members of one of the Business Improvement Areas are already gaining access to the E-Flyer, and so are Chamber of Commerce Members. Members of both the BIA’s and the Chamber will be featured in two separate flyers. If you’re not a member of the BIA’s and would like to feature your fabulous business in the Shop Quesnel flyer, call the Chamber of Commerce today, we can set you up with an advantageous membership.

To be featured in the e-flyer, contact us to answer a few questions. Once we know the nature of the products you wish to feature in the flyer we will schedule an appropriate slot, and send a photographer to take a picture of your unique product or service.

In order to assure that we are creating a top quality e-flyer for both our businesses and customers, we have hired Adboom Studio for the design, and administration of the e-flyers. AdBoom Studio is the local marketing company that will be managing the project and will handle the photography, as well as the list management, creation and distribution of the email flyers.