stra Eats are mel oy ~ ee Sights iate The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 17, 1999 - B7 Active group Chamber president Leona Klein is the area sales man- ager for ICI Intellicom Can- ada, a telecommunications and “networking company wilh’ offices here, in “Prince George and in Fort St. John, She’s been connected with the “chamber for the past eight years and bas filled a lot of: board and executive positions during that time period. - Klein says she joined the chamber to find out more about the business com- munity. . Bul that suon expanded into ‘the business end of the: chamber.” The’ benefit of a strong chamber is its advocacy role on behalf of the business community on a whole Tange of issues, she says, Pk hee te The tradition of the chamber is that the vice president is to be the next president. Auid the vice president this year is Doug Barrett, the general ianager of = the Coast Inu of the West. He’s been in Terrace for five years, coming here originally to manage the White Spot restaurant when it opened in the Coast. - Barrett soon became in- volved with the chamber, saying it is the voice of the business community. Issues that occupy busi- ness people can be brought up. to the chamber for fur- ther action, he says. . kk kkk Henry Stiksma is the chamber’s secretary on the exccutive comuniltee and, with Norm Mantel, owns the Home Hardware. store here. He’s been in Terrace for seven years and this is his fourth’ year ‘of service cither on (he board or on its execii- tive committee,’ ; become Key business sectors are well represented stronger by joining the chamber, be says, as it acts as the conduit for the busi- ness community for a wide variety of issues. Becoming a member opens the doors for more contact with other businesses and gives mem- bers a’ chance to learn from others, says Stiksima. kok kok Once a president’s tenn is done, that person isn’t fin- ished yet on the chamber execulive, Last year's president is this year’s past president, Sharalyn Palagian. She’s been a member for nine years, through the ownership of Central Gifts, Her experience in business and on the board and the ex- ecutive made her very active in speaking to young entre- preneurs across the country, Joining the chamber pro- vides a good upportunily to network with other business people, she says. And the more a person be- comes involved, the more they can sce what a dif- ference they can make, Pal- agian adds. kkkkk Betty Barton is a new- comer to the board, bul not to community and business involvement, She’s one of the original Shames Mountain backers and continues to act as a volunteer for various mountain activities. Barton owns Barton Con- slitctioii'aid ‘acts’ as“ the coustruction community's conection to (he chamber. Since the chamber is made the business community, Barton says it’s important that cach one have a voice on overall chamber busi- ness. Kkkkk Terrace Totem Ford has been a member of the cham- ber for years bul- the in- vulvement of dealership ex- ecutive assistant Cathy Frenette is very new. Nearly halfway ‘through the first year of a two-year appointment to the board, she describes herself as one of the rookies. a ‘One of the benefiis of chamber membership “is _ having the opportunity to (ake part in making. deci- * sions on behalf of the busi- ness- community, Frenette. Being a board member is more involved than Frenette first thanght. but she sees many benefits coming to the business sector in the loug rit, Says. kKkkkk Having an interest in the health and viability of the business communily meant becoming a board member was a natural for Pat Bolin. He’s the manager of McElhauney Consulting - Services here and represents the chamber on the Nechako Watershed Council, estab- lished to handle various is- sues coming out of Alcan’s Kemano Completion Pro- ject. That’s benetecial to the region because the days are long: - gone: -when?--com- munities can afford to cani- pete with one another, he says. _ Bolin’s been on the board for (wo years and describes the chamber as the perfect vehicle 10 get to know other business people and to represent the business coni- munity to others. kk kkk The public sector may not be regarded as part of the business community but it is an important part of the overill cconomy, says Michact Leisinger, chief exccutive officer of the Ter- race arid Area Health Coun- cil. ; . So that’s. why, when asked, he became a chamber board member. A benefit of becoming a chamber member is gaining access 10 information the dusiness communily uecds, he says. Leisinger adds there’s also a feeling of being connected to people who have com- non interests aud who have experience in all sorts of situalions. Leisinger’s coming up to his 10th anniversary of being a Terrace resident. tok kkk If anybody can be regarded as a chamber of commerce slalwart, it would be North- erm Drugs co-owner Gerry Martin. He’s been an aclive mem- . ber for years, filling any number of executive com- mittee roles up to and in- cluding president. As well, Martin has been a strong presence for the chamber on provincial issues. |. “And naw he’s back on ‘the board, Martin says access to low- cost long distance rates, credit card discounts and a ‘ Businesses up of so many segments of f . vad bene ‘git, «Best Western J best Terrace Inn te \ es ern AND CONFERENCE CENTER : ~ *Come Try Our Sunday Brunch And Enter To Win A Dinner Far Two (value $50.00). One draw last Sunday of every month,” For Reservations Call (250) 635-0083 4908 Graham Ave. Terrace, B.C. V8G 182 | MT, PRIMERICA J Arnoinber of crbgrog Peter Arcadi Branch Manager Bus. (250) 635-7800 Fox (280) 638-8505 RYP Toll Fresit {800} 295-7476 health benefits plan are all reasons why businesses Should jain the chamber, And he says the biggest advantage of membership is ihe opportunity to meet other business people and to have a voice heard on vari- ous issues. . Marlin was named a fel- low of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce last year in recognition of his contribu- tions, ak kkk Justin Rigsby is another relative newcomer to the chamber board. He works for logging cou- tract Alm-Wood Contract- ing and in that capacity brings forestry issues to the chamber’s attention. The current economic climate makes a strong chamber all that more im- portant when it comes to representing the business community, says Rigsby, And that means acting as an advocate to the different levels of government, he adds. Rigsby’s been a Terrace resident since 1990, KkKaAKSK Considering the importance of the forest industry to the area, it should be no surprise the chamber board is well ‘represented in that area. Bil) Sauer of the North- west Loggers Association also helps represent the in- dustry on the chamber. An added responsbility is Sauer’s connection to the Northwest = Communities Coalition, a volunteer group that grew out of Alcan’s Kemano Completion Pro- ject, It now seeks a stable industrial base for the narth- west,, ot Veet dys oat a ‘Joining thé chantber is ai excellent Way lo learn more.’ about ‘the corimunity’ and the business community in particular, he says, ’ guides chamber Sharalyn Palaglan ens BS Bruce Cameron Gerry Martin wk kkk Bruce Cameron is the owner-operator af Kermade Beverages in Terrace. He’s also new to. the board, just finishing up. his first year, Cameron also sits on the Terrace Tourism board, which is financed by the federal government and is -a joint effort of the city and the chamber, a: In that capacity, Cameron _tepresents the chamber. _ Having two roles con- nected to chamber and busi- uess aclivily means being able to see a bit of every- Licensed fo sel! mutval funds through PFSL Invastments Canada Ud., Mulval Fund Dealer Proud member of the Chamber of Commerce for 21 years. Farm & Garden 4617 Greig Avenue 635-6347 Home Centre 2912 Molitor 635-9595 . Pyramc- ae HEALTH SERVICE Proud member of the _ Chamber of Commerce for 8 years, - 12-4736 Lakelse Ave., Terrace 635-5980 Crise Proud member of the Chamber of Commerce for 21 years. . For Trusted Financial Advice And Service Call Our Friendly Staff At CIBC Terrace 4717 Lakelse Ave. 635-6231 Bruce Hanks Lori Kerr Ken Gourlay Proud member of the Chamber of Commerce for 7 years. 4602 Keith Ave., Terrace 635-7383 Justin Rigsby Council, Betty Barton Sauer thing, says Cameron, He says small businesses, if they aren’t already cham- ber members, should be be- cause of the various benefit programs open to them. kkk kk One of the more experi- enced board members is Campbell Stewart, the owner of the A and W fran chise in the Skeena Malt and the stand alone A and W restauranton Keith... A former teacher, Stewart is the chamber’s education chair, contributing informa- tion when isstics in this area arise. a E-Mail: kearl@northsave.com Proud member of the NO, RTH, Es RN Chamber of CREDIT UNION Commerce for 3 years, 4702 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace 638-7822 ACKLANDS ~ GRAINGER” INDUSTRIAL» FLEET « SAFETY SUPPLY Proud member of the Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. "2809 Kalum Street, Terrace 635-6226 HOULDEN LOGGING LTD. Proud member of the Chamber of Commerce for 8 years. 5203 McConnell, Terrace 635-5123 | Ope Fe5t ven Proud member of the Chamber of Commerce for 21 years, 4620 Lakelse Ave., Terrace 638-8141 Proud member of the Chamber of Commerce for 21 years. 3111 Blakeburn, Terrace 635-2728 Since 1955 ing. Proud memaber of the “| Chamber of Commerce for 7 yeara. "24 4456 Greig Avenue, Terrace TO YOUR DOOR 635-2341