January is always a time of renewal. Many of us set goals and resolutions that we promise to achieve by the end of the year, but by the end of January, December looks so far away. A common top 10 resolution is to get more involved.
In a chamber survey this summer, community organizations revealed that Mission volunteerism is shrinking. Additionally, many organizations are finding it tougher to recruit volunteers to get involved at the decision making level. They report that not only is time a factor but also many don’t feel confident that they “have what it takes” to make the big decisions.
The Building Community Leadership for the Future project looks to provide the framework to develop leadership potential. A pilot initiative of the Mission Chamber, the program is a series of four speakers and workshops designed to develop each participant’s leadership skills.
• Jan. 28: Session one focuses on developing your leadership passion. Inspiring speaker Spencer West and facilitators from Me to We will draw on all ages to identify where they want to be involved and why.
• Feb. 25: Session two will speak to the power of influence. Explore the idea of the leadership gift with Christine McLeod, and how to use influence to draw out the best of those around you.
• March 31: Session three reminds us all that ethics drive a civil society. VanCity CEO Tamara Vrooman, one of the top 100 women leaders to watch in Canada, and Chamber President Cal Crawford will have a conversation on ethical decision making. This will be followed with workshops on Ethical Fitness and Rotary’s Four Way Test. Both will identify what the core values are that you use to make decisions and how you can use them to guide you through the process.
• April 28: Session four will discuss managing change. Change is inevitable and learning to work through it is a personal asset. Mission is also in transition. Those skilled in helping organizations work through this transition will be invaluable.
Beyond the scope of the community, the skills taught in all four sessions are transferable to business as well as all aspects of life. Those who participate in all four sessions will also formally be acknowledged by the District of Mission as potential community leaders.
Speakers are part of UFV’s President’s Leadership Lecture Series and each session has been kept affordable through community partnerships. Each full-day session is $20 and those who wish to attend all four can do so at a discounted rate of $75. For more information on the program and the sessions go to www.missionchamber.bc.ca.
So if you made the resolution that this year you were going to get involved, take the first step and gift yourself with the confidence to lead.
Join the leadership discussion on Facebook, LeadershipinMission.
What the chamber does
One of the three key mandates of the chamber — advocacy — is primary to the goals and objectives of the organization. As the voice of business, the chamber advocates on member’s behalf.
It succeeds in its advocate work through strategic planning, partnerships and communication. Membership in the BC Chamber of Commerce elevates the ability of the Mission Chamber to lobby as part of a broader network on provincial and federal issues. Additionally, working with the economic development office and the Mission Downtown Business Association ensures that the chamber’s advocacy maintains a broad scope for the benefit of all of its members.
The chamber’s government affairs committee evaluates on-going issues presented by members as well as gets in front of upcoming challenges that may face the economic sustainability of the community. It develops the chamber’s positions on these issues and implements lobbying or support required. Members of the committee regularly go before municipal council, are registered provincial lobbyists and have quarterly meetings with MP Randy Kamp and MLAs Randy Hawes and Marc Dalton.
If you are interested in the various positions of the chamber or are interested in the work of the government affairs committee, contact them through email at manager@missionchamber.bc.ca.