General Meeting of Members
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Corrimal RSL
Present:
18 in attendance including member, guests and invitees – full listing attached.
Apologies:
Refer attached listing.
Meeting commenced at: 6.45 pm with welcome by President, Peter Leiner; in particular a warm introduction to those members attending for the first time.
1. Progress Report – Corrimal District Centre Revitalisation Project
Ben Muller, Strategic Project Manager, Wollongong City Council provided a short overview of the community and stakeholder consultation program. Initially this has involved a breakfast meeting earlier today with property and business owners (held at Wollongong City Council with approximately 20 in attendance) and a community workshop to be held tomorrow – 31 October at the Corrimal District Library and Community Centre A second community workshop is planned for early 2008 when a range of options will be presented for further discussion and refinement. A survey of households within Corrimal is also taking place. These initiatives and other direct consultation processes with interested parties are designed to provide valuable input to the development a draft strategy. Council welcomes feedback and comments can be emailed to Corrimal@wollongong.nsw.gov.au. Further information can be located at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Ben indicated that although Fairy Meadow is developing as an emerging major town, Council considers Corrimal, as an existing major town to be the prime retail centre for the Northern Illawarra.
Resolved to place Council’s October newsletter and the householder survey on chamber’s website and for the chamber to be represented at the community workshops.
2. Spring into Corrimal – Activity Report by Corrimal Apex
Graham Lancaster presented a report on what was adjudged to be a highly successful event due largely to well managed organisation by Apex, fine weather, a positive influx of visitors due to the APEC restrictions at Sydney and strong support and involvement by community, cultural, sporting groups and business houses. This outcome was achieved despite a range of communication problems with various council departments and the earlier pullout of two previous major sponsors. Despite this 2 new very positive sponsors were gained and changes to the location of carnival rides worked out well. Financial outcomes were very satisfying. From the chamber’s perspective not only was the overall program successful but it also resulted in 4 business houses becoming members of the chamber.
President, Peter highlighted the importance of the chamber’s involvement in working closely with Apex in the management of this important annual event
3. Introduction of Members
Members introduced themselves and provided a brief profile of their business activity.
4. Election of New Committee Members
It was resolved that the following members be elected:
Vice President: Bruce Anderson
(Sales & Marketing Manager, Resi Finance, Wollongong)
Secretary: Dick Bradley
(Small Business Field Officer, Illawarra Area Consultative Committee)
Assistant Secretary: Ian Walton
(Principal, Illawarra Adventist School)
5. Treasurer’s Report
Membership – 70 members of which 25 are non-financial ($1,250 owed by non-members).
13 new members have joined since 1 July including one tonight.
Financial – current bank balance $5,446 which is net after all outlays relative to the Corrimal Ball including $3,000 donated to 3 local junior surf clubs.
It was Resolved that the Treasurer’s Report be adopted.
6. Secretary’s Report
Rotary Clock
It had been mooted about a year ago that the chamber might pursue restoration of the clock in Corrimal Park. After investigation and discussion with Rotary it was agreed that the necessity of a public clock has diminished. The committee determined that there were perhaps more worthwhile projects to be explored. No further action is proposed.
Carols by Candlelight
This was a possible project previously short-listed for support and organization by the chamber. However, after further discussion it was decided not to proceed but rather to investigate with members other activities that may possibly generate increased support for local businesses. It was recognized that this would need to be focused in the 2008 calendar year.
Illawarra Business Chamber
Following the merger between ABL and the State Chamber of Commerce the new entity became the NSW Business Chamber. IBC represents NSW BC in our region and our membership is now via IBC. A range of benefits are available to our chamber including policy support at State and Federal level. Members requiring clarification of any policy issue should make enquiry direct via the chamber’s secretary.
Positioning Statement
The committee agreed to put to members for consideration the introduction of a positioning statement which would underline, support and add value to the thrust and direction of the chamber. The proposal is: “Servicing the Business Hub of the Northern Illawarra since 1949”
Workshops
The Illawarra Area Consultative Committee is planning to hold an ongoing series of seminars and workshops for the benefit of businesses centred in and around the Corrimal district. The IACC is keen to establish a collaborative arrangement with the chamber on a similar basis to that already existing with NICC. The first of these workshops is to be held on Thursday 29 November. The support by members of this new and valuable service is recommended.
7. Webmaster’s report
It was noted that the website has been improved structurally with some improvement to content. Further refinement is proposed. It was emphasised as essential that the website be used as a means of promoting and enforcing membership value with inputs such as member profiles and linkage with editorials and other media coverage. Branding and identity were highlighted as other critical components to get right.
8. General Business
Scott Smith (NiO) spoke of the upcoming Northern Illawarra Directory - a printed wallhanger displaying a comprehensive list of local business contacts, with CCoC members marked clearly as a sub-group. Special offer to CCoC members is a half price 12 month Premium Listing at the cost of $88. All details at www.northernillawarra.com.au - directory to be distributed localyy in December.
Secretary spoke of some of the approaches and strategies adopted by Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce over the past year in stimulating member involvement and growing the success of their chamber. This has been predicated on the view that chambers have two clear functions: (i) help support business; and (ii) help to promote economic development. Underpinning this NICC has identified 3 key areas:
1.Logo / Image / Branding
2.Buy Locally (benefit membership) and
3.Business Directory Map – this focuses on the capture of those people travelling through the region and influencing them to buy local products and services. View was expressed that a similar approach to the development of a business directory map for the Corrimal business hub region may be appropriate.
President emphasised the importance to members of adopting a strong “buy from other members” approach and that business to business sales within the chamber presents an immediate option available for all to produce added value through their chamber membership.
Next General Meeting – date to be determined and communicated to members shortly.
Meeting closed at 8.10 pm.
