CALABOGIE & AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Minutes, Annual Meeting

DATE:  Monday, June 8, 2009    7:00 P.M.

LOCATION:  The Duck Restaurant, Calabogie Lodge, Calabogie

 

Attending:  Sherrill Riopelle, Carolyn Jakes, Lee Chapman, Kristina Chapman, Corrine Sullivan, Lenore Guthrie, Karen Warren, Ann Stubinsky, L’aura Bevington, Elizabeth Couture, Moira Hutchison, Georgette and Gary Reed, Ross Richards, David Abraham, Skip Hale, Hank Schaly, Roberta Pringle,, Jack Sullivan,  Mike Labelle, Giles and Janice Aucoin, Scott D’Ascenzo, Chris Fleming, Cheryl Babineau, Karen Phillips Curran, Deb Giffin, Cath Reynolds

Guest:  Reeve Peter Emon

 

WELCOME, HOST COMMENTS, SELF-INTRODUCTION  

A few words of welcome and introduction by Kristina Chapman, who hosted the evening, were followed by a round of self-introductions.      

 

Approval of Agenda by members

 

Treasurer's Report & Member Status – David Abraham

Financial status report provided and Treasurer’s report accepted as submitted.

David also put forth a motion asking that the 2010-2011 membership fee be raised to $35.00.  Motion was approved and passed.  Discussion led to an amendment to the motion asking that the fees be raised to $40.00 for the 2010-2011 membership year.  Motion was approved and passed unanimously.

              

Approval of Previous Minutes  - April 2009 meeting 

Minutes were approved as provided.  No business arising from minutes.       

 

Guest: Karen Brisebois of Enterprise Renfrew County rescheduled for a later date.

Guest:  Reeve Peter Emon was invited to speak to members regarding Council business over the past months. He gave an exciting update of the new budget, and some of the goals for the coming year.  The budget was delayed this year due to the transition between the out-going and the incoming CAO.  Future budgets will be passed by December 31.

New/ongoing projects Peter spoke of:

1.      Helicopter pad being established near the cemetery on 511.  It will be the first of three pads in the municipality.

2.      Three waste sites converting to transfer stations.  January 1 we will see changes in operation procedures.

3.      Council applied for a grant to improve Community Centre rink facilities. Two new township committees are being established, a Seniors’ Housing Committee and a Medical Centre Committee.

4.      Comments were made about the closing of the public school.  A meeting amongst the two boards and the township is to take place June 18 at a council meeting re sharing facilities.

 

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CABA “Introspection” Final Report

Copies were provided to attending members and highlights discussed.  Non-attending members will receive copy by separate email/snail mail.

 

Festival of Senses Report

Cath advised an invitation to participate will make up the next CABA Corner article, appearing in the June 22 edition of the Highlander.   A reminder was given to businesses attending to get their ideas flowing because the festival committee will need details of their participation by next month.

2008 participating businesses endorsed the extra effort was well worthwhile to bring visitors to the area during a traditionally slow period of time.

 

HOT TOPIC ITEMS

-        Government of Ontario proposed Harmonization Tax on products and services

including those not previously subject to tax.  How will it affect your business operations?

Deb compiled and distributed a brief document outlining the Liberal Party’s proposal to take effect July 1, 2010.  Members also received a copy of an email from Premier McGuinty in response to a letter of concern written by Moira Hutchison.  All members are encouraged to call your MPP and voice your opinion. – or write directly to the Premier.  It was suggested that CABA invite someone to come to the area and explain how this new single tax system “benefits” our businesses.

A good reference is available at www.osler.com/resources.aspx?id=17186 

-   Destination Marketing Fee (DMF)

Provincial Ministry of Tourism proposal to formalize DMF’s charged by “Accommodations” business operators. 

This fee is presently voluntary but might become mandatory in the near future., i.e. accommodations may be required to charge this additional fee (usually about 3%).  The money would then be pooled into your home region. (There are 12 regions in Ontario.) The proceeds would become an annual source of support of regional destination marketing and management.  Fears were raised that the funds will not be distributed fairly with the bulk going to large centers in our region which include the likes of Ottawa, Kingston or Cornwall.  Reeve Emon commented the township was trying to organize a meeting with the ministers involved to understand the formula that will be used to distribute funds and that they would keep pushing for “our share”.  There is a proposal put forth by the Tourism Industry Association that the “extra” 3 per cent (under the proposed new Harmonization Tax) charged should become the DMF – but in all likelihood the Province will not want to give up this new found tax revenue.   Presently, accommodations charge a 5% provincial tax – plus 5% gst – however, under the proposed harmonization tax – it would jump to 13% total tax.  

If you would like to make comment to the Province: 

Honourable Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

9th Floor, Hearst Block

900 Bay Street, TO

M7A 2E1

Accommodation businesses are strongly encouraged to research, become informed and voice an opinion. A good starting point can be found at www.tourismstudy.ca/en/report.php  

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 OTHER BUSINESS

-         Youth Grant Approval

The Service Canada grant was approved and Calabogie student, Leesa Fleury, will staff the tourist booth, 35 hours per week for 9 weeks.   Leesa has held this position for CABA for the past two years.

 

-         Canada Day CABA Participation

CABA will sell red caps with our website address printed on the front.  A helium machine will be rented to fill balloons to give away to children.  A motion was passed that CABA pay the 155.00 cost.  A new motion was then presented that the cost be jointly sponsored by The Lodge (Sherrill Riopelle) and The Duck (Kristina Chapman).  Motion was approved.

 

-         CABA Achievement Awards

An article, appearing in the Highlander’s CABA Corner, at the end of July, will explain the awards given by CABA each year and provide a ballot form for anyone to fill out.  We are aiming for higher input by residents, visitors, tourists, committee members and businesses.  Entries will be provided to CABA executive for final decision and presentations made at our December meeting.

 

Volunteers were asked to take on the responsibilities of buying the frames, printing the certificates, arranging the presenters and writing/expanding the winning entries intros.

 

Thanks to Georgette Reed and Elizabeth Couture for volunteering.

 

-         Trail Maps Sponsorship Opportunity

The President explained the overall objective of the Economic Development Committee of the township is to create a recognizable marketing theme, part of which is a family of trail map brochures promoting tourism in our area.  Funding support for this initiative is received from the Township’s budget.   Your tax dollars are at work! 

There is an opportunity for CABA members for co-op advertising in the new trail maps.  The Manitou Mountain Trail map is sponsored by The Peaks.  Two other maps are available to businesses, either individual or co-operative for the Madawaska Nordic Trail brochure and the K&P Trail brochure.  Interested persons should contact either Debora Giffin (mycalabogie@aol.com) or Advertising and Marketing representative Rick Brown at rsbrown182@sympatico.ca or by telephone  613-752-0982

Cost is $700 for 5,000 copies of a full colour, 3-fold, brochure.

 

-  Members saw this year’s Calabogie ads in the OVTA magazine and Maple Lanes magazine which were another township initiative. 

 

BURNSTOWN Report

Burnstown merchants distributed the new Burnstown brochures.  All agreed they were unique, original and very attractive.  The annual Affair of the Arts was run a little differently this year and the merchants seemed to benefit from the changes.  Burnstown businesses were happy with the results of focusing more on their local talents and less on outside artists/artisans.

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OLD/NEW BUSINESS

 

1. Member Trades & Services Directory Plan

An executive suggestion was to increase member benefit to Trades and Services sector, a direct response to the CABA Introspection created at our April general meeting.

It was suggested  a directory of trades and services only, be compiled – possibly in the form of a one sided card stock that would be circulated to the community and be available for new residents.  The list would be designed to be a keeper item.  It should be trade specific but also include municipal and emergency numbers. This would provide a tangible member benefit to Trades and Services – similar to Tourist Map for tourism businesses.

Director, Lucy Lester, will spearhead the project and will approach trades & services business operators for a volunteer to assist.  This idea was well received by members.

 

2. The Heart and Stroke Foundation “Big Bike” event planned for August 25 was not greeted with much enthusiasm.  It was felt that Calabogie had done it for many years in the past and, with the pending  up coming fund raising drive within our community for our community rink upgrade, it was decided to give the Foundation a pass for this year.

 

3. Chris Fleming suggested a meeting, a forum of businesses to brainstorm ideas on getting tourists to return.  Ideas include Tax Free Shopping Days, Guest Comment Cards, etc.  Chris volunteered to organize and chair such a meeting.

 

ELECTIONS for Executive and Directors for Term July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010

Nominations Chair – Skip Hale

President:  Deb Giffin, second term

Vice President:  No nominations from the floor; position left unfilled.

Recording Secretary:  Cath Reynolds, by acclamation

Correspondence Secretary:  Carolyn Jakes, by acclamation

Treasurer:  David Abraham, by acclamation

Directors:  Sherrill Riopelle and Kristina Chapman accepted the position of directors.  There were no more nominations from the floor therefore our directors stand at 4, Moira Hutchison, Lucy Lester, Sherrill and Kristina.  One director position remains vacant.

 

Karen Warren, in attendance, was warmly thanked for her contribution over many years. Shelley Monaghan and Betty Oattes (outgoing directors), unable to attend the evening, were acknowledged as well.

 

Next Meeting:  Sept. 14/09.  Reeve Emon offered the Calabogie Community Hall, 7 pm

Meeting adjourned 9:50 pm.

 

Submitted by Cath Reynolds, Recording Secretary                                     Page 4 of 4