DECEMBER 2014

Volume 5, Issue 12

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Happy Holidays from the Board and Staff of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce!

Happy Holidays from the Board and Staff of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce!

Wishing you every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year. Thank you for your support and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the coming year.

The Chamber will be closed during the holidays from Wednesday December 24th at noon and reopen on Monday, January 5th at 9:00 am. If there are any urgent inquiries, please email info@oshawachamber.com. This email will be checked regularly.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Sincerely,
Bob Malcolmson,
CEO & General Manager

Need help crossing people off your gift list? Check out the Chamber's Marketplace for great savings. We're sure you'll find lots of ideas to inspire you.

Building New Business Connections!

Now you can register for all events ONLINE!

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LUNCH & LEARN - Income Tax Tips

Wednesday, January 7, 2015
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Facilitators: Sarah Netley, Tax Manager and
Laura Wilson, Client Service Manager

Learn from the experts about income tax tips for small business during this round table lunch & learn. This is a FREE members only event.

Chamber Boardroom

44 Richmond Street West, Ste. 100, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Wednesday, January 14, 2015
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Michelle Farrugia, Host of the Oshawa Generals Hockey (OHL) on Rogers TV

Great opportunity to network. This is a woman's only event!

Fazio's Restaurant

33 Simcoe St., S., Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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BUSINESS 4 BREAKFAST

Thursday, January 15, 2015 BIZ BREAKFAST ICON
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Facilitators: Canadian Red Cross
Topic: Personal Preparedness Workshop

The Red Cross urges all Canadians to assemble an emergency preparedness kit for their home and business. But what exactly should be included in such a kit? Find out at this interactive workshop.

Best Western Plus - Durham Hotel & Conference Centre
559 Bloor Street West, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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REGIONAL CHAIR ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Thursday, January 15, 2015 Roger Anderson

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Durham's first publicly elected Regional Chair Roger Anderson will provide his annual address to the business community. Join us to find out what and how the Region is doing.

Quality Hotel & Conference Centre
1011 Bloor Street East, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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BIZ AFTER 5 - New Member Reception

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Meet our newest members and find out how to maximize your membership, market your business, make new connections and get involved. This event is open to all Chamber members and their employees FREE of charge.

Chamber Boardroom
44 Richmond St., W., Ste. 100, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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EnGen "HOCKEY NIGHT IN OSHAWA"
Friday, January 23, 2015

7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Are you a young entrepreneur or business person within the first 10 years of your career? If you answered yes...this fun networking event is for you!

Join the EnGen group for an evening of networking, finger food and beverages while supporting your Oshawa Generals as they battle the North Bay Battalions. A cash bar will be available.

GM Centre
99 Athol Street East, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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jumpstart logo Visit web.oshawachamber.com/events for more upcoming events.

For your JumpStart Checklist, click here .

Business Of The Month

King Ritson Dental Clinic

On behalf of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and the Ambassador Committee, congratulations to the King Ritson Dental Clinic n being named BUSINESS OF THE MONTH for December!

READ MORE > > >

[Nominate a Deserving Business as "Business of the Month"]

Members Step It Up For The Annual Toy & Food Drive!

THANK YOU! Chamber members really stepped up to contribute to this year's Christmas Food and Toy Drive at the Chamber's Annual Christmas Wine & Cheese party benefiting Simcoe Hall Settlement House. Mark Shuwera, Executive Director of Simcoe Hall Settlement House was overwhelmed by the generous donations. Pictured here are (left to right), Chamber Board Member Don Pitman of Guardian Residential Services, Mark Shuwera, Chamber President John Sturrup of JS2 Marketing & Communications and Natalie Sims of Durham Medical. If you missed the party, and still wish to donate, Kraft Dinner is urgently needed! Click here for a complete list of items in need. You can drop off your donation at the Chamber office or at 387 Simcoe St., S. in Oshawa.

Toys for Tickets Oshawa - December 11 and 12 Only!

The City of Oshawa invites every person who receives a parking ticket between November 29 through to December 12, 2014 inclusive (excluding those issued for illegal parking in accessible spaces and for unauthorized parking) to pay the fine amount by donating a new children's toy. The Toys for Tickets program is an opportunity to give back and assist families in need in our community. All donated toys will go to the Durham Regional Police Service Food and Toy Drive to be distributed to children in need for the holidays. On December 11 and 12 only, Service Oshawa will accept new toys (accompanied by a cash register receipt indicating the value of the toy) in lieu of "payment". Toys must be for children from newborn to the age of 18. The value of the toy must equal or exceed the amount owing on the parking ticket. Service Oshawa, located on the first floor of City Hall at 50 Centre Street South, will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days.

A Message From The Shop The Neighbourhood Team

"Thank you for your participation in Shop The Neighbourhood 2014! Because of you, Shop The Neighbourhood has brought awareness across the country and shined light on the impact small businesses have in our neighbourhoods. On November 29th, Shop The Neighbourhood had one of the most successful days to date! Results exceeded expectations with 197 business associations committing to the movement. This facilitated the participation of over 8,300 businesses that submitted more than 6,700 promotions across five metropolis cities and their surrounding areas. [Over 40 Oshawa businesses participated coming together to demonstrate the importance of keeping our dollars local.] We thank you for coming together and really putting forth this call to action."

GM Canada Announces David W. Paterson as Vice President Corporate and Environmental Affairs

GM Canada announced that David W. Paterson has rejoined the company as Vice President, Corporate and Environmental Affairs. He will also work as part of GM's global public policy and communications organizations. GM Canada's corporate affairs issues were most recently managed by Neil Macdonald, Vice President Corporate Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary for GM Canada who has elected to retire effective March 1, 2015 after 30 years of dedicated service to General Motors. Welcome back David!

Celebrating A Milestone?

If you are celebrating a major milestone such as receiving a professional award, celebrating a grand opening, new location, major expansion or special anniversary, contact the Chamber at 905-728-1683 or email details to marketing@oshawachamber.com.

Wrap It Up RED!
Will You Save A Life This Holiday Season?

As Canadians prepare to celebrate this holiday season, many patients will be fighting to celebrate life itself.

This year, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) estimates it will need to collect over 75,000 blood donations nationally between December 1 and January 3 to meet patient needs.

CBS is looking for groups throughout Oshawa to consider adopting a day and help ensure the blood supply remains strong throughout the holiday season.

It's easy to participate: pick a day in December, gather a minimum of four people to come and donate at the Oshawa Clinic located at 1300 Harmony Road North, let CBS know the date and time and they will send you a confirmation. If you need transportation to and from the clinic for your group CBS can arrange that for you.

If you are interested in participating in the 25 days of giving please email Melissa Smith-McGuire at melissa.smith-mcguire@blood.ca to start the process.

New - Employer Driven Training Initiative

Canada Ontario Job Grant (COJG) is a new, employer-driven training initiative and represents an opportunity for the province to engage more effectively with employers to support Ontarians in obtaining the skills required to fill and succeed in available jobs.

The grant will provide direct financial support for employers who wish to purchase training for their current workforce and new hires. Yes...you read that right...current workers. This is the first time a program like this has been offered - take advantage of it!

In this grant program, employers choose the individuals they would like to have trained, and the training that meets their workforce development needs. It is intended to support employers in taking a greater role in workforce development. The cost of training is a shared investment between employers and the government. As an employer you will pay at least 1/3 of direct training costs while the Government covers 2/3 of direct training costs up to $10,000 per trainee.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply visit:
http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/cojg/ or contact Northern Lights Canada for information and assistance at 1-800-361-4642 ext. 3007.

Welcome New Members...

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome new members who joined in the last 45 days.

Dominion Lending Centres - Samuel Dawson
Durham Hardcore Fitness
KM2 Communications
Maracle Press Ltd.
North American Commodity Consultants
Oshawa Speech and Language Centre
S & H Property Services
Sina's Kitchen - Authentic Italian Food

Click here for a complete list of members.

STAND OUT AMOUNG YOUR COMPETITORS!

The Chamber is currently preparing the 2015 Business Directory & Buyer's Guide. Don't miss your opportunity to showcase your business to over 5700 key business decision makers.

All members receive a FREE listing in the printed Business Directory and Buyer's Guide. Please ensure your information on file with the Chamber is accurate!

Advertising space is limited! For more information and advertising rates, contact Michelle Lea at 905-433-7854 or 905-728-1683.

We encourage you to always . . . . . . .

TESTIMONIALS!

Have you received great service or a one of a kind experience with us?

We would love to know!

Tell us your story of how the Chamber provided support either through programs, networking or advocacy and/or tell us why you would recommend the Greater Oshawa Chamber to other businesses!

Please take the time to send us your feedback.

Highlighting Chamber Benefits Programs!

   Whether you have a small sales force or a large fleet of
   service vehicles, the Esso Business Card Program gives
   you exceptional fuel savings, powerful and easy-to-use
   fuel management tools and broad acceptance at
   nearly 1,800 Esso stations in Canada.

Keep your business on the move!

______________________________________________________________

   For more information or to enroll, please contact:
   Mario Ojeda Iniguez, Regional Sales Manager
   C.(819) 962 4465
   O.(819) 684 7233
   mario.iniguez@wexinc.com

Contribute!

Send us your news! Put an event on the calendar!

Announce something to everyone!

This is a FREE service for members! Promote your business in the next edition of Business Matters, Business Matters eNews or on the Chamber's website, please send the details by email. Copy deadline for eNews is the first of each month, for Business Matters it is the 15th of each month, and for the website, there is no deadline, send it anytime!

In This Issue

Networking Events

Business Of The Month

Members in the News

Wrap It Up RED

Canada Ontario Job Grant

New Members

Testimonials

Highlighting Chamber Benefits Programs!

Contribute

Chamber Events

Business
Events

Click here to view all events,
scroll down right
side of home page

Durham College Workshops
Tue. Sep, 23/14 -
Thu. Dec, 18/14

2015 Business Directory & Buyer's Guide - Showcase Your Business!
Thu. Oct, 30/14 -
Wed. Dec, 31/14

Community Events

Click here to view all

events, scroll down right side of home page

Wrap It Up Red Canadian Blood Services Holiday Campaign
Tue. Dec, 9/14 -
Wed. Dec, 31/14

Oshawa Celebrates 2015
Wed. Dec, 31/14

New Years Levee with Oshawa City Council
Sun. Jan, 4/15

The Paranormal Seekers Are Back at the CAM!
Sat. Jan, 10/15

Job Fair - Durham College / UOIT
Wed. Feb, 4/15

10th Annual Heart to Heart Gala
Sat. Feb, 28/15

"In Our Own Backyard" Gala Event benefiting Habitat for Humanity Durham
Sat. Mar, 7/15

Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
44 Richmond St. W., Suite 100, Oshawa, ON L1G 1C7
T. 905-728-1683 | F. 905-432-1259 | E. marketing@oshawachamber.com
www.oshawachamber.com