WHITBY FREE PRESS-INDUSTRIAL REVIEW, MARCH 11, 1987, PAGE B13 Active Chamber of Commerce provides many services Since 1928, the object of the Whit- by Chamber of Commerce has been to promote the commercial, in- dustrial, agricultural and civic welfare of Whitby and the surroun- ding district. With a membership of more than 200 businesses, the Whitby Cham- ber of Commerce represents its members' interests when dealing with the municipal government, the provincial government through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the federal government through the Canadian Chamber. A recent example is the proposed adult entertainment bylaw which is before council. The Chamber made representation at a public meeting in January stating it was opposed to the Town closiig businesses thatý existed before the bylaw is enacted and expressed the concern that this could happen in other bylaws proposed in the future. The chamber agreed with the council that there should be some controls of licencing for adult en- tertainment parlors and agreed that any new facilities should be in the area designated by council. In the past year the chamber has undertaken an active membership drive, increasing its membership by 50 and hopes to add another 50 members in 1987. Starting in mid-April, the cham- ber's membership relations representative, Doug Henderson, will be calling on local businesses to see if they would like to be mem- bers of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. The Whitby chamber provides a wide variety of services and events for Whitby's business community and promotes the town in a number of ways. ' In January, the chamber presen- ted the Peter Perry Award for Whitby's outstanding citizen to Joan-Hiscox, in a special ceremony at the Centennial Building. One of the Chamber's oldest activities, the Peter Perry award started 30 years ago. Last November, the chamber presented awards to the Business Person of the Year, Student of the Year and Good Corporate Citizen. Bill Little of Marketing and Motivation was the recipient of the Business Person Award for his Pearson Lanes development in the downtown and the Continental Bank (now Lloyd's Bank) was the Good- Corporate Citizen for its community participation in many areas. The Student of the Year was Sandra Lyon, of Anderson - Collegiate. In the summer, the chamber hosts its annual Marigold Contest, with four categories: residential, industrial, commercial and in- stitutional. Entrants' gardens are judged by professionals from local garden centres and the winners receive a free awards dinner at Cullen Gardens, the first Friday in September, along with marigold plaques. The chamber has also supported the Durham corporate challenge in the spring and taken part in its organization. The chamber provides an infor- mation service from its office in the Centennial Building, which is open Monday-to Thursday, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and1ito 4p.m.- For residents who have some complaint about a Whitby business, the chamber will act as a go- between to help to resolve any dif- ferences. The chamber cannot act as a lawyer in such cases, but only to bring the parties together and start them talking to each other. Chamber members are offered monthly luncheon or dinner meetings with speakers on in- teresting topics for the business community. Recent guests have spoken on the Family Law Act, youth employment, site value assessment and Duriam College's Durham Management Centre. Members also receive nine issues of the chamber's monthly newslet- ter which contains the latest news of interest to the business com- munity, business profiles of mem- bers and informatidfl on chamber activities. Chamber members are offered a group insurance plan designed par- ticularly for small businesses with few employees, administered by Hardiman? Mount & Associates. The chamber participates in community events such as the San- ta Claus Parade and the Downtown Whitby Heritage Day, in which a pancake breakfast was provided last year. A wine and cheese party is provided in the fall at the Whitby Arts Station Gallery, where mem- bers can meet each other and socialize. The Whitby chamber and Junior chamber (Jaycees) work closely together, with an official represen- tative from the Jaycees on the chamber's board of directors. Two joint meetings are held by the chamber and junior chamber each year. Every summer the chamber reviews student venture capital ,applications and makes recom- mendations on loans for students to set up summer businesses. Eight applications were reviewed in 1986. The Whitby Chamber of Com- merce has T-1 forms available for businesses to pick up at the cham- ber office. If you would like more infor- mation about the Whitby Chamber of Commerce or would like to become a member, call Brian Win- ter, secretary-manager, at 668- 4506. AtGM DOUGLAS STEEL COMPANY LIMITED 1445 Hopkins Street, Whitby, Ontario L1N 2C2 Whitby 686-2303'Toronto 862-8922 Supplier of: • FABRICATED STRUCTURAL STEEL specializing in servicing the Metro Toronto Construction Industry • C.W.B. APPROVED • LOOSE STEEL -- Beams, Angles, Plate, etc. • C.M.H.C. APPROVED COLUMNS • REINFORCING ROD • WIRE MESH