LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Marty Forsythe - October 2020
Hello Chamber Members
As the incoming President I have a couple of goals in mind for the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC).
The first is to grow the Chamber and make it proactive in helping the local area and businesses. I want to establish a working partnership with the Town of Oromocto officials to reach our combined goals which will also include the establishment of regular meetings with the Town of Oromocto Chief Administration Officer.
Once we get through some of the COVID-19 issues, I plan on re-establishing our monthly Business After Hours / Lunch & Learn sessions in order to share information and resources with area businesses.
I hope to be very proactive with our Board and will work on initiatives geared to helping each other promote our businesses and the Town of Oromocto.
Marty Forsythe (Sunlife), President, OACC
ABOUT THE CHAMBER
The Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC) is an organization of local businesses managed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors who represent the local business community. The Chamber Board meets monthly to discuss ways in which to meet and improve the needs of the membership. Each year we strive to offer benefits designed to assist you in your business, and to save you both time and money. As the membership continues to grow, we continually look for new and innovative ways in which to be of value to members.
For your general information, the Board of Directors meets every second Wednesday of the month. Any member may contact us to have an item placed on the agenda. All issues are important if they affect our business community. We will be proactive as we continue to go into the future.
Several times during the year, the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Lunch & Learn – a networking event that is geared towards helping the small business owner. Experts from different industries deliver a short presentation over the lunch hour. These interesting and educational working lunches are a great way to network and learn at the same time. The Lunch & Learns take place the third Wednesday of the month and the cost and speaker will be listed on our facebook page. You will also receive an invite through email. Come and learn something new and meet and network with other Chamber members. The Lunch & Learns are open to the public so if you want to bring a friend, feel free. If you would like to make a presentation at one of our monthly Lunch & Learn sessions or if you have any suggestions for topics or questions regarding the event, please email the Chamber at oromoctochamber@nb.aibn.com.
The Chamber also holds an annual Business Awards Dinner where we honor a local business and a member of our community for their valuable contributions. These dinners are a highlight of the year and a wonderful chance to get out and enjoy a first class dinner, network with your peers, find out what the Chamber has been up to the past year, and help honour our local heroes.
We also like to support our students as much as possible. We award a $1000 scholarship to one Oromocto High School student and also hold an annual Student Pitch Contest where entrepreneurial students can win prizes and receive mentoring from local experienced judges. This has proven to be a wonderful experience and a lot of fun to watch.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
To become a member of the Chamber please complete the Membership Application Form and email to oromoctochamber@nb.aibn.com
Information to Businesses
What Are O’Dollars?
O’Dollars are universal “gift certificates” that can be used just like cash at participating OACC member businesses. O’Dollars are a way in which communities can support local businesses and the Oromocto community. ODOLLARS DO NOT EXPIRE!
What do O’Dollars look like?
O’Dollars look like actual dollars and will have an OACC Seal affixed to each dollar. O’Dollars come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, and $50. (See image above.)
It is important that all staff who handle purchases be aware of your individual process for accepting O’Dollars to avoid confusion when customers present O’Dollars as cash for their purchases.
How and when will my business be reimbursed for O’Dollars that have been used at my establishment?
Participating merchants will be reimbursed at face value for the O’Dollars they have on hand. At the end of every month, businesses will complete the O’Dollars Reimbursement Form. The form is to be emailed to the attention of Debbie Percival at oromoctochamber@nb.aibn.com. The OACC will then arrange for a Chamber representative to collect the O’Dollars on hand and provide reimbursement via e-transfer or cheque.
What if my small business needs to be reimbursed prior to the end of the month?
If your business needs to be reimbursed prior to month end, please email Debbie Percival at oromoctochamber@nb.aibn.com.
Who can participate in this program?
Businesses that elect to participate in the O’Dollars program must be members of the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce.
How will customers know that my business accepts O’Dollars?
Each participating business will be provided with door decals and information cards that they can place at or near the cash. Participating businesses will be listed on the OACC website, Facebook page, and newsletter. Businesses will also be highlighted during the O’Dollars launch. Participating businesses are asked to pick up their information cards and door decals at The Oromocto Galleria at 291 Restigouche Road, Oromocto. Galleria hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Information to Customers
What Are O'Dollars?
O’Dollars are universal “gift certificates” that can be used just like cash at participating Oromocto businesses. O’Dollars are a way in which communities can support local businesses and the Oromocto community. For individuals or businesses looking for the perfect gift for that birthday, wedding, housewarming, graduation, thank you, or staff appreciation, O’Dollars are perfect.
Where Can I Buy O'Dollars?
O’Dollars can be purchased year-round at the Oromocto Galleria and the Town of Oromocto.
Please note that for the October 29, 2021 sale, O'Dollars are available for purchase at the Oromocto Galleria ONLY.
What do O’Dollars look like?
O’Dollars look like actual dollars and will have an OACC Seal affixed to each dollar. O’Dollars come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, and $50.
How will I know which business accepts O’Dollars?
Each participating business will be provided with a decal for their door and an information card that they will place at or near the cash. Participating businesses will be listed on the OACC website and OACC Facebook page.
How often will there be an O’Dollars “sale”?
The OACC hopes to offer an O’Dollars sale at different times during the year.
Participating Businesses
The OACC has made every attempt to include all participating OACC member businesses in the O'Dollar campaign. If your business is not listed below and you would like to be added as a business that accepts O'Dollars, please forward an email to the attention of Debbie Percival at oromoctochamber@nb.aibn.com.
O'Dollars can be reimbursed at the following Oromocto businesses:
Canadian Tire Oromocto
Carl G Wargaming Inc.
CB Warren's Auto Care
Cheese Curds/Habaneros Oromocto
Days Inn Oromocto
Decal Dude & Sons
Jungle Jim’s
Liberty Tax Oromocto
McDonald's Oromocto
Mingler's Restaurant & Pub
Model Town Auto Service Inc.
Oromocto & Area SPCA
Oromocto Food & Clothing Bank
Oromocto Galleria
Phil’s Auto & Recreation
Pizza Delight Oromocto
Pizza Twice Oromocto
Roblynn Home Hardware
Scholtens Oromocto Ltd.
Shopper’s Drug Mart
Sobeys Oromocto
Tim Horton's Gateway
Vogue Optical Oromocto
OROMOCTO BUSINESS BEAUTIFICATION AWARD
The Oromocto Business Beautification Award aims to encourage local commercial businesses to beautify and maintain their storefronts and surrounding property. An attractive storefront not only promotes a positive image of your business, but also appeals to prospective and current customers. By maintaining your property on a regular basis, you encourage neighbouring businesses to follow suit and beautify their storefronts as well.
During the 2021 year, participating businesses will have a chance to win the $2500 Oromocto Business Beautification Award selected by representatives from the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Oromocto.
Guidelines
Please register your business by 30 June 2021 with the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce to participate in the award program. All participating businesses will be highlighted on the Town and/or the Chamber’s social media and website. Upon completion submit a one-page description of the project, including before and after photos by 30 October 2021. Beautifying your business can be quick and easy. Here are a few simple ways to participate:
Criteria
Form information and link can be found at: Oromocto Business Beautification Award
OACC Scholarship
Designed to encourage entrepreneurial spirit in students at Oromocto High School (OHS) and recognize deserving individuals, the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC) awards an annual scholarship in the amount of $1000 to one outstanding graduating OHS student. Students must currently be in their grade 12 year and planning to graduate. Judging is based on a combination of factors, including financial need, student leadership, community involvement and academic ability. In addition, the winning student will receive official recognition at the OACC’s Business Awards Dinner which is held each February.
The deadline for applications is May 31 of each year.
BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY AWARDS
Due to COVID concerns, the 2021 Business and Community Awards will be deferred to a future date. Stay tuned for updates!
Each year, the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC) is pleased to offer two awards which recognize significant contributions to the Oromocto area. The award winners are recognized at the annual Business Awards Dinner each February. The two awards are:
The OACC will judge the nominees on the criteria listed below; however, welcomes other identified attributes which you believe make the business or community member stand out above others. All nominations will be considered.
Criteria for Nominees to include:
If you know a deserving business or community member for our 2021 Award, please complete the Business & Community Award Nomination Form and email to oromoctochamber@nb.aibn.com
OACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATION FORM
Tanya Hanson Rocca
Vice President
Business: Roblynn Home Hardware
Phone: (506) 446-6824
Website: Roblynn Home Hardware
Kim Munn-Smith
Past President
Business: The Oromocto Galleria
Phone: (506) 461-8352
Website: Oromocto Galleria
Treasurer
Business: Scotiabank
Phone:
Website: Scotiabank
Kelly Murdock
Director
Business: Gardiner Realty
Phone:
Website:
Trevor Guitard
Director
Business: The Decal Dude & Sons
Phone:
Website:
Tanya Quesnelle
Director
Business: Brunswick News
Phone: (506) 478-8017
Email: quesnelle.tanya@brunswicknews.com
Cathy White
Director
Business: Carl G Wargaming
Phone:
Website:
Betty Yorke
Director
Business: Tim Horton’s Gateway
Phone: 506-357-7603
Website: Tim Hortons Gateway
Megan Beauchamp
Director / MRFC Rep
Business: Military Family Resource Centre
Phone: (506) 422-7675
MEMBERS
Have Questions? We Have Answers.
Contact us today for any questions regarding membership or general information about the Oromocto & Area Chamber of Commerce.