It’s been a busy week at the Chamber as we get into the swing of 2012. On Tuesday, the Board met for the first time in 2012. The Board had a full agenda, which included the consideration of a business plan developed for us by Seed Business Solutions. The Business Plan brings together our strategic planning, with an operational plan and budget for the year. We have set some ambitious targets for increasing membership.

 

We have kept our objectives the same, which include:

1. Encourage and support business investment in the Dubbo LGA
2. Provide a representative voice on issues affecting business & industry in the Dubbo LGA
3. Support and encourage business excellence
4. Provide opportunities for members to network and share ideas
5. To provide a primary point of contact to facilitate discussions, reviews and enquiries about business investment in the LGA.

With each objective we have adopted some key actions; which will be implemented by both the Board and staff during the year.

 

At the Board meeting, additional Board roles and Committees were appointed, including media liaison; public officer; business events coordinator and Rhino’s awards convenor.

 

New Members:

This month, the Board welcome 2 new members Ausclicks and Central West Gate & Fencing.

 

AusClicks is a freelance Google AdWords (certified), SEO and Website consultant, who relocated to Dubbo in late 2012.

 

Central West Gates and Fencing is a locally owned metal fabrication business. They manufacture, supply and install fencing locally to Dubbo but also to areas such as Cobar, Bourke, Coonabarabran, Gilgandra, Wellington, Molong, Dunedoo, Mendooran, Parkes, Forbes, Nyngan, Narromine and all the centres in between.

 

First Networking Event of the Year

The first networking event of 2012 is our business breakfast, scheduled for 7am on Wednesday 1 February 2012. The breakfast has been sponsored by the DRTCC and our guest speaker is Ian Shepherd, Acting District Coordinator, from Workcover NSW.

 

Ian will be presenting to us on the new Workplace Health and Safety laws that came into effect on 1 January 2012. This is an opportunity to learn more about the new laws that impact all businesses in NSW and what you need to do as a business to comply with the new legislation.

 

Book your seat online today: by clicking on the link: February 2012 Networking Breakfast, sponsored by DRTCC

 

Board Vacancies

The 2012 Board has four vacancies on it. This is not unusual, but the 2012 Board is keen to fill the vacancies. Principle roles/responsibilities of the Board are to: 

• Have a commitment to the organisation's values and objectives
• Use their powers in the best interests of the organisation as a whole
• Make reasonable inquires to ensure the organisation is operating efficiently, effectively, appropriately and legally in achieving is mission and goals.
• Read material for meetings in advance and any other relevant preparation
• Attend board meetings
• Participate in discussions
• Participate in decisions
• Participate in committees as appropriate
• Meet all their fiduciary duties and responsibilities.

 

The Fiduciary duties and responsibilities are not overwhelming or onerous: Board members have a responsibility to:

• Act honestly and in good faith
• Ensure that the organisation carries out activities within its purpose.
• Disclose potential conflicts of interest as soon as they arise. This includes financial, political or personal benefit from:
  • other business or professional activities
  • employment or accountability to other people or organisations
  • membership of other organisations
  • ownership of property or other assets.
• Where there is conflicts of interest remove themselves from particular discussions, decisions or votes, or resign altogether from the management group.
• Not use their position and information for personal benefit or advantage at the expense of the organisation.
• Act in the best interests of the organisation. The interests of the organisation are the members as a whole, not any particular member or group of members. For example, representatives should act for all members, not just those they represent.
• Exercise powers for their proper use.
• Ensure that duties they delegate to staff are carried out properly by competent people.
• Respect the privacy and confidentiality of information obtained in the course of their participation and not share information that refers to staff members or members of the management group to any group or individual outside the organisation.

If you are interested in becoming a Board member, please contact the President, Sandy Dunshea on 02 6884 2222.

2012 Membership

Many thanks to all of the members went online this week to renew their membership. We were thrilled to see members using our new online system.

 

Join or renew before 17 February 2012 to receive a 5% discount off the membership fee.

 

If you haven’t already done so, a gentle reminder that membership renewals are now due and can be completed online at Member Application