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MEMBERS MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, May 9th, 2024 4pm-5pm
Location: The Pickle Barrel & by Zoom
ITEMS:
1. John HH, CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business)
2. Old South Community Organization update > Gathering on the Green June 1!
3. Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor Update
4. Leading Women Award to Old South Businessperson!
5. Canada Summer Jobs job sharing - Approved
6. FedDev Old South Beautification > Planter Boxes & Illumination
7. Communications & Memberships report
8. Current / upcoming promotions / sales events
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Summary
Thank you Pickle Barrel for hosting!
> Angela, Supervisor with Pickle Barrel about the restaurant:
The Pickle Barrel as been around 50 years, family owned & operated in Toronto until taken over by Cara foods in 2018, now Recipe Unlimited. It’s been in London for 4 years. They’re known for their deli, local food and asian inspired recipes. The London Knights room can be reserved for up to 65 people.
1. John Howell-Harries, CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business)
About the CFIB, what they do and have to offer:
- Non Profit organization
- Have business resources including their “HR Now”, accounting and general business consultation help.
- Lobby the government for policies that are advantageous for members, keeping them business friendly. They advocated to bring down credit card processing rates and fought an increase in a corporation tax hike that would affect small businesses.
- Offer discounts on benefits, banking, shipping, hotels and more.
- Currently have over 100,000 members in Canada with Tuckey’s Home Hardware, Featherfields, A Village Tail, Sagi, Craft Farmacy and Curiosities in Old South part of the organization.
- Fees start at $34/month for sole proprietors.
2. Old South Community Organization Update - Margaret Hopkins
- Sat June 1: 42nd Annual Gathering On The Green
> Looking for silent auction items & more volunteers (OSCO Volunteer sign up link.)
> 80 Artisans this year
> OSBA will have a tent (Thanks to Craig Martin & bluelephant.ca’s “Community Tent”!) Opportunity for 3 Old South Businesses to sell their products or services for free at this event. Time window opportunities: 10am to 1pm, 1pm to 3pm, 3pm to 5pm.
(First come, first serve!)
- Sat June 8: Wortley Pride
- Looking for feedback on new direction for Thames Park. OSCO survey to be circulated shortly.
3. Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor Update
> A follow up on Council's decision to close the Thames Park pool due to infrastructure
issues. Updated survey on city website regarding subsequent plans to revamp the park.
2025/26 work will be completed. Location for a new pool still being considered.
> Also a survey for plans for upgrades to Murray Park and the potential conversion of an old
tennis court at the same location to a basketball court.
> Development application for 23-story apartment development near Staples with 3
affordable units. If you’d like to comment on this, reach out to Skylar.
> Town Hall Mon, June 3d at Westminster High School. Police will be there re: safety, green
bin program, parks and rec opportunities and School Board Trustees will be there. More on
socials soon.
Re: Safety & security
From those in attendance:
- Margaret, OSCO: Edward & Dutchess needs a 4 way stop. Recent car accident there.
- Richie, Sidetrack Cafe: Door smashed in twice in the past year. Since adjusting to a half glass door instead of a full blast door and adding a "no cash on premise" sign seems to had prevented further break-ins. Regarding camera’s: Hard to identify people.
- Skylar: Police willing to conduct an audit of the building and providing recommendations for design security features.
- Krista, Mylie Group Re/Max: During renos for their new Wortley building recently, have had what thiefs thought was copper ripped out, have been broken into a couple times with tools stolen. Have added lighting and better security.
- Eleni, Cooperators: Had camera’s stolen by a masked thief when business was on Wharncliffe.
measures in place to prevent break-ins
- Ian, OSBA: Constable Barry MacDonald with the Community Services Unit with the London Police indicated that everyone should report any concerns, as the LPS focus on areas that have the most reported incidents. Also, Ian would like to see and will look into the possibility of a physical presence occasionally of uniformed officers walking around the Wortley Business District, and are Wellington, Wharncliffe
4. 2024 Leading Women Award to Susan Mueller of Wortley Electric
> The OSBA was proud to submit the nomination for Susan Mueller for this special acknowledgement. (Letter of nomination)
> This is awarded to the inspiring contributions of a woman who is leading change in our community in non traditional careers, promoting equality, diversity and healthy equal relationships.
GRANTS & ADVOCACY
5. Canada Summer Jobs > Approved
> The OSBA has received approval from the federal government grant for 2 full-time summer students May 26th to Aug 31st. (Job Description)
> Half days will be for the OSBA and the other half could be for your business! If you would like hire some summer help at half the cost of minimum wage through the OSBA, let us know and we can see if this could be a good fit for you.
6. FedDev My Main Street Grant > Beautification
Flower filled planter boxes & illumination of architectural treasures in the Wortley Village Business District 2024-2029. (Grant application)
OSBA REPORTS
7. OSBA Communications & Memberships Report
Communications
OSBA Facebook Page followers: 3700+ (last month: 3700+)
OSBA FB Business & Events group members: 1600+ (last month: 1500+)
Mailchimp: Recipients: 357 (last month: 351)
Last Month Open Rates: Members Meeting > 57.8%, MM Minutes > 60.2%
(All time high: 67.0% > March Members Minutes)
Google Business Profile: 148 views (May 6th report), Last month: 197 views (April 8th report)
Memberships
# of members: 56 (Last month: 54)
Past month new members, welcome to:
> The Mylie Group, Re/Max
> Shannon Sharron, Lifemark
BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS / DISCUSSION:
8. Current / upcoming promotions / sales events
> Tremblett’s Valu-Mart Mother’s Day BBQ Fundraiser
Sunday may 12th 12N to 2pm
Community hot dog BBQ by donation with 100% proceeds to Ronald McDonald house charities.
Live music by Mike Ryan
Lots of flower giveaways & free fruit for kids
$5 draws for whole beef brisket and $50 G/C’s
> Highland Country Club Wine & Dine
Tuesday May 14th 6:30-8:30pm
Italian wines paired with incredible dishes.
Partnering with Santome: a sustainable estate family winery speaking on their wines and vineyard in Treviso, Italy.
$140 by Ruby Sky Events
Click here for the promo code so save $10 for the event.
> Current offers/highlights at Staples
Signing up for free for “Staples Preferred” and get the following…
(Exclusive to Business Customers)
10% off Print
Preferred pricing on key categories such as Office Supplies and Ink & Toner
Double the return/exchange window
No minimum shipping from Staples.ca / Free Delivery
250 Free Business Cards every year
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Sign up in store or email brock.merrifield@staples.ca with:
Bus Name, Address, Contact Name, Phone #, Email, # of Employees, Type of industry
More info
> London Martial Arts Centre
Mother's Free Training Week May 13th to 18th
Feel Safe Self Defense Seminar June 1st
Father's Free Training Week: June 17th to June 22th
30 days of training $19 for adults & kids
> Featherfields selling Tickets for ACOs Geranium Heritage House Tour
This year the heritage walking tour will take place on Sunday, June 2nd in Wortley Village.
Tickets are now available at Featherfields.
NEXT MEETINGS:
- Business Mixer: Thu June 13th 4:30-6pm @ Old South Pub (Free hors d'oeuvres & first drink)
- Member’s Meeting: Thu July 11th, 4pm @ Storm Stayed Brewing at 169 Wharncliffe Road South.
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