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Old South Business Association Members Meeting
Jan 11, 2024 4pm-5pm
Location: Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario
AGENDA:
- Update from the Old South Community Organization
- South High School Coop Opportunities
- Canada Summer Jobs > Job Sharing?
- Summer Sunday Farmers Market in the village.
- Saving on food waste removal through economies of scale
- Memberships Report- OSBA Business Mixer Next Month @ Mori
- OSBA Social Media Strategy
- Winter promotional plans to promote?
- Additional items? / Ideas? / Discussion
Summary
WELCOME FROM HOST BUSINESS BBB
Jennifer Matthews, an OSBA Board Member & the CEO of the Better Business Bureau Western Ontario branch, welcomed everyone and discussed their services which include accrediting businesses that demonstrate a commitment to ethics and integrity. She highlighted that their services are particularly beneficial for service-based businesses such as plumbers, auto repair shops, movers, and towing companies and touched on the organization's community involvement, offering their office space to local businesses for meetings and interviews.
UPDATE FROM OSCO
Nicole Philips, President of the Old South Community Organization touched on the Tecumseh School Free Skate night Friday, February 2nd at Farqueson 6pm - 7:30pm with free hot chocolate. The Chili Cook-Off is back Saturday, February 24th 6-9pm at Wesley-Knox United Church, tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids and available for purchase at Tuckey's Home Hardware. Go to www.oscolondon.ca for more info on events. Nicole explained how many of the upcoming events in 2024 planned are in need of more volunteers. If you know anyone who could help, visit OSCO's website at www.oscolondon.ca or Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OldSouthCommunityOrganization.
CO-OP STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH SOUTH SECONDARY SCHOOL
Leah Kerr from the Co-Op program with South Secondary School discussed the benefits for students and business owners for Co-Op placements that are tailored to specific job sectors. Students can do a half or full day of work for free. It's a valuable opportunity for both students and employers. The timing of work can be flexible. See Leah's Google Slides Presentation for more information.
SUMMER SUNDAY FARMERS MARKET
Ian Leishman with the OSBA discussed the potential for a summer Sunday farmers market, which is still in the early planning stages. The draft plan is to hold it in July and August on Wortley Road in the business district from 9am to 1pm. The Fanshawe College Business Program has shown an interest in involving sales and marketing students to help community volunteers implement the event. Richie & Mano from Sidetrack Café believe the best location would be on Wortley Road in the business district. Jeff Rowe from Old South Pub suggested perhaps we should consider holding it on the Green instead. (Update: Richie & Mano proposed perhaps altering the timing to 8am to 11am so as to be less disruptive to the lunch hour market. (More discussions to be had. If you're interested in chiming in on this, just let us know at info@oldsouthba.com)
CANADA SUMMER JOBS > JOB SHARING
The OSBA may acquire a pair of students through the Canada Summer Jobs program to help with our membership drive, sales and administration for festival and events, and there possibly could be some job sharing opportunities with Old South businesses.
MEMBERSHIPS UPDATE / BUSINESS MIXER NEXT MONTH
Marcia Beaton, Co-owner of Revel Realty London and OSBA Treasurer reported on the association's membership campaign. Currently there are 39 members and we have over 300 email addresses for Old South businesses. If you know someone who is conducting business in Old South London that should know about the OSBA, please encourage them to get more information about us and to sign up at www.OldSouthBA.com for just $100. Also, they are invited to attend our upcoming business mixer with free hors d'oeuvres and first drink at Mori Japanese bar on Thursday, February 8th 4:30 to 6pm.
FOOD WASTE REMOVAL SAVINGS
Jeff Rowe, OSBA Board Member & owner of Old South Pub brought forth the idea of having more efficient food waste removal for Old South businesses through economies of scale. It seems like it may be possible to save maybe 5 to 15% on food waste removal if Old South businesses banded together to use the same service, and still have pick up at each independent location. It's possible that businesses could end up saving money on waste disposal while potentially using the same company and having the same service. We will be reaching out to gauge interest and deliver / gather more information.
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY
The OSBA board has compiled this social media strategy for the organization, and have implemented the following Facebook Group Rules for the Old South Business & Events Facebook Group. If there is anything you think should be changed / added, please let us know, and we could use more moderators for the Facebook Group and those interested in helping to generate content.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS / IDEAS
- Jonathan Tate from Tate's Motorcar shared concerns about the lack of recycling options for automotive repair shops & for commercial businesses. Suggestions that were made include reaching out to Skylar Franke, our Ward 11 councillor, and Jay Stanford, Director of Environmental Programs with the City of London. Also noted: There may be a delay in a response from Jay as he is very busy with rolling out the green bin campaign in London.
- Jennifer Matthews with the Better Business Bureau raised a question about whether the OSBA should write an official letter to the city regarding the slow progress on approvals for rebuilding the Black Walnut Café. Everyone seemed to be in agreement that this is a good idea. Ian Leishman suggested next steps could be to reach out to Mandy with the Black Walnut to get more information on exactly how we could potentially help with that, and then present a draft letter to the OSBA board before finalizing and delivering the letter.
NEXT MEETINGS:
- Business Mixer: Thursday, February 8th 4:30-6pm @ Mori Japanese Bar (Free hors d'oeuvres & first drink)
- Members Meeting: Thursday, March 14th 5pm-6pm @ Sidetrack Café
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