President's Message
Dear fellow members,
What a year this has been and what a year to look forward to! Our 2019-2020 year was like no other, we formerly changed our name from Sales and Ad to The Peterborough Business Social Club. We rebranded with a new website and logo. We changed our membership fee structure and even the number of events held. The club was re-energized, and we continued to build momentum with our notorious Gala! We had great events planned for the spring and then…Covid-19 struck. We are all aware of the affect this has had on our lives. From a Club perspective we had to cancel our remaining events and hold board meetings virtually. People’s paradigm’s have shifted, working from home is the new norm. Some people have suffered greatly, forced to shutter their business, reduce hours and availability or alter business to curbside and delivery. While not all is doom and gloom, some businesses have thrived through this, adapting to change and modernizing, becoming more efficient and profitable. As we in the business world have changed and adapted so to must our Club! We are a social club and never before has the point been driven home so poignantly that we as people need to socialize. We crave social interaction and I am proud to say that we will offer the ability to socialize in whatever form that may look like!
I would like to thank Barry Kilborn (AKA DJ Jazzy KIBI) of Home Shield Permanent Metal Roofing Ltd. for taking on the Presidents role last year, leading us through unchartered waters with a deft touch. Although his time was cut short, I am happy to say that Barry is remaining on the board as our Past President. Jeff Lingard of Inclusive Advisory continues to serve the board as our Treasurer again this year and I am excited to announce that Matt Stimpson of We Design has stepped up to the Vice President Role. Sean Handa of Century 21 Real Estate and Mike Baxter of CIBC Commercial Bank continue to serve the board and offer knowledge and insight that is much appreciated. Joe Grant of LLF Lawyers served as our Sergeant at Arms and will continue to serve as a special advisor to the board. As for your President, I joined the Club in 2015, joined the board in 2016 and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being a member. I am an Account Manager for TD Business Bank and I am truly honored to be serving you and this Club this year and navigating through more unconventional times. Should you like to join the board and learn more about the Club and the way it operates we would welcome anyone with open arms.
As for the upcoming year we are going to do everything that we can to ensure that we offer events and opportunities to get together ensuring social distancing and safety measures and protocols are in place. Our first event is golf, scheduled for Thursday September 24th. We have confirmed with The Quarry that we are able to host the event although it may look a little different. We continue to plan on Gala and hopefully we will be in Phase 4 and able to do so when the time comes. Many thanks to Mark Porter of The Protectors Group Benefits for taking on Gala Chairperson last year and his efforts have set us up perfectly for this year! Gala is currently booked for November 21st at McDonnel St Activity Centre. If we are unable to hold Gala, we will defer the event to a “Lobster Fest” type of event later in the year when we are able to do so. We will also sprinkle in other events as permitted. We will be a fluid Club this year and flow and adjust accordingly as per local, Provincial and National policies dictate in accordance with Covid-19 Health guidelines.
We recognize that our Club experience will be different from years past, therefore we are offering a new pricing schedule for members for this year. We have 2 options for membership; General Membership $250.00 + HST or Honorary Membership $200.00 + HST (* this is for members with 25 consecutive years of membership).
Please take the time to get registered and come on out and enjoy this amazing club and the exciting year ahead. Please refer to our website for payment options, upcoming calendar of events and regular news bulletins. Please also follow and engage with us on our Socials. We welcome all past and present members and of course anyone in the Greater Peterborough business community to join our club, meet likeminded individuals and celebrate the camaraderie and relationships that have been so significant to our club’s history.
Sincerely yours,
Steve James
President
