The Benefits of Membership
"Why should I join the Chamber of Commerce?" — "What's in it for my business?"
We hear these questions all the time from prospective Chamber members. What follows are the top ways in which Parksville & District Chamber members tell us membership has benefited their business.
Member Benefit Countdown
Top Member Benefit Countdown
Group Insurance Plan
Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, home-based business or part of a larger firm, benefits are a very important part of your financial security. The Chambers Plan lays a solid foundation for that security, based on a benefit program designed specifically for you and your company!
Coverage:
- Dental Care
- Extended Health Care
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Critical Illness
- Disability Coverage
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Best Doctors
- Business Overhead Expense Insurance
- Employee Assistance Services
- Group RRSP
- Cost-Plus
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Payworks Online Payroll Service
The most competitively priced program of on-line payroll services available. Will remit your Revenue Canada payments for free. Must be an active Chamber member for this special pricing.
•Basic Run Charge $12.50 & one time fee $75
•Integration with Chamber Group Plan
•Year end tax filing/T4’s.
•$1.25 per Direct Deposit or Cheques
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The Chamber Voice
A monthly newsletter is circulated to over 16,600 local businesses and residents through the Oceanside Star. This newsletter keeps members informed of the issues the Chamber is currently advocating, news on the events that have taken place as well as information on upcoming events.
The newsletter also provides an opportunity to keep up-to-date with other members. Once a new member joins the Chamber of Commerce they are introduced by publishing their name, contact information and short description of their offered products and services. Members can also advertise in our newsletter at a much reduce rate. We keep you informed and up-to-date with weekly e-flashes and emergency bulletins delivered right to your electronic mailbox when necessary.
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Working on your Behalf
The Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with industry, business associations, and other Chambers of Commerce to work with municipal, provincial and federal government bodies to find solutions to issues that negatively affect business and/or our community.
A list of the Policy and Position papers in the works is right here.
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Promoting Your Business
We work behind the scenes to promote your business 24/7. When potential clients stop by the Chamber office or come in to the Parksville Visitor Centre, we point new customers in your direction through word-of-mouth advertising. Put your promotional material on display and find potential clients when and where they're looking. Our Online Member Directory has the double impact of enabling people to find out about your business through the Official Chamber Site while simultaneously increasing the visibility of your own website on the search engines.
We are always looking for new ways to expose your business to our members. Our staff, both at the Visitor Centre and the Chamber office is open to suggestions which may work better for your type of business. You can leverage our advertising budget to increase your visibility. Call our staff to discuss how we can help you in promoting your business.
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Exclusive Member Discounts
Merchant Visa/MasterCard Preferred Rates: A preferred merchant Visa rate of 1.68% and 1.79% for MasterCard. These services are provided through TD Merchant Services. Having all your payment services through one source will allow you to benefit from preferred Credit Card Discounts, Low Interac Transition rates and Corporate Credit services.
Member 2 Member Discounts: This program is based on “Members Supporting Members”. Participating members offer 10%, 20%, or 30% off of their regular prices to other members. The use of your member card identifies those who participate. This program encourages our members to shop locally, it's a win-win.
Long Distance Telephone Savings: Plan Primus offers 4.5¢ per minute long distance calling in Canada & the U.S. DSL bundles, DataSafe online data backup & Talkbroadband savings of 25% - 75%.
Fuel Discounts: With the cost of fuel today, ANY discount can make a difference. We are pleased to participate to special programs and be able to pass these discounts to you. Our current partners are: Husky/Mohawk, PetroCanada, Shell Fleet Plan, Esso Imperial Oil.
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Networking and Promotional Opportunities
The Chamber hosts ten General Membership Dinner Meetings annually, where members have the opportunity to share ideas and business information, to connect with others, listen to a guest speaker and promote their business.
Our Business after Business (BaB) events are also a great way to meet other members. As the host of a BaB, you have the opportunity to showcase your business to a captive audience or simply a chance to hook up with someone to play golf with on Saturdays.
REFERRALS are a big part of what we do. On average, the Visitor Centre welcomes over 35,000 people each year and answers as many telephone inquiries. Local residents, businesses and tourists are seeking information on: Accommodations, Shopping, Relocation, Attractions, Restaurants and Services. Members can display their business cards/brochures at the Centre to capture the attention of visitors.
Our Website and its Business Directory are the main source of information for the many daily inquiries by phone, email and in person about local businesses. Your membership includes a basic listing, a link to your site / email, a location map and the tools to load your own logos and pictures.
