The Oswestry Chamber of Commerce

What We Want the Chamber to Do

• We want the newly reformed Chamber to:
• To speak up for the Oswestry business community and where necessary to influence decisions that may impact on the business community and the life of the Town as a whole
• Be a forum in which to raise issues which relate to your business and the town
• Support the business community by promoting a positive and progressive environment within Oswestry to create an exceptional place to do business
• Establish strong and engaged relationships with key partners in the Town, and collaborate with them for the benefit of the Town
• Work with key partners toward the development of a Town Strategy for the coming decade

How will it Work?

All of our efforts will focus on one simple goal: to maximise all opportunities to promote and advance Oswestry and the surrounding districts at every level. We will do this in many different tactical ways. We want to be a progressive Chamber, keen to positively influence decision making within the town for the well-being of ALL businesses.

Member Benefits

There are many benefits to becoming a member of the Chamber including:

• Invitation to our monthly meetings
• Participation in business networking events
• Increased business visibility and credibility
• Giving your business a voice in the town
• Only members can vote at Chamber meetings where resolutions are discussed

Why You Should Join

The Chamber will cover the entire business district of Oswestry and the surrounding districts. As such, we welcome and need membership from all types and sizes of businesses; individual sole traders, medium sized companies and national /multi-national organisations. In this way, the towns best interests can be fully represented. Join us and:

• Have your say about specific issues that concern your business
• Be amongst, and learn from, like-minded people
• Be part of an interactive business community
• Raise the profile of your business

How Will It Operate?

A new chair, co-chair, treasurer and secretary were elected at the AGM on 6^th April, and a new Executive Committee appointed

Regular monthly meetings have  been scheduled (the first Wednesday in every month) and an agenda will be circulated in advance

Minutes of meetings will be sent to all members

We will use electronic communications wherever possible to increase efficiency

Who Will We Work With?

One of the many things that makes Oswestry such a great place to live and work is the large number of diverse groups that add real value to the business (and living) environment in and around the town. We will build positive relationships with other groups which seek to promote Oswestry and the surrounding district e.g. Cambrian Heritage Railway, Oswestry Tourism etc as well as seeking regular dialogue and engagement with the official organisations e.g. Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Council, whose decisions have such a direct impact on our town and economic community.

Your Involvement

Your level of personal involvement can be as great or as little as suits you. We hope that some of you will get actively involved and attend the monthly meetings whenever you are able. If you prefer not to attend, we will keep in touch with you by emailing announcements and the minutes of meetings to you. We will need people to stand for the officer positions, as well as on the Executive Committee.

What We Are Not!

We are not part of, or linked, to any political party

We are not linked to the Town Council or Shropshire Council

We are not linked to, nor instructed by, any government body

We are not grant funded

Cost

For this coming year (2011/12) the costs for all members will be £20. We will work with you during the year to assess whether the membership charge should be reviewed to reflect the relative size of your businesses e.g. it may be that we propose slightly higher charges for national / multi-national chains and we may consider introducing discounts for members that choose to pay by direct debit.

THE OFFICES OF OSWESTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Oswestry Chamber of Commerce is a body that serves and represents businesses in Oswestry.  We are a positive and proactive group of businesses keen to play their full part in making Oswestry a thriving town in which to live, work and do business in.

For more information on joining email: info@oswestrychamber.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter too: @OswestryChamber