March General Meeting Minutes
General Meeting
9 March 2022
Held at Lakeside Golf Club, Camden
The meeting was opened at 6.45pm
Welcome & President’s Report – Steve Moore, President
Steve acknowledged the weather conditions of the past couple of weeks and welcomed everyone to the Small Business Month meeting – Rebuild. Recharge, Renew. He acknowledged the traditional owners of the land.
For those businesses already struggling have sustained a further setback and again Steve offered his support and the Board to any members who have been impacted by the latest series of events.
Over the last few days there has been another suite of grants announced from government to support flood victims. Grants are available for affected homeowners along with income assistance from the Federal Government and the State Government have announced funding for primary producers, small business owners and not-for-profit organisations. If you would like any further information on these grants, or help applying please speak with any of the members of the Board.
Throughout the past month the Board has continued to work towards its strategic goals in strengthening relationships with local stakeholders and creating more value for members. Steve has been maintaining regular dialogue with government representatives along with Business NSW to advocate for members needs during this period as covid measures are repealed and flood impacts have been felt. Again if you feel there is something missing from the government response to these issues please speak with Steve so he can relay it to the relevant agency.
Now this month is to celebrate NSW Small business month and the theme of this year’s event is Rebuild, Recharge, Renew.
A fitting moniker for the times, though we could agree some breathing space from the continuous extenuating circumstances we have been experiencing is required.
The Board is continuing to strengthen its relationship with Camden Council, the most important ally in supporting local business, tonight we will hear from their economy and place team about the new economic development strategy, a critical framework affecting the future of local business in the lead up to the airport completion.
Also speaking is the Gregory Hills Rotary Club on the vocational awards initiative that the Chamber are proud to partner, in support of recognising and maintaining the local vocational workforce.
And finally, the guest speaker Leanne Faulkner, founder of Billie goat soap will speak about her journey where there will be many takeaways to apply to businesses as we ourselves rebuild, recharge and renew.
Lastly following the announcement at last month’s meeting of the passing of Harry Hunt OAM, Steve advised the details of a memorial service to be held in his honour on March 30th at 10am. The service will be live broadcast on the Hunt Hotel Facebook page for those who want to watch to pay your respects to Harry who was such an incredible contributor to the community.
Steve also welcomed Campbelltown Chamber rep Shefali Pall for attending.
Apologies
Cr Theresa Fedeli, Mayor of Camden
Tony & Cathy Perich – Greenfields Development Company
Shaun Pereira – C21 Pereira Group
Adriana Care – Coutts Lawyers and Conveyancers
Joe Pomiecko – 4K Automotive
Secretary’s Report – Roland Blackstone, Secretary
Roland advised the Minutes from 9 February were on the website. The Minutes were moved by Jean Alim, seconded by Carla Upfill and accepted. Any business arising please see Roland Blackstone, Secretary.
Treasurer’s Report – Karina Rauch, Treasurer
Karina presented the Treasurers Report as of 28 February 2022. Total income $11,195, total expenses $9,405, net profit $1,795. Current cash at bank is $126,560. The report was moved by Josephine Byrnes-Luna, seconded by Jean Alim and accepted.
Membership Update – Sandra Bartlett, Membership Director
Current financial membership is 127 financial, 5 life members, 26 sponsors and contra sponsors, CIN 1 member and 7 new members, 13 renewals awaiting decision or payment and 3 have decided not to renew.
Of this is 3 new member that has been reviewed and approved by the Board – Home Loan Hub, GJ Gardener Homes, and Safio Tax and Accounting Services.
Member Shout Outs:
- Roland Blackstone of Marsdens Law Group thanked Kelly Partners
- Sandra Bartlett of Stairway 2 Dreams thanked Tony Bonano of Next Gen Rotary Club of Gregory Hills
- Carla Upfill of Carrington Care thanked Clintons Toyota
Sandy reminded the meeting and its members what some of their inclusions are as membership of the Chamber – Business NSW Alliance Partnership.
Member Spotlight promo draw for April 2022 meeting – Pania Gregson of PestGo.
Members Facebook promo draw for April 2022 – Max Garcia.
Member spotlight was presented by Community First Credit Union.
What’s On – Carla Upfill, Meetings Director
Carla advised the following upcoming events:
- TGIF Social Drinks on Friday, 18 March from 5pm at Gregory Hills Hotel
Camden Council Social Media Workshop Services on Wednesday 16 and 30 March 11am-1pm - St Patricks College Emerald Gala Ball on Saturday 19 March at The Cube, Campbelltown
- Ingleburn Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, 23 March from 6.30pm at Ottimo House
- Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, 23 March from 6pm at Rydges Campbelltown
- Youth Solutions Charity Golf Day, Friday 25 March at Campbelltown Golf Club
- Lifeline Annual Dinner on Friday, 25 March at Ottimo House
- Gregory Hills Nex-Gen Rotary Vocational Excellence Awards on 30 March
- Camden Show on 1st and 2nd April
- Rotary Club of Gregory Hills Next-Gen ROVE Awards to be held on 30 March at Camden Golf Club
Business Tip – Sandra Bartlett, Stairway 2 Dreams
Networking – An opportunity to connect and exchange information whilst developing professional and social contacts.
Who networks – we all do. Any group of people is your opportunity to build great relationships
Be a great networker – Success in business is built on relationships
- Silence your device, minimise distractions
- Be present, use your listening skills
- Be curious, ask great questions
- Speak to people you do not know
- Never be without a business card
After the event – follow up, follow up, follow up
Building relationships takes time, effort and commitment.
Local Update – Hayley Neville and Leisa Moyo of Camden Council
- Camden Economic Development Strategy 2022-2026
- The role of Council – Facilitate, Support and Influence economic growth
- Vision – to leverage Camden’s local strengths and emerging regional advantages to promote attractive and liveable places, stimulate economic and employment growth, and foster a vibrant, diversified and technologically advanced economy.
- Strategic directions
- Economy & Place – what we do
- Small Business Month – What’s On
- Keep in touch – take the Survey
Sponsorship Update – Nicole Cusack, Sponsorship Director
Nicole reminded those attending that new sponsorship packages are being developed and will be introduced soon. She then introduced the following sponsors for their presentations:
Gold Sponsor Presentation – Carly Allen, Wests Group Macarthur
Silver Sponsor Presentation – George Gatt, The Office Builders
Speaker Presentation
Carla Upfill welcomed and introduced Leanne Faulkner, founder of Billie Goat Soap
- I was not alone
- One in five Australian workers is currently experiencing a mental health condition
- The mental health of micro business owners – My journey, My reality
- It’s different for all of us:
- Maintaining the business
- Financial issues
- Public image/selling oneself
- Responsibility
- Workload
- Personal issues
- Administration challenges
- Uncontrollable factors
- Why is it important?
- Allostatic load – can increase the longer we are in business, affects our creativity, affects our ability to think logically, and affects our ability to be optimistic!
- What is it? Unclear thinking unable to make decisions, avoidance, denial or obsession, changes in behaviour or attitude, minimal family time, and/or changes in social participation opportunities
- What can you do?
- Identify the activities that give you power – increasing sales, have a financial buffer, planning the week each Sunday night, eating well – drinking enough water, organising your family.
- Why? Autonomy
- Why? – The level of experienced autonomy (is) a result of the balance between factors affecting power (our ability to choose to act or do something in a particular way) and dependency (the state of relying on, or being controlled by, someone or something else).”
- What else can you do?
- Be brave – start to take notice of yourself.
- Talk to someone.
- Identify what is worrying you.
- Seek out help and support.
- Remember – your experience is a shared one. You’re not alone.
- Help found at:
- My Business Health https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/my-business-health/home
- Any final ideas? Connections are critical to long term business success
- Find your Goose
- Keep coming to events (especially at the times you don’t feel like it)
- Join your industry association
Q&A session:
- Lachlan Gelder – From $24k to $4.1m how long did it take?
- 8 years, find health, develop your own return to work program (Victoria Small Business Commission)
- David Waudby – Best piece of advice for growth?
- Keep yourself resilient and strong, look after yourself, mental resilience
- Sandra Bartlett – What do you do to keep your fuel tank full on a regular basis
- Walk every day, go to your Goose
- Kim Meredith – Count on You research study by Deakin University
Lucky Door Prize
Wests Group Macarthur – 3 double passes to Saturday A League game – Amy Woodley of Start Fresh Accounting, Jacob Mitchell of Marsdens Law Group, and Damien Bleeker of South West Sydney Property Inspections.
The Office Builders – bottle of wine – Cayla of Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers
Closing Remarks – Steve Moore
Steve thanked everyone attending and supporting. He also wished everyone to be safe during this unprecedented weather challenge.
Thank you to Wests Group Macarthur and Camden Lakeside Golf Club.
The next meeting will be on 13 April at Camden Valley Inn with guest speaker Jillian Bullock, the LinkedIn Ninja.
There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 9.00pm.