DOWNTOWN RIVERVIEW BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

FEBRURARY 2004 NEWSLETTER

In this issue:

<click on topic below>

Wine & Cheese Social - Business After 5

1. Wine & Cheese Social

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The 'Business after 5' social that took place on February 10th this month was a wonderful success. This social took the form of a wine and cheese tasting event and had a healthy turn out of business owners, managers and staff as well. In total 23 people attended, including councilors Ann Seamons and Clarence Sweetland, making for great network opportunities. Business cards were exchanged and many varied conversations regarding current events and other key Riverview issues were discussed. The members that came got to enjoy snacks and sample some fine wines that evening, none of which would have been possible without the kind assistance of Cathy Broughton - Dooly's Manager. This being our first social at Dooly's new location it must be said that the new building is fantastic. The bright and spacious environment of their new location makes it a fantastic spot to enjoy time with friends and collegues. The Downtown Riverview Business Association wishes to thank Cathy and her staff for all there help and we look forward to many more 'Business after 5's' at Dooly's Riverview.

2. Conservatory of Music

3. Women in Business

4.Calander of Events

5. Councilors Corner

6. Presidents Message

7. Local Business News

8. Mentorship Program Update

Conservatory of Music for Riverview?

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Chocolate River Conservatory of Music proponent Juergan Weiland gave a commentary on his proposed music conservatory to possible located at the corner of White Pine and Findley Boulevard – not in the Findlay Park. The prospect of having a cultural center point in Riverview was appealing to many of the members present, though with all things Riverview, new development is not without its challenges. Among those items listed it seems traffic concerns highlighted the potential issues residents had. From a business association stand point any center that would potentially draw people from the Greater Moncton area to Riverview will invariably have a positive economic benefit on local services and business.

Women in Business Initiative

Jeannie Benoit spoke at our General Meeting in February about the Women in Business Initiative. Headed by ACOA the program aims at helping women business owners at increasing the chances of their success by aiding them in training and management skills. Jeannie said that the courses were quite simple to apply for and many people have benefited already from these programs. The programs are geared toward female entrepreneurs that have at least a 50% holding in the company and have a part in the day to day opperations of the business. The two main parts of this program are the WBI - Consultant Advisory Service and the Business Managment Training Allowance. If you are a women in business and wish to know more about these programs, please contact one of the people listed below.

Jeannie Benoit : jeannie.benoit@acoa-apeca.gc.ca (Shediac)

Mike Ogburn : pogburn@nb.sympatico.ca or 506-386-4231 (Riverview)

or the Downtown Riverview Office at 506-387-4215

*Town Council meetings are held the 2nd and fourth Monday of the month at Town Hall and are open to the public. Start time is 7pm

*The project committee meeting will be held at the Boardroom in Coverdale Square at Noon.

*The monthly General Meeting is held at the Boardroom in Coverdale Square at Noon. It is open to all members of the business association to address issues or voice concerns. Held every second Monday of the Month.

Calendar of upcoming events

FEBRUARY 2004

Councilors Corner

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The entire business association wishes to extend our deepest condolences to our Liaison Councilor Bill McBeath on the passing of his younger brother Geoff, at the age of 43 from cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family.

 

Strategic Planning Update

The Strategic Planning held at the January meeting were discussed at this months General Meeting, the ultimate results being that of all the issues raised by themembers present at the planning session, 18 of 25 issues or 72% of the items listed are currently being addressed and will be completed no later than this summer. Jeffrey commented that this should give the members a better idea of what we are trying, and in fact actually accomplishing. Since we are here to respond to the concerns of our members this more than passing grade is a positive reflection of the new direction Downtown Riverview is taking.

Presidents Message

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On January 26th I had the pleasure of attending an appreciation banquet for P.R.O. Kids (Positive Recreational Opportunities for Kids.) This program, spearheaded by our Parks and Recreation Department in 2000, currently has 556 placements in various programs.

There are also 20 youth serving organizations in Riverview that have donated spaces in their programs.

Our Town as well as 8 local businesses, 5 service clubs and individuals support P.R.O. Kids because of its value and the positive way it benefits our children. There are also people who give of their time by driving children to various events for those families were transportation is difficult. Others volunteer at fundraising events or by donating sports equipment through Bob’s Sports Service. One hundred per cent of all monitary donations go towards this program. Since 8 per cent of Riverview residents, which equates to 800 families, live below the poverty line, a lot of our Riverview children would not be able to be involved in sports or music if not for P.R.O. Kids.

The continued success of this program requires our support. I encourage all business owners to contribute to this program and help provide our kids with equality and give them opportunities that otherwise would not be possible for them.

Congratulations to Parks and Recreation Director Bob Clive and his staff for their hard work which ensures this program is a success.

Sherry Wilson

President - Downtown Riverview

Local Business News

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Good Guys Brew Shop - The recently relocated brew shop now on Coverdale Road has recently added a U-Vint on their premises. Allowing everyone who wishes to make there own wine or beer but does not have a location to do so, an opportunity to brew your own.

Call Good Guys Brew Shop for more details:

506-386-4444

Mentorship Program Update

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The Mentorship pilot project championed by the Town of Riverview, and supported, with further support from the Downtown Riverview Business Association, Training and Education NB, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will wind-up mid-March, 2004, after a successful ten month run.

All indications are that the business relationship developed between the ten teams of Protégés and Mentors has been instructive and provided real time benefits to Riverview business owners.

In November of 2003, the participants attended a D.I.Y Marketing and Promotion workshop. The workshop was facilitated by ProfitLearn, a learning resource company, with a generous financial contribution from ACOA. Every seat was filled … it was a huge success.

A similar workshop is being held for Mentorship program teams on February 16, at 6:30 p.m. The Coverdale Recreation Centre boardroom will be the venue for the marketing workshop. The workshop is sponsored through the generosity of the Town of Riverview. Mark on your calendar as a "must attend" event.

As a reminder to all Protégés … your progress reports are now due. Mentors reports are due by March 5th, 2004.

There will be a program wind-up meeting on March 16th, for all participants at 6:30 p.m. Coverdale Recreation Centre boardroom. At that time we would like to complete a debriefing with respect to what can be learned from this pilot project, strengths and weaknesses, and the value and benefits of running a similar program in the future.

Your input and recommendations are an essential part of wrapping-up this roject. Mark on your calendar as a "don't miss" event.

We also plan on recognizing the contribution that all participants have made to the success of this volunteer, business community-based project.

If you have any questions regarding this article, please contact Mike Ogburn, Project Coordinator, at 386-4231, or pogburn@nb.sympatico.ca