As 2012 comes to a close, I thought it would be appropriate to take a few moments to reflect on some of the accomplishments of the last year.
All-in-all, it has been a banner year for us in terms of event success and LGBT community outreach in both Toronto and Ottawa. We are also supremely fortunate to be able to welcome Brokerlink and TELUS amongst our sponsors, joining the unwavering support of TD Bank Group and VIA Rail. For this, I want to thank these organizations on behalf of the entire chamber. Without them, we would not be able to execute our programming. I would also like to personally thank all of the volunteers that help run the OGLCC.
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What is your primary service or product?
Imprint Plus is the world premier manufacturer, dealer, and distributor of the Reusable Name Badge and Signage Systems. If you are a casino director, a small business owner, a restaurant manager, and even an individual looking for networking opportunities, Imprint Plus has the perfect product to suit your exact requirements. Fully customizable, eco-friendly, cost-effective, durable, and sleek, these products are perfect for any environment, whether professional and formal, or informal and casual; Imprint Plus has you covered.
When was your organization founded and what is its history?
Established in 1982, Imprint Plus has worked diligently to achieve prominence in the name badge industry. Coming from humble beginnings, Imprint Plus serves over 35,000 customers in 67 different countries, and now spans 21 industries. The company has undergone a radical evolution from a locally situated grass-roots entrepreneurial-type start-up business to a world-wide leader in Name Badge technology. However, despite this extraordinary rise in prominence, Imprint Plus has firmly remained dedicated to always placing the customer first, and is persistently establishing itself as the ethical name badge solution.
What makes your organization unique?
Imprint Plus is a company of innovation. It was the first to invent the magnet-backed name badge, the first to position name badges as a corporate marketing tool, the first to create tag-topper that offer brand messaging opportunities, the first to sell name badges in a branded do-it-yourself kit, the first to create a professional option in the Reusable tag category, and the first to use domed reusable lens covers to protect the badge and project the brand. With an extensive and every growing list of inventive solutions to the inherent problems of previous generations of name badges, Imprint Plus asserts its positional dominance in the name badge industry by adopting a dynamic and fluid approach to name badge development; we always put the customer first, and specifically design products to suit the identified needs of a vast variety of name badge enthusiasts.
Who would be a good client for you?
The relationships we’ve built with our clients are our biggest asset. A good client for Imprint Plus is the one that values the power of brand, appreciates quality, desires to stand out and is environmentally and socially conscious. Imprint Plus offers products that appeal to a wide variety of individuals and organizations, and the company prides itself on tailoring to exact needs. As our products are fully customizable, our clients have complete freedom to design and create the type of badge that matches all their branding desires. Imprint Plus’ clientele spans across 21 industries, and we are proud to partner with many Fortune 500 companies such as Macy’s, Walgreen’s and UPS.
What does being a member of the OGLCC mean to you and your organization?
mprint Plus is a female-owned and WEConnect-certified company, and we believe that our diverse and multicultural workforce enriches our organization and gives us a distinct competitive edge. Our employees and executives come from a range of background, and we have taken extensive measures to ensure the harmonious cohesion of our team. Because of our inclusive attitude, Imprint Plus places high value on the multiplicity of perspective; we take all customer comments and feedback in a serious and heartfelt manner. Imprint Plus is fully committed to an open dialogue directed towards the implementation of a modern, socially-oriented company philosophy. As a member of the OGLCC, Imprint Plus hopes to further secure itself as a far-reaching, consistently involved, and pioneering member of society. Furthermore, our belief in the power of diversity aligns with the OGLCC’s, and we are highly respectful and considerate when it comes to cultural diversity that as a company we have come to represent and embody.
Visit Imprint Plus online.
This AGM marked my first year as President of the OGLCC, and it's been exciting to see the progress we've made. With the help of a great board, we have been able expand our reach in the community, completely revamp our membership structure, and launch a new Speaker Series program.
Financially, we have never started off a year stronger than this. With the generous support of our founding champion, TD Bank, and new advocate Brokerlink, we have been able to double our sponsorship revenues from last year.
These funds are the vehicle by which we can launch new initiatives such as two flagship events that we are working hard to bring to you in the fall: the redux of our policy summit held in partnership with the CGLCC and CCGQ in Ottawa-Gatineau, and a new collaboration with the 519 and the Church-Wellesley BIA to showcase local LGBT businesses from across the city at jointly hosted expo in the village.
I am particularly happy with the number of new partners that the OGLCC has been able to forge, including: the InsideOut Film & Video Festival and the Inspire Awards. This could not have been possible without the support of our long-time partners: WRIB, Out on Bay Street, and the Pink Pages Directory.
In the year ahead, we are looking to develop more initiatives to build our business community, including regional development, minority outreach and travel and tourism. I would like to encourage all former members to renew their memberships and for non-members to consider joining. We have fallen behind where we were last year in membership revenues and this is the lifeblood of our organization. We want you to share in the prosperity that we can only create together!
Yours Truly,
Ryan Tollofson
President
This AGM marked my first year as President of the OGLCC, and it's been exciting to see the progress we've made. With the help of a great board, we have been able expand our reach in the community, completely revamp our membership structure, and launch a new Speaker Series program.
Financially, we have never started off a year stronger than this. With the generous support of our founding champion, TD Bank, and new advocate Brokerlink, we have been able to double our sponsorship revenues from last year.
These funds are the vehicle by which we can launch new initiatives such as two flagship events that we are working hard to bring to you in the fall: the redux of our policy summit held in partnership with the CGLCC and CCGQ in Ottawa-Gatineau, and a new collaboration with the 519 and the Church-Wellesley BIA to showcase local LGBT businesses from across the city at jointly hosted expo in the village.
I am particularly happy with the number of new partners that the OGLCC has been able to forge, including: the InsideOut Film & Video Festival and the Inspire Awards. This could not have been possible without the support of our long-time partners: WRIB, Out on Bay Street, and the Pink Pages Directory.
In the year ahead, we are looking to develop more initiatives to build our business community, including regional development, minority outreach and travel and tourism.
I would like to encourage all former members to renew their memberships and for non-members to consider joining. We have fallen behind where we were last year in membership revenues and this is the lifeblood of our organization. We want you to share in the prosperity that we can only create together!
Ryan Tollofson,
President OGLCC
I am excited to announce the launch a brand new membership structure for the OGLCC. In response to your feedback to streamline our membership levels and make it easier for businesses to participate in the Chamber as an organization, we are pleased to now offer both organizational and individual memberships.
Starting at just $500 per year, the OGLCC now offers a single business membership that will afford individual benefits to all of your employees, at the same time as offering promotional opportunities and voting rights to the business as a whole.
Further, in line with our expanded programming for 2012, our individual membership dues have changed to reflect the value of our new benefits. Our entry-level Professional membership is reasonably priced at $150 per year and now provides free access to all Open Minds Open Doors networking events and discounted access to our new Speaker Series program. Designed for independent professionals and self-employed individuals, our premium Professional Plus membership costs $250 and provides additional promotional features and discounted exhibitor rates at the Business Expo.
Effective March 1st, 2012, all existing members have been converted to the most appropriate membership package for their situation and will be granted benefits accordingly. Specific details of your membership status will be mailed to you by the end of the month. I encourage you at any time to contact our office if you have any questions about these changes.
Thank-you for your continued support of the Chamber as we work to foster a cooperative and successful community of LGBT Ontarians and our allies.
Yours Truly,
Ryan Tollofson
President
I typically review my most recent President messages just before I sit down to draft up a new one and, for this month, I decided to go back to the beginning. It floored me how much progress we have made in the past year and, what stood out for me most, was the amount of membership participation and input we have sought in this time.
This outreach was exemplified by the huge return we received to our inaugural stakeholder survey which helped greatly in shaping the Chamber’s 2012 program that we are delighted to launch with this newsletter.
There are several changes in store for our members and supporters over the next 12 months, including a revamp of our entire membership model and some key changes to our events’ calendar. Full details on the membership changes will be mailed to all members in our database at the end of February but the biggest change is the introduction of organizational memberships which permit all employees of a member company to participate in OGLCC programming.
We are planning several special events in the National Capital Region and will be launching a new speaker’s series in Toronto during the second week of March to enhance our professional development offerings. I am also pleased to announce that our signature Open Minds Open Doors monthly networking events are now free of charge for all current members, and will boast several venues outside of the Church & Wellesley Village through 2012.
Finally, our website and social media assets will be undergoing an update over the next several weeks to support this launch. I would ask for your continued patience as we work through the necessary changes.
Yours Truly,
Ryan Tollofson
President, OGLCC
What is your primary service or product?
At BrokerLink, we find you the most appropriate coverage possible from quality insurance providers. Whether it’s for your home, auto or business, we make sure everything that's important to you is protected.
As a member of the OGLCC, you can get preferred rates on both home and auto insurance and save up to 10%. You can also receive extended benefits such as a Claims Service Guarantee, Novex Assistance Program and Identity Theft Assistance.
When was your organization founded and what is its history?
BrokerLink was established in 1991. The BrokerLink companies, which include Canada BrokerLink Inc., Canada BrokerLink (Ontario) Inc. and Canada BrokerLink Financial Inc., constitute one of the largest Canadian property and casualty insurance brokerage operations with over 50 offices supported by more than 700 employees across Ontario and Alberta. The BrokerLink companies are subsidiaries of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC).
What makes your organization unique?
At BrokerLink, we’re committed to providing expert advice and personalized service. We also make it a priority to stay in regular contact with our customers to make sure they always have the most appropriate coverage possible. Best of all, we have 35 local offices across Ontario, including one in downtown Toronto so we can meet you in person to discuss your insurance needs. Or, you can call us after hours (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm Saturday) or visit us online.
Who would be a good client for you?
A good client for BrokerLink would be someone looking for tailored insurance solutions and great customer service.
What does being a member of the OGLCC mean to you and your organization?
Being a member of the OGLCC means we can work together to support a variety of local activities to build safe and healthy communities. In addition to helping the community, which is a core part of the BrokerLink culture, we can offer professional, personalized insurance advice that OGLCC members and employees are looking for.
Visit BrokerLink online.
 Join the Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce on December 8th for the OMOD Holiday Networking Party, which will be held on the upper level at Fire on the East Side. Admission is only $10 for members and non-members - with a donation of a non-perishable food item. Food donations will be provided to the PWA Food Drive. Come kick off the holiday season with Ontario’s LBGT chamber of commerce .RSVP to
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OGLCC New 2012 Speaker Series - Build Your Brand & Expand Your Network!
The OGLCC will be launching an exciting new speaker series in 2012 and wants to hear from those members who wish to join the roster. This new series will be held over breakfast or lunch and represents a great opportunity to build your brand and network. A brief speaking proposal will be required. For more information please contact our Programs and Events Chair, Caroline O’Toole at
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or 416-646-1600.
What is your primary service or product?
Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets above $567 billion (as at July 31, 2011), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS).
When was your organization founded and what is its history?
Since welcoming our first customers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1832, Scotiabank has continued to expand its global reach. Today, through our team of more than 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates offer a diverse range of products and services, including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking, to some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world.
What makes your organization unique?
Scotiabank is Canada's most international bank and one of North America’s premier financial services organizations.
What is your field of expertise and role at Scotia Asset Management LP?
The Scotiabank Group Compliance mandate is, on an enterprise-wide basis, to:
• promote ethical conduct and compliance generally throughout the Scotiabank Group; and
• support directors, officers and employees of the Bank and its subsidiaries in managing compliance risk.
Presently I am a senior compliance officer with Scotia Asset Management LP. I conduct head office compliance oversight (surveillance duties) in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and internal policies and procedures to detect violations and potential violations warranting further investigation.
What does being a member of the OGLCC mean to you and your organization?
The OGLCC’s goal is to create an environment in which LGBTQ businesses and professionals can thrive through the sharing of knowledge and success. This compliments the mission statement of Scotia Pride, Scotiabank’s employee resource group, who’s mission is to help foster an inclusive environment, where employees and customers of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community and their allies feel safe, valued, and respected. It also supports Scotiabank's reputation as an employer and bank of choice, where we practice and celebrate diversity and inclusion. I am proud to be an active board member on both committees.
Visit Scotia Asset Management LP online.
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