Hello!
It is a new year with new potential, and the Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce is ready to have a big year supporting SOGIE business in our province. As a smaller, dynamic organization, we like to try new things to see how our members and community respond. This is especially true in finding new ways to interact and learning more about how we can advance our cause. Accordingly, this will be the first monthly update from myself as the Chair, so I can give you a concise look at what the Chamber is up to as an organization.
January is normally a quieter month for the Chamber. After taking the majority of December off, we typically use January to plan our priorities and events for the year, get newly elected Directors acquainted with our board, and refocus our attention to what we are doing to continue growing as an organization.
This past month was no exception. 2021 was our biggest-ever year with new heights being hit: our first YYC Pride Flea Market, our largest-ever growth in membership over a single year, the biggest expansion in our online presence, and our inaugural commitment to Reconciliation announced on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Considering where to go from there takes time to plan. We are very fortunate, however, to have a dedicated group of volunteer directors who are passionate about helping their communities across the province. I am always grateful for all the time they take out of their month to help.
We have a lot planned for the coming year that I hope everyone will enjoy. We plan on continuing to grow as an organization. Internally, among other things, growth will mean re-examining our mission to adapt it to the changing needs of our maturing organization, while also beginning to incorporate Reconciliation into the Chamber’s activities in a meaningful way. Although less visible, this internal work is critical to ensuring we continue to serve our members and community as effectively as possible.
Externally, we intend to expand in-person events beyond Calgary. I have gotten used to adding a caveat regarding any plan for in-person anything, but it feels like this may finally be the year where connecting in the physical world can fully return. I hope to see you there! We will announce more on those once they are planned. In the meantime, look out for an announcement of a virtual event in February.
Thank you to our members and sponsors who have helped the Chamber get to the position it is in now. You give us the voice we use to help our community and the ability to turn that voice into action. In turn, we intend to continue using our expanding network to return the benefit back to you in as many ways as we can.
Proudly,
Saul Benary
Chair
Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
