Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
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Frequent, transparent two-way communication with stakeholders – schedule regular
opportunities for member feedback and response.
Annual board member development plans – e.g. regular board education sessions,
recruitment drives, retreats, strategic plan refresher sessions, opportunities for selfevaluation, etc.
New board member orientation package and session – e.g. Chair and Executive Director sit
with new members to go over critical issues, roles, responsibilities, requirements and
expectations.
Annual Executive evaluation process – an opportunity to evaluate progress, recognize
achievements, and identify areas for growth or improvement.
Note that “Boards of Trade” and “Chambers of Commerce” are considered the same type of
organization, as both are governed by the Canadian Boards of Trade Act. The Canadian Chamber
of Commerce,81 International Chamber of Commerce82 and US Chamber of Commerce83 have an
extensive list of sample documents and best practices for Chambers and Boards of Trade.
Potential Community Leaders
Current Board of Trade, Economic Development Committee and Town Council.
Potential funding
Costs to incorporate and support the organization are generally covered by membership dues, so
this need not incur any ongoing expenses for the municipality.
7.1.4 Align the Strategic Directions of CTS and NOW with this Strategic Plan
Cochrane Telecom Services (CTS) provides telecommunication services (fixed phone, mobile
phone, and internet services) to residents and businesses within Cochrane. Northern Ontario Wires
(NOW) is the local distribution company (LDC), responsible for the electrical distribution
infrastructure for the communities of Cochrane, Kapuskasing, and Iroquois Falls. Both CTS and
NOW are wholly owned assets of the Town of Cochrane. They function as independent
organizations, each with their own Board of Directors.
The intent of this direction is to stimulate the development of strategic plans (both organizations
currently do not have a strategic plan84) for both CTS and NOW. This will not only help each
81
Canadian Chamber of Commerce. (2014). Establishing a Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade. Available at
www.chamber.ca/resources/establishing-a-chamber-of-commerce/boards-of-tradeact/Guide_to_the_Organization_of_a_Community_Chamber_2013.pdf
82
International Chamber of Commerce. (2014). Chamber Management Guides. Available at
http://www.iccwbo.org/chamber-services/chamber-resources/chamber-management-guides/
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US Chamber of Commerce. (2014) Best Practices. www.uschamber.com . Available at
https://www.uschamber.com/members/chambers/accreditation/best-practices
84
Personal correspondence with Monika Malherbe (CEO, NOW), JP Ouellette (CAO Town of Cochrane), and Roxanne
Genier (CTS/NOW). June 2, 2014.
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