Community Futures - Business Survey

Business Survey 2012 - click here for the survey

Please find attached an important survey for those operating a business on the Sunshine Coast.  The survey takes only a few minutes to complete.  Your participation is of value as we plan for services that are critical to the health of our business sector.

You may be aware that we are potentially facing a large number of businesses that will be “For Sale” over the coming 5-10 years.  These transitioning businesses are vital components of our communities.  They provide jobs, supply important goods and services to the local community and to export markets, and they generate personal wealth to the business owner.   The large number of business owners in the “near-retirement” age group are interested in selling these businesses to obtain a return for many years of hard work.  This return may be the retirement plan for small business owners.

Rather than seeing these businesses close and no longer offering  goods, services, jobs, and wealth generation for the Sunshine Coast, Community Futures is interested in assisting with the transition.

Your participation in the attached survey will provide important information to help us with our planning.

Please feel free to contact us at Community Futures Sunshine Coast should you have any questions regarding the survey and/or how to return completed copies to us.   You may reach our office in any of the following ways:

Phone: 604-885-1959 ex. 225, Jacquie Cunliffe                     Fax: 604-885-2707

Office: Suite 301, 5500 Wharf Street, Sechelt (above Wheatberries Bakery)

Email:  info@communityfutures.org                Website: www.communityfutures.org

Mail: P.O. Box 128, Sechelt, B.C. V0N 3A0       

Your participation is appreciated.

Career Fair at Chat - Mar 14th 8:30am - 11:45am

Chatelech Secondary Agenda Career Fair March 14, 2012

	Time			Activity
8:30-8:45 AM			Meet at Chatelech Secondary gym and set up table. Exhibitors are asked to bring information regarding their business/career (if available), a sign identifying their business/profession, and a sign indicating they are accepting resumes or have job applications available (if applicable). We request exhibitors assist with setting up their table and chairs for presentations. Thanks.
9:00			Exhibitor orientation. Students will be meeting in the theatre for their orientation at this time. When students arrive in the gym they will have an opportunity to circulate through the exhibitors, engage in individual conversations and sign up for a presentation time. Presentation times are scheduled for 9:50, 10:30 and 11:10 PM. There will be a brief review of the agenda for the day prior to students coming to the gym. Students will have questionnaires at the three presentations they attend, that they will complete. Each exhibitor will have a sign up sheet for three presentation times for students to pre select the presentation they will attend. Drew Murphy at the school will decide what the maximum number of students attending a presentation will be. Exhibitors will receive colored tickets that you will give to students that attend your presentation or introduce themselves, shake your hand and ask a question during general circulation time. The students then get to enter the ticket for draw prizes. If applicable students who submit a resume/complete a job application and arrange a time for an interview will also get a colored ticket. (For businesses accepting resume or job application students could potentially receive two – three tickets)
9:30			Students arrive in the gym to tour exhibitors. Students will sign up for presentations to attend and make some initial contacts with presenters for their draw prize ticket.
9:50			Exhibitor presentation 10 minutes with 5 minutes for questions. Exhibitors are asked to make a presentation to students who have signed up to attend their table at this time. The presentation can be: About your specific career / business. What do you do, typical day (hours of work, job duties, etc.), how much do you get paid, what training do you need to do this, how did you get this job, opportunities on the Sunshine Coast/other places, etc. About how you got into your career/business. How did you decide on this career, what did you do to get there (courses in high school, part time jobs, volunteer, etc.), was there anyone who was helpful in your decision or your finding out what you needed to do, post secondary education/training and where, how did you get to work on the Sunshine Coast, etc. The presentation can be a. or b. above or a combination of the two. Exhibitors will receive a copy of the questionnaire students will complete during the presentation and you will also be provided with some suggestions for starting your presentation (Career Day Questions for Presenters).
	Time			Activity

10:10	Students tour exhibitors. Exhibitors who are interested in hiring part time/summer students can indicate at their table that they are accepting resumes or have job applications for students to fill out. Interview times should be arranged with the student and should take place at a later date/time at your place of business.
10:15	BREAK (15 min)
10:30	Exhibitor presentation 10 minutes with 5 minutes for questions.
10:50	Students tour exhibitors.
11:10	Exhibitor presentation 10 minutes with 5 minutes for questions.
11:30	Students meet as group for wrap up and thank exhibitors
11:45	SCHOOL LUNCH BREAK (45 min) Students tour exhibitors. During the lunch break Grade 10 students who wish to continue speaking with exhibitors are welcome to do so. Optional for exhibitors who wish to stay and talk with students.
11:45	Exhibitors clean up – Exhibitors are requested to assist with putting away tables and chairs. We thank all exhibitors for attending and supporting youth at Chatelech Secondary. Your assistance with this event is greatly appreciated. Please let us know how you liked this event and any suggestions you have for improvement.

For more information please contact Diane Hill at Community Futures 604-885-1959 Ext. 228 or diane.hill@communityfutures.org. 

HST/GST NOW APPLIES TO CCBA FEES

As of December 1 2011 we are required to charge HST/GST on all CCBA fees including memberships and events.  After a review of our financials Richard Wilson of The Coast Group has recommended that we register for the tax as we will be over the $30k mark this year and we are required by law to register.  This does mean your membership and event fees will go up but on the up side this also means the CCBA can recoup the taxes we pay out.  

Contact Lisa if you have any questions or concerns about this change. 

The District of Sechelt's Affordable Housing Policy

The requirement for the provision of "Affordable Housing for Groups in Need" in new developments was first introduced into policy and the Official Community Plan in 2008.[ "Groups in Need" means "the housing must be affordable to low or moderate income households or have special features that the private market does not typically provide" 

The policy is intended to ensure the provision of affordable housing to meet the community's documented needs, and is a tool commonly used by other municipalities.

The policy requires the provision of affordable housing as part of new developments that rezone to higher densities.  In addition to affordable housing, the new bonus density requirements included provision of public open space, provision of accessible and adaptable units, application of green building standards, and provision of cultural or recreational facilities.

Policy 2008-2010 (since revised) required 10% of the total number of units at the increased density to be affordable housing. Alternatively, the developer builder could pay cash-in-lieu of the affordable housing unit, to be maintained by Sechelt in an "affordable housing operating reserve"

The District perceived a flaw in the calculations applied in the 2008 AHP, which were based on total number of units, that resulted in an inequitable requirement when applied to different developments. They proposed a revision to the Affordable Housing Policy to base the requirement on the increase in density or "lift" provided. To achieve a fair exchange of affordable housing units for the increased density using the new calculation, the percentage was increased from 10% to 20%. This change was adopted in 2010 and results in more equitable policy application.

The revision also changed the cash-in-lieu reserve fund to an "Affordable Housing Statutory Reserve Fund", creating greater flexibility for distribution and application of the funds to support the development of affordable housing.

The current Affordable Housing Policy is embedded in the OCP p. 44-45 Section 5.24-5.27, says the following about density bonussing: 5.24 The District of Sechelt supports bonus densities for residential develoments in exchange for the provision of affordable housing and Community Amenties. Council may allow a density bonus only within the framework of the policies below:

5.25 Base and maximum density limits will be based on Policy 5.29 (Housing Types and Density) except where existing for a site allows a higher base density. In that case the density of the zoning provisions for a site will apply.

5.26 Affordable housing requirements will be part of any residential development that is granted a density bonus. At least 20% of any density bonus units (or density "lift") in a development will consist of Affordable Housing for Groups in Need. This means the Housing must be affordable to low or moderate income households or have special features that the private market does not typically provide.

5.27 A density bounus may be achieved by providing a combination (as appropriate to the development site and location) of community amenities described in policies 5.17 to 5.20 in addition to Affordable Housing as described in policies 5.21 to 5.26. The following increases in density will be considered:

a) 2% density bonus for every 10% of the total number of units built adaptable and accessible;

b) 10% density bonus for every 5% of total site area as additional protected, publicly accessible open space in locations satisfactory to the District. This open space is separate from any open space requirements as a result of increased building heights under policy 6.14 

c) Up to 10% density bonus for providing cultural or recreational facilities in locations and forms satisfactory to the District

d) 2% in density bonus for every 10% of the total number of unuits built according to green standards (Built Green Gold or Ashrae 90.1(2007) or better standards)

Update on Thu, December 8, 2011 by Coast Community-Builders Association

Enhancing Financing Viability in Affordable Housing Development WEBINAR
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
9 am - pre-registration required

This is a CMHC webinar. You need to go to the CMHC web site and register on the shopping page. Once you have registered you can sign up for the event. It is free and they will e-mail you the call-in info. You will use your phone and computer to participate.

Business of Sustainability Workshop

The Business of Sustainability WORKSHOP
Presented by: People, Planet and Profit

Today’s economic drivers demand that businesses account for People and the Planet when making Profits. This triple bottom line approach is key to businesses wanting to thrive on the Sunshine Coast.
Join in this engaging half day workshop targeted to help small and medium sized businesses become stronger and more competitive through sustainable business practises.

•    Identify global trends that are influencing and changing how we do business

•    Identify opportunities to increase your business’ profitability and resilience

•    Network with other businesses pursuing sustainability as a strategic opportunity

•    Find out how sustainable business aligns with regional action plans and economic development.

•    Identify tools for managing and measuring success.

•    Map out your next steps to becoming more sustainable—leave with a plan.

Sponsored by: IGA Gibsons and the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce

Locations: Sechelt Municipal Hall, Community Room, 5797 Cowrie Street, Sechelt
Interactive Simulcast: Gibsons And District Chamber of Commerce, Sunny Crest Mall

Date: November 8th/11

Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration/Breakfast 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Workshop

Cost: $75 plus HST

Register before November 4: 1-800-303-0181 or www.greenomics.ca