Pattie Pavlov | Special to the Fitzhugh
Chamber Matters focused on the Ambassador and Business Awards in the last edition as a precursor to officially celebrating small business in our community in October. Well, here we are!
No one will deny it’s been at minimum a challenge and at most a devastating time for our world economy and Jasper, as a picture-perfect example of how a small-town shoulders big city problems, is also a picture-perfect example of how to survive and, indeed, thrive.
The Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce Executive, Board and Administrative Teams spent a day in the past week strategizing how best to take our next steps in supporting our membership, partners, and community. Not a small task, to be sure. However, after a great deal of discussion, brainstorming and, yes, emotion, it was agreed the first and most important step to take is to put to paper just how proud we are of our businesses, partners and community.
While we are delaying our physical in-person award gala to February, we want to invoke a well worn, very comfortable and highly effective cliché – everyone is a winner! Why? Several reasons come to mind and pardon the point form way we’ve laid it out:
- Out of the box thinking! Despite ever changing restrictions, virtually all businesses have developed strategies to understand, plan and execute some amazing ways to keep their operations viable and their staff working!
- Community above self interest! So many of you have not just thought about your own survival during these very challenging months but you have also thought of others. Your caring community style is incredible and serves as a model to other communities trying to cope. Let’s just mention a few initiatives like the Jasper Food Recovery Program, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Jasper Life.
- Engagement! From advocating for mental health supports to affordable housing and childcare, Jasperites make it their business to involve themselves in determining the community’s future. Prime example? The recently, extremely well attended Municipal Election Forums. Over 2,000 of you engaged in some form by viewing the live stream on Facebook or watching on Zoom. Solid questions were asked and answered! Bravo, Jasper, wonderful to see you all involved in the future of the community.
What’s left to say in this edition? Not much more than thank you, thank you, thank you for being you, Jasper! It is inspiring to your Chamber to see your engagement, passion and energy working with us to support business, residents and the entire community.
Pattie Pavlov is the executive director of the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce.
