We acknowledge that this Strategic Planning process and the ideas/ initiatives that come from the plan will take place on the unceded and traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations.
Introduction:
The Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce (GICC) was established in 1984. The Chamber’s members are composed of a diverse group of entrepreneurs and family-owned enterprises. Members work together for the common good of our island community by providing services, support, and networking opportunities for businesses to succeed.
The Chamber is managed by a volunteer Council which is elected by its members. These Councillors sit on a wide variety of committees to ensure that the Gabriola business community is represented in the decisions made for our island. The Chamber also employs two professional contract staff. The work of the Chamber is carried out by the staff, volunteer committees and task forces.
Background:
In 2016, The Gabriola Chamber began working towards a more homegrown economic development strategy. In 2017, a three-year strategic plan was finalized, and the Chamber began a Service Agreement with the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) to provide Tourism and Economic Development services to Electoral Area B, which includes Gabriola, Mudge and DeCourcy island.
In 2018, the Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) was formed through the GICC with the mission to “develop a robust island economy that thrives within the culture Gabriolans cherish, and provide tools and resources to create a community working in concert to improve our entrepreneurial capacity”. In May 2018, a Community Economic Development Officer (CEDO) was hired. The Advisory Group worked with the CEDO for a two year period while the economic development function of the Chamber solidified. In 2020, an Executive Director position replaced the CEDO role, and the organization as a whole adopted the EDAG mission. Today, the Council continues to provide the guidance, feedback and varied perspectives that attribute to the success of the continued Service Agreement with the RDN and the community economic development initiatives that have supported the mission.
Project Description:
The GICC is seeking a consultant to facilitate and develop the organization’s next Strategic Plan. The process will include community-wide engagement, but primarily, it will be organized by the Chamber Council and a small stakeholder group that is based on strategic identification for the Chamber’s work and how to proceed. The Chamber has $7000 + GST budgeted for this work.
Details:
- Review of previous plan and Completion Report
- Hold a 1.5 day session with Chamber Council and key community stakeholders
- Up to 25 attendees
- Full day of facilitated discussion with meals
- Half-day morning session to follow for final thoughts
- Highlight community priorities that emerged from 1.5 day session, then;
- Test and confirm priorities and discussion points with wider community
- Present draft to Chamber Council and stakeholder group
Deliverables:
The Strategic Plan should be based on a three-year term and include the following:
- Highlight of key community priorities
- Strategic Pillars that address community priorities and are within the organizational mission/mandate
- For each of the Pillars, define goals, actions, and ways to measure success
- Built-in review timeframes with process outline
- Creative engagement strategy to communicate gains and achievements over the three years
Timeline:
The Project is to be completed over 4 months:
- Start in July of 2022
- Draft for review in September
- Approval for Strategic Plan set for October
Application Process:
Please submit proposals with a budget breakdown for this RFP to Julie Sperber, Executive Director at julie@gabriolachamber.ca by June 30th, 2022 at 5pm.
Selection Process:
The priorities for selection are consultant groups familiar with Gabriola and with experience in community economic development planning.