ANITA HUBERMAN
SURREY – After careful consideration, and the unanimous approval of each Board of Directors, the Board Chairs from the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade have signed a Letter of Intent to explore merging into one entity to be called the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade collectively serving the White Rock and Surrey municipalities.
A jointly led Board of Directors merger task force is in place to fulfill legal and due diligence requirements set out within existing Bylaws and the Board of Trade Act.
This joint initiative organically grew out of the trust-building discussions that have been ongoing since mid-2023.
Both organizations have similar values and a long-standing commitment to serving the business community. Together, there is significant room to create organizational efficiencies and strengthen the value they bring to members and the business community at large.
Both organizations’ Board of Directors recognize joining these two entities will offer their membership multiple rewarding outcomes:
- Expanded exposure, reach, networking, and marketing opportunities.
- Cost savings – for many, one membership fee instead of two.
- Even more substantial influence and collective voice on local, provincial, and national matters related to business, economic development planning, and international trade.
- Effective use of financial resources, revenue, and administration resulting in more time for advocacy, member programming and support.
The Merger task force will thoroughly explore the benefits, risks and feasibility of a merger, and if found desirable, will bring a comprehensive proposal to the membership of each organization for a vote.
Over the past year, board members of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce and Surrey Board of Trade Board have held formal and informal conversations around the possibility of a merger. Relationships and trust have developed to the point where a delegation from both boards met to explore and more fully understand the steps required to merge. With the aid of a facilitator, attendees discussed organizational interests, similarities, differences, risks, and opportunities, then agreed to the following general conditions of such a merger:
- Maintaining an office and presence in White Rock and South Surrey area.
- Naming and rebranding the expanded organization Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade.
- Through analysis and financial due diligence, create a one-fee structure for the merged membership.
- All current South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce employees will be retained.
- Pillar partners and respective agreements held by each organization will be honoured.
- Board members from both organizations will have the opportunity to join the transitional board of directors.
The two organization have longstanding connections to their communities. The Board of Trade traces it’s roots to 1918 and the Chamber has served South Surrey & White Rock since 1937. They share a proud history of promoting the interests of local businesses and providing the resources, benefits, and relationships to help them thrive.
Source: Surrey Board of Trade
