Walking the talk

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/11/2022 (1053 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I’m Kristi Meek, executive director of the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce and I like to walk the talk.

What I mean by that is that when I join an organization, either as myself or as the Assiniboia Chamber, I like to get involved so that I understand all that is available to me and/or the chamber. Information overload is inevitable, with emails entering your inbox every hour, social media feeds uploading every second, and the old standbys of phone and in-person meetings still being maintained and valued.

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

—Helen Keller

It’s a lot to take in, and more often than not some things — such as an email newsletter that contains information you’ve been racking your brain on for the past week, or an advertisement for a business savings program that you definitely could use — get missed. No one can stay on top of it all, but if you engage — join a committee, participate in a webinar, attend a luncheon, call the office to say hi — I promise you, the value of your membership increases. You become aware of the little things and recognize the commitment the organization has to you. You realize that picking up the phone to ask a question is welcomed and you probably get a better response than you expected. I encourage you to connect with the organizations you belong to, whether they are a community centre, a business organization, a charity or a not-for-profit.

Back to walking the talk … this year I committed to getting more involved with the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada and, as my three-year term on the national board was coming to an end, I was appointed to the role of treasurer for the 2022-23 year. To say I am honoured and excited is an understatement.

To complement my role at the chamber, I also applied for my level 2 designation as an accredited chamber executive. Launched in 2018 as part of CCEC’s 50th anniversary legacy initiative, the ACE program promotes and recognizes chamber executives who have demonstrated that they embrace a culture of continuous learning, leading to excellence in chamber leadership and management. There are about 450 chamber executives across Canada, and I am now one of 29 ACEs in the country.

I will also be joining a couple of new boards in my community in the coming months. Some will be work-related, and some will be where my heart lies. When the two intertwine, I am the happiest of campers in the community in which I live, work, and play.

Not sure how you can do more with the organizations you belong to?

The answer is simple; ask. Your call, email or text will be more appreciated than you know. Eliminate assumptions. Work with facts. You will grow both personally and professionally.