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example of the difference the organization extended nationwide teaching high
continues to make in Cambridge. school students the value of financial
“Our purpose was bigger than we thought planning.
because there was no one who could hand But it was the overwhelming reception to
out these kits,” says Greg, reminiscing the rapid screening kits program that has
about a phone conversation he had with le t a lasting impact on Greg, referencing
not
ha
y
e
ma
v
ones
who
the
e
been
“W
“We may not have been the ones who Charles Vincent, Assistant Deputy Minister a comment from long-time Chamber
actually put it (Hamilton Family Theatre) of Industry Canada, in March of 2021 board treasurer, Terry Kratz.
together, but we brought the structure about how the federal government could “Terry said, ‘Greg, I knew the Chamber
around everything and brought the right distribute kits. “I literally negotiated that does great things in the community but
players to the table,” explains Greg. “We deal laying on my sofa watching TV one had no idea the Chamber of Commerce
were the ones who brought stability and Saturday a ternoon. I told him if we could could save lives’. That’s when I truly
organization so things could happen. We distribute them from our office so could realized we are an essential service in our
cover one end of the societal spectrum to every Chamber in the country.” community,” says Greg who, at 67, believes
the other, and everything in between.” By having the right ‘mechanisms’ in place age is truly just a number. “I don’t know if
He says creating the necessary momentum Greg says resulted in the distribution age really matters if you’re thoughts are
to get things done is a pivotal role for the of approximately 1.5 million kits to still current. Right now, my work allows
Chamber, something most people in the businesses throughout Waterloo Region me to do what I want. And what I want is
community may not be aware believing it and approximately 15 million nationwide to see this community reach even greater
to be an ‘old boys club’. as other Chambers followed Cambridge’s heights.”
“We do a very bad job of hanging our lead. The effort garnered the Chamber the
Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Power
laundry on the fence saying, ‘this is what of the Pivot Award in 2021 and its Chair’s
we do’,” says Greg. “That’s fine because Award in 2022 – just two of many awards
we’re not looking for accolades. We’re the organization has won since 2001.
looking to make change.” Among these is a 2011 World Chamber
He uses the Chamber’s involvement Federation – Worlds Best Unconventional
in the distribution of rapid screening Chamber Project award for the creation
kits throughout the pandemic as a key of its ‘Funny Money’ program which it

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