For business owners who are looking for a robust benefits package (for themselves or for their employees) but might be thinking they’re “just too small,” the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, through its Chambers Plan, may be the answer.
Starting with a “no minimum firm size” (meaning your company is eligible to apply even if it’s a one-person operation), the Chambers Plan was designed specifically to protect small businesses, from those that are home-based to growing companies (up to 50 employees).
The Chambers Plan is also geared to grow and evolve with the needs of a company.
And because there are no industry restrictions with the Chambers Plan, as long as you’re a member of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, you’re eligible. In short, based on the specific needs of your business and employees, there’s a plan that’s right for you.
The Chambers Plan has a guaranteed approval feature (there are no health questions or medical exams to separate you from a benefits program) and renewal of coverage is also guaranteed as long as you pay your premium and maintain your Chamber membership.
Stable rates are made possible by the bundling with thousands of similar firms and a “partial pooling” concept on health and dental benefits. That means small fluctuations in a firm’s claims do not automatically factor into the rates, giving firms greater rate stability over the long term.
The Chambers Plan operates under the direction of the not-for-profit Chambers of Commerce Insurance Corporation of Canada, with volunteer directors who are also Chamber members.
What all this means is that your interests as a Chamber member are front and centre. All surpluses are reinvested in the Plan to help control premiums. This is why 850 Chambers of Commerce (including the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce) actively endorse Chambers Plan.
There are additional features that make the Chambers Plan worth looking into, including connections with professional accounting, counselling, legal, and human resources experts who understand the challenges faced by small business.
The process of applying is simple and fast: most health and dental claims are processed within 48 hours and health options include on-the-spot processing of prescription drug claims using the Assure Card.
One more thing: the Chambers Plan Service Centre works in concert with a local Chambers Plan advisor to give you answers to all your questions.
Locally, that advisor is Selectpath Benefits & Financial, formerly LBM Consulting.
Interested in learning more? Connect with us today by calling (519) 336-2400 or by emailing gabondar@slchamber.ca, to get started.
Earlier this week, representatives of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce made the trip down the 402/401 to Queen’s Park to participate in “Advocacy Day,” an initiative organized by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Next Tuesday, April 2 is “Touch Base Tuesday” and Chamber staff are looking forward to seeing members between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for an informal connection.
In just a few weeks, we’ll be seeing flashes of green just about everywhere, and the Chamber is getting in the mood as we approach our April Business After 5 event.
It may seem like a long way away, but anyone who has a busy calendar will agree—Friday, October 18 will come sooner than we think.
A research project designed to identify retention challenges faced by international students has received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Chamber Ambassadors, or “Chamber Champions” are a treasured group of volunteers who host ribbon-cutting, groundbreaking ceremonies and celebrate milestones with Chamber members. Part of what makes the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce community work so effectively is welcoming new members and sharing what is happening with everyone.
Representatives of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce—Board chair Ryan Bell and President and CEO Shirley de Silva—will be heading to the provincial capital later this month to engage with legislators and their staff as part of Advocacy Day 2019.