Correspondence re: South Island Prosperity Partnership Membership
A letter from SIPP thanking the Town for support and outlining regional economic initiatives in response to COVID-19.
Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue VICTORIA BC V9B 1A6
Dear Town of View Royal,
I am writing to thank you for your continued support and thank you for your ongoing role in the work being done by the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP). We have many innovative initiatives underway and on the horizon for 2020-2021 and we're pleased to welcome you back for another year. This year is going to be a period of challenge, change and recovery for the South Island region. Together, with our partners, we will initiate an economic strategy to strengthen and reboot our new regional economy in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
SIPP was created in the aftermath of the economic downturn of 2007-2008 due to the slow recovery of our regional economy in response to that downturn. Once again, we find ourselves in a precarious economic situation, but this time we have learned from our past and we know that the economy will eventually recover from this hardship and that collaboration is more vital than ever. Unlike in the Great Recession of 2008-2009, our region now has a vehicle for collaboration to address both the challenges and opportunities facing private businesses, as well as First Nations and municipalities, industry associations and post-secondary schools. We are inspired each day by the strength of SIPP’s collaborative model and engagement by our members. This collaboration is undoubtedly our most robust and most unique asset.
We had a remarkable past year with our projects and initiatives. Highlights in our 2019/2020 fiscal year (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020) include:
- Bringing new business to the region to hire local employees
- Working with local companies on export-development
- Supporting local supply chain development in agriculture
- Facilitating our first Indigenous Prosperity Gathering, an encouraging step towards economic reconciliation
- Achieving tremendous membership growth, which now includes all South Island Coast Salish First Nations, the majority of Financial Institutions and municipalities, multiple non-profits and industry associations, and more than 20 of the region’s major employers (SIPP membership now stands at 61)
As a reminder, as a Member of SIPP, the Town of View Royal is entitled to several benefits, including:
- Recognition as a SIPP member in full standing
- Logo and website link on the SIPP website
- Voting rights as a member of the Funder Council
- Authority over bylaws and the election of Board members
- Participation in members-only events, dialogues, ad hoc committees, and strategy sessions (e.g. thought leadership series, lead investor breakfasts, etc.)
- First access to data: economic trends, national, provincial and local economy trends, business development trends, research
Please sign and return the attached South Island Prosperity Partnership Membership Agreement and update the Member Designate Form. You will also find your 2020-2021 invoice, payable within net 30 days. Again, thank you for being a part of SIPP’s success.
We’re anticipating another impactful year and are looking forward to collaborating with you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact office@southislandprosperity.ca. Your support and the perspective your organization brings to SIPP is integral to the goals we are all striving to achieve. We deeply value your participation. Together, let’s lead our local economy on a journey of prosperous recovery from the unprecedented episodes of the past weeks and months.
Sincerely,
Emilie de Rosenroll CEO South Island Prosperity Partnership