Accessibility Committee Terms of Reference 2013
Operational Committee
Name of Committee: Whitby Chamber of Commerce Accessibility Committee
Purpose:
The committee will assist the Chamber to further enhance the Accessibility in the
Workplace initiative and the Town of Whitby Business Accessibility Partnership
Program.
Strategic Objectives:
 To explore ways to promote and advertise Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities and its positive effects on the business community.
 To explore and develop relevant educational opportunities
 To assist carrying out the Business Accessibility Recognition Program for one
year in partnership with the Town of Whitby.
Desired Outcomes:
 For local business to become fully aware of the economic positives of the AODA
 To educate local business on ways to trouble shoot and work within AODA
standards
 To develop a program that recognizes business excellence in accessibility and to
create and build community awareness to shop locally with accessible
businesses.
 Develop a higher community profile as an accessible community with the general
public and persons with a disability.
Membership:
 Committee members are appointed to serve for a one year term, renewable for
additional one year terms.
 The chair of the committee is appointed by the Chamber’s Chief Executive
Officer (CEO).
 The chair of the committee will be responsible for recommending a vice chair and
members for approval by the CEO.
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 Staff members participating on the committee are resources for the committee.
The staff members do not report to the committee.
 The committee can consist of between 5 to 8 members.
 Additional sub committees or task forces may be formed for specific functions but
each must have a finite time period with written goals, deliverables and timelines.
Each subcommittee or task force must be chaired by a member of the
Accessibility Committee who is responsible to report back. It is strongly
recommended that additional members other than the committee members be
sought to participate on the subcommittee.
 It is expected that committee members will be active, fully participate and come
to meetings fully prepared. If a committee member misses three (3) meetings in a
row without a valid explanation this person may be removed from the committee
at the discretion of the committee chair and the CEO.
 The CEO is an ex officio member of the committee.
Meetings
 Regularly scheduled meetings are held the _____ of the month from
amam
Special meetings, subcommittee and task force meetings would be in addition to
the regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
 Members are expected to come to each meeting prepared to discuss and
suggest ideas pertaining to the agenda items. There is an expectation that
individuals will have read or researched any material pertaining to the topic to be
discussed. This allows for members to participate fully. To facilitate this,
agendas and previous meeting minutes will be circulated one week in advance of
the regularly scheduled meeting.
 Teleconferencing may be permitted for those who cannot attend the meeting in
person however it must be arranged in advance.
Scheduled Meeting Dates for 2013
First Monday of each month, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Scope/Jurisdiction/Authority
 To provide strategic recommendations to the CEO to fulfill our desired outcomes
 To provide products and tactical support to the CEO and staff when required to
ensure programs and services are executed as effectively as possible.
 To create sub-committees to accomplish specific projects objectives.
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Resources and Budget
 The Committee may use the Chamber Boardrooms and office equipment
(photocopier, telephone, wireless internet, etc) upon availability for meetings,
gatherings or to suggest as an event location. All rooms need to be booked in
advance.
 All expenditures and budgetary items must receive the approval of the CEO.
Governance:
 The chair will create the committee agenda in consultation with the dedicated
staff person and chair the meetings. In case of the chair’s absence the vice-chair
will fill the chair’s role. The agenda and previous meeting minutes are to be
circulated one week prior to the scheduled meeting.
 The committee will operate on the consensus model; however should not be
possible a simple majority vote will apply.
 Committee recommendations requiring CEO approval will be reviewed and
responded to within a maximum of 10 business days.
Additional Notes:
Monthly Meetings:
In order to facilitate the engaged and thorough participation and discussion of
agenda items it is recommended that the number of agenda items be limited to
two or three.
Information Storage:
 All committee minutes, agendas and reference materials will be stored on
the Chamber’s server.
 Committee contact information is stored on the Chamber’s server. All
chamber staff members have access to committee member information.
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2013 Membership
Members:
Chair:
Jacque McMillian
Residence Inn, Marriott
(905) 444-2057
Staff Support:
Darla Price
905-668-4506
darla@whitbychamber.org
Tom Holtz
Silver Cross
(905) 668-8560
tholz@silvercross.com
Lindsay Robins
Baycrest Hospital
Foundation
416-785-2500 x 3449
lrobins@baycrest.org
Dino Nave
Williams HR Law
(905) 205-0496 x224
dnave@williamshrlaw.com
Narendra Sethi
Whitby Optical
Tim Kennedy
Durham Corporate Centre
(289) 316-0522
Vanessa Nuelan
Colonial Retirement
Residence
(905) 665-9560
vnuelan@chartwellreit.ca
jacque.macmillan@marriott.com
tims.private.place@hotmail.com
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narendrakamlesh@gmail.com