Annual General Meeting

Description

Join us for the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 10th, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Renaissance, 285 Queen St.

The AGM is an opportunity for all Chamber members to come together to hear about the work that the Chamber has been doing, and what to expect in the coming year. Witness the approval of the list of directors and the swearing in of the new Chair and 1st Vice-Chair of the GKCC Board for 2025. 

All members of the Chamber have voting rights at the AGM, so come and have your say! Light appetizers will be served and a cash bar available. This is a member-only event not to be missed! 

Opening Keynote

Lynda Gerow - Operations Manager of Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest

Lynda is from the Tsil’Kaz’Koh Wet’suwet’en Nation in Burns Lake, British Columbia. Her teachings are mostly Anishinaabe and Mohawk. Mukade Miiagan is her spirit name which means Black Wolf. Lynda was one of the founding members of our precursor organization, the Kingston Indigenous Language Nest. Lynda’s education and professional experience are in social work, community programming, harm reduction and early childhood education. Lynda holds many positions of responsibility throughout the community, as a Firekeeper and Powwow Dancer, President of the local Ontario Native Women’s Association chapter,  and is a member of the Katarokwi Grandmother’s Council. Lynda is a mother, a Kookom ( grandmother) and an Auntie both in her own family and in the community. Lynda’s vision for the Centre is that it becomes a safe place for the community to gather, grow, learn, heal and celebrate together.

Ending Keynotes

Scott Fraser - Chief of Kingston Police

Chief Fraser began his career in policing in Vancouver in 1991 working the downtown East side and West end of Vancouver. In 1998 he left the Vancouver Police and took a position with the Brockville Police in Ontario. In his 23 years there, Fraser served as breathalyzer technician, mountain bike officer, intelligence/drug officer, Sergeant in charge of Criminal Investigations and Inspector in charge of Operations and Support Services, before becoming Chief of Police in 2014. He has lectured at the Canadian Police College and served as syndicate leader within the Canadian Police College Drug Investigative Techniques Program and is also a National Instructor for Georgetown University - Active Bystandership in Law Enforcement (ABLE) Program.

Fraser joined the Kingston Police Force on October 4, 2021, as Deputy Chief, he was appointed Acting Chief on January 1, 2023, and Chief of Kingston Police on January 31, 2024.

Fraser, from Carleton Place, Ontario holds a diploma in Police Foundations from Sir Sandford Fleming College, a certificate in Police Administration from Dalhousie University, and a certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. In June 2006, Fraser attended the 226th session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia, the only Canadian among 250 attendees for the 10-week course.

Fraser has been awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal, a medal issued under the Canadian Honours System to recognize loyal and exemplary service to law enforcement. He is also the recipient of the Colin T. Millar Award for sustained commitment to leadership, innovation, and community service in Canada and the Chief Edward F. Moore Award for Integrity, Ethics, and Professionalism in Law Enforcement from the New York/Eastern Canada Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates.

He held the position of President in the New York/Eastern Canada Chapter of the FBI National Academy in 2021 and continues to support the leadership of the Chapter in various roles. He is currently the Chair of the Governing Body of the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario. Fraser also represents the Kingston Police and participates as a corporate member of the Rotary Club of Kingston.

Monique Belair - Fire Chief & Director - Kingston Fire & Rescue

Monique Belair is a trailblazing figure in the fire services industry, currently serving as the Fire Chief and Director of Kingston Fire & Rescue. Her appointment to this role became effective on April 11, 2023. Before joining Kingston Fire & Rescue, Belair held the position of Fire Chief in Belleville, where she made history as the city's first female fire chief. Her career spans over three decades, starting with her early days as a firefighter in the Canadian Armed Forces. Belair has also held deputy chief positions in Oakville and St. Catharines, and worked with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management. She is known for her strong community focus and ability to foster collaborative relationships.

One of Belair's most notable achievements is founding Camp Molly, a program designed to encourage young women aged 15-18 to pursue careers in firefighting. The camp provides hands-on experience and mentorship, aiming to increase diversity in the fire services. Belair's dedication to empowering women in firefighting is evident through her involvement with organizations like Fire Service Women Ontario. Her leadership and vision have been recognized through various nominations, including the Premier's Award. As Fire Chief in Kingston, Belair continues to advocate for women in fire services and mentor youth, building on her legacy as a changemaker in her field.

Many thanks to Title Sponsor, Chambers Plan - Employee Benefits, Supporting Sponsor, CIBC, Cocktail Sponsor, Veritasa Law Office Professional Corporation for their support on this program.

Additional Notes: Be sure to log-in to your member profile to receive member exclusive pricing. Cancellations must be received two weeks prior to the scheduled event for a full refund. Lastly, please reach out to events@kingstonchamber.ca if you have any allergy/dietary restrictions.

NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

When you enter a Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce (“GKCC”) event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording and streaming may occur.

By entering the event premises, you consent to being interviewed, photographed, audio recorded, video recorded and streamed at the event. You grant to the GKCC, its representatives and any GKCC designated person or entity the right to reproduce, use, exhibit, display, broadcast, distribute and create derivative works of these images and recordings in any media now known or later developed, including but not limited to print, broadcast, electronic, digital and social media. These may be used for promoting and publicizing the event or other GKCC events and the work the GKCC does, and for any other purpose deemed fit by the GKCC, its affiliates and representatives. You release the GKCC, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the aforementioned activities.

By entering the event premises, you waive all rights to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, distribution, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication and irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the GKCC or a GKCC designated person or entity.

You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please get in touch with us on info@kingstonchamber.ca seven (7) business days prior to the event and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, please note that if you're scheduled to be a speaker, moderator, host, or the chief guest for any event, adjustments may be challenging to accommodate.