CHA Canada Information Package
Message from the President of the Canadian Chapter
I would like to personally welcome you CHA in Canada. There is a long history of a craft trade association in Canada, first through the Canadian Craft and Hobby Association which was formed back in 1980 and now through the international Craft and Hobby Association. The Canadian Chapter was formed in January 2013 and is a specific organization within CHA run by volunteer Canadian members to serve as a resource to CHA head office to suggest, advice, and assist them in the implementation of programs, activities, services and overall Canadian member needs. The Executive Team consists of a President, Vice President and Secretary who will be elected by the Canadian membership and additional volunteer committee members as needed in focused areas.
Our Vision
:A healthy, vibrant, exciting and successful Canadian creative community that enriches people’s lives through crafting.
Our Mission
:
Our mission is to enrich people’s lives through our crafting community which includes: consumers, CHA Canada members defined as retailers, manufacturer and suppliers, educators and designers as well as the media and international partners. We will inspire our community with improved communication, networking, education and resources. We will also work to improve our community membership value and facilitate an environment that encourages a passion for crafting.
The Executive have defined our Chapter Values as the following; • Honesty and open communication
We will deliver a defined communication plan to members consistent with the by laws of the Association: bi annual meetings, formal election process, reports from sub committees etc.
• Integrity
We can be relied upon to be responsible, truthful and to do the right thing.
• Deliver on realistic promises
We will work within the resources available to CHA Canada. We are motivated and driven to realize our vision and mission.
• Engaging and empowering leadership
We will provide a framework, motivation and inspiration for the growth and success of sub committees, with the work being consistent with the vision, mission and values of the CHA Canada
• Entrepreneurial and forward thinking
We will take creative and innovative steps towards a stronger future for the creative industry in Canada.
As part of your Canadian membership your contact information will be added to our data base and you will receive regular email updates of Canadian activities and services. We encourage you to give us feedback, ask questions, give suggestions and where possible, volunteer time to help strengthen the industry both within your own province as well as nationally. Welcome to CHA in Canada.
Regards
John Arbour
President of the Canadian Chapter Craft and Hobby Association
The CHA Canada Team
John Arbour - President of CHA Canadian Chapter
Vice President and General Manager for Coats and Clark Canada and General Manager for Westminster Fibers, a division of Coats. John has been with Coats for 19 years. He is a graduate of Ryerson University in Toronto. He has been a competitive soccer coach for 20 years and has volunteered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters at different times over the past 25 years.
Contact: [email protected]
Brenda Greenwood-Vernem – Vice President CHA Canadian Chapter
Acme United Ltd., Director of Marketing Canada – Westcott and C-Thru brands. B.A. Univ. of Toronto, & Sheridan College Fashion Technique & Design Program. Brenda has been working in the creative world all her life. Outside of her full-time work in Marketing she has worked as a Costume Designer for Musical Theatre, had her own line of children’s clothing and enjoys a varied scope of crafting from sewing to knitting, and painting to beading.
Contact:[email protected]
Jim Thielen – CHA Board member for Canada
Jim has been active in the Sewing industry for 12 years. He is a former President and Managing Director of SVP Canada Inc. (Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff and Singer) and currently serves as Vice President and General Manager of HA Kidd. Jim has had a successful career with a high tech company, the American Red Cross, and Eastman Kodak. He holds an MBA from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester.
Contact: [email protected]
Paula Jones – CHA Representative for Canada (STAFF)
Paula comes to CHA with many years of experience in the craft industry, as a distributor, designer, educator and freelance writer. She has assisted many “start up” craft businesses as well as international companies who are looking to expand into Canada. Paula is well connected in both the Canadian and US craft industry. Paula overseas the management and activities of Canadian members and executive.
Contact: [email protected] 416 505 2336 EST
Carmi Cimcata- Secretary CHA Canadian Chapter
Carmi Cimicata is a full time artist who specializes in resin related art and craft, jewelry making, paper crafting and wearable art pieces. She is a regular craft presenter on the Shopping Channel in Canada. She is a social media designer who writes and designs different craft and jewelry making techniques for several companies daily while maintaining their online presence.
Carmi has a degree in Fashion Merchandising from Ryerson University. Contact: [email protected]
Judi Atkinson – CHA Board member for Canada
Judi has parlayed her passion for sewing and her degree in business and marketing into a A Great Notion Sewing Supply almost 25 years ago. She has created two thriving stores selling sewing machines, notions and fabrics; Canada’s largest mail order sewing supply business for sewing supplies; and a large and long-standing customer base. She has taught extensively across the country at consumer trade shows and also loves to mentor other people in their business startups in the craft and hobby areas.
CHA Canada Sub-Committees
1. Canada Sews
Canada Sews is a national consumer awareness program developed by members of
CHA in Canada to raise awareness and the benefits of sewing within our nation.
Our Goal:
“To raise awareness of sewing nationally as a
lifestyle skill
and
rewarding
leisure-time activity
. To engage consumers, encourage trial, educate and train, create a
positive image.”
Canada Sews encourages sewing across all its formats from fashion to quilting, home
décor and craft sewing. The Canada Sews committee is part of the Canadian Chapter
and meets frequently to organize activities and events within the sewing community.
For more information on Canada Sews go to
www.canadasews.com
or contact the
current committee Chair Person:
Other Canada Sews leadership:
Jennifer Brennan – Marketing Specialist Northcott Carla Canonico – A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine Jim Thielen - HA Kidd And Company Limited Lori Tarantini – Coats and Clark Canada Denise Wild- Love Sewing-
Canada Sews also runs a Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/canadasews
.
2014 Project Banners of Hope
JoAnne Cockerton: Canada Sews Chair Person
Home Appliance Division Manager Brother Canada. Joanne is a Ryerson graduate in Business Administration and is an avid crafter and sewer. She has a vast experience in sales, marketing, purchasing and product management. Contact:
2. Independent Retailers:
Contact information and details
TBA
3. Designers and Educators(DECP):
Contact information:
Committee Supervisor
Brenda Greenwood-Vernem
[email protected]
Other DECP Committee members:
Carmi Cimicata, Wendy RussellUpcoming events in 2014
CHA Canada Designer, Educator & Creative Professional Spring Retreat 2014
Location: Kempenfelt Conference Center – Bayview Building, Innisfil (Barrie), Ontario, CanadaDates: June 6-8, 2014. Registration begins February 198, 2014
Quarterly meetings are held for CHA Canada Designer & Creative Professionals
in the Ontario area
February 19, 2014, meeting will be held at John Bead Outlet 11am-3pm 20 Bertrand Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M1L 2P4
Contact Audrey for more details on any of these or upcoming events
Audrey DeJong – Designers & Educator Committee Chair
Audrey is owner of Coast 2 Coast Events which host Creative conferences across Canada. Contact: [email protected]
CHA Canada Membership Benefits
CHA offers a full suite of benefits as part of your membership. To access many of these benefits, you will need your member ID and password. If you need help setting up a password to access these benefits, contact [email protected]. In addition to the many benefits offered to all CHA members there are also some Canadian specific benefits.
CHA Canada Newsletter
This monthly newsletter compiled and distributed directly from CHA Canada staff with content from Canadian members and the Canadian Chapter Executive Team. This newsletter keeps Canadian craft businesses up-to-date on news, trends and events within Canada as well as the latest Canadian provincial and federal regulations that may affect the craft industry. Advertising opportunities are also available.
Canadian Market Research
CHA Canada 2011 Attitude &Usage Study.
This year long study of the Canadian Craft consumer was conducted throughout 2011 in both English and French and results were releases in January 2012. Prior to this study there are no significant studies on the Canadian craft consumer. This data is useful for business plans and financial applications. Results were collected and tabulated both on a national and provincially geographically representative basis. The results show that the Canadian craft and hobby market is a $2.8 billion* industry compared to the U.S market of $29.2 billion. Specific breakdown data includes details by province, craft sector, cross participation, age and gender, average project spending, house hold spending and sales channels. Accesses to the full details are available to all CHA members through membership log in and available for a fee of $1,000 to non members. For questions on the study contact [email protected]
*Based on 5.7 million Canadian households
Member Networking
The CHA Canada Chapter hosts networking meetings and other member events throughout the year. Meet your peers and industry leaders in Canada who share your passion for crafting. The Canadian Chapter also hosts Canadian member meetings at the Winter and Summer CHA trade shows in the US.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Canadian Chapter is a volunteer organization within CHA. There are many opportunities for you to serve in leadership or advisory capacities within the Chapter or one of the committees that may
specifically relate to your company or business skills. Volunteer opportunities can be most rewarding as well as increase your industry networking contacts. Contact the current Canadian CHA Chapter President or CHA Canada Representative for more details.
Discount Programs
Credit Card Processing by Chase Payment Tech Canada.
This credit Card processing benefit is offered by the Canadian operation of Chase Payment Tech and adheres to all Canadian government regulations for Credit Card processing fees. For new members who are not already Chase customers Chase offers to beat or match your existing processing provider. Specific details are available through membership log in on the CHA website.
FedEx® Canada Discount
FedEx services. CHA Canada members are entitled to special savings on FedEx Express® U.S. and International and FedEx Ground® services. Specific details are available through membership log in on the CHA website.
French Translation Special Rates with Marie-Chantal Hogue Translation Services
CHA members receive discounted rates on French language translation services with a preferred provider. Whether you want to make your newsletter or website bi-lingual or have your product packaging translated into French according to Quebec language laws, this is a valuable service. More details are on the CHA Website.Canadian Automobile Association (South Central Ontario Only)
Any ASSOCIATE members, in the same household, can be added at 50% discounted price. Contact John Mathur at 416-998-0839 or [email protected] for more details
