Joining the CGLCC
We share with you a bit of our journey to join Canada's 2SLGTBQI+ Chamber of Commerce, as well as our plans and expectations for the future.
In August of this year, The Dunham Group was accepted to the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC).
Why join another Chamber?
We have been a member of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce for years, however there are opportunities in the CGLCC that the local, provincial and National Chamber cannot provide. These revolve around diverse procurement practices that exist. As a member of the CGLCC, we can also encourage and support young 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, some of whom still face barriers because of their identity, not their skills.
Why join the CGLCC now?
The Dunham Group has always been a Gay owned and operated company. There have been times when we felt this could be ‘a problem’ with a prospective client but, by and large, it has never been an issue – that we are aware. Then again, it’s been relatively easy for us to ‘blend in’ – to not appear ‘different’. Hiding in plain sight, as it were. Joining the CGLCC is our way of ‘putting it out there’ to those who may be able to benefit from it.
How was the process?
The process of becoming a member of the CGLCC was also very different than that of joining a local Chamber. It is much more difficult to be accepted, because of the benefits that membership provide. To be a Certified Supplier, we needed to be at least a 51% LGBTQ+ – owned, operated and controlled Canadian business. The auditing process was very involved!
Plans and expectations
We look forward to working with other Suppliers as we explore new business opportunities. We’ll be attending the upcoming 2SLGBTQI+ Business Symposium in Toronto, which takes place in early November. We also want to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs who are young or new to Canada, and share our successes and challenges with them. After 30 years of business, we’ve got a few of both!
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