THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1993
THE IRELAND-CANADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Page 11
An Idea Whose Time Has Come
By CLAIRE MOLONEY
TORONTO — From lowly beginnings in a suburban restaurant, was born the idea of a special kind of club. As it happened, this historical meeting took place on the second Tuesday of the month and so, the "Second Tuesday Club" came into existence.
It all started when Joe Mulcahy contacted Vince O'Reilly early in 1991. Both are Irish businessmen in Toronto and both were eager to do business with other Irish people in the city. Through their active involvement, Joe and Vince recognized that there was no Irish organization that currently addressed the issue.
The Second Tuesday Club meetings continued and the number of people interested in the concept grew. Pat Ellis, Pat King, Ian Somers, Edna McGuinness, Jim Keeting and Paul Blackbyrne were among the first to become involved. Eddie Thornton, Eddie Brett, Brian Dolan, Brian Farmer and Pat Carson followed suit.
As time went on, the venue and time changed to evening boardroom meetings. It was important to the group that this networking organization reach out to all business people in the community, and the increasing number or people participating reflected this.
After about 12 months of meetings, the numbers had grown to fifteen core members and included Robert Kearns and Claire Moloney. Further developments, including the closure of the long-established Irish Board of Trade office in Toronto, reaffirmed the need for a national association and so the decision was made to join forces with a
body in Montreal known at The Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce.
As the need for further input and expertise became apparent, Des Beddos, Colm Brannigan, Pat Moriarty, Paul Farrelly, Kathleen Conway and Eamonn O'Loghlin came on board, bringing the total to 21 like-minded people who share the common
"Over 700 invitations mailed to Irish and Irish-Canadians"
goal of working together to service the Irish-Canadian business community in the Greater Metropolitan area.
The alliance was completed in mid-1992 when ten members from Toronto were appointed to the national board in Montreal, giving both parties equal representation. The structure was designed so that the individual chapters would be guided by the national chapter, but, for the most part, would operate independently.
Working towards the inauguration of the Toronto chapter, every effort was made to compile as comprehensive an invitation list as possible, resulting in almost 700 invitations being mailed to Irish and Irish-Canadian business people in the city.
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land-Canada Chamber of Commerce was launched at the King Edward Hotel on February 24 with the following objective:
To create an organization of business men and women dedicated to fostering and developing a network where its members can cultivate and pursue development of their business, professional and social interests in Canada and Ireland.
To establish ongoing relations with organizations of a similar nature in the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Canada; with the Government of Ireland and Northern Ireland official trade and tourism organizations; with other business and cultural organizations throughout Canada; and with international trade organizations at all levels of government in Canada.
Following the creation of the chapter, the immediate objective will be the preparation of a Green Pages which will offer an opportunity to businesses at all levels to promote their services to the Irish-Canadian community and wider community at-large.
Chapter Chairman Pat Ellis presided as Master of Ceremonies and co-ordinated the proceedings which included a presentation by Des Beddoe on the benefits of membership. The keynote speaker on the evening was Mr. Edward J. (Ted) McConnell,
President of Barclays McConnell.
The inaugural event was the first step on a very challenging road. Everyone involved has worked hard to get to this stage but now it-is up to the membership to decide what shape the organization takes.
The potential for an organization of this nature is phenomenal. One only has to look at the success that many Irish people have already enjoyed since coming to Toronto. To think what we could achieve working together leaves no doubt that this truly is an idea whose time has come.
If you would like more information on the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Toronto Chapter, please call (416) 481-1622.
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