On Monday, February 10th, 2020, Sussex Rotary was joined by guest Paul Bedford, representing firstly the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce, but also a number of other not-for-profit organizations.
Paul Bedford is an energetic community leader in helping people and is a small business owner in Sussex, New Brunswick, operating QC Pumps & Compressors Ltd with his father, Jim. They provide industrial service and sales, with a specialization in compressed natural gas and compression to the Maritime provinces.
Paul is also the President of the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce, Lead Advisor and Youth Program Facilitator for Junior Achievement New Brunswick in Sussex, Vice President and Organizational Leader for Sussex Girls Softball Association, and the President of the Sussex Asphalt Angels Car Club.
In Paul's free time, he is also a husband to Chrystal, and father of three, Carmendy(14), Quitin(11) and Korbin(3).
Paul commenced his talk with an overview of the organizations currently active in the Sussex area...
Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce
Enhancing opportunities for growth and development in the region, the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce wants to be a catalyst for networking. The four main areas of focus:- Growing and developing local business
- Including youth into the business world
- Inviting youth to attend events
- Showing youth that dreams are possible as an entrepreneur.
Sussex Asphalt Angels Car Club
A group of local vehicle hobbyists who want to grow the hobby while helping local children reach their potential, the Sussex Asphalt Angels Car Club collects voluntary donations and conducts 50/50 draws during their events. All funds gathered are used to help local kids.
- A local automotive club founded in 2017
- Its mission is to raise funds, through a mutually enjoyed hobby, to help support local youth.
- In 2019, 'Street Meets' and a Poker Run raised $4700
- In 2019, help was provided to local schools (SES, SCES, Apohaqui) as well as SWAC, Atlantic Burn Camp and more.
Sussex Girls Softball
As a coach, Paul wants to teach life skills- not just how to play softball. Athletes in the Sussex Girls Softball Association learn life skills, including how to win and lose with dignity and how to play as a team.- Learn to Play Program
- House teams competitive league
- Ages 4 to 19 years
- Teaching sport, but also life skills
Junior Achievement New Brunswick
Involved with Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Paul described the process of "creating entrepreneurs." The program supports students to start fully functional businesses by choosing their product, naming it and marketing it. They incorporate employees and executives in their structure. In the end, they also liquidate the product and close the campaign.At the closing event, Future Unlimited Banquet Awards (FUBA), students are recognized for their achievements while networking with dignitaries.
- Founded in 1919, non-profit and the first economic education organization in the country
- World wide organization reaches more than 9 million students in 123 countries
- The program teaches K-12 students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness
- Facilitates a powerful partnership between business and education
- Statewide served 125,000 students through two organizations - Junior Achievement of Rocky Mountain and Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado.
In local schools, Paul has taught approximately 500 students about branding, marketing, work readiness and interview skills, along with other tips and tricks to become successful in business. He wants to grow business partnerships to help educate our youth, so he encourages local companies to reach out and offer their real-world experience. Paul has a script prepared for business owners to follow but then add in their own spin. He explains how there's been a change in the curriculum and students are not ready for the new world.
Public Service
Paul ran for municipal council four years ago in Sussex but didn't get voted in. He said the reason was that people didn't know him, so he is now determined to make people know his name. His philosophy is "be vocal, fight for what you believe in and ensure it happens."
Rotarian Bruce Northrup thanked Paul for his presentation and the Rotary Club donated a children's book to the local library in his honour.