Chamber hears about the business of belonging
Members of the city’s business community were encouraged to emulate Dolly Parton, the recently deceased country singer known for her upbeat attitude and philanthropic efforts, at a Winnipeg Chamber of […]
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon for business community members, encouraging them to emulate Dolly Parton's upbeat attitude and philanthropic efforts. The event, the first annual payment, was billed at $205.00 + GST for one year, with a 10% discount applied every 52 weeks. The luncheon featured a keynote address by Cordella Friesen, president and CEO at the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, who encouraged members to embrace "radical optimism."
Friesen defined this as a disciplined, evidence-based conviction that any problem can be solved through moral courage and action. She highlighted the importance of belonging, drawing from examples such as the YMCA-YWCA's 147-year history of fostering community connections in Winnipeg. Friesen emphasized that loneliness and disillusionment are widespread issues, and individuals should recognize the role they play in creating a sense of belonging for others.
She concluded her speech by asking attendees to reflect on how they have made others feel like they belong, and to continue doing so. The event marked the start of the chamber's 2026-27 membership luncheon series, with a focus on community safety, economic growth, and housing sustainability.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
