Guideline to Reaccreditation
The application for reaccreditation is available at http://accreditation.occ.on.ca. The following steps will help you complete your application.
Step One:
When you begin the accreditation process you must check off the principals of the Core Definition of a Chamber of Commerce/Board of Trade which apply to your chamber. Please note that all chambers must meet the 19 core principals before proceeding with the application process.
Step Two:
Denote the size of the chamber according to the size categories outlined by Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada (CACC).
Step Three:
Choose your accreditation status: reaccreditation (3 pillar) or re-accreditation with distinction (5 pillar). If you are upgrading from accreditation to accreditation with distinction, please go back to the accreditation page, as upgrades to the accreditation status are treated as new applications.
Step Four:
Select the appropriate application form, which includes a checklist according to both the type of re-accreditation you are seeking and the size of your chamber.
Step Five:
Complete the application form and checklist. The checklist outlines what is to be included in your application. Please note, the areas that are shaded grey do not need to be included in your application, however if anything has changed in the categories that are shaded grey, please include updated materials. The CACC accepts an electronic PDF package labeled according to the sections outlined on the checklist.
How to Create a PDF Package
1. Create electronic title pages according to the number of Pillars, using word is fine, then create a PDF.
2. Gather all information listed on the checklist, label appropriately and save as individual PDFs.
3. Open the PDF of your chamber’s completed accreditation form and checklist and either click on the page view icon or go to document> insert pages.
4. Find the PDFs you wish to insert and click insert.
5. To ensure pages come in, in the correct order make sure to click on the last page in the document before inserting. You can slide pages into the correct order using your mouse and the page view tab once the pages are in the document.
6. Once all items/documents have been inserted save as the following ChamberName_Reaccreditation.
If you would like to submit a hard copy instead of a PDF package, please follow the instructions below:
How to create a Reaccreditation Binder
1. Tab the binder according to the number of Pillars, ie. Tab One is Pillar One etc.
2. Within the tabs you should have sections clearly labeled. For example Pillar 1, Section 1 would be labeled P1.1, all codes for labeling are located in the left hand column of your checklist.
3. Make sure you fill out and include your checklist within your accreditation binder.
Step Six:
The chamber applies by submitting the completed application form, checklist and electronic PDF package with required documents to provincial/territorial/regional chamber representatives email by the bi-annual deadlines set by CACC - 2nd Wednesdays in April and September. The deadline is outlined on the application form as well.
Step Seven:
The provincial/territorial/regional representative will provide feedback on your application at this point as necessary.
Step Eight:
The CACC meets in June and November to review all new accreditations (renewals are also done at the CACC’s November meeting) and will then grant re-accreditations to those chambers that have met the requirements of either the re-accreditation or re-accreditation with distinction pillars and adhere to the Core Definition of a Chamber of Commerce/Board of Trade.
Step Nine:
Chambers will be notified immediately following the CACC meeting regarding the status of their application. Chambers that receive re-accreditation will be recognized before their peers at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting in September each year. Accredited Chambers will also be able to use the designation “Accredited Chamber of Commerce” and the Accreditation logo in chamber materials.
Step Ten:
Chambers that receive accreditation will be subject to periodic updates of their designation. This could include verification or furthering of their status of accreditation.
If you require assistance, please contact your provincial, regional, or territorial chamber of commerce.
