About the Morden & District Chamber of Commerce

History of the Morden & District Chamber of Commerce

Formerly known as Morden Board of Trade

Written by Peggy Krause

With special thanks to Catherine Evenson and Margaret Chubb for their assistance.

"Morden Board of Trade"

Boards of Trade existed in Europe as early as the 16th century with the first one in Canada formed in 1750. The Morden Board of Trade was incorporated on March 27, 1890 preceding incorporation of the village of Morden by five years. It changed its name and officially became the Morden & District Chamber of Commerce on May 24, 1960. The following article, noting the founding meeting, appeared in "The Monitor" on March 27, 1890.

"The charter of incorporation for the Board of Trade for the Electoral Division of Morden, having been received from the Secretary of State a meeting was held in St. Andrew's Hall on Thursday last when the following officers were elected:

President H.P. Hansen
Vice-President W.J. Sutton
Treasurer H.J. Pugh
Secretary J.H. Smith
Eight members of Council vig.
W. Garrett, George Ashdown, T. Duncan, J.T. Blowey, J. Hieman, D. McMillan, Harry Meikle and Dr. Wilson.

The report of the delegates to the Winnipeg Convention was reported and votes of thanks accorded them for their service.

A petition was introduced to the meeting petitioning the Dominion Government to give substantial aid to the building of the Hudson Bay Railway, which was unanimously carried and ordered to be sent to Ottawa for presentation.

A large amount of routine business was transacted and after a lengthy meeting which was characterized by a hearty and business like spirit, the meeting adjourned to Saturday evening."

In 1903, after a number of inactive years, the Board of Trade reorganized with 26 members signing the new membership roll at a meeting in the Municipal Hall. The annual fees were $2.00 with an additional entrance fee of $5.00.New bylaws were drawn up and there is a letter on file from "The Morden Empire" stating that they would print the bylaws for $14.00 "doing a good job". The "Morden Chronicle" promised to undercut the "Empire" by $1.00 but the latter did not specify what kind of job they would do.

Some of the major issues and activities in which the Board of Trade participated over the next four years included:

-In 1904, attendance at the first meeting of the Town of Morden and a suggestion for a drainage system for the town. They offered to assist in any way.

-Inadequate CPR railway service was protested, resulting in much improved service. The Board of Trade also assisted in the improvement of the CPR property by plowing the land and planting trees.

-A letter of complaint was sent to the Winnipeg Elevator Co. regarding grain prices, a letter referring to freight rates was sent supporting resolutions from Boards of Trade in the East, a petition was sent to Ottawa protesting discrimination against Morden Markets by grain buyers, and the building of a "farmers" elevator was also much discussed during that period of time.

-Fishing had not been too good after the dam had been built on the Pembina River at Walhalla so a letter was sent to Walhalla suggesting a fish way be built.

-The Electric Light Co. was asked by the Board of Trade to extend their hours of operation each day to include from 5:30 p.m. until daylight. When the Company did not co-operate, the Board of Trade suggested to Town Council that it borrow money to build a municipal light plant and, with any remaining money, to construct "cement" sidewalks. The Board of Trade publicly recommended the ratepayers support the bylaw for establishing an electric light company when it was proposed.

In 1925, the Morden Board of Trade reorganized again and the fees were set at $2.00 for town members while rural members were only charged $1.00. The district was becoming known as "The Corn and Apple Belt", and the Board of Trade was still very much involved in every aspect of community life. Some of the major issues and concerns discussed over ensuing years were:

Government Offices:

One of the reasons Morden became such a thriving town was the location of government offices here. Although the Morden Gaol closed for a period of time during prohibition, due to "lack of business", the laws changed and criminal activity quickly returned to normal and the Board of Trade thought it necessary to approach the Government to reopen the facility. In 1933 and 1963, the Government considered moving the Land Titles Office and courthouse out of Morden. Both times action on the part of the Board of Trade made them reconsider in favour of Morden as the best location. To this day they still operate out of two of Morden’s historical buildings.

Cemetery:

Cemetery upkeep had been a primary Board of Trade concern over many years until it was realized that only one living member remained in the Cemetery Co. In 1937, it was suggested to Town Council that they take over the job and it was subsequently placed on a perpetual care basis, costs covered by donations.

Retail Merchants Committee:

It seems the question of store closing hours is ongoing – even in 1904 the stores had their problems and it was decided that retail outlets "be kept open longer during seeding and harvest" and, according to the following excerpts from the 1933 minutes, offenders were taken to task.

"Mr. Johnston appeared and made a complaint regarding the observance of the half holiday on Thursday afternoons, making reference to Acheson Grocers having been open and that he had sent one, Falk, with money who found the door of Acheson’s Grocers open last Thursday afternoon and a purchase was made by Falk. A complaint was also made that Mark’s Grocery was guilty of a similar offence and also H.K. Hiebert President and secretary attended on Acheson Grocery who gave a reasonable explanation."

We wonder what happened to Mark and Hiebert… and informer Falk?

Music downtown on Saturday night was much in demand in 1925 and it was suggested to the merchants that the band members should be paid at least $2.00 or $3.00 per evening. Our reference does not say whether this was per person or per band.

In 1975 a downtown P.A. system was installed by the Retail Merchants Committee so that shoppers could enjoy music as they go about their business.

Trees:

Project "Grow Caragana and Keep Your Soil at Home" was embarked on in 1937 to encourage the farmers in the area to plant hedges. This was a Federal Government rehabilitation scheme at that time, to help control soil drifting and conserve moisture. The Board of Trade assisted the farmers in obtaining the free caraganas and willows (30,000 trees in all).All those high hedges you see framing the farms from Altona to Darlingford are living evidence of that 1937 project.

In 1933, the Civic Improvement Committee, in co-operation with Town Council and the Dominion Experimental Farm, started a beautification project in Morden, with the planting of the many trees in Morden Park and the elms along Thornhill Street and, in 1965, with promoting the planting of 165 "AlmeyRosybloom Crabapples" which were bred at the Research Station in Morden and selected as the Canadian Centennial tree. The Chamber of Commerce showed great concern about the effect Dutch Elm disease would have on these trees, and whether the widening of Hwy #3 through Morden would pronounce the death sentence on one of Morden’s most beautiful features.

Sewer and Water:

A water supply for the town was first mentioned in 1904, when a committee was formed to look into a suitable source. When the group met with Town Council, they were assured that a well would be "put down". A few years later, it was mentioned in the minutes that the Board of Trade had also urged Town Council to pass a bylaw concerning sanitation.

In March 1937, the Board of Trade Executive approached Town Council and Stanley Council to request the building of a dam across the Dead Horse Creek ravine.The Board of Trade arranged for a survey to be undertaken and the project was pronounced quite feasible as a practical means of storing water for farmers in the area and for irrigation purposes. The dam was built in 1953 and later, when the town decided to enlarge the spillway, Lake Minnewasta was created behind it. Before the lake was created, a Chamber of Commerce committee was formed to insure that the proposed lake bottom was clear of trees and the Chamber donated $150 for the gravelling of the proposed beach. The same year the dam was built, it was decided to use the lake for the town water supply.

More recently, the Chamber was active in promoting a second dam on Dead Horse Creek but in 1981, the Department of Natural Resources and PFRA decided to raise the existing dam eight feet.

In 1947, the Board of Trade presented a petition to Town Council regarding the installation of a water and sewer system in the town. In 1950, the Chamber members undertook to persuade home owners to sign up for water and sewer service so the town could install the necessary facilities right away. As a result, Morden was one of the first towns in Manitoba to offer these services. This, incidentally, was one of the deciding factors which convinced Canadian Canners (also known as Best Pac) to locate in Morden.

Public Relations:

Morden went on radio in 1929 with a four-minute spot, which cost $5.75, promoting the Morden Park. It sponsored amateur radio contests in the 50s and in 1957 they won the CJOB Trophy for the best variety contest in the area. In the 60s, a variety contest was also sponsored with the assistance of local advertising, to produce an hour-long TV show.

Tourism:

The Chamber has always been very active in promoting Morden as a great place to visit.In 1965, they took out a full page ad in the Winnipeg Tribune Tourist Edition at a cost of $240. Pamphlets on the town, maps of the area, and tours of the town have all been projects of the Tourism Committee. In 1967, the Morden Corn and Apple Festival was organized as a means of bringing visitors to Morden for a weekend to demonstrate our hospitality.

The Visitor Centre, located on Hwy #3, is open to the public during the summer. The many local students who have operated this facility for the past thirty-four years offered our visitors pamphlets, maps, and information with a friendly smile. Ever since a permanent Chamber Office was established, year-round service has been provided.


In 1963, old FortPinancewaywining was officially recognized by the government because of work done by the Chamber, and a sign was erected drawing people’s attention to Morden’s early history.

Hospital:

In 1951, the Chamber of Commerce was one of the organizations which worked relentlessly with canvassing and fund raising drives toward the Hospital Building Program until it was completed. For many years, the Chamber had two representatives on the Hospital Board until the new Boundary Trails Regional Health Centre was built and the Regional Health Authority was created.

Education:

A committee was first formed in 1926 to investigate the possibility of a public library, and inquires were sent to, among others, the Carnegie Institute in New York for grants and assistance. None were received. Morden did not get its library until 1963, when after a long drawn out process and much effort on the part of the Chamber of Commerce, Town Council, and the Library Board, the government finally consented to establish one. Now the region enjoys fine library services provided by the South Central Regional Library.

In 1961, the Chamber was very actively involved in establishing the Western School Division. The Chamber presented briefs, circulated petitions, and made sure voters were out at the polls when the time came. The Chamber used to hold yearly banquets for the school patrol, safe driving competitions were held, and more recently, the Chamber awards scholarships to deserving students of Morden Collegiate.

Entertainment:

Over the years, the organization has been quite active in bringing first class entertainment and cultural events to Morden. Indeed, it was not uncommon for some Chamber members to entertain the rest of the membership at meetings and special events, with a "couple of numbers".

The Board of Trade hosted more large groups of visitors than the Chamber of Commerce does now.(One reason may be that the cost of catering back then was 85 cents per plate.)Picnics were often held at the Dominion Experimental Farm (Research Station) for large groups from Winnipeg, and as well, they arranged for a fleet of cars to be on hand for the guests who arrived by train. One annual event was the "Sociability Tour" which stopped in Morden.Car-loads of Mordenites joined the tourists as they travelled on to various points in North Dakota. This often took a couple of days since it was a major event and there was so much to see.

Then there was the annual "Little Journey Caravan" organized by the Winnipeg Board of Trade Young Men’s Club. The Winnipeg Evening Tribune had this to say about it in 1925 under the heading of "Day Spent in Manitoba’s Great Corn and Apple Belt is one of Keen Delight."
"Welcome to Morden District Corn and Apple Belt": Not one, but scores of these banners caught the eyes of a large contingent of Winnipeggers participating on Saturday afternoons. The place was a cross road, fifteen miles northwest of Morden, and town and district representative citizens were there in automobiles and with an enlivening brass band to bid personal and whole hearted welcome to the folks from Winnipeg. With Mayor Lake, of Morden and the band in the lead, then a Winnipeg car, and so on, alternating in a real get-together fashion, the "little journey" continued to the famous Stevenson Farm. And what a farm! Morden & District’s motto was understood. The famous Annapolis Valley and the Niagara Peninsula were brought to mind. Apple trees, plum trees! A spacious Garden of Eden and no temptress was necessary to induce those Winnipeggers to eat to their hearts content of fruits delicious beyond description. With interiors and pockets well laden as well, the procession reassembled. Morden, soon reached, was gay and festive. ‘Welcome" was emblazoned everywhere, with modern heraldic decorations suitable to the day. The latch-strings were on the outside; everything was festive."

"Welcome to Morden District Corn and Apple Belt": Not one, but scores of these banners caught the eyes of a large contingent of Winnipeggers participating on Saturday afternoons. The place was a cross road, fifteen miles northwest of Morden, and town and district representative citizens were there in automobiles and with an enlivening brass band to bid personal and whole hearted welcome to the folks from Winnipeg. With Mayor Lake, of Morden and the band in the lead, then a Winnipeg car, and so on, alternating in a real get-together fashion, the "little journey" continued to the famous Stevenson Farm. And what a farm! Morden and district’s motto was understood. The famous Annapolis Valley and the Niagara Peninsula were brought to mind. Apple trees, plum trees! A spacious Garden of Eden and no temptress was necessary to induce those Winnipeggers to eat to their hearts content of fruits delicious beyond description. With interiors and pockets well laden as well, the procession reassembled. Morden, soon reached, was gay and festive. ‘Welcome" was emblazoned everywhere, with modern heraldic decorations suitable to the day. The latch-strings were on the outside; everything was festive."

The Winnipeg Free Press wrote about a Board of Trade event in 1930 as follows:
br /> "Morden is not only the garden of Manitoba along Horticultural lines but there is a rare growth of that still fine thing known as good fellowship and neighbourliness."

The Chamber still holds its annual Golf Tournaments so that members can become better acquainted. "Smoosh Racing" was an annual event for some of the more active members (circa 1975), with the competition between neighbouring Chambers. It consisted of pairs of shoes nailed to two long boards – four people laced on the shoes and the race was on. The winner received a trophy but the competition was discontinued when Morden won it for the third time in a row. Snowmobile safaris have also been held. For the younger generation, the Retail Merchants Committee has held a yearly Santa Claus Day for at least the last sixty years, and a Santa Claus Parade has often been an important component. One year Santa arrived on a snowmobile and another year by helicopter. The Chamber has always been the driving force behind the organization of the various centennial celebrations and reunions from the first one in 1927 to the 1982 Morden Centennial and the 120th in 2002.

Depression Years:

During the depression in 1931, it was suggested to Town Council that they set up a distribution center for "relief" to the south of Morden farmers. As a result, 13 tons of cabbage and 11 tons of mixed vegetables were purchased. Later on, when unemployment became even more critical, the Board of Trade received a delegation which requested that "employment be furnished rather than relief" and in August 1937 Town Council agreed to pay $1,000 towards the cost of hard surfacing Hwy #3 through Morden if 50 % of the men employed would be "reliefers".

During the Red River flood in 1950, the Chamber appointed a committee to work with, and arrange for, the feeding and housing of a large number of refugees from St. Jean.

Borders:

The United States border was first mentioned in Board of Trade minutes at the turn of the century when Morden joined the Pilot Mound Board of Trade in protesting to the Mounted Police Patrol about all the border thefts and suggested they work more diligently to keep Canadian goods on the north side of the border.

Action in 1930 resulted in the Port of Entry at Windygates, Its continued existence and extended hours at this Ports of Entry is still a Chamber concern.

Telephone:

Morden received twenty-four hour telephone service in 1906 as a result of action that had been taken by the Morden Board of Trade. Then in 1935, members of the Board canvassed the town because they were told if they could increase the number of telephone subscribers up to a certain number, service charges would be reduced. They were not too successful in obtaining their goal and the committee chairman reported that this was due to "an increasingly large number of residents of other than British extraction"!!
In 1957, a brief was presented to the Manitoba Telephone System which resulted in the installation of a dialing system a few years later.

In 1964, many concerned citizens found the clutter of power lines and telephone poles on the main street an eyesore, and a meeting was arranged with both utility companies. It was agreed to move the poles if the Chamber could secure the necessary easement from the property owners. Permission was granted to have all the poles placed at the back of the lots and Morden’s appearance was again improved due to the Chamber’s concern for a better community.

Civic Affairs:

In 1928, an appeal was made to Town Council to "prevent U turns at the intersection of Seventh and Eighth with Stephen Street on Saturday nights and also would they prohibit cyclists from riding on the sidewalks?" It was quite common over the years for the Chamber to draw to Town Council’s attention the need for stronger measures and to maintain "law and order" and in 1962 a delegation from the Chamber appeared before Council with a list of nine serious problems that should be studied. As a result, the police force was expanded.

In 1928, a personal letter from H. Winkler, MP with diagram enclosed, suggested the Board of Trade look into traffic lights like he had noticed in "little hamlets that did not even have railroads". Traffic signs, school zones, stop signs, speed zones and cross walks have all been on Chamber agendas many times.

In 1938, Mr. Gilbank of the Young Men’s Section of the Board of Trade appeared before Town Council requesting that the business section on Stephen Street be hard surfaced, that a fifteen mph speed limit be placed by the school, and that they also consider building a footbridge over Dead Horse Creek.

In 1958, the Chamber initiated action which resulted in the installation of the signal warning system at the CPR crossing on Mountain Avenue.

Trash cans for Stephen Street were first suggested in 1954 but it took a few years until the citizens of the town were able to prevent "littering". In more recent years, the Chamber has sponsored "Clean Up Campaigns" to help tidy the streets in the spring.

Noise pollution was not unknown in 1930, and a request was made to discontinue the practice of blowing the siren at 7:00 am. But the Chamber must have had a change of mind because in 1959, it was suggested that 7:30 am, 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm would be excellent times to do this.

Some citizens were also concerned about air pollution, and in 1958 action was initiated which resulted in "dust collectors" being installed by Pembina Mountain Clays.

In 1951, because of the "abominable" condition of the streets, it was largely through pressure from the Chamber that the general street paving program was begun. In 1953, the Chamber petitioned Town Council to create parallel parking on Stephen Street and in 1960, they asked the Town to consider curb to curb paving. In 1969, Town Council was asked to take care of overhanging trees and hedges crowding the sidewalks – the Chamber noticed the same problem in 1980 and again, drew it to Town Council’s attention.

Morden Park:

In 1905, the Board of Trade suggested to Town Council that it should consider purchasing land for a park. They must have heeded this advice because in 1925 the Board of Trade received a grant of $200 from Town Council to improve the site, making it into a Tourist Camp complete with signs, bandstand and an "oven". It was reported to be one of the outstanding stopping places in the province. In 1932, a caretaker was hired to take care of the park and collect fees. He was made a "Park Policeman" by Town Council. The next year, work was requested on the well in the park by the Department of Health and Public Welfare but the Health Officer for the Town of Morden did not consider it necessary, as the water supply was "sufficiently pure to justify the continued use of the well". The Provincial Government obviously had not started promoting tourism as an industry yet.

Good Roads Committee:

The Provincial Government has heard a lot about Hwy #3 over the years. It started in 1925 with the request by the Board of Trade to make it an "all weather road as it took almost four hours to go to Winnipeg". Later on, in 1932, Hwy #3 was connected to U.S. Hwy #5 in North Dakota as a result of action by the Board of Trade. In 1936, the Minister of Public Works was petitioned for snow fencing along Hwy #3 from LaRiviere to Morden and at one point in their brief, the Board pointed out what an important highway it was, quote "on account of the hospital, and because this highway enjoys heavy traffic, and so long as it is kept open such traffic results in revenue to the government from the gasoline tax."

Following is an excerpt from a letter to H. Winkler, MP in 1937.

"Thank you for placing hard surfacing of Hwy #3 through Morden first on your lists of recommendations. Many vehicles take full advantage of the legal speed limit and the amount of dust raised is enormous. It is not only a nuisance but a constant menace to the health of our citizens. The beauty of our trees and gardens, famous over the whole province, are harmed by the dust."

In 1963, Hwy #3 was finally paved all the way to Winnipeg. Then the question the Chamber became concerned with was "How would the citizens of Morden feel about a four lane highway through Morden?"

Restrooms:

Restrooms were on the Chamber of Commerce and Town Council agenda many times over the last one hundred fifteen years. The on-going controversy started in 1926 when a delegation from the Board of Trade and the Morden Men’s Bible Class requested that the town meet with the Rural Municipality of Stanley regarding a restroom for the Town of Morden. Both Councils met and agreed to establish and maintain a restroom for a period of six months. In 1930, a letter was sent to Town Council to find out "What the possibility was of them building a ladies restroom"? In 1933, the case was made a little stronger.

"The question of a restroom was considered as a necessary accommodation to the public if we hope to maintain a position of prominence and serve the public who find it necessary to attend here from surrounding districts to conduct business at the Land Titles Office and Court House."

The reply in 1933 from Town Council was that washrooms could not be built because of the town’s financial position. In 1937, a delegation from the Board of Trade again, asked for a "public lavatory and restroom" and an excerpt from the 1942 minutes tells it as it was.

"The Board convened a meeting to meet with representatives from both Morden and Stanley Councils to discuss the much discussed restrooms. This matter is now being dealt with by two councils and it is hoped that the much needed restrooms will be provided to accommodate visitors to town, particularly women and children from the surrounding districts."
In 1944, the Rural Municipality of Stanley offered to match dollar for dollar up to the amount of $500 for a restroom and in 1951, $350 was presented to Town Council at the Chamber Annual Meeting with the suggestion that it be used toward "erecting a restroom". In 1953, the Chamber reminded Town Council that they still needed washrooms and Town Council eventually did build them in the park as a 1967 Canadian Centennial Project. Town Council probably thought that would be the end of that discussion until the Chamber directed a letter to them in 1969 asking Town Council to "improve them"

Agriculture Committee:

The Agriculture Committee was one of the most active of the Board of Trade. Action in 1931 resulted in Morden obtaining an Agriculture District Representative. In 1932, because of a grasshopper infestation, the Agriculture Committee reported that with the help of the Provincial Government, they held a "Grasshopper Campaign" in which farmers were educated and a mixing station was set up where town Chamber members mixed the poison bait for the farmers on a round-the-clock basis.

In 1942, harvest help was hard to find and committee was set up to assist the farmers in securing the much-needed help.

Youth:

The Chamber has been very interested in showing "we care" about the younger generation. In 1925, the Board of Trade sponsored the Juvenile hockey team which made the Provincial playoffs, and in 1963, they sponsored a Midget Baseball team which won the provincial finals. They all received jackets, and a dinner was held in their honor.

In 1932, the "Morden Bacon & Hog Club" was formed with the purpose of keeping the rural teenagers interested in farming. New clubs formed each year and the Board of Trade offered incentives by donating prizes to the winners at fairs. Summer camps at the Experimental Farm were sponsored for a couple years by the Board of Trade for representatives of these clubs.

Industrial Committee:

In 1903, it was suggested that "Morden & District be placed before the public as a suitable district for investment of real estate". In 1904, an inquiry into the prospects of establishing a factory for the manufacture of flax was received along with a sample. The samples are still on file in the Chamber office. This was the beginning of the Board of Trade’s attempt to attract industry to Morden, such as Pembina Mountain Clays and Quality Communications. In 1943, Town Council thought it was a good idea to set up an Industrial Committee with representatives from the Rural Municipality of Stanley and the Board of Trade.

The Board of Trade Industrial Committee canvassed for interested parties, in 1963, to buy shares and debentures in Dressler Headwear (then Gemini).In 1959, they donated $50 towards promoting the Potato Chip Factory and also surveyed businessmen regarding the organizing of an Industrial Development Corporation now know as Pembina Valley Development Corporation. Before the Tupperware Company opened up, the Chamber surveyed the area for the availability of employees for Tupperware Company.

Street Lighting:

Festive lighting on the streets during the Christmas season is another Chamber project undertaken in conjunction with the Town. It once made a presentation annually, to the owners of the best decorated home during the Christmas season.

Membership Committee:

Membership chairmen have always had their problems, but in 1931, the President reported it this way.

"Owing to the regrettable accident and death of our esteemed member, the late Mr. R.T. Hewitt, chairman of the Membership Committee, collection of membership fees is not quite as large as last years".
Following is a letter written in 1936, by the secretary reporting on a consensus of opinions regarding the Board of Trade at that time:

"Gentlemen:

Acting on instructions from the executive of your Board, I have made a personal canvass of the businessmen of Morden to get their opinions of the Board and its activities and to find out it is, in their opinion, desirable to try and make the Board more active.

I obtained many expressions of opinion. There were those who thought the Board was not good, never had been and never would be, and that it should be killed off. There were some who lamented the apparent inactivity of the organization and the seeming impossibility of getting the businessmen of Morden to take an active interest in its affairs and thought it would be a hopeless to ask to try and get the necessary co-operation.

However by far, the greater number of those interviewed expressed a desire to see an attempt made to make the Board of Trade a real live organization. They thought that all the businessmen of Morden should get behind the Board and give it a boost; that if possible, a businessmen’s section should be formed to deal especially with matters concerning the various questions affecting the places of business; that the Board should endeavor to find some way of acquainting visitors with the various places of interest around the district. Some lamented the demise of the Agricultural Society and thought the Board should try and have a real live sports day held in Morden.

In short, most men felt that the people of Morden should wake up, get behind the Board and endeavor to make it a real force for the best interests of the community.

Very truly yours,

D.H. Emerson."

Educating the members has always been a top priority in the Chamber and each year a series of seminars are presented to educate the business people and farmers in every phase of their operations. Town Hall meetings to let the citizens meet the federal, provincial and civic electoral candidates are also sponsored by the Chamber.
One special member service was group and life insurance. The members are kept informed through the "Chamber Link", now "Just the Fax", the Chamber bulletin started in 1978.New businesses are assisted in grand openings and the free membership plaque they receive usually is accompanied by free advertising to help promote their business. Milestones and other recognition have also been part of the Chamber program over the years.

In 1928, the Board of Trade started paying for stenographic services, but it wasn’t until 1958 that they started to operate out of an office and hired permanent part-time managers. They were:Wm. L. Jessiman, Christine Holstenson, Wm. J. Breakey, Peggy Krause, Barbara Hewitt and Cheryl (Howdle) Link who is the current manager.1n 1971, the Chamber moved into the old Post Office Building (now Pembina Hills Regional Art Gallery) on the corner of Stephen and Eighth Street, then into the new Morden Civic Centre in 1983 where it remained until 2005 when it moved into its present location at the corner of 8th and North Railway Streets.

The Morden Board of Trade became a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in 1926 and the Manitoba Association of Boards of Trade (now known as the "Manitoba Chambers of Commerce") in 1929, paying memberships of 25 cents per member. Up until that time, all resolutions had to be submitted by the individual Chambers and they would have to solicit other similar organizations for support. Today, these two parent bodies present the various concerns to the provincial and federal government departments. This has proven to be a far more effective course of action.

The Chamber of Commerce is still, as in the past, a live organization and deeply involved in making Morden & District a better place in which to live, play and work.