With the goal of maximizing the purchasing power of FHTs regardless of their size or location, AFHTO established a Commercial Advisory Council (CAC). An AFHTO survey had found that FHTs were interested in accessing a range of quality goods and services at discounted prices and/or with other benefits. CAC's role has been to develop a fair and transparent process for working with vendors in order to make recommendations to the AFHTO board on establishing contractual arrangements with suppliers of goods and services at discounted rates and/or with other benefits for AFHTO members. As of November 2010, CAC has completed its pilot test of the process with a small number of vendors. Contractual arrangements are now in discussion, and the first vendor recommendations are expected to be ready by January 2011. CAC will then proceed to use the process to vet additional vendor proposals. CAC is chaired by Keri Selkirk, ED of Thames Valley FHT. Members are: Jay Graydon (Business Manager, Hamilton FHT), Fran Moore (Business Manager, North Perth and North Huron FHTs) and Valerie Smith (Executive Director, Barrie and Community FHT). Additional AFHTO members who may be interested in participating in CAC are welcome to send an e-mail to keri.selkirk@thamesvalleyfht.ca.
