Chamber still needs to fill seats

With seven directors expected to step down as of its annual general membership meeting Nov. 25, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is looking to the business community for nominations to its board of directors.
Chamber manager Dawn Booth said yesterday two people put forth their names while a few more “are seriously look into it,” but she needs more if the Chamber is to have its board at full strength for the year ahead.

She noted being a board member has its advantages.
“It’s a great opportunity to get involved in the community with different events and projects, it’s a good way for the businesses to network, and for them to vocalize their issues and concerns so we, as the Chamber of Commerce, can take their specific concerns further and make change,” Booth explained.
“Especially for new businesses out there that want to get involved in different things, this is a great opportunity for them, as well,” she added, noting that although you have to be a Chamber member to be director, there’s nothing
stopping people from becoming a member at the same time they put in their name to be a director.
Wanda Barker (Super 8 Motel), Nancy Daley-Fulton (CMHA), Krista Mauro (RBC Royal Bank), Janet Plumridge (Investors Group), Gary Rogozinski (AbitibiBowater), Anne Renaud (Confederation College), and Paul Sunstrum (Canadian Tire) will be leaving or otherwise giving up their current seats on the board.
Daley-Fulton, currently second vice-president, and Renaud will continue to serve on various Chamber committees but not actually be directors, noted Booth.
Rogozinski, who currently holds a seat on the executive as past-president, will leave that chair and return to being the appointee for AbitibiBowater, effectively leaving a vacancy as a director.
It remains to be seen whether an election will be necessary—it all depends on how many nominations come forward prior to Nov. 25.
If there are just enough, the nominees will be acclaimed; if there’s more than enough, an election will be declared.
Ballots then will go out to Chamber members shortly thereafter, with election results officially announced at the Chamber’s next regular meeting on Dec. 16.
Regardless of whether there are acclamations or an election, the new terms of office will begin with the first board meeting following an election (Dec. 16).
Booth added there’s also going to be major changes to the Chamber’s executive this year.
In addition to Daley-Fulton leaving as second vice-president, Christine Denby has fulfilled her two-year term as president and will move into the past-president’s seat currently held by Rogozinski.
Cathy Emes has expressed interest in the presidency (so her role as first vice-president then may be vacant) while Plumridge will be leaving as treasurer.
The new executive will be elected at the Dec. 16 board meeting (Booth noted this is a change from the past, when the Chamber membership would elect nine directors and then each of the executive positions right at its annual general membership meeting).
The responsibilities of a director include:
•to help formulate and review various policies, proposed actions, programs, and projects so that the best interest of the Chamber and community can be accomplished through concerted action;
•to provide the personal leadership, enthusiasm, and support necessary to help co-ordinate and build an effective organization geared to solving community problems; and
•to evaluate and act on issues which come, or should come, before the board of directors.
As far as time commitment, Booth said the Chamber changed its meeting schedule this year so the board only meets once a month instead of twice (as it did for many years).
As well, the number of Chamber sub-committees has been condensed from 10 to five or six, meaning less meetings. Directors are required to sit on at least two sub-committees, and generally are encouraged to volunteer at Chamber events.
Chamber initiatives range from the recent Business Retention and Expansion project, flower beautification project (“Project Petunia”), and the spring home and leisure show to a tourism marketing campaign, “Quest for the Best” and “Kiddie Quest,” and the annual business awards gala.
For more information on being a director, call Booth at 274-5773.