Strathmore chamber troubles
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
President Debbie Wakelam likened her year with the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce to a roller coaster ride, in a proxy address to the membership at the Annual General Meeting held at the Strathmore Days Inn on April 18.
“I jumped onto that roller coaster. The ride has been exciting, fun, with some tension, a huge learning curve and a large amount of work. Thankfully the AGM provides the opportunity to stop, get off the roller coaster, look at and chalk up our successes, before moving on to the new goals ahead,” said Wakelam.
She gave a year in review that included: the move to a new office provided by a loan from the Town of Strathmore, organization of the Heritage Day Parade, business meetings and special speaker luncheons, office grand opening, business awards ceremony, review of the bylaws, liaison to offer business courses.
Director Robert Breitwieser read the address on her behalf and extended apologies for those absent. Many board members and representatives were not present and less than 10 members were on hand for the meeting.
Wakelam challenged prospective board members to examine what commitment and skills they offer to the Chamber and how will they apply those. She challenged all members to get engaged. When there are significant challenges, there are also significant opportunities to show one can make a difference.
“There is trouble in River City,” said Breitwieser, as he outlined Wakelam’s challenges facing the Chamber for the new year.
The organization has had to fill several board resignations and disruptions. It has not completed its bylaws. It is lacking funds for full time staff, leading to communication and continuity problems. Member numbers have decreased from 130 to approximately 80. There are computer and software problems.
The 2012 financial statement, professionally prepared but not audited, showed the Chamber has a balance of $2,000 in the bank. It has a $28,661 no interest loan to the Town of Strathmore. Payback occurs over seven years with annual payment taken from generated membership fees. The loan was not voted on or approved by the membership or secured with any collateral, which may leave the initiating board members responsible if the loan goes into default.
Members were concerned over communication deficiencies, cancelled meetings with poor membership notice, no membership fee documentation follow-up. There were concerns that the 2013 Heritage Days Parade planning was not addressed yet. There were concerns over the Chamber’s image in the community. Some personality conflicts were being discussed in the community. It was agreed that any concerns should be addressed to the board in writing for attention.
Darlis Colling and Joyce Bazant were accepted to be on the Board of Directors and Robert Breitwieser agreed to remain for another year. Two members were appointed to do a peer review of the financial statement.
A special membership meeting was called for the next scheduled board meeting in May. Voting was needed to ratify newly appointed Board members and accept the 2012 AGM minutes. The Chamber also requires appointment of two more board members and a new treasurer. No AGM 2012 minutes were available for the meeting. The minutes will be available at the Chamber office for pickup, were mailed or will be mailed to members on request.
Councillor Earl Best, standing in for Mayor Steve Grajczyk, closed the meeting by updating those in attendance on Town initiatives and taking questions from the floor.