Chamber housekeeping pays off
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
The Strathmore Chamber of Commerce has done its housekeeping for 2014, and is looking forward to hosting more activities and gaining new members in 2014.
“No-one really knows about all the time Joyce Bazant has put in as Acting President; she has put in time, extra time, and overtime trying to get thing put back together,” said Robert Breitwieser “I don’t know what we would have done without her.”
“I have really noticed a change and the increase in professionalism coming out,” said Wheatland Councillor Berniece Bland.
Financial statements were reviewed at the annual general meeting, which was held in their office on March 20, and statements showed a positive net effect in the accounts.
“Our equity position is OK, but it will get better as we reduce some more of that debt. When I look where we were and where we are at, we will need to increase our membership and explore our grant opportunities,” suggested Treasurer David Wilkes. “Our cash position has improved over the previous year, and with that our working capital looks pretty good and it will service some of our short term needs.”
Special recognition was given to Steven Johnson of Dorward and Company, who volunteered to prepare the unaudited statements.
Improvements had been made in other areas of the organization as well.
“When the new board took over, our society status had been revoked as the return had not been completed in three years. We have completed that and our status has been reinstated. The liability insurance had also lapsed and we have obtained liability insurance for the commerce and all the directors, so we are up and running with that,” said President Joyce Bazant.
A membership drive last year netted some new members and the society slightly raised rents of the partners sharing their office space. Arrangements have been made with the Town of Strathmore to make regular yearly payments for the much-disputed renovation loan, by taking loan payments from business license fees that are allotted to the Chamber of Commerce from the Town of Strathmore.
“The town really wants to see the Chamber work,” said Bazant. “They have indicated they want to help us in any way possible.”
Bylaws were reviewed at the meeting, and there were only a few changes. Copies of both the financial statements and the bylaws are available at the office and they were mailed out to members, prior to the meeting.
The Chamber is looking for any members willing to serve on the board. The officers will be elected at the next board meeting.
The society has held several successful luncheons in the past year, featuring prominent speakers. They anticipate doing this again in 2014. They hosted a very successful awards dinner and partnered with the Town of Strathmore and the Strathmore and District Ag Society in putting on the Strathmore parade.
They are open to new ideas that will meet members’ needs and assist in making Strathmore a vibrant business community. Some things are in the works to encourage local shopping and they hope to feature businesses in the Chamber newsletter sometime soon.