Changes at the chamber

Times Reporter        

 

Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce Acting President, Joyce Bazant has resigned from the role with her last day scheduled for August 31. Initially she took the position of acting president knowing it was going to be temporary. Bazant plans to stay on the board, but is leaving the acting president role for personal reasons.  

“It’s a matter of time and the fact I have a new granddaughter I want to spend more time with,” said Bazant.  

In addition to working with the chamber, she is the Executive Director for Wheatland Further Education, Continuing Learning and is a Golden Hills School Division trustee.

At a recent town council meeting it was stated the chamber is not doing well and that memberships are down, which is really not the case, as there is continual interest in new memberships. 

“We have some excellent board members; although, we are always on the look-out for new members. If you are interested in working with the chamber or feel you have areas of expertise that would benefit the board please do not hesitate to contact me or the chamber office. Remember, we are Strathmore and District so those from the rural area are always welcome,” said Bazant.

There are lots of things in store for the chamber in the upcoming year, including the continuation of the ‘Lunch with the Chamber’. The board would like to feature one business member per month at the luncheon and in their weekly advertisement. Local business consultant Jill Crossland has volunteered to help create and maintain Facebook and Twitter pages to keep people informed of what’s happening. The board is compiling an information package and survey to help generate more ideas about what the businesses would like to see from the chamber.  

“The chamber is the voice of the businesses and through the Alberta and Canadian Chamber’s provides many benefits, especially for the smaller businesses including farmers, like health and dental insurance,” said Bazant.  

The information survey will be on the chamber website and Bazant asks all business, large and small, to take the time to complete it since it will give the board more information to work with.

For more information about the chamber and the benefits you can contact the office at 403-901-3175.