Chamber ready to meet business community needs

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

Rumours have circulated around town about the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce and its future in the area.
There have been allegations that money is running out and membership is at an all-time low.
While new Chamber President, Waldo Muñoz, owner of Waldo’s Imaging, agrees the chamber is in trouble, he knows it can be turned around.
Muñoz, who was a part of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, 1998-2003, said it takes someone with a business mind to run the organization.
He believes that there was poor management in the past – and that from a business point of view – the person who made those decisions didn’t know how to run a business, or they would not have made some of the decisions they did.
“I looked into it, I am not blind to what is going on but I think with a little hard work, we (the chamber board of directors) can turn it around. It is not going to be easy but I have never backed down from a challenge and I never will,” said Muñoz. “As the new president, I will fix what needs to be fixed, but it will take time. I need the entire support of the community. Unlike past presidents and board members, the members of the chamber can hold me accountable for my decisions.”
Muñoz thinks there is a lot of potential for growth in this town. However, he also sees there is a lot of need in the community for an organization like the chamber.
There are several things that Muñoz would like to see happen in Strathmore through the chamber and they are: open a tourism office; start a temporary job bank and an employment agency.
Muñoz would like to see a youth drop-in centre created.
“I’d like a shelter for kids who might be in trouble so they have a place to go without having to hang around a back alley,” he said.
With summer right around the corner, Muñoz has a few things in mind; they include, a golf tournament, a Salsa Fest, and some business seminars. More details regarding these events will be released in the future.
There is a suggestion box in the chamber office. If people have any comments or suggestions, he recommends they to stop by and leave them in the box. He promises to read each one personally and he will take all points presented into consideration.