Manager of a major business? Check. Term as mayor? Check. Relationships with influential decision-makers? Check.
In reviewing Tom Therien’s resume, it is difficult to imagine a more suitable candidate to lead the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce.
Therien was sworn in as chamber president last week, pledging to build on past success and bolster the business-advocacy organization’s profile.
“We need to become a very vocal voice for the business community within our community and also within our surrounding communities and also in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan,” Therien said. “We need to make sure that Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach stay in the forefront and that we are not ignored.”
To accomplish that goal, Therien hopes to augment membership by reaching out to businesses, a goal shared by his predecessors.
“Right now I think you’ve got some businesses that feel a little disjointed with the chamber of commerce,” he said. “They don’t feel that we actually hit and touch on their needs and their concerns.”
First term
Though Therien has been part of the chamber for about 20 years, this will mark his first term as president.
Not only is he manager of the Co-op, one of Flin Flon’s largest businesses, he is also the former chairperson of a committee that promoted downtown shopping.
But Therien is perhaps best known for his time as one of the longest-serving city councillors in Flin Flon history.
His eventful career at City Hall included 11 years as a councillor and, from 2006 to 2010, a term as mayor.
Therien said the contacts he forged during his stint in politics could be of use in his new chamber role.
See ‘Past’ on pg.
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“I think if you’re dealing from a provincial standpoint, having past municipal experience will help,” he said. “You’ll know who to talk to and how to talk to them. But it’s not a prerequisite to take the position. I think any time you’ve got extra people you can talk to in your back pocket type of thing, it doesn’t hurt.”
Therien was full of praise for his predecessor, Kory Eastman, the Credit Union general manager who breathed new life into the chamber.
“I’m just quite honoured to have been selected and I look forward to, if anything, just matching what Kory did in the last couple of years,” Therien said.
In his farewell address, delivered to 10 members at the Friendship Centre Restaurant last Tuesday, Nov. 12, the cheerful Eastman said the chamber continues to fill a crucial role.
“I think the purpose of chamber is now more relevant than ever,” he said, “since small businesses face increased competition from not only this community (and)...communities within a driving distance such as Saskatoon or P.A., but also on the Internet.
“That competition gets fierce and so we need an organization that fights just for the businesses, small business, and that’s what I would hope the chamber is, that’s what I hope we’re seen as and as with anything, we could probably be a little more effective.”
Challenges
Eastman candidly detailed the the challenges and triumphs of his two-year tenure.
He was encouraged by the chamber’s success in lobbying to protect the mining industry, and by its representation on a Manitoba Chambers of Commerce subcommittee looking at northern economic development.
Other successes included the refurbishment of the Neighbours of the North Park and, at the committee level, fundraising for Pioneer Square and its Christmas tree.
But in terms of membership recruitment, Eastman said the chamber found only “varying degrees” of success.
The chamber website also needs revamping, he said, and the return of a consistent newsletter to keep members informed would pay big dividends.
Eastman commended his colleagues, whom he will still see as he moves into the executive role of past-president.
The president-elect is now Dianne O’Brien, with the position of first-vice president currently vacant as efforts are made to find a willing candidate.
Maureen Kozar is the second vice-president, with Mary Dwernichuk as the third vice-president.
Lois (Bunny) Burke and Doug O’Brien stay on in their long-time roles as treasurer and secretary respectively.
The directors are Karl Austman, Dave Kendall, Cindy McLean, Laurel Mackie, Randy Daneliuk, Laurence Gillespie and City of Flin Flon representative Coun. Karen MacKinnon.
With the chamber wrapping up another fiscal year, Dianne O’Brien of the Business Builders Main Street Committee, a chamber subcommittee, recapped the past year.
O’Brien said potted flowers again decorated Main Street over the summer, thanks to sponsors who purchased them and business owners who maintained them.
The Main Street Days portion of the Trout Festival again took place, paid for in part by profits from the carnival portion of the two-day event.
O’Brien said the committee still hopes to eventually erect highway signs that promote downtown shopping to incoming motorists.
Tom Therien is sworn in as president of the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce by executive member Mary Dwernichuk.
PHOTO BY JONATHON NAYLOR
