It was a little over a year ago that interested businesspeople gathered in the Lawrie Marsh Hall to discuss the possibility of resurrecting the Snow Lake Chamber of Commerce. Attendees that night thought it was a pretty good idea.
There were likeminded folk in attendance at the chamber’s recent annual general meeting. They felt some good work had been done over the past year, more work needed to be done and that the organization should continue… so it will.
The meeting was held Sept. 17. With 20 or so people in attendance at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 241, acting president Brenda Forsyth-Flamand opened the meeting and recapped the past year.
Forsyth-Flamand explained how the chamber had hosted monthly luncheons over the previous term, noting the venue of each was shared between the three restaurants in the community. Each featured a guest speaker discussing a topic of interest to the
membership.
Forsyth-Flamand advised that the group also spearheaded a “shop local” initiative at Christmas time via a flyer and social media. There was also time put into updating the chamber’s webpage and Facebook page with its activities.
The chamber also submitted three resolutions to the annual meeting of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. As well, five local chamber members attended the Lobster Night dinner in Flin Flon with the thought that this fundraiser could be repeated in Snow Lake.
Finally, they sponsored a 50/50 draw fundraiser to generate funds to offer a bursary. It was presented to Jaimie Gogal.
Memberships
Forsyth-Flamand closed out her review by stating there were 19 businesses that took out memberships in the chamber last year.
Another meeting item related to the financial statement and a new fee structure. The financial statement showed total revenue of $3,325, total expenses of $1,932 and a net surplus for the year of $1,393. It was accepted as presented.
A revamped fee structure generated some healthy discussion. Prior to the meeting, the executive added in home-based businesses and a raise in the fees for those businesses with over 49 employees. They put the matter forward for discussion.
During these deliberations, it was further decided to add a category for employers with 20 to 49 employees, and another for 50 or more.
Moving on in the agenda, Forsyth-Flamand advised there had been some discussion around a constitution and by-laws for the chamber; however, these had not been finalized and would be left for
the new executive.
Elections for executive for the coming term then took place. With single candidates for each spot, all positions were filled without
elections.
The chamber executive for 2014-15 consists of: president Dennis St. Jean; vice-president Medhat Geloa; past-president Brenda Forsyth-Flamand; treasurer Colleen Cairns; secretary MaryAnn Mihychuk; Downtown Renewal chair Gerard Lamontagne; and members at large Garry Zamzow, Peter Purves, Agnes Hornyak, Rupert Klyne and Colleen Armsworthy.
My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
