ATHABASCA – The Athabasca and District Chamber of Commerce is still missing a new executive after a special meeting brought in plenty of new faces, but little in new momentum.
The Chamber has been on thin ice after it failed to elect a new executive during its Feb. 5 annual general meeting (AGM). After a social media blast and letter was sent out to Chamber members, outgoing president Rick Baksza said he’d hoped a new wave of volunteers would step up to lead the organization, but it only partially happened during a March 12 special meeting.
“There was definitely some new faces, although I’m not sure if we’re hitting the younger crowd yet,” said Baksza in a follow-up interview.
“I would love to have more young engagement, but I think that’s a standard saying for everybody right now. People were talking and to be brutally honest there was a lot of finger pointing and ‘I think you should.’”
Under the Alberta Chamber of Commerce’s guidance, the existing executive is remaining in their positions, although many have “checked out,” according to Baksza. Out of the five-person executive, only Baksza and Rachel Hemmons, a vice-president, were present at the meeting.
“The current executive doesn’t want to continue on because they’re burnt out. They were around because they volunteered to, a lot of them aren’t going to stay because they’re told to. That’s just not how volunteering works,” said Baksza.
“Right now the Chamber doesn’t need problem finders; it needs problem solvers.”
Formative steps
While no new executives were elected, eight people said they would serve as directors. Keith Plowman, Mike Borody and Dr. Catherine Swindlehurt will be returning to their role, and Jessica Borgen, Erika Oldale, Marika Nemeth, Lizzy Toshack and Brenda Skayman will be joining the board once everything is settled.
The oncoming directors will be on a tight timeline if they want to bring back some of the Chamber’s signature summertime events such as the Canada Day Parade, or the Mayors and Reeve breakfast.
“Without rapid intervention, those events won’t happen. Even the gala work needs to start right now if they want to do it in its existing form,” said Baksza.
Attendees at the meeting also voted to form an ad-hoc committee to talk with local businesses and see what they want from the Chamber.
“We can poke people, do a survey, send emails, whatever it is, and ask, what are the top things you want the chamber to do,” said Steve Splinter, a former board member.
‘Right now, I see value in the chamber, and it can do a lot of things. But I don’t see a whole lot of grab right now, or a whole lot of momentum. I see people saying, ‘Here’s the hole and don’t step in it.’”
