Re: "Athabasca Chamber fails to elect executive, needs new engagement" (Town and Country This Week, Feb. 11, page 10)
Dear Chamber members, and I direct this to Chamber members as you are the only ones that have a say in the future of the Athabasca & District Chamber of Commerce:
To give you a brief history of my involvement in the Chamber, I was a home-based bookkeeper from 1992 to 1994 when I purchased an existing bookkeeping and income tax business. In June 1994 when I took over the business the first item on my agenda was to become involved with the chamber. Over the past 30 years I was directly involved as a board member/treasurer for about half of that time, or around 15 years, and a member the balance of the time.
I have seen the chamber ebb and flow as existing board members become tired and overwhelmed and the chamber was on the verge of closing – when a new board with new ideas and lots of energy was elected and takes the helm.
So; to state that the issue of no new board members is all of a sudden a new issue is in fact untrue. As a matter of fact, one year by the date of the AGM there was the president and myself left on the board – there were rumours of the chamber having to close and as history would prove a new and fresh board came onto the chamber and it was revived once again. This is where I started; there is more historical information scattered throughout this correspondence.
I have already heard grumblings from some people that are in fact not members of the Chamber, and therefore have no say in what the Chamber does or does not do. In order to have a say in the Chamber you need to purchase a membership and thereafter put your opinions in a professional manner before your peers, the balance of the Chamber membership. To insinuate that the Chamber should close, where the funds are to be disbursed, what contractors are to remain in place or not is not for non-members to even suggest. They by virtue of not being a member have no say in what the Chamber does or does not do – period.
A couple of years ago at the AGM a number of downtown retailers attended to complain about the Chamber’s Moonlight Madness events. They, regardless of whether they were members or not were given the platform to speak, and encouraged if they want their voices heard they should join the Chamber and the event committee for Moonlight Madness. None of those in attendance choose to do either. Ironic isn’t it? To state all of your issues, but when given the opportunity to provide input you as the business owner/manager choose to not join for future years.
Further in the past the town’s retailers made up about 60 to 65 per cent of the memberships, this has now dropped to about 35 per cent. It is so easy to point fingers and complain if you are not willing to spend a little time and join the very organization you have the most issues with.
There have also been, by a number of businesses, comments on the fact that the Chamber is just an event organizer, so what; if that is the mandate that the current Chamber board has chosen to put their resources into so be it. Want change? Join and make the changes happen. Become a board member and direct these changes. It is so easy to sit back and say "The Chamber does nothing for me" or It is just an event planner" when you as a business owner/manager do not donate your time and energy to create changes you so desperately desire.
How many non-member businesses receive nominations and awards at the Gala each year? The Chamber does not restrict this event to members only; maybe they should. Then if your business is nominated, a rejection to the nominator stating “not eligible as not a current Chamber member” would be issued. How does that sound? Interesting to reap the rewards while at the same time issuing the complaints.
I know from past experience that it does take time and energy to be on boards. It takes time from your business and your family. It cuts into your recreation time. So the question I pose to you: are you willing to give up these things to better the Chamber and create a new direction? If not, don’t, but remember only members can make changes and direct the pathway. All non-members can and should remain silent it is not your organization to comment upon.
The solution – and it will not cost the Chamber anything – is to join the Chamber and become a board member. We need 11 positions to fill as per the by-laws. Otherwise in 12 months there may be no Chamber in Athabasca.
Respectfully submitted
Carol Epp
Athabasca
PS. I have just learned there is a special meeting of the Chamber to determine the interest in the chamber continuing to be held on March 12 at 6:30 in a Multiplex meeting room. Let your voice be heard!
