by Stephen Dafoe
The Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce is looking for a couple of members to serve on its executive. The Chamber presently has an executive of eight members, but President Simon Boersma said he’d like to see that number increased to 10.
“We can run with eight or nine, but we would like to have 10 members to properly present to the business community as a whole,” Boersma said. “We want a broad range of businesses represented at the board table.”
Boersma said the commitment is not cumbersome; the chamber meets 10 times each year. Board meetings take place for about 90 minutes to two hours prior to the business organization’s monthly luncheons. The board does not meet in July and August.
Beyond that, executive are part of a broader communication link with local businesses and are part of the teams that put on the annual Leap into Spring Expo, golf tournament, and business gala.
“We understand that this is a volunteer exercise and we all run our businesses,” Boersma said, adding the executive understand board members may need to leave a meeting to take a business call. “You don’t [have to] throw your business to the side just because you are a board member at that point. We’re all for business.”
The president is hoping chamber members will consider volunteering with the board and experiencing some of the enjoyment he has had over a number of years. “It’s a great networking experience,” he said. “It is even bigger than going to the luncheon. I’ve gotten to know a lot of great people over time that I didn’t know existed in other industry. I get to know politicians that I never knew … and I get to hear some speakers that I would never hear.”
Although the executive will be elected or acclaimed at the Annual General meeting in June, Boersma said the board can appoint two additional members at any time.
For more information call the Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce at 780-939-9462.
