ST. PAUL - The St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce board has a new look, with the election of a new president leading the way, and a number of other new board members joining the organization.
During the annual general meeting held on Feb. 15, now-former president Brent Sandmeyer noted that the organization rarely has more people step forward than available space, making for an exciting night. Sandmeyer is the controller at Zarowny Motors, in St. Paul.
In his president's report, Sandmeyer noted that it's been a tough year for local businesses, and the business community has shown mental fitness as it faced those challenges. Businesses found ways to tackle unique challenges during the pandemic. And just the like businesses it aims to support, the Chamber of Commerce also had to adapt and shift its plans.
In the spring of 2021, the Chamber welcomed its new executive director, Diane Ellis.
"I tip my had to Diane for coming into a tough situation," said Sandmeyer.
When speaking to the interest from the community for board members, Sandmeyer says he was impressed by the quality and experience of the candidates who stepped forward, which made him feel more at ease with his decision to step away for a period of time.
Sandmeyer said he has appreciated both executive directors he worked with, acknowledging both Ellis and former executive director Linda Sallstrom's hard work.
"It's a little bit sad that I step away," said Sandmeyer, but he was doing so knowing the organization was in a good place. He added that if he comes back to the board, it won't be because he's unhappy with how things are being done, but rather because he misses being part of the group.
Also stepping away from the board was vice-president Graham Getz. Getz is the general manager at Cornerstone Co-operative.
Ellis noted that it had been invaluable to her to have a strong president and vice-president when she came on board with the Chamber of Commerce, and she truly appreciates both Sandmeyer and Getz.
In her annual report, Ellis noted that the Chamber of Commerce has increased in size, and is up 14 members.
"To date, we have 14 new members since our Shop Local Program started in May. We will continue to encourage people to join our Chamber so that we can do more programming to assist all businesses, especially as we are reopening," she said.
In 2021, the Chamber signed up with the provincial initiative to hand out COVID-19 rapid tests to businesses. A total of 160 businesses within the Town and the County of St. Paul took part in the program.
"We gave out 7,500 tests," said Ellis, adding, a shipment of more rapid tests recently arrived in town.
In 2021, the Chamber also hosted a golf tournament, featured businesses through its Shop Local Program, hosted a Christmas parade for the first time ever, and hosted one of the community's largest indoor events since the pandemic began - a Gord Bamford concert, held in December.
"There is never a dull moment at the Chamber office," noted Ellis. "We have already begun planning for this upcoming year’s events which will include EARN seminars, the Golf Tournament, a Business awards dinner, Rodeo Parade, all of the Christmas events from last year, including a multi-business Christmas Party."
A new board
Following the presentation of the Chamber's financials by Claude Dion with JMD Group, which showed a small surplus for 2021, the election of a new board was up next on the agenda.
First up, was a vote for the new president. Due to the AGM being held virtually, members in attendance were able to vote through a Zoom poll.
Two community members put their names forward as president - Deb Poulin, the owner of Twisted Fork, and Pam Warner, manager of Boston Pizza.
Sandmeyer noted that the nomination committee had no recommendation to put forward and felt that either of the candidates would be an excellent choice to take on the role.
"We feel that they are both qualified," he said. So, the decision was left up to members.
In the end, Poulin would take the majority of the vote. But, Warner would not be left out. She would later be named as the organization's second vice-president.
Due to Getz also deciding to step away from the board, the position of vice-president was vacant. The nomination committee recommended Aaron Reid, who operate the family-owned business Ideal Carpets.
Both Reid and Warner were accepted into their new roles.
Directors Jaden Saik and Ron Wirsta will continue to serve their terms with the board until 2023. Cindy Geerstsen is the treasurer with the board.
A total of five positions were available for director positions with the board, and a total of eight names were put forward. Sandmeyer noted that it was a position the Chamber had not been in for a number of years, and quite often there are vacancies left on the board.
Following a bit of trial and error using the virtual poll, members ultimately elected incumbents Bev Lockett and Yvon Caouette back to the board. Lockett is the manager of entrepreneurship and innovation with Portage College, and Caouette helps run the family-owned business Caouette & Sons Implements.
Other new board members elected include Caeliegh Morrow, a lawyer with Morrow-Tchir LLP; Oralee Williams, branch manager at TD Canada Trust, Richard Sapieha with the St. Paul Co-op Food Store.
Accepting her new position, Poulin said she looks forward to what 2022 has to offer everyone and she believes there are huge opportunities to move forward.
Poulin has been part of the Chamber of Commerce board since 2017.
Reid also spoke, saying he was raised in an atmosphere that put a strong emphasis on supporting local businesses.
"St. Paul is built on volunteerism," said Reid.
The virtual meeting also included a presentation from guest speaker Carla Lomenda. She spoke to members about mental fitness, which is the measure of how quickly you can shift from negative to positive responses to challenges as defined by Positive Intelligence.
The Chamber of Commerce is now located in the Community Futures office on main street. An administrative assistant has also been hired to help serve members more easily.
