The Fernie Chamber of Commerce recently held its Annual General Meeting at the Best Western Fernie Mountain Lodge.
Fifty guests were in attendance to review the annual report, financials, and elect board directors.
Mayor Mary Giuliano brought greetings from the city and spoke about the importance of business in our community.
The annual report highlighted the work done by the governance and memberships committees. Outgoing board president Todd Fyfe stated, “our committees this year have been exceptionally well run. We have a fantastic structure and very clear terms of reference for each of the committees. I look forward to those committees producing more great work in 2015.”
Eight nominees ran for six open board positions. The elected members included Sheila Byers, Graeme Nunn, Paul Arcoite, Anita Palmer, Steve Preston, and Alicia Clarke. They will join Todd Fyfe, Vanessa Croome, Tristan Woods, Ryan Frazer, Geof Hare, and Tammy Ogden to create the 12-member board.
While ballots were being counted, a panel discussion was held with incoming board president Sheila Byers and new executive director Patty Vadnais.
Byers covered items in the chamber’s strategic plan focusing on financial sustainability, membership services, advocacy, and governance. Vadnais spoke about creating educational sessions and workshops for members to strengthen their businesses. Also announced was the Business Book Nook. The Fernie Chamber of Commerce will collect book recommendations from members and share them through the program partners Fernie Heritage Library and Polar Peek Books and Treasures.
