Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
There will be a changing of the guard following the annual general meeting of the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce (JPCC) on Sept. 15.
"We're really, really excited," said Pattie Pavlov, executive director of JPCC.
"With the life changes and work changes that have been part of the last six months, it's an opportunity to relaunch, restart, refresh.
“We joke that it's Happy New Year. It is."
A number of people have stepped up for the board positions that are opening up: President, vice president, secretary/treasurer, and five board members.
"We have nine people nominated so far. Two are incumbents and the remaining seven would be new to the Chamber board," Pavlov said.
Richard Cooper, who has served as president for three years, is stepping into the past president role and remain a voting member of the executive and board, which is very important, Pavlov said. He has completed the maximum number of years allowable in his position.
Pavlov said it will be Cooper’s experience "that helps the new guard with leadership, mentorship, as they tackle new challenges".
Current vice president Justin Melnyk has put his name forward to be president and as of Sept. 7, he remained unchallenged. Pavlov said so far no one has put their name forward for the vice president's position.
She noted that current treasurer Hana Dankov-Bye is stepping down and Naji Khouri, who served as secretary for a couple of years, put his name in for the newly combined position of secretary/treasurer and so far no one else has.
There's still time for people to throw their hat in the ring though, for all the positions.
"We will take nominations right up to and including during the AGM," Pavlov said. "We ask the floor for nominations."
And there are changes coming administratively at JPCC.
"We have to look at COVID and how it has affected our budget," Pavlov said. "In order to save money we took two positions, administrative assistant and accounting clerk, and amalgamated them into one: operations manager, responsible for the day-to-day tasks."
On Oct. 1 there will be a brief governance workshop and all executive and board members will be sworn in for the year.
Dr. Ian Montgomerie, a strategic management professional, will facilitate a strategic planning retreat for the Chamber board on October 16.
"He knows our community, has been working with the board for the last six years," Pavlov said. "He has seen the transitions."
The session will be an opportunity for the executive and board to do a review of the past year, the implications of COVID-related issues, the COVID protocol used in businesses, and the number of visitors.
In her position as executive director, Pavlov is responsible for advocacy, which is the Chamber's main purpose, she said.
"We work with the municipality, the province, the federal government, to help community businesses," she said.
Other partners, she continued, include Community Futures, Tourism Jasper and the Jasper Employment and Education Centre.
Working cooperatively, Pavlov said, is the way to move Jasper forward.
