Here are a few items to come from the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce’s Dec. 19 meeting, the final one for 2017:
Some big changes may be in store for the titles of officers on the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
A proposed change is on the table that would see the titles of “President” and “Vice President” be replaced by “chair” and “vice chair.” It is also proposed that Linda Machniak’s title be changed from “executive director” to “chief operating officer.”
These changes would be in line with the way other Chambers across the country are organized, where the top official on the board is referred to as “chair” while the title of president refers to the leading member of the administration.
“Most of the organizations have gone to more business terms,” said Machniak, who called it a more “business-friendly” structure.
Other revisions include reducing the number of board members from 20 to 15, and to include in that number specific representation from the RMs surrounding North Battleford and Battleford inside the chamber’s expanded coverage area. Other changes are being contemplated as well.
These are currently recommendations before the chamber board; the intention is to have bylaw changes put to the chamber membership for a vote.
That would not happen until after the board for 2018 is sworn in. The earliest these changes could take effect would be the following year, 2019.
In other news, representatives of the Battlefords Chamber has been active over the past number of weeks attending budget sessions at North Battleford City Hall.
President Warren Williams confirmed that a letter was drafted by the city and sent to Mayor Ryan Bater and city council. As well, a meeting took place prior to the Dec. 11 council meeting in which Chamber leaders met with Mayor Bater, city manager Jim Puffalt, and two of the councillors.
Their letter to the city raises a number of points, but Williams made clear the Chamber was not voicing major opposition to what was being proposed by the city.
“We had a cordial meeting,” Williams said, adding, “we didn’t take issue with a lot of what is going on.”
Council settled their utility and UPAR decisions at the Dec. 11 meeting, but the bulk of the budget has been deferred to January pending further information. A three-percent property tax increase is being proposed in that city budget.
As for upcoming events, the President’s Banquet will go on as usual this coming Jan. 23, at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts.
Billy Coles has been lined up as the special guest speaker; he is president and CEO of BCP Construction which is currently building the Comfort Inn and Suites in North Battleford.
Planning is also already underway for the Battlefords Business Excellence Awards in 2018, which will be the 25th anniversary edition of the awards.
The thinking is the event likely will not take place at the Dekker Centre in 2018. Organizers are planning for a new venue to handle an expected larger volume of people for the 25th anniversary, likely the Gold Eagle Casino.
Finally, the Chamber board has voted to rescind the recent resignation of board director Sharon Mohagen.
Mohagen, who is also a former chamber president, had resigned following the closure of her business Blue Rentals. However, Machniak explained that Mohagen has since obtained employment with the Dekker Centre, which is a chamber member, and their board has expressed a willingness for Mohagen to serve on their behalf.
That means Mohagen is now able to continue to serve on the chamber board until the completion of her elected term, which still has another year to go.
