New AGM format

The Estevan Chamber of Commerce has made a change for its upcoming annual general meeting (AGM).

This year’s AGM will be a luncheon on March 23 at 11:45 a.m. at the Western Star Hotel. In previous years, the chamber’s AGM has taken place at a supper meeting. 

“People are very busy in the evenings with hockey, kids’ activities and that sort of thing,” said Jackie Wall, the executive director at the chamber. “We also thought we might have better attendance, having it as a luncheon. The other factor is there seems to be a lot of evening events happening.”

While the chamber likes to have their other luncheon meetings wrapped up by 1 p.m., that likely won’t be the case with the AGM, since they have a lot planned. 

Steve McLellan, who is the long-time CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest speaker for the local chamber’s AGM. 

“The Sask. chamber has also taken a lot of time doing (a project) called On Track 2016,” said Wall. “It was presented to the provincial government and the opposition in January.”

The document recaps what is happening in the business sector, and Wall believes it is very important for the Saskatchewan business community. 

Other highlights of the meeting will be a review of the financial statements, and a look back at the changes that have occurred within the chamber during the past year. As has been well-documented, economic development and tourism services shifted from the chamber to the City of Estevan last summer, resulting in significant changes in staff.

Wall was hired as the chamber’s new executive director in June 2015. 

The chamber will also highlight their strategic plan and the different events they will be hosting this year.

And they will swear in their new board of directors for 2016. Wall said it’s not known if they will need an election at the AGM to determine the board members.