Chamber looking to fill board vacancy

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is looking to fill a vacancy on its board of directors.
Chamber co-ordinator Dawn Booth said Monday morning that the only criterion is for the person to be an employee of a Chamber member business.
“They don’t have to be an owner or manager, just someone to represent that business in the community,” she stressed.
While the board still has eight directors, as well its five executive members and four appointees, Booth noted its policy is to have nine directors.
“I think it’s very important to have a full slate. Not every director can come to every meeting, and we need enough for a quorum.
“It’s also important from a business standpoint to have Chamber members’ ideas and concerns addressed,” she added.
According to the Chamber, responsibilities of a director include:
•helping formulate and review various policies, proposed actions, programs, and projects so that the best interests of the Chamber and the community can be accomplished through concerted action;
•providing the personal leadership, enthusiasm, and support necessary to help co-ordinate and build an effective organization geared to solving community problems; and
•evaluating and acting on issues which come, or should come, before the board of directors.
The board meets every second and fourth Tuesday, except in July and August. Each director also has to serve on at least one sub-committee, such as the town beautification committee.
Booth noted directors’ time commitments vary.
“It really depends on the individual. If they have lots of time on their hands, we encourage them to really get involved,” she said. “But some directors just attend the meetings.”
A director is expected to stay on the board until January, 2002, when elections take place. But since the Chamber hasn’t had elections in the recent past, it’s likely the director can stay on for another term if they choose, noted Booth.
Anyone interested in joining the board can call the Chamber office at 274-5773 or stop by at 414 Scott St.