Chamber to take aim at bolstering its membership

While bolstering its ranks has been an item on the “to do” list for some time, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will be creating a new temporary position later this spring to focus on membership development.
“Membership is something we’ve needed to focus on a little bit more in the last little while, and unfortunately, with our volunteer board of directors and my schedule already, membership always seems to fall through the cracks,” Chamber manager Dawn Booth admitted this morning.
“We don’t get out there as much as we would like to, to meet with the businesses—not only to get potential members, but to have that relationship with our current members, as well,” she added.
“We’re really hoping this person can get out there, meet all of our current members, and then do a big membership drive campaign to try and increase our numbers.”
Booth said the job is a position through Skills & Employment Source’s “Job Creation Partnerships” program. It is for anyone collecting EI benefits who wants to get out into the “working world” and gain experience that will help them in the future.
Funded through the “Job Creation Partnerships” program, it is not costing the Chamber anything.
While the Chamber applied for the position quite a while ago, it only recently got approval.
Booth said that the Chamber now is in the process of posting the job, which, depending on when they hire a suitable candidate, would run from mid-May to mid-November.
In addition to membership development, Booth noted the new person likely will get experience working on the Chamber’s tourism marketing campaign and its new strategic plan.
“It’s exciting,” said Booth.
In other Chamber news, Booth said the contract has been signed and “Quest for the Best” will be returning to the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship this summer.
The always-popular event will take the stage under the big tent on Tuesday, July 22. And while organizers are looking at new ways to “spice it up a bit,” said Booth, fans of “Quest” can expect it to follow the formula that’s made it such a success over the years.
“Quest for the Best” is a local singing competition held annually to showcase the many talented performers in the area. It is open to anyone age 14 and up, with both solo and duet performances eligible.
This year also will see the return of “Kiddie Quest,” which is open to contestants aged 13 or younger. “It’s definitely a big hit. We don’t want to get rid of that,” stressed Booth.
Registration forms will be available at the Chamber’s home and leisure show May 2-3 at the Memorial Sports Centre. They’ll also be available for download from the Chamber’s website at www.fortfranceschamber.com
The entry fee for “Quest” is $25 per person or $35 for a duet. The entry fee for “Kiddie Quest” is $10.
Tickets for the show won’t go on sale until July.
All prize sponsors already have been confirmed, noted Booth, adding local band “The Faculty” once again will be the musical backbone of the competitions.