Six new directors were elected to the 12-member Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce (PSCC) Board of Directors at the organization’s annual general meeting in Martensville on Tuesday, November 9.
Richard Reimer, Thi Hang To, Courtnay Chudy, Travis Blanchard, Meagan Bortis and Katharine Carter will join current directors Jaycee Turtle, Melissa Stevenson, Bray Hudson, Carman Baker, Deven Johnson and Darla McLean.
Past PSCC Board Chair Jaime Holowaty has agreed to stay on the board as a non-voting member.
The new directors were elected to two-year terms.
PSCC Executive Director Debbie Brown, a non-voting member of the PSCC board, said the organization is in good shape financially and has an active and involved membership.
“This past year has been challenging,” said Brown. “But I think under the circumstances we’ve done exceptionally well.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic basically shut down our networking opportunities and normal revenue streams, we were able to tap into some federal grants and come up with programs to help support our members, and all businesses, through a very difficult period.”
Brown said the ‘Shop Local’ program initiated last year will continue, and the chamber is also lining up a series of “learning opportunities” for members.
She noted the chamber membership reflects the demographics of both Martensville and Warman.
“We have a very young community,” she said. “The membership is enthusiastic and interested in new and innovative ways of doing things.”
She added business owners and managers are comfortable with the “hybrid approach” of online and face-to-face interactions with customers and other chamber members.
“This generation of folks in our region is very open to that type of approach,” she said. “They’re very resilient and are able to take on changes in stride.”
The PSCC AGM November 9 attracted more than two dozen members, said Brown. It also provided a forum for chamber members to meet and get to know each other, as well as the mayors, councillors and senior administrators of the cities of Martensville and Warman.
The meeting featured a keynote address by Martensville Mayor Kent Muench.