OLDS — The Olds & District Chamber of Commerce has a new board of directors and the slate is full for the first time in years, president Doug Rieberger says.
Seven board members were determined by acclamation for a three-year term during the chamber of commerce's annual general meeting, held March 13 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105.
Of that group, new board members are Jeff Nielsen, a farmer and partner in Aurora Golf; Mathew MacDonald, pro/manager at the Olds Golf Club; Bob Lambert, director of residence and ancillary services at Olds College; and Sheldon Button, GM and regional program director at Vista Radio.
Returning members are Mike Tomey of Canadian Tire, realtor Mary Jane Harper and Rochelle Wilson of Western Financial Group.
A slate of officers, including a president, was chosen when the new board met on March 19. Rieberger remains president and Tomey is vice-president.
“OK, (the) board's growing, hadn't planned for this as far as the electoral process,” town Coun. Darren Wilson said as he coordinated the March 13 nominations. He also serves as office administrator for the chamber of commerce.
“It has been a few years since we've had a full board,” Rieberger said during an interview with the Albertan.
“We've always been down in one or two. It's been like that for the four years that I've been involved, so it's great to have a full slate.”
Rieberger said he’s not only pleased to have a full slate, but have some new members on the board.
“It's great to have that many new faces and new ideas coming into the board,” he said.
“Having a full board is great for ideas and also coming up with new supports” he added. “The cross-section that we have of the business community from the ones that have stepped forward is excellent.”
Retiring board members Coun. James Cummings (Town of Olds), former president Claire Janitz (Olds College/Cacio e Pepe), Mukhdeep Mangat (Emprise) and Mehul Patel (Mr. Mike’s) were thanked for their contributions.
Rieberger presented the budget.
The projected 2025 budget anticipates a $5,190 loss on revenues of $57,010 and expenditures totalling $62,200.
Last year’s actual budget saw a surplus of $10,685 on revenues of $71,134 and expenses totalling $60,449.
Rieberger noted that the 2025 budget includes $6,000 for contract work.
He explained that money is set aside if the chamber decides to hire a bookkeeper on a contract.
“That would be if we just if we wanted to do a complete audit of all our financials,” he said, adding that figure is in there just in case “something creeps up.”
He said the Chamber hasn’t needed to use funds for that purpose for the last few years.
Rieberger pointed out that if that money isn’t used, the budget would be in the black.
“The board has worked very, very hard over the last four, five years to get us back into a good financial position,” he said.
“We are now in a good financial position as an organization, so now we can start looking at some different options to expand the Chamber and to provide more resources to you guys.”
Bryn Chambers of BMO Olds and Rita Thompson, who went over the 2024 books, agreed to do so again.
Rieberger noted that chamber has been working with the Town of Olds and its Business Retention, Expansion, and Workforce Development (BREWD) survey.
The goal of that survey, which wound up at the end of February, is to find out what works and doesn’t work for businesses in order to grow the economy in central Alberta communities.
“For me, that has been just about four years in the coming. So it's good that we got that, and now we're going to drill through the data, and we should get some valuable data as to the business community that we serve,” Rieberger said.
He also encouraged attendees to congratulate last year’s winners.
Small Business Awards Committee chair Murray Elliott introduced members of his committee.
“This is a really good committee. We can even handle tariffs or anything else,” he said to some laughter.
Elliott encouraged attendees to nominate employees who have gone above and beyond for customers.
Monthly winners get their photo in the Albertan and Elliott says that means a lot to them.
“People are so appreciative of the win or even the recognition,” he said.
Elliott said this year’s edition of the Small Business Awards gala is slated for Oct. 24 in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105.
The Business Beer and Blue Jeans social during which the finalists for the gala are announced will be held Sept. 24, once again in the Werklund Agriculture & Technology Centre at Olds College.
The Chamber breakfast which kicks off Small Business Week in the community will have to be moved back a week so it doesn’t conflict with the Oct. 20 municipal election, Elliott said.
“We haven't confirmed where or what day, but it just gives us a little bit more flexibility,” he said.
Those attending the AGM were encouraged to nominate deserving businesses for the Small Business Awards gala.
“If you guys know businesses out there that deserve to be recognized, put their names forward,” Rieberger said. “This is our chance to showcase the best of our area.”
It was noted that the municipal candidates’ forum will be held Oct. 7 at the TransCanada Theatre.
