The Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce president has announced intentions to step down from her post before her term is up because of a lack of support from chamber members.
During the chamber's regular meeting last Tuesday at the community centre, Sherry Tytkanych said after fulfilling the role of president for three years, she is ìburnt outî and tired of being one of the few chamber members that is participating in the many events the chamber hosts each year.
There are only about five chamber members, out of a membership of at least 140, that volunteer to run the events, said Tytkanych.
ìI think everybody is busy and I can appreciate that, but I have a family too,î said Tytkanych. ìI think I've done as much as I can do and now somebody else needs to step forward.î
Tytkanych was first elected president of the business organization in March 2010. The position is for a two-year term. She was re-elected to the position in March 2012 and intends on giving it up during the annual general meeting this March.
Vice-president Wendy Morton intends to not run again for the vice-president position for the same reason, she said. Morton was elected in March 2011 and will have fulfilled her two-year term when elections are held at the March meeting.
Also during the meeting, chamber officials reaffirmed the organization is still having financial troubles.
The fall festival was unsuccessful and is responsible for putting the chamber ìin the holeî financially, Tytkanych said. The chamber needs funds for putting on the events, advertising them and to run the visitor information centre, which cost $67,000 to run for the year of 2012, she added.
However, she said the executive that has been with the chamber for the past three years has done well.
ìWe did take it to new heights because we upped the membership from 80 to 140 so we had a great increase.î
ìWe were Alberta Chamber of the Year our very first year the executive took over ñ we put on great events ñ but the executive is burnt out because our chamber members don't support the events that we put on,î she added.
There are many annual events the chamber hosts, including volunteer appreciation night in February, the rodeo parade in June, Bulls and Wagons weekend in August, Sundown in Sundre during the holiday season and more.
Tytkanych said these events are crucial for the community because they bring people in and provides business and recognition for Sundre.
ìMembers are important to any chamber, but it is so much more than just paying dues once a year. It's about trying to attend meetings, brainstorming, giving feedback and working together,î she said.
ìOur chamber members are the pillars of the community and we have a dynamic impact on the quality of life in our town.î
