The Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce will recognize the contribution to the community of past and present women with the theme of the 2012 parade, members heard last week.
During Tuesday's monthly general meeting at the Sundre Community Centre, chamber president Sherry Tytkanych announced that the theme is ìWomen of the Westî.
ìWe have a lot of women who are doing great things in our community and our province these days,î said Tytkanych. ìThere are so many women out there that are making a difference in Alberta.î
Miss Rodeo Canada, Arleta Bowhay, is a Sundre-area resident. She has agreed to be the parade marshal this year.
Organizers hope to have other prominent women involved in the parade, including several Olympic athletes, politicians and business leaders.
ìWe are going to be inviting Premier Alison Redford to attend our parade,î she said.
In other news, the chamber's 2011 profit and loss statement was presented to members last week.
On the income side the chamber's various activities and operations brought in $47,968.26, including $6,500 in donations, $4,204.62 in Fall Fest income, $2,232 in grant, $11,765.24 in membership dues, $2,080 in parade fees, $13,507 at trade fair.
Expenses totalled $60,890, including $5,000 for the new website, $1,400 for advertising, $6,000 for Fall Fest, $1,699 for membership costs, $1,200 for office expenses, $2,200 for parade expenses, $20,266 for payroll expenses at visitor information centre, $6,397 for trade fair, $1,600 for utilities, and $1,044 for Wild Pink Yonder golf tournament.
Tytkanych said the shortfall in 2011 was largely due to the new website costs and a low turnout at the Fall Fest, as well as the ongoing cost of running the visitor information centre.
She said plans are in the works to reduce the chamber expenses by having the town pay more towards the operation of the visitor information centre.
ìI think that they (town) will come through for us and give us what we are asking for ($10,000),î she said. ìIf we get that money then we will be doing pretty well this year.î
Members also heard the December Showdown in Sundre town-wide event was well received.
ìEverybody thought it went well,î she said. ìWe will be trying to make it even bigger and better this year.î
The chamber is planning another mix and mingle social event, tentatively in February. The fundraiser may be a salute to Sundre physicians, nurses, firefighters and other emergency personnel, members heard
Museum representative Jack Nichol gave members an update on the upcoming Feb. 18-19 Winterfest.
Gord Tulk, with Slate Insurance, gave members a presentation on the Chamber Group Insurance Plan.
In other news, Sundre skatepark project officials met with Mountain View County officials last week to discuss the possibility of the country contributing $10,000 towards the project, said organizer Bill Lough. The chamber has been a supporter of the skatepark project.
