Kelowna Chamber of Commerce president Tom Dyas is doing something nobody has done in more than 30 years —he’s staying on for a second term.
At the chamber’s annual general meeting Wednesday Dyas made it official, saying stability is important for any organization, and for a business organization with a volunteer board it is a critical part of strategic planning and success.
“I think the last one (to serve two consecutive terms as president) was Walter Gray,” said Dyas following the chamber’s AGM. Gray served as president of the chamber in the 1980s. Gray went on to serve twice as Kelowna mayor.
Normally the chamber president serves just one term but this year, with the organization currently searching for a new executive director, it was felt continuity was needed, said Dyas. He noted many of the previous board’s directors also are returning.
Former chamber president Ken Bessasson is currently acting interim executive director, following the departure of Caroline Grover last year.
One Wednesday a full slate of chamber directors, including three new faces, was sworn in by current Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran.
Speaking about 2016-2017 as a transition year for the chamber, Dyas thanked the returning directors for continuing on the board for the coming year. The new board’s executive remains unchanged in 2017, with Dyas as president and executive vice-president Carmen Sparg now slated to move into the president’s chair in March 2018.
Dyas said 2016 was a successful year for the chamber financially, with membership growth and strong member retention.
“Alongside business growth and population increases in the valley, the chamber reflected this strength with an active, engaged membership,” he said, adding with wins on the advocacy side with support for policies chamber members brought forward, 2017 is expected to be another strong year.
At its meeting, the chamber also announced three awards , the first was the Director of the Year, which went to Martine Hickman, of the Business Development Bank Canada. Hickman has played what was described as a crucial role on the chamber’s Finance Committee, as well in HR matters, and in helping found the chamber’s successful Women’s Leadership Network.
The second award, for Volunteer of the Year, went to retiring director, Brian Bonsma, the owner/manager of SpeedPro Signs Plus in Kelowna. Bonsma worked tirelessly for two years on the member care committee and was the key driver behind a new initiative, Shop the Chamber/Shop Local, which will kick off in the fall of 2017 as a pilot project. He served on the board for three years.
The third award, Ambassador of the Year, went to two chamber ambassadors: Shawna and Kailey McCrea. Shawna has been a chamber member for 14 years and an Ambassador for nearly a decade. Her daughter Kailey is the chamber’s first Junior Ambassador. Both are described as firm supporters of business, entrepreneurs, and members who turn up at multiple events, helping extend the chamber brand throughout the membership family.
In 2016, the chamber:
• Was awarded national accreditation with distinction, from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
• Celebrated its 110th anniversary.
• Saw its membership grow three per cent, and nine per cent since Jan. 1, 2015.
• Saw 5,500 people attend the 75 events it put on.
On Wednesday the chamber also launched its new website at www.kelownachamber.org.
In addition to Dyas and Sparg, other returning directors include:
• Ken Carmichael, BDO Canada LLP—immediate past president
• Jeff Robinson, Rush Ihas Harwick LLP—vice-president
• Martine Hickman, Business Development Bank Canada—vice-president
• Shelagh Turner, Canadian Mental Health Association
• Nikki Csek, Csek Creative
• Andrew Ingenhorst, Grant Thornton
Re-elected directors include:
• Una Gabie, Touchstone Law—vice-president
• Stuart Grant, Norelco Cabinet Solutions
• Al Hildebrandt, Luv N Hope Foundation
• Angela Nagy, GreenStep Solutions
Newly-elected directors include:
• Ron Cannan, Interior Savings Credit Union
• Domenic Rampone, West Manufacturing Ltd.
• Marek Buryska, Valley First Credit Union