There will be a few new faces on Rimbey and District Chamber of Commerce executive this year.
During the chamber’s annual general meeting held Feb. 26 at the Best Western Rimstone Ridge Hotel, Stan Cummings was sworn in as vice-president, replacing Tresa Lowe, and Audrey McCrimmon replaced Phil Swanson as treasurer.
Jackie Stratton agreed to continue as president, and Tonya Hatala will stay on as secretary.
According to a report Swanson, the chamber is sitting with a deficit of $6,759.
However, increased membership expected in 2013 and the possibility of increased revenue from the upcoming tradeshow and hot air affair coming in May could boost revenue.
A new part-time administrative assistant, Carrie Vaarstra, was hired in September. Creating the paid position was a good move and a good way to increase the chamber’s profile in the community, said Stratton.
“We have our first ever newsletter and she is keeping our website up to date. The help has been tremendous.”
Stratton noted that chamber executive and directors have their own businesses to run and are often too busy to give chamber issues the attention to detail needed.
It is noted in the chamber’s newsletter a shop local program has kept $167,000 in Rimbey. The winners of the Rimbey Bucks contest were Donna Regnier, Marilyn Lutwick and Deanna Browne.
To purchase Rimbey Bucks call Jackie Stratton at 403-843-2727.
The work experience scholarships sponsored by the chamber went to Michelle Von Gunten, Brianne Staples and Reid Swier.
Directors on the chamber are Ilya Dourmanov, Christine Plumb, Karen Conover and Janet Carlson.