Review staff
The Rimbey Chamber of Commerce held their Annual General Meeting last Tuesday at the Beatty Heritage House to discuss the previous year’s activities, listen to a few guest speakers and to nominate and/or elect a new executive.
After calling the meeting to order, approving the agenda and approving the minutes from the previous Annual General Meeting held on March 20, 2007, the Chamber members heard from two special guests.
Cpl. Ian McLean of the Rimbey RCMP was the first to speak and addressed the gathering on the topic of, Theft and Loss Prevention for Small Businesses.
During his presentation, McLean reminded small business owners of a few key factors in reducing theft including ensuring that sight lines to all areas of the store are clear and uncluttered, the importance of providing good service and giving potential customers their attention as a way of showing them that the store operator is fully aware of who is in the store and where they are.
McLean also advised the gathering to consider methods of security very carefully as systems can be very expensive. He also urged them to take charge of situations where they may feel they’ve had a theft, but not to go overboard. He said any person can make a citizen’s arrest however he suggested if the accused makes a run for it, to let them go as opposed to attempting any physical restraint.
Other advice he gave the members was to not wait for the culprit to leave the store if they been seen concealing an item, exercising the store-owners right to refuse service to anyone at any time if they feel they may be responsible for previous thefts and to always deal with the situation fairly and without threats or extortion.
Town of Rimbey Councilor Dave Karrol was next to take the podium and updated the gathering of the Town’s new webpage, which is currently being developed, and the many new features that will be included. Check future editions of the Rimbey Review for a closer look at the new site.
Following a brief ceremony and presentation to the Beatty House, the members heard the Treasurer’s Report from Rick Davies followed by the Year-End Summary Report.
Nominations were then held to appoint or elect a new board of directors with the following results: Mary Rose Barr will continue in her role as the Chamber’s president with Wendy Huff as vice-president. Carrie Lee Stout has assumed the role of secretary, Rick Davies will remain as the Chamber’s treasurer and Tim DeVries was appointed to handle tourism.
The Chamber’s Town Liaison will remain Dave Huff while both Michele Rosenthal and Judy Green accepted nominations as directors.