The High Prairie and Area Chamber of Commerce elected its new board of directors for 2016-17. Left-right are director Barry Sharkawi, vice-president Debbie Rose, president Tracy Sherkawi, secretary Lynne Bourassa, and executive director Rodney Gainer. Missing are treasurer Jennifer Zatko and director Christopher Robblee.

Richard Froese
South Peace News

Progress and partnerships are top priorities for the High Prairie and Area Chamber of Commerce next year.

That’s the word from Tracy Sherkawi who was re-elected president at the annual general meeting July 6.

“In the coming year, the chamber will be working to increase our presence in High Prairie and the surrounding communities, to create more partnerships benefiting our members and providing support to the business community and our membership,” says Sherkawi, who previously served five years as secretary.

“We had a successful year in regards to our increase in advocacy with the Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County.”

Debbie Rose was elected vice-president, Lynne Bourassa as secretary and Jennifer Zatko was re-elected treasurer. Barry Shar- kawi and Christopher Robblee remain as directors.

To get members more active, the chamber will focus on membership as one of three committees; the others are events and policy.

“For this chamber to survive, we have to build our membership,” says executive director Rodney Gainer who started in March.
“We need to find out what we need to do to get more members out to chamber meetings and events.

He continues to work to add workshops and build partnerships with businesses and get ideas on what the business community needs.

“We need additional volunteers from members and the community,” Gainer says.

Others agreed.

“We need all members to be involved,” Shar- kawi says.

Bourassa reminded people at the meeting that the chamber executive is taking positive steps to engage more members. The new position of executive director is a pivotal part.

A new office has also added to the role of the chamber of commerce.

The chamber office in the Town of High Prairie civic building is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, email the chamber of commerce at office@hpchamber.net.