UPDATE: New Board was sworn in January 12, 2010 (at their regular executive meeting, held at Village Food Markets meeting room, presided over by Mayor Janet Evans):  Todd Olynyk, president; Rose Dumont, vice-president, Gwen Fisher, past-president; Shelley Godin, treasurer. Directors for 2010: Mary Brooke, Marion DesRochers, Kathe Drover, Rose Dumont, Michelle Glanfield-Bohn, Debra Johnston, Karen Mason, Kari Osselton, Kel Phair, Frederique Philip, Rod Sluggett, Jeannette Wilford.

by Mary P. Brooke      |   December 16, 2009

What's in a name? For Sooke's business community, the removal of "Harbour" in favour of "Region" was a significant shift. The former Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce is now the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, following a unanimous vote at the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM), December 10.

The name change spearheads the interests of local business to embrace a broader west shore area instead of focussing entirely on Sooke town centre. The target region -- primarily with a tourism thrust -- encompasses Metchosin, East Sooke, Sooke, Shirley, Otter Point and Port Renfrew.

This change was guided by Scott Gertsma, 2009's Past President of the Chamber. Working with Gertsma on the details were Rod Sluggett, publisher, Sooke News Mirror and Randy Welters, a former Sooke mayoralty candidate. [Photo shows Scott Gertsma, right, receiving a service recognition award from Rod Sluggett, during the Dec.10, 2009 AGM.]

Most of the constitutional changes that were presented at the AGM were developed by a committee headed by Jeannette Wilford. Notably, each senior executive officer (President, Vice-President and Past President) will now serve for only one year instead of two. The Secretary and Treasurer posts will have two-year terms, on alternating years.  Meeting summary.  

The incoming 2010 Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce president is Todd Olynyk, RBC manager, Sooke branch.  MM