Is There One Less Chamber In The “Gate?”
by John Weckerle
Yesterday, your editor met with Edgewood Chamber of Commerce president Kelly Krauth and briefly with Board member Renee Willes to discuss a variety of subjects related to the past, present and future of the Chamber. While much of that conversation is not ripe for publication, there are a few bits that bear examination.
Among the subjects we discussed are the Chamber’s plans for restructuring its relationships with other entities, and it appears that some good progress has been made in that direction. According to Ms. Krauth, the Chamber has already begun reaching out to the Town government and other organizations, and the effort has been well received. Edgewood Mayor Bob Stearley is reportedly working cooperatively with the Chamber on several initiatives, as is Town planning and zoning administrator Karen Mahalick. The Chamber is working in cooperation with the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association and the New Mexico Economic Development Department to present a small business workship featuring micro-lenders for immediate assistance for struggling businesses (we will post information on this workshop, scheduled for April 9, 2009 when it becomes available).
Plans for this year’s Town Celebration – Run, Rally and Rock – are impressive and already moving forward. Rather than limiting the festivities to a single location, the Chamber proposes to spread the activities throughout the business district. This year’s parade will be held along Route 66, and several enterprises and business plazas have already expressed an interest in participating. The Chamber itself will be setting up a business expo and other activities on the southeast corner of Route 66 and NM 344. An attractive commemorative poster has already been designed, and announcements regarding the design of this year’s event T-shirt are expected soon.
As previously reported elsewhere, the Chamber plans to make its Board meetings open to the public and post the minutes on its web site. Ms. Krauth also indicated that the Chamber will be looking to increase opportunities for local enterprises to do business directly with the Chamber. Revisions to the Chamber bylaws to formalize the bidding process are planned, and other revisions may also be included to enhance the Chamber’s internal functioning. According to Ms. Krauth, the current Board of Directors anticipates a more direct involvement in managing the day-to-day operations of the Chamber, and she is hopeful that members will become more involved in committees and other activities in the future.
Ms. Krauth also expressed disappointment at the suggestion that rumors have surfaced to the effect that former Executive Director Myra Oden was forced out of her position. According to Ms. Krauth, Ms. Oden’s resignation was neither coerced nor requested.
The goals that the current Chamber Board has set for itself are extremely ambitious. At yesterday’s meeting, however, it was clear that there is a great deal of energy and effort being put into the transformation, and substantial progress has already been made. In short, it appears quite possible that the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce may actually be on the road to functioning as a Chamber of Commerce, and we hope to be hearing success stories in the near future.