The 2017 Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Back row left to right, Allen Deleary, Bernice Ribey, Pat O'Connor, Ann Veyvera-Divinski, Lindsay Darling, Laura Crossett, Steve Harris and Jocelyn Robbins. Front row left to right, John Kirkham, John Miller, Pier Donnini, Kate Cammidge Irwin and Stephanie Carr. Missing: Tim Edgar, Trish Bernard, Judy Rich and Trish Saunders.

Hub Staff

The 2017 Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting and Elections was held at the Queen's Bar & Grill November 30 and saw, for the first time, a representative from Saugeen First Nation added to the Board of Directors.

Board President Pier Donnini welcomed those in attendance from Saugeen First Nation, including Chief Lester Anoquot and new Director Allen Deleary. “This year, in addition to our Board we have a seat now for our neighbours at Saugeen Nation,” said Donnini. “We're extremely excited about that. That's a new initiative and we're looking forward to their input and their participation and bringing the communities closer can only help all of us involved.”

Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce General Manager Joanne Robbins echoed the thought. “We are very pleased to have a First Nations Board Member acclaimed,” she said. “This addition to the Board is very welcomed and will certainly add a new dynamic to the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce.”

Donnini said that 2016 had been a good year for the Chamber with regards to accomplishments and spoke about the movement of Pumpkinfest to downtown Port Elgin. He gave praise to Chamber staff for making it happen. “I think we've laid the great groundwork for the future of this festival,” said Donnini. “Now that we know that we can do it, and the community supports it, we'll now be able to add things to it to improve the attendance even more for everyone's benefit. So we're very excited about that.”

He also singled out Chamber Manager, Joanne Robbins. “[She] is an extremely important person in our community. I see the work she does and her incredible - and I can’t say this enough - patience with everybody's point of view.”

Donnini said they had a full slate of directors this year, all volunteers. “The fact that there are this many people interested in helping out with what is the premier organization of the community is really heart warming.”

The 2017 Board of Directors are:

Executive Committee

President: Pier Donnini
1st Vice President: Kate Cammidge-Irwin
2nd Vice President: John Miller
Treasurer: Tim Edgar
Secretary: Stephanie Carr
Acting Past President: John Kirkham
Director at Large: Pat O’Connor

Directors: Laura Crossett, Steve Harris, Trish Bernard, Ann Veyvara Divinski, Judy Rich.

First Year Directors: Lindsay Darling, Jocelyn Robbins, Bernice Ribey, Allen Deleary, Trish Saunders.

Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce staff at the 2017 General Membership Meeting and Elections held at the Queen's Bar & Grill November 30. Back row left to right, Cheryl Beamish, Nikki Barker, Megan Jackson, Carla Pepe and Corby Sovie. Seated, Joanne Robbins.