AGM

The Nanton & District Chamber of Commerce is holding its 2024 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Nanton Quality of Life Foundation building located at 1601 21 Ave. The meeting will include a review of the 2024 year and an election of new officers for 2025. Everyone is welcome to attend however only current (2025) members can vote at the meeting. Please RSVP to info@nantonchamber.com if you plan on attending so we can ensure we have enough seating or whether we have to move to a larger venue.

Click here to download the agenda.

Click here to download the 2023 AGM draft minutes and here for the audited financial statements.

Click here to download the unaudited 2024 financial statements.

LINK AND PASSWORD TO JOIN VIA ZOOM:

TBC closer to date of AGM

Election/Nomination Process:

Click here for more information on the nomination process and procedures at the AGM.

Click here to fill out a proxy form if you are a member and are unable to be present at the AGM but would like to vote.

Per the Chamber’s Bylaws, Section 16: The officers shall be: a president, vice-president (or co-presidents if approved by the membership), secretary and treasurer, (or secretary/treasurer if approved by the membership), who together with four other members serving as directors, shall be elected from among the members each year at the Annual General Meeting by ballot. and shall form the board. In addition to the elected officers and directors, the board may annually appoint up to four (4) more directors. Terms shall be for one year or until their successors are appointed but no officer or member of the board shall hold the same position for more than four years in succession.

Unless there are more than 12 individuals running for a position on the board at the AGM, a slate of directors will be presented.

Following are the individuals running for election at the AGM:

Lee-Anne Coleman (current secretary; running as vice president): I am a dedicated business leader with a strong commitment to fostering economic growth and community development. With 25 years of experience in owning and operating my own business, mostly in rural locations, I have a proven track record driving innovation, building strategic partnerships, and supporting small business. As President at JEI Tech, I firmly believe in keeping up to date so have continued with continuous learning, successfully supported local businesses, led initiatives to improve operational efficiency, or enhanced community engagement. I have served as Director on the Board for Chamber of Commerce High River and the United Way High River partnership. I am passionate about empowering businesses, advocating for sustainable economic policies, and creating opportunities that benefit both entrepreneurs and the broader community. With a collaborative mindset and a commitment to excellence, I look forward to contributing to the Chamber’s mission as a board member.

Tani Das: I am Anindita (mostly known as Tani) an entrepreneur, a proud mother, and a cherished wife. My family and I have called Nanton home for the past 10 years, and in that time, we have built not just a life but a deep connection with this wonderful town. Nanton has given us so much- friendships that feel like family, opportunities that have helped us grow, and a sense of belonging that makes every day special. Now, as we raise our son here, we are committed to passing on the same small-town warmth and values that we experience every day. Whether its the kindness of neighbours, the charm of local traditions, or the strong sense of community, we cherish it all and hope to contribute to it in every way we can.

Lorraine Hjalte (current vice president; running as director):

Léo Nugteren: I have been a store manager for about 11 years and a business owner for about 16 years. I have been in retail all my life and I am a go getter. When I managed Sentimental Journey, I managed to lure people to town with my Facebook and Instagram posts, which I do frequently, and am hugely successful with. I’ll be an asset in beautifying the town and will bring new ideas to the table.

Esmarilin Rauda: With a decade of operational experience and a passion for community engagement, I am excited to apply for a position on the board of the Nanton Chamber of Commerce. As the owner of a personal marketing startup focused on branding, I have honed my skills in creating impactful narratives that resonate with audiences. Currently, I lead the marketing efforts for the Heinen Group of Home Hardwares where I work alongside Mark Heinen to enhance our community's connection to our businesses. My commitment to community is at the heart of everything I do. I believe that by fostering relationships and sparking meaningful conversations, we can drive growth and innovation within Nanton. I am eager to leverage my expertise in marketing and branding to support local initiatives, promote our businesses, and develop programs that encourage collaboration among community members. I am also on the Picture Butte Chamber of Commerce for 2025, which I feel will give me the opportunity to connect Nanton with bordering chambers for networking for effective community leadership and relationship building. I’m excited about the possibility of bringing my passion for connection, creativity and community to the Chamber of Commerce. Together, we can create an even more vibrant Nanton where everyone feels welcome, inspired, and ready to thrive!

Melissa Rooke: I have lived in Nanton since 2010 when my husband and I moved here. We love this community and it is where we work and raise our family. I am an accountant and have worked in Nanton since 2013. My husband and I also own a local business, Rooke Rescue. We are both very passionate about supporting local as much as possible and I look forward to bringing my experience to the Nanton Chamber of Commerce.

Becky Scott (current president; running for president): I’ve sat as president on the Chamber board since the fall of 2020 and joined in 2019. In November 2023 I opened Tap Town Books on Main Street. For 20+ years prior to that I owned and operated an award-winning company in the creative industries and a marketing business before that. My background is in marketing, PR, media relations, and tourism. The Chamber continues to be very active in the community and with an injection of business license revenue from the Town we were able to hire a part time administrator to carry out even more projects to raise the profile of the businesses within the community and as a whole. We will be continuing with those deliverables in 2025 and finishing installation and operations of small scale infrastructure projects from the Healthy Communities Initiative grant we received.

Christine Steeves: I have resided in Nanton for two years and became involved in the Chamber of Commerce last year as a board member. I am a dedicated volunteer and have a passion for becoming involved in the community along with staying busy in my retirement years. My experiences, both during and after my career ended, have taught me the importance and value of collaboration. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the Chamber board.

Lori Stuart: I have been on the Chamber board for the past nine years. This group has some great things planned and I’m excited to continue working on our town project with the grant money we received.

Chrissy Sumsion: My name is Chrissy Sumsion, owner of Fuzed Bubble Teas and Helium Balloons and a long-time resident of Nanton. In the years I have been in Nanton I have been a Scout leader and coaches for various teams withing the community. As a chamber member, I hope to bring new ideas for our community and to help bring others to the community to support our local businesses.