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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The future of the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce is beginning to look more stable.

Following the chamber's annual general meeting on April 21 the organization has a president and vice-president as well as a full set of five directors.

Kirby Groat, left, the former president of the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce, shakes hands with Lionel Nadia who was acclaimed president during the chamber's annual general meeting on April 21. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"It's on an upswing right now," said Kirby Groat, the chamber's past president.

The chamber was in a far more precarious position just three months ago. Groat resigned as president on February 3 after holding the position for two years. At the time he was the only person on the chamber's executive.

The beginning of the chamber's revival can be traced to the end of February when chamber members participated in a two-day planning session facilitated by the NWT Chamber of Commerce. The session focused on defining what members want the chamber to accomplish for them.

Since the planning session there has been a bit more involvement in the chamber, said Lionel Nadia, who chaired the chamber's transition team and was acclaimed president last week.

"I hope it continues to grow," said Nadia about participation in the chamber.

The chamber's top priority is to now develop a new website that will showcase businesses in the community and spread information about the village, said Nadia. The website was identified as a necessity during the planning session.

The session also resulted in the creation of a survey that asks chamber members to rank 13 possible initiatives in order of importance. The survey is identifying what the chamber can offer local businesses, Nadia said.

Initial findings place lobbying for improvements to the Liard Trail and advocating the construction of an all-weather extension to Highway 1 as the top two goals. Improved communications between the chamber's executive and membership was also identified as a priority.

More input on the survey and involvement from members will be needed to help the chamber regroup this year, said Nadia.

"I would like the chamber to be more than it has been in the past years," he said.

Nadia, the manager of Fort Simpson Beverages, said he's "feeling good" about his acclimation as president. After being part of the chamber for a number of years, Nadia said he was looking for a way to become more involved.

Kirby Groat said he was encouraged to see 11 people attend the annual general meeting. Lack of participation by paid members has been a problem in recent years for the chamber.

"There definitely appeared to be an interest amongst the people there," Groat said.

One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was how to raise the chamber's membership. Last year the chamber had 36 members. In comparison, the village has issued 83 business licences this year. In a move to attract new members a motion was passed to halve the fees for first year members. Based on suggestions, the chamber is also examining the option of expanding memberships to businesses in other Deh Cho communities.

Currently out-of-town businesses can join as associate members but they aren't allowed to vote on chamber matters, said Groat.

"We've got to have some incentive. We have to create interest," said Lindsay Waugh, who accepted a position as a chamber director.

A committee will review the chamber's bylaws to see if changes can be made to allow out-of-town business to be more involved, Groat said.

Other members of the new executive include Colin Munro as vice-president and Gary Scarfe, Brenda Allaire, Ted Grant and Les Walford as directors. Chamber staff plan to manage the duties of the secretary-treasurer position.