INUVIK
The new Inuvik Chamber of Commerce board is promising things will be different this term.

Bright Lubansa, left, is the new president of the Inuvik Chamber of Commerce. With him is the chamber's new vice-president Matthew Clark. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Outgoing president Newton Grey gave a fiery address as he finished his term March 22 at the Mackenzie Hotel, one that rallied the troops while also acknowledging there were things to be improved.

Bright Lubansa, the incoming president, and Matthew Clark, the new vice-president, promised changes were on the way, particularly in communicating with the membership and the public.

The chamber has had a bit of a low profile in the last year, Lubansa said in his remarks, and could have done a better job of communicating. That's why he's making it one of his four priorities during the next year.

About 20 people turned out for the annual general meeting, effectively doubling the number that attended the 2013 annual general meeting, which had difficulty meeting quorum.

Lubansa, the Inuvik manager for the Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust, outlined his priorities during a 10-minute speech after he was acclaimed to the presidency.

"I do think there are big challenges and this is a big responsibility," he said. "Why do I say that? Inuvik, we are going through some challenging times. That requires a greater amount of dedication, and a great amount of work. We are making baby steps, and I think we are ready to run.

"I won't be able to be successful without your support. As a chamber, we believe we should be helping business succeed and prosper. I strongly believe that together, as a group, we need to respond to situations as they arise."

Lubansa added the chamber needs "to foster partnerships."

He said he had "four strategic areas to focus on."

The first is communication.

"Last year we dropped the ball a little bit," he said. "We didn't communicate as effectively as we could have done. We'd like to develop a communications strategy to be able to articulate the value of the chamber. We're going to start a monthly newsletter. I think this will also bring great value to our membership."

Lubansa encouraged the members to contribute to it.

"Remember, communication is supposed to be a two-way street," he said.

His second priority is overhauling and making better use of the chamber website.

"Our website is currently not quite where it should be," he said. "We are going to put in much effort to revamp it and to use it to advertise for business."

The third priority, Lubansa said, is networking.

"We have to harness our networking opportunities. We are going to be introducing breakfasts and luncheons."

Part of that is to introduce a plan of "financial growth and responsibility."

While the chamber has achieved small surpluses over the last two years, Lubansa said "we'd like to see the chamber stand on its own feet," he said. "We need to have sustainability, and we need to grow that for the chamber."

The fourth priority, Lubansa said, is influencing policy development on important projects, such

as the construction of airports and roadways in the North. He specifically wants to focus on the energy problems facing Inuvik, with fuel being trucked in as the Ikhil oil field reserves dwindle.

Clark, the manager of the Inuvik NorthMart store, speaking after Lubansa, said he'd like to focus on a "shop local" campaign and encourage more community involvement.

"I love this community," he said.