Last week saw the Morden Chamber of Commerce have its Annual General Meeting, where the board of directors are elected and minutes of the previous year are adopted.
Board Chair Tyler Schroeder breaks down what happened and how the Chamber’s last year went.
2024 came with profit
For Schroeder, 2024 was a success. He pointed to the financial net gains the Chamber received throughout the year.
“We posted a net profit of six thousand dollars this year, which is pretty tricky for a non-profit to do, and that came by chasing down new revenue opportunities and being solid stewards of the money that we do have.” He said, adding that it was, “Very exciting for our board of directors and our executive director.”
Schroeder also said that a part of the meeting was the celebration of the support received by the Chamber members, amounting to over 230, as well as the launch of a new sponsorship program that has nearly sold out.
“This new revenue has allowed us to hire a casual administrative support person who allows our executive director to do executive director things. And that is perhaps the biggest investment that we have made in the Chamber of Commerce in the last couple of years, is freeing up Clare Agnew to do what she’s best at.”
Accreditation renewal
Schroeder shared that the Morden Chamber also got its accreditation renewed for another four-year term.
“We are one of 23 in Canada and one of 2 in Manitoba, and it’s a rigorous process that tests our governance model, tests our member services, tests our organizational strength and stability, and the overall connection that we have with the business community at large.”
Being able to be accredited is something that Schroeder says he takes a lot of pride in, as it speaks to the strength the organization has built over the past decade.
“Part of that is evidenced by a cash surplus of $50,000 that we’re currently sitting on that allows us to pursue future opportunities with a bold mindset, and that’s something that we’re going to be leaning into as we approach the end of our three-year strategic plan this year.”
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- City of Morden releases 2025 budget: Taxes to increase by 5.16% with key infrastructure investments
Having been around for 135 years, the Morden Chamber of Commerce has seen more than a one-and-a-quarter centuries in its lifespan and is seeing the benefits of having such deep roots inside the community.
Despite the lifespan of the Chamber, Schroeder says that “It feels like we’re just getting started in many ways... Now, hopefully, we are moving towards a new economic journey that will see us turn on economic development once again, which has temporarily been stalled out.”
To stay up to date with what the Morden Chamber of Commerce has going on, visit their website by clicking here.