Cooper takes charge at chamber

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This article was published 04/06/2021 (1939 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the second straight year, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce held its transfer of power ceremony in a virtual event.

Spencer Day, whose entire year-long term took place within the COVID-19 pandemic, handed over his ceremonial gavel Thursday to the chamber’s new president, Barry Cooper of Heritage Co-op.

Making some introductory remarks as the event’s sponsor, former chamber president and Siere founding partner Cathy Snelgrove expressed pride in the man that succeeded her and the man succeeding him.

“As many of you know, I’ve had the chance to work with Spencer and Barry over the last couple of years and would really quickly like to say a big thank you to Spencer,” Snelgrove said. “It’s certainly not a year we would have anticipated, but I think through his leadership, through his commitment and just because of who Spencer is, he’s done such an amazing job of being a strong voice for our business community.

“Barry, just want to say a big congratulations to you. I’ve had the chance to get to know him over the past few years and I can tell you his expertise, his knowledge, his attitude is exactly what we’ll need to pull our business community out of this.”

When it came time for Day’s farewell address, he called it the fastest year of his life. Though he’s leaving his leadership position, he said he enjoyed learning about members’ businesses and helping direct them through the pandemic and that he would still be available to sit down and provide advice to local businesses that need it.

From his experience over the past year during the pandemic, he had these points of advice for local businesses: find local suppliers whenever possible, try to only purchase within city borders whenever it makes sense, explore new opportunities to export products, spend money while interest rates are low, find new way to work digitally and remotely, tip servers and hairstylists a little extra, look for the opportunities hiding around you and step outside of your comfort zone.

After thanking his family, local business owners, politicians, chamber staff and members and more for their support over the last year, Day hopped out of his seat and sprinted over to the other room in the chamber’s offices where Cooper was located to drop off the gavel and then sprinted back to his own chair.

“It feels like just yesterday Cathy and I were on this call and passing the gavel,” he said. “Two years in a row on a virtual platform — who would have thought?”

Administering the oath of office for Cooper and the new and returning chamber board of directors was Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.

But before he did so, he offered praise for Day’s performance over the past year, calling him “the right board chair at the right time for the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.”

In his first remarks as president, Cooper remarked that he was sure the changeover ceremony would have been in person this year.

“While it’s disappointing to not have that opportunity, today’s event shows just how well we really have adapted,” he said.

He then had glowing words for his predecessor.

“Spencer was the right guy at the right time for Brandon business,” Cooper said. “His superpowers are his positive attitude, authenticity and caring nature. All things we needed in large supply this year.”

Finally, he addressed the biggest elephant in the room.

“COVID has changed much of what we do, think about and plan for,” he said. “While we often hear we’re all in it together, the reality is there’s no large differences in the ways businesses have been able to operate over the last year. Essential services have operated with challenges, but they’ve remained open. Non-essentials have been closed or severely limited in their ability to function for much of this year.

“Everybody has spent money, time and brainpower creating a safe environment for customers. Many of us have moved to digital platforms, learned how to work from home and mastered curbside pickup and delivery.”

Cooper also talked of the personal toll the pandemic has taken, beseeching people to learn from the experience and apply it going forward.

On the topic of rebuilding the economy after COVID-19, both Cooper and Day said that getting vaccinated against the virus was one of the quickest ways to return to normalcy.

 

With Day moving into the past-president role, Snelgrove has now departed the chamber’s board. However, she’s still involved in the chamber movement. Last month, she was appointed as a board member for the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.

Cooper’s first full event as chamber president is attending the traditional first Friday of the month coffee today.

» cslark@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @ColinSlark

 

BREAKOUT:

The total list of new and returning chamber directors consists of:

• Barry Cooper (president)

• Spencer Day (past-president)

• Tanya LaBuick (vice-president)

• Laurie Brugger

• Tilda Fortier

• Jamie Pugh

• Aida Taihan

• Andrea Epp

• Chris Finley

• Lois MacDonald

• Meredyth Leech

• Ryan Jacobson

• Jennifer Ludwig

 

• Matt Berg