琉璃神社 Chamber of Commerce president Tom Dyas is doing something nobody has done in more than 30 years 鈥攈e鈥檚 staying on for a second term.

At the chamber鈥檚 annual general meeting Wednesday Dyas made it official, saying stability is important for any organization, and for a business organization with a volunteer board it is a critical part of strategic planning and success.

鈥淚 think the last one (to serve two consecutive terms as president) was Walter Gray,鈥� said Dyas following the chamber鈥檚 AGM. Gray served as president of the chamber in the 1980s. Gray went on to serve twice as 琉璃神社 mayor.

Normally the chamber president serves just one term but this year, with the organization currently searching for a new executive director, it was felt continuity was needed, said Dyas. He noted many of the previous board鈥檚 directors also are returning.

Former chamber president Ken Bessasson is currently acting interim executive director, following the departure of Caroline Grover last year.

One Wednesday a full slate of chamber directors, including three new faces, was sworn in by current 琉璃神社 Mayor Colin Basran.

Speaking about 2016-2017 as a transition year for the chamber, Dyas thanked the returning directors for continuing on the board for the coming year. The new board鈥檚 executive remains unchanged in 2017, with Dyas as president and executive vice-president Carmen Sparg now slated to move into the president鈥檚 chair in March 2018.

Dyas said 2016 was a successful year for the chamber financially, with membership growth and strong member retention.

鈥淎longside business growth and population increases in the valley, the chamber reflected this strength with an active, engaged membership,鈥� he said, adding with wins on the advocacy side with support for policies chamber members brought forward, 2017 is expected to be another strong year.

At its meeting, the chamber also announced three awards , the first was the Director of the Year, which went to Martine Hickman, of the Business Development Bank Canada. Hickman has played what was described as a crucial role on the chamber鈥檚 Finance Committee, as well in HR matters, and in helping found the chamber鈥檚 successful Women鈥檚 Leadership Network.

The second award, for Volunteer of the Year, went to retiring director, Brian Bonsma, the owner/manager of SpeedPro Signs Plus in 琉璃神社. Bonsma worked tirelessly for two years on the member care committee and was the key driver behind a new initiative, Shop the Chamber/Shop Local, which will kick off in the fall of 2017 as a pilot project. He served on the board for three years.

The third award, Ambassador of the Year, went to two chamber ambassadors: Shawna and Kailey McCrea. Shawna has been a chamber member for 14 years and an Ambassador for nearly a decade. Her daughter Kailey is the chamber鈥檚 first Junior Ambassador. Both are described as firm supporters of business, entrepreneurs, and members who turn up at multiple events, helping extend the chamber brand throughout the membership family.

In 2016, the chamber:

鈥� Was awarded national accreditation with distinction, from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

鈥� Celebrated its 110th anniversary.

鈥� Saw its membership grow three per cent, and nine per cent since Jan. 1, 2015.

鈥� Saw 5,500 people attend the 75 events it put on.

On Wednesday the chamber also launched its new website at www.kelownachamber.org.

In addition to Dyas and Sparg, other returning directors include:

鈥� Ken Carmichael, BDO Canada LLP鈥攊mmediate past president

鈥� Jeff Robinson, Rush Ihas Harwick LLP鈥攙ice-president

鈥� Martine Hickman, Business Development Bank Canada鈥攙ice-president

鈥� Shelagh Turner, Canadian Mental Health Association

鈥� Nikki Csek, Csek Creative

鈥� Andrew Ingenhorst, Grant Thornton

Re-elected directors include:

鈥� Una Gabie, Touchstone Law鈥攙ice-president

鈥� Stuart Grant, Norelco Cabinet Solutions

鈥� Al Hildebrandt, Luv N Hope Foundation

鈥� Angela Nagy, GreenStep Solutions

Newly-elected directors include:

鈥� Ron Cannan, Interior Savings Credit Union

鈥� Domenic Rampone, West Manufacturing Ltd.

鈥� Marek Buryska, Valley First Credit Union