Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors appointed a new president and filled all but one board position last week.
At the March 21 meeting, the board appointed Lerena Ruby chairwoman. Ruby had been acting chairwoman since the resignation of Bruce Hobbs at the end of the year.
“I’ve been doing it anyway for the interim,” Ruby said. She is in her fifth year and will leave the board after this year.
The chamber adopted new bylaws two years ago limiting the terms of board members to six years, Ruby said. “So it doesn’t become a good ol’ boys club.”
Ruby has owned and operating Seamingly Creative for 17 years. Prior to that, she and her husband, Howard, owned the Village Pantry, now Dari Mart, in Brownsville.
“I was born in Sweet Home,” Ruby said. “But I’ve lived away a few years in between.”
Ruby is a 1964 graduate of Sweet Home High School.
Her husband is an active volunteer in veterans’ activities, she said. “I just go along and help.”
Ruby served two years on the Sweet Home Economic Development Group Board of Directors. She then joined the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
“Since I’m a retailer, the chamber was a better fit,” she said. “It’s a good group to work with. We communicate well and work together well.”
She also serves on the Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort Programming and Marketing Committee.
Normally the chairman of the board serves on the SHARE Steering Committee, but she has been working on the Programming and Marketing Committee already. Dave Bauer is representing the chamber on the SHARE Steering Committee.
Bauer, a partner in Steelhead Strength and Fitness, has returned to the board after previously serving as chairman.
Also new to the board is Paula McLaws, a massage therapist. She is serving as vice chairwoman.
Other new board members include Diane Gerson, Friends of the Library, and Sherry Carranza, an individual member of the chamber and member of the SAFE committee.
Continuing members include Anita Hutchins, Little Promises Daycare; Mike Hall, The Point Restaurant; Wendy Smith, Sweet Home Sanitation, board treasurer; and Brandy Pickett, Umpqua Bank.
Andrea Culy is continuing as chamber manager.
The board has 10 seats, Ruby said. One remains open.
The board member does not need to own a business, but he or she must be a member, Ruby said. The term is for two years.
“We want someone who participates, but we don’t want a board position to become a second job,” Ruby said. Members are encouraged to take on activities that interest them in order to divide up the work that needs to be completed.
“The Shop Local program is important to me, and it’s a good fit,” she said.
Also, serving on the chamber board provides an opportunity to get involved in what’s happening and get to know other people, she said. “It’s actually been good for my business.”
Anyone interested in serving should contact the chamber at (541) 367-6186.
Through the next year, the chamber is continuing to support the Shop Local program, Ruby said. Other chamber programs include quarterly luncheons with instructional programming for businesses.
The 4-year-old After Hours program continues to draw strong attendance, and it happens monthly now, she said. In fact, it’s proving so popular that multiple businesses usually want to host the event.
The program provides a chance for business owners and employees to network, she said.
The chamber board also is planning the next Chamber Awards Banquet and Sportsman’s Holiday event, July 9-11, while operating the community’s Visitors Information Center.
The new coupon book is now available, released at the Chamber Awards Banquet at the beginning of the month, Ruby said. Sweet Home children participating in the Earth Shuttle program will receive a percentage from selling the coupon book.
Call the chamber for more information or coupon books, which cost $10.