Borla takes helm at Sisters Chamber

Erin Borla will serve as executive director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce for a term of three months.

Michael Robillard, outgoing chamber board president, said, "I am pleased Borla has agreed to serve on a 90-day contract basis while the chamber conducts a thorough search to formally fill this position."

Borla will be considered as a candidate for the permanent position. Robillard expressed the hope that she will remain interested in the permanent position at the end of her contract.

"We're hoping it's just a formality, but I can't answer that for the whole board," said Robillard of Borla's future tenure. "I think it's important to do the process, as well."

Borla said it is her intention to "hit the ground running, and running fast."

She plans to initiate an update of the Chamber's strategic plan, including mission, goals and vision. She also wants to keep the Visitors Center open and fully staffed through the winter months and make herself and Chamber staff more accessible and visible in the community.

Borla also plans to develop six-month, two-year and five-year marketing plans for the Chamber, utilize Web-based social networking technology, develop a community database and initiate radio advertising. She also wants to improve the Chamber's business-to-business services.

"Obviously, we want to work with a variety of community partners," she said.

Borla, Robillard and board member Patty Vandiver all acknowledged that the recent turmoil in the Chamber creates hurdles for a new executive.

"The Chamber has an interesting reputation in the community," Borla said. "There's been a call for action, demand for action - and I was a loud voice for a while. I think we're at a stage now where something has to happen; there has to be movement. And if there isn't, we have to move in a totally different direction."

Todd Dow recently requested that the Sisters City Council withhold room tax funding from the Chamber until it can demonstrate that there is a strategic plan to use those funds as they are intended for marketing Sisters. Those funds make up a significant portion of the Chamber's funding. While the council declined to take any immediate action, Borla and the others recognize that the request is a shot across the bows of the Chamber.

"I have the same feelings," Borla said. "We have to show value. We have to earn that money."

Robillard says the Chamber has learned from mistakes, and Borla is the right person to right the ship.

"We see that we do need to improve," he said. "We see that we do have to make some changes in certain areas. Having someone who understands the local dynamics is huge. I didn't realize how much. Maybe it's the biggest thing."

Vandiver expressed confidence in Borla's abilities.

"I think Erin has the skills, the resources," she said. "She's from this area; she grew up here. She's got the heart and soul to make this happen. She's a driver. She can take an idea and make it grow overnight."

Borla served for six years as the executive director of the Sisters Folk Festival and has worked with the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and Cycle Oregon, where she has gained great contacts in the Central Oregon event market.

She is the proprietor of Fast Creek Productions.

For more information contact the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce at 549-0251.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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