Changes afoot at Chamber of Commerce

Jeri Buckmann, longtime events director for the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, will be transitioning to the position of visitor center manager and membership coordinator, the chamber announced this week.

The move reflects a change in the chamber's approach to staging events.

Chamber Executive Director Erin Borla reported that over the past three years the chamber has been analyzing its events, trying to streamline and focus the energies of the staff, board and volunteers on those events that do the most for the community by bringing in visitors, encouraging shopping and lodging and enhancing the visitor experience.

The events work at this time is best suited to a part-time position, according to Borla. The hiring process will begin within the next month for a new part-time events director and fundraising coordinator.

In 2013 the chamber will host the Sisters Glory Daze Car Show, the Sisters Western & Native American Arts Festival, the Sisters Fresh Hop Festival, Sisters Harvest Faire and of course the Christmas Tree Lighting and the Sisters Annual Christmas Parade.

"We are all very excited to have Jeri in her new role with the chamber," said Borla. "Her years of experience with the organization and hard work with all of our events make her the perfect fit to run the visitor center and work with all of our 350-plus membership."

"I am looking forward to this new position within the chamber," said Buckmann. "I have enjoyed my time working with events and made many lifelong friends with attendees and vendors. This new position will allow me to put all of my skills to use making sure the visitor center runs as effectively as possible and helping to tell the chamber story to potential new members."

For more information contact Borla at 541-549-0251.