The Neepawa and District's Chamber of Commerce 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) took on a different look than in years past. While the Chamber typically hands out its annual Volunteer and Business of the Year Awards, 2012's AGM put a hold on them. Outgoing president Amanda Naughton-Gale explains that's because the board wants the awards to be more criteria-based rather than be a subjective decision. The awards are expected to be given out again at the 2013 AGM. “The idea was to have criteria to really put meaning behind what the awards are,” Naughton-Gale explained in an interview last Friday. “The direction for what that will look like will be decided by the new board.” Naughton-Gale will be stepping down as president in 2013, passing the gavel on to Knight's Upholstery owner Sherri Grant. The new board members were expected to be sworn in Monday night at the AGM, after The Neepawa Press deadline. Looking back at 2012, outgoing president Naughton-Gale said it was a year of trials, successes and learning points. Two of the biggest successes of the year included the Santa Claus Parade and the Trooper concert at the Yellowhead Centre. “We didn't make money off of the Trooper concert, but I think it was a great time for everybody and something the community can build off of,” Naughton-Gale said. “What we've heard from the business community is that we can support having the Neepex (with a) trade show every second year, so hopefully in 2013 we can do that again. “With our Santa Claus Parade, we listened to our Chamber members and changed it (from a night lights parade) to an afternoon parade. That went well, and we had more floats.” A new initiative by the Chamber was a community meeting to discuss volunteerism and event planning among organizations in the area. Naughton-Gale noted that was one of the most positive, productive evenings of the year. “There's a huge issue of volunteerism with organizations and burnout of those organizations because people are volunteering so much time. The meeting brought groups together and talked about working together to help one another out. The new board will be following up with that.” Another interesting note coming out of the meeting was that, while people in the area often say there's not much going on in Neepawa, organizations feel they're organizing many events that aren't getting the anticipated response. “If you want thing to happen, you have to go out and support them. There are these things going on, and people have to take advantage of that.” As for her parting words of wisdom, Naughton-Gale's final comments had her going out like a true Chamber president. “We've got a really great business community and people really have to support locally. That money being spent in the community not only goes to the businesses, but those businesses also support local organizations and projects with donations,” she concluded. “So keep 'er local!”