The Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce hired a new director for the restructured Tourism Council during Tuesday’s regular meeting. Melissa Harris, who is currently head of the city’s recreation department, takes the helm as director of the Tahlequah Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in mid-December. Harris was one of three final applicants considered by the Chamber during an executive session. More than 40 people submitted applications for the job. While working for the recreation department, Harris was appointed by Tahlequah Mayor Jason Nichols to sit on the board of the Tahlequah Area Tourism Council, which has since been renamed and restructured. The conventions and visitors bureau agreed on Oct. 9 to a final annual salary of $38,500 plus benefits, for a total package of nearly $50,000. The Chamber board had previously approved a base salary of $36,000 per year, with a potential six-month bonus of $2,000 upon review. After the meeting, Harris told the Daily Press she will continue to support the city’s Snowflake ice rink project “to whatever capacity needed” as she transitions to the new position. She is excited to provide multiple destinations for tourists in Tahlequah. Harris has a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University, and before she was hired by the city, she spent about nine years at Armstrong Bank. “I know there is a healthy number of people who visit Tenkiller and the [Illinois] river, but I want them to be visiting the town as well,” said Harris. She also wants to bring more conventions to town. “I think that can be a massive untapped resource,” she said. Harris said she has learned much from her time with the city, and she has enjoyed it. “That’s the sad side of it,” said Harris. “I’ll miss those guys.” The Chamber on Tuesday also adopted new bylaws. President Steve Turner said the Chamber will now follow Robert’s Rules of Order and will transition from a vice president format to a committee format. He also stressed the need for concise bylaws that are firm, even as process or policy changes. The bylaws were approved with slight revisions. The Chamber had made several changes to its bylaws between 1990 and 2006. Chamber Treasurer Stephen Highers also told the board all past-due bills were paid as of Nov. 21. “So everything is done; it’s just regular bills from here,” said Highers. Turner told the board the report on the Chamber’s audit has still not been released. “The past five months have been different, but we are in a better place today,” said Turner. “I know we are all eager to get this first report.”
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 08:55:51 +0000
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