Friday, March 31, 2023
$2
Weekender
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Timm Slater to retire By WILL LOHRE Country Media Inc
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Timm Slater has announced his retirement from the organization at the end of 2023. A search will commence soon for a new director. Slater has acted as Executive Director for almost 16 years and began in the position in May of 2007. After the difficulties of COVID, the Chamber is focused on the future, according to Slater, and he is already looking toward his next endeavors. "COVID was a difficult impact for all of us, businesses, organizations, and government units. We
have the Chamber focused on its future course after these tough challenges," Slater said. "So I plan to hand off this important organization, take some deep breaths and explore a few adventures. Then I'll look for the next interesting challenge." Accomplishments and Challenges In his almost 16 years as Executive Director, these were some of the most significant accomplishments, according to Slater: Developing Leaders in the board of directors, chamber teams and event leaders. Adapting and improving the operational structure for the best impact in our community to engage today and tomorrow's opportunities. Active Advocacy program, which enables us to be a significant player in legislative and local issues. Slater and the Chamber of Commerce's achievements
have not come without their challenges. The closing of the rail line in 2007 was difficult, but the community was able to overcome this with the city's port leading the way, according to Slater. However, Slater also noted that the 2009 recession was tough for all businesses and organizations. Slater also said that the Chamber restricting of Teams/ Committees made it difficult to get proactive personnel in place. Slater said there were challenges with the "program's use of innovation to be more impactful and recruitment of dedicated Directors interested in creating the future, not simply letting it happen." COVID also posed a major difficulty for the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. "As an organization, we get all our funding from memberships, events, and publications, with no government contributions," Slater said. "Surviving and thriving through this challenge was through the
creativity of our board." Collaborative effort Working with the Chamber of Commerce, Slater emphasized the importance of teamwork. Recognizing that each team member has "strengths, issues and special interests," and then harnessing these components into a working body is important to be a leader. "Everyone has their approach to leadership, which they have developed through many experiences, both good and challenging. All of them are effective in their own way," Slater said. Five principles that Slater has used to guide him over the past several years are: Respect others—treat all as you would like to be treated. Be decisive—listen to all sides, then make a timely decision. Set goals and use them—foSlater continued on page 2
South Coast tours offers unique outdoor experiences New season begins in April By BREE LAUGHLIN The World
Courtesy photos
A new peddle and paddle tour takes adventure seekers to the Pine Grove Trailhead for a 6.5 mile mostly downhill ride through the Rogue Siskiyou National Forest. After the ride, guests are shuttled to a Wild and Scenic Rogue river paddle.
South Coast Tours is gearing up for a new season of adventures. The outdoor tour company features a variety of water-based activities from whale watching to river and ocean kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. They have tours spanning the South Coast from Coos Bay and Bandon to Port Orford and Brookings. South Coast Tours also recently started offering a mountain bike, kayak combination. The “pedal and paddle” tour starts with a shuttle and 6.5 mile mostly downhill mountain bike ride near Agness and ends with a 5 mile white-water kayak paddle. “It’s really fun and a little bit rowdy but it’s not death-defying kind of paddling. You are going to get wet for sure,” said South Coast Tours owner Dave Lacey. Lacey said his favorite part about being a guide is “sharing this wonderful place with people.” South Coast Tours continued on page 3
South Coast Tours offers a variety of activities from fishing, wildlife viewing or just simply gliding across the waterways on the Southern Oregon Coast.
RAIN Catalysts appoint Brian Kryanik as South Coast Maritime Ambassador By WILL LOHRE Country Media Inc
Brian Kryanik of Bandon is RAIN Catalysts South Coast Maritime Ambassador. Courtesy of RAIN Catalysts
FIND US ONLINE: TheWorldLink.com EMAIL US: WorldCirculation@CountryMedia.net CALL US: (541) 266-6047
Non profit Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN) Catalysts have expanded their team on the Oregon Coast by hiring Brian Kryanik as their first South Coast maritime ambassador. In this role, Kryanik will advocate for workforce development programs and connect fellow innovators to the resources they need to start and grow maritime businesses. "It's kind of a dream posi-
tion," Kryanik said. "This has been my defacto position in the area because I know so many people through my work with the water trail and all the different ports and being a captain's class instructor. So, it's just kind of culminated and just been a really nice fit, and I'm just honored to be the guy." Kryanik "wears many hats." He's been involved with South Coast Inventors in Coos Bay, he's a Coast Guard RAIN continued on page 2
Police Blotter
A3
Opinion
A8
Sunday Comics
A13
Obituaries
A7
Classifieds
A9
Calendar
A16
Serving Oregon’s South Coast since 1878 • A Country Media Newspaper • Copyright 2023 Follow us:
facebook.com/theworldnewspaper
twitter.com/TheWorldLink
instagram.com/theworldlink