There are fears Rye Chamber of Commerce could close if nobody comes forward to lead the organisation that represents the town’s business community.
The Chamber’s AGM at The Mermaid Inn on Thursday 19 February heard emotional speeches from the outgoing chair and vice-chair, who are standing down at the end of their three year term in office. They were thanked by members for their passionate support for Rye.
“This town is small enough that you can’t hide, but big enough in spirit that you can’t help but care,” said Jane Brook, Rye Chamber’s chair until last week. “We’ve dedicated thousands of hours for no monetary reward because we love this town and we want it to thrive. As I step down, I do so with gratitude and, honestly, a bit of relief.”
“You’ve backed us. You’ve challenged us. You’ve kept us grounded,” she told Chamber members. “Rye’s business community needs a strong voice, especially as we weather economic uncertainty and a fast-changing political landscape. I still believe our reliance on volunteers alone is not sustainable in the long run.”
“For the last three years, I’ve put my time into the Chamber as though it was my full-time job,” said vice-chair Sarah Broadbent, also standing down. “My role has been to fly our flag for Rye and be so noisy we aren’t forgotten. We’ve grown it to a place where it has the respect of policymakers at district, county and parliamentary level, but with no one stepping forward to take on the Chamber in a significant way we will be effectively removing ourselves from conversations happening across Sussex.”
“The democratic ballot is unarguable,” she said, referring to proposals for a Rye Business Improvement District which were rejected last week. “To those who think the process was a waste of time and money, standing still doesn’t achieve anything. Exploring options is never a bad thing.”
Chamber member Rebekah Gilbert paid tribute to their work over the last three years. “You have really put Rye on the map. It is a great loss to the town that you are standing down, but we completely understand why. You have given your all and it has been greatly appreciated for everything you’ve done to promote this town.”
Under the Chamber’s rules, chair and vice-chair serve a three year term. Their replacements are chosen by the organisation’s councillors.
At the AGM members voted for Jane Brook and Sarah Broadbent to continue as Chamber councillors for a further six months to find new leaders to take it on. If that proves impossible, Rye Chamber will be wound up in August this year.
Image Credits: James Stewart , Rye Chamber .
Why is it that volunteers are so reluctant to come forward Not just in this case, but for nearly every organisation reliant upon volunteers? A generation of volunteers is fast dying out as they reach their 80’s.
This also happened to Rye & District Lions Club that raised thousands of pounds for Rye and adjoining villages’ charities every year as we all were too old and no younger perople were volunteering.
The retirement age has risen to 67 years and rising to 68 years which has a huge impact on volunteering. With rising bills, longer mortgages etc the working age has increased into 70s.
Jane and Sarah led the Chamber alongside their full-time businesses; they’re not retirees, nor are many of us who volunteer around the town in so many different ways. It’s not a question of age, but one of mindset, and those who volunteer for major roles are rare gems these days. The BID was a step in the right direction but it was voted down by those who would have benefited from it the most — so now what?