GREAT BAY--St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) President Tamara Leonard says proposed changes to the Chamber's election procedures are ready for submission to government, including an extension of voting hours intended to give business owners more time to participate. With Chamber elections approaching in December, Leonard also revealed that members of the current Board of Directors have asked her to continue serving as president, although she has not made a firm public commitment to another term in the leadership position.
Speaking onThe Breakfast Loungewith Lady Grace on Power 102.7, Leonard discussed the Chamber's performance during her presidency, efforts to increase communication with the business community, proposed amendments to its governing legislation and the importance of maintaining continuity as new board members are elected.
One of her main concerns is the limited time currently available for eligible business representatives to cast their votes. Leonard explained that Chamber elections have traditionally operated within a morning voting period, generally between 8:00 a.m. and noon, which she considers inconvenient for many business owners and managers.
She noted that these are often the very hours when entrepreneurs are opening their establishments, preparing for business and attending to daily operations. Restricting voting to that period can make participation unnecessarily difficult, particularly for those who must balance their responsibilities with travel to a polling location.
Leonard said the Chamber has prepared proposed legislative amendments that would allow voting to continue until at least 3:00 p.m., providing a longer window for eligible members of the business community to participate.
"If you want it to be practical, giving people a fair opportunity to come out and vote, then you need to extend the time," Leonard stated.
According to the COCI president, the proposed amendments also address other aspects of the Chamber's governing legislation. She indicated that the draft is completed and is expected to be submitted to the responsible minister before the end of 2026.
However, Leonard acknowledged that the changes would not be implemented in time for the upcoming December elections. She expressed hope that the necessary legislative process could advance sufficiently to allow extended voting hours at a future Chamber election, possibly as early as 2027.
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COCI has separately announced that three positions on its Board of Directors will become vacant as of January 1, 2027, and will be filled through the upcoming election.
The nomination period opens Friday, October 30, and closes Monday, November 16, 2026, at noon. Eligible candidates must complete the required nomination procedures, while business representatives wishing to vote are encouraged to verify their eligibility and settle outstanding Chamber obligations.
Board members serve three-year terms, with a portion of the Chamber's nine-member board rotating annually. The president, vice president and treasurer are selected through the Chamber's internal board procedures rather than being directly elected to those executive positions by the wider business community.
Turning to her experience as president, Leonard described the past year as a productive period marked by cooperation among board members and a greater emphasis on communicating directly with registered businesses.
She said her approach to leadership has been guided by the principle that the responsibilities of the presidency are more important than the individual occupying the position.
"It's not about you, the person. It's about the chair that you sit in. That chair has a meaning. There's a responsibility that comes with sitting in that chair," Leonard explained.
She praised her fellow directors for their willingness to take responsibility for individual assignments while assisting colleagues with other initiatives. According to Leonard, the board has developed a working relationship that allows members to carry out their responsibilities without constant supervision.
The president also highlighted efforts to make the Chamber's activities more visible through regular media engagements, public information, stakeholder consultations and direct discussions with business owners.
Leonard stressed that this approach should not be interpreted as suggesting that previous Chamber boards had failed to undertake meaningful work. Rather, she believes that organizational improvements and policy initiatives must be communicated effectively so businesses understand what their representatives are doing on their behalf.
She pointed to an earlier town hall meeting, consultations with business representatives and several initiatives undertaken during the year as examples of the board's efforts to increase participation.
The Chamber's international business expansion initiative,Island Roots to Global Routes, was also discussed as part of its broader work to connect entrepreneurs with new markets. The Miami trade mission, scheduled for November 16 to 19, is being organized with support from regional and international partners and the French-side Chamber of Commerce.
Leonard said the Chamber has received positive feedback from businesses that appreciate the additional communication and opportunities. She nevertheless emphasized that entrepreneurs must also take responsibility for pursuing the opportunities made available to them.
As the discussion turned to her future, Leonard acknowledged that she had originally favored serving one term in the presidency before making way for another board member to develop leadership experience.
She explained that her preferred approach involves allowing members to learn the Chamber's operations, gradually assume greater responsibility and eventually prepare others to take over.
"Because you know me, I say one and done, and make space for somebody else to grow, somebody else to learn," Leonard said.
However, she revealed that fellow board members have asked her to reconsider that position because of the initiatives currently underway and the progress they believe has been made.
While acknowledging the request, Leonard did not formally announce that she would remain president. She expressed mixed feelings about continuing, explaining that the position demands considerable time and personal commitment.
Leonard also cautioned against allowing successful leadership arrangements to become an argument for maintaining the same individuals indefinitely. She believes organizations must create opportunities for new perspectives and fresh leadership, even when existing arrangements are functioning effectively.
For now, she remains focused on completing the Chamber's current initiatives and maintaining the progress established during the year. She expressed hope that, regardless of changes in board composition or leadership, the incoming board would continue advancing initiatives intended to strengthen St. Maarten's business community.
With December elections approaching, Leonard's comments place attention on two related issues: making participation in Chamber elections more accessible and ensuring that COCI's work continues beyond individual leadership terms.
