Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce looks at shifting responsibility for fall festival

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — The annual Fall Harvest Festival has become such a big responsibility for the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce that no one wants to accept the nomination for president of the chamber. Even current president Donnia Mayfield said she doesn't want to take on another year as president because of the amount of work the fall festival requires.

"I put three months into [the festival] and neglected my job," Mayfield said.

Beverly Peters, who has been trying to come up with a slate of officers for next year, said at the chamber meeting Nov. 13 she had no trouble finding a treasurer and two vice presidents. But no one she has asked is willing to be nominated for president.

Chamber members voted to allow Peters to seek not only a president who would not be responsible for planning and organizing the fall festival but also to look for a person who would be paid as an event planner to take over the festival duties.

"It could be done on a volunteer basis if this person has no other job," Mayfield said. "It takes a year."

Chamber members agreed a volunteer coordinator would be ideal, but they're more likely to get a paid planner. No amount of pay was discussed.

Mayfield was noncommittal about whether she'd take a second year as president if it didn't involve the festival.

"No one knows why the fall festival became the chamber's responsibility," Mayfield said.

Martha Peters, director of the Senior Center, said she knew. "The chamber took it from the seniors," she said, adding that the senior center did not want it back.

The chamber expects to vote on a slate officers for 2009 at its December meeting.