Kristin Davis, executive director, has already left the chamber and Carmel Scott, accounts manager, is leaving soon. Both attributed their leaving to personal reasons.

"I wanted to make a change and do something else. I have a couple of projects to finish," Davis said. "I also want to take some time out and enjoy myself."

Davis indicated that she would also be looking after some family business.

Scott is leaving because her mother, who lives in England, is seriously ill. "I plan to visit her several times a year," she said.

"It would be impossible for me to carry on working here and also keep going on frequent leave."

Sheila Arthur, a former director at the chamber, will be the interim director until a replacement is found. She worked at the chamber six years ago.

"I am delighted to be back. I will try to fill Carmel's position first," she said.

Arthur said that the chamber board is already working hard to find the replacements. "We continue to move on."

The interim executive director said that she would try to ensure that there were no interruptions in chamber business because of staff churn. "I am starting to feel my feet and take care of business," said Arthur. "My biggest challenge now is to replace the two great staff persons we had."

Nomita Shahani, the newly installed chamber president, is a Realtor with Alain Pinel. She has been volunteering at the chamber for nearly 10 years.

"Change is good," said Shahani. "We are open to change; change helps us grow."

She said that as president of the chamber, she would be focusing on three C's this year—communication, cultivation and compromise.

"We will have an open line of communication with our members to foster better business relationships," said Shahani.

"If we work together, we will achieve more," she said. "I want to make sure that businesses in Saratoga get more out of being members of the chamber."

Shahani said that the executive committee was looking for Scott's replacement and expected to fill the vacancy soon. "I am optimistic that we will find a permanent replacement for the executive director's position by the end of March," she said.

The chamber plans to improve its relationship with the city and the city council this year, according to Shahani. "I can say that our relationship with the city is better than ever before. Dave Anderson, the city manager, is an ex-officio member of the board," she said.

Shahani said that she would work to ensure that the chamber volunteered help in city redevelopment programs. She hoped that the city would help in attracting different kind of businesses to downtown Saratoga.

"We need an anchor store downtown," she said.

Davis worked at the chamber for more than three years, Scott for 10.

"I am very sad to be leaving. It has been a worthwhile experience," said Scott.

Scott was a volunteer with the city before she joined the chamber.

"It has been an enlightening experience; I found out more about businesses. It is difficult being a business person," Scott said.

Davis said that she had met some wonderful people in the course of her job. "I have made some lifelong friends," she said.