San Diego North Chamber of Commerce members who live in Rancho Bernardo or work at an RB-based business have until Jan. 19 to declare their candidacy, said Sue Bair, the chamber’s member relations specialist.

While campaigns — complete with campaign managers — are launched, there is a slight difference when it comes to fundraising. Unlike real politics, where there are donation limits and voters get one vote, in the honorary mayor contest the winner is the one who raises the most money and multiple votes are encouraged.

“(Buying votes) is very legal in this (election),” Bair said.

The contest began in 1991 and is a fundraiser for the chamber. The money supports chamber programs and a portion is donated back to Rancho Bernardo, Bair said, adding this year’s beneficiary will be a surprise.

Two years ago, Kory DeMeulenaere was named honorary mayor of the chamber, but Bair said the contest is going back to its original title and roots.

“This is strictly an RB thing,” Bair said.

Following a candidate meeting later this month, Bair said candidates will have about three months to actively campaign. The winner will be announced at RB Alive! on June 6.

Fundraisers typically involve parties or mixers and opportunity drawings for donated prizes.

DeMeulenaere, a Rancho Bernardo resident and general manager at Courtyard by Marriott, said she held four events with a $25 entrance fee. At each, there were drawings and door prizes.

“I was calling everybody I knew who had anything that could possibly be donated,” DeMeulenaere said. “I was able to put together things people would want.”

Because the chamber did not hold the contest last year, DeMeulenaere’s term was extended to two years, but Bair said this year’s winner will once again have a one-year term.

Duties include attending the chamber’s ribbon cuttings, its monthly mixers, State of the Community and Celebration of Business events, and Rancho Bernardo events such as riding in the Spirit of the Fourth parade and attending the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

If the honorary mayor is not available for an event, the deputy honorary mayor — the contest’s runner-up — steps in.

DeMeulenaere said being honorary mayor helped her professionally.

“People began to know who we (Courtyard by Marriott) were,” she said. “My location suffered from a lack of and every time I had the possibility of being introduced as honorary mayor I was also introduced as (the hotel’s) general manager.

“It provided me more visibility in our community and gave me an opportunity to talk specifically about the features my hotel offers,” DeMeulenaere added.

She described the past 18 months as “phenomenal” and said being honorary mayor helped her develop friendships, professional relationships and learn more about the chamber.

“I also got involved in all the educational classes the chamber offered,” she said. “It gave me a different insight into the chamber and see what is available to its business partners.”

Interested candidates need to call Bair at 858-487-1767.