JANUARY 2004 MINUTES

Word Doc

Minutes of January 8, 2004 meeting – held at the Mt. Airy Fire Hall

President Tim Barkley called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

Introductions followed with the following in attendance:

Tim Barkley, Barkley Law Office

Audrey Stapf, Stapf Crafters

Gwen Hartman, BB&T

Archie Roger, Rogers Engraving

Ken Matthews, Freedom Carpet Cleaning

Mike Zimmer, Attorney at Law

Ross Levin, New York Life

Donnis Klein, Weekenders

Bob Cage, Brahma Technologies, Inc.

Keir Knight, Plain English

Paul Clay, Long & Foster Realtors

Paula Wilhelm, Lorien Mt. Airy Assisted Living

Ray Miller, New Horizon Van Lines

Cindy Ahmann, Carroll County Public Library

Dennis Regulinski, Mid-Atlantic Accounting

Ellie Bonde, Blossom & Basket Boutique

Andrew & Andrea Williamson, Chiropractic First

Robert Holt, BCCS/SCBA

Timothy M. Slane, Sr., Tim’s Lawn & Landscape

Carol Cahall, Main Event

Billie Wilkerson, F&M Bank

Joanna Casson, Business Development Group

Michael Palumbo, CoCard/Armory Trust Services

Minutes:

A correction was made to the Minutes of the December Meeting, to change the date of the Business Card Exchange at the Brick Ridge Restaurant to March 23, 2004 (had been March 2, 2004). The motion to change the date and accept the minutes was made and seconded. Motion carried.

Tim Barkley announced that in the future, the minutes will be posted on the Web Site for corrections.

Treasurer’s Report: Dennis Ahalt

The Y/E 2003 Financial Report was submitted and distributed and accepted by the general membership. Please see attached copy.

Committee Reports:

Social: Andrea Williamson, Donnis Klein

The next business card exchange will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2004 from 4-7 pm, sponsored by Billie Wilkerson and the F&M Bank. Ken Matthews of Freedom Carpet Cleaning will supply the door prize: Complimentary Cleaning of 1 sofa and 1 chair.

There will be a joint Business Card Exchange with the South Carroll Business Association on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, from 4-7 pm at the Brick Ridge Restaurant.

Membership: Audrey Stapf

There are a total of 62 paid members of the Chamber at present. Outstanding members from 2003 who have not yet renewed total 22. They have been contacted by mail and will receive telephone notification next week. Two prior members have declined (Money Mailer of Frederick and Gold Star Auto Detailing). Two new members joined in December: Bob Cage of Brahma Technologies, Inc., and William Strayton of Strayton Associates.

Government Relations: Jim Gill, Keith Mull, Michael Zimmer

Mike Zimmer reported on the luncheon to meet Roscoe Bartlet and other legislators at J&P on January 7. Even with a short announcement time, 48 were in attendance. The cost of the luncheon was adequate to "break-even" on the expense.

Mike also provided handouts with contact information for the respective delegations from both Carroll and Frederick Counties.

The Carroll County Central Committee Legislative Breakfast will be held February 21, 2004 at the Wakefield Valley Country Club in Westminster.

There is a joint trip being planned for our Chamber and the South Carroll Business Association to visit the General Assembly while it is in session. More information will follow as plans are completed.

Carroll County Chamber Report: Carol Cahall

The monthly newsletter was circulated.

• Carol encouraged all to pursue the application for the Small Business Awards for Carroll County. Applications are available on the web, and are due on January 16, 2004.

• The Voice of Business will be held at Wilhelm’s in Westminster at 8:00 a.m. on Friday January 9, 2004.

• The State of the County Address will be held at noon at Martin’s Westminster on Friday, January 9, 2004.

• The annual Gala is scheduled for January 24, 2004. The Mood Swings will be performing.

• The Networking Breakfast will be held at the Westminster Fire Hall on January 27, 2004.

• The Annual Business Fair "Spring Fest" will be held on Saturday, March 13 at the Towne Mall of Westminster from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Ambassadors: Ellie Bonde

Ellie issued a call for new committee members.

Advertising/Marketing: Keir Knight

The Chamber displayed a half page Holiday Ad in the Mt. Airy Gazette and the Mt. Airy Messenger.

We are looking for new ideas. Anyone interested in contributing to the monthly "Chamber Notes" in the Gazette is encouraged to speak with Keir. Tim Barkley will write the first "Chamber Notes" article, and will be getting information from the committee chairs to inform town residents and business owners of Chamber business.

An ad has been placed in the Carroll County Chamber Map. The proof is in, but the maps are not yet ready for distribution.

The Chamber-sponsored Coloring Contest conjunction with the Christmas Parade and the Tree Lighting Ceremony was a great success. Keir displayed the winning entry.

There have been 1046 visitors to the Chamber web site, and 2704 hits.

The goal for 2004 is to link everyone who has a web page to the Mt. Airy Chamber page.

Keir is working on the new brochure for the Chamber, and WILL NOT list any business in the current brochure unless they are paid up.

Professional Development: Tim Barkley

In the past, we have tried to incorporate outside speakers during the regular business meeting, but time constraints have made this venue unfeasible. We will plan to host visiting speakers during a luncheon meeting to allow sufficient time and another opportunity to network. Plans are to hold these meetings during the months when a business card exchange is not scheduled. Please present suggestions to Tim Barkley. A chairperson for this committee is still needed.

Old Business:

Tim Barkley reported on details of incorporating the Chamber. He is working on the Charter, Bylaws, etc. Tim will convene a Bylaws Committee. Let him know if interested in assisting.

Tim Barkley also reported on the status of the Mt. Airy Business Directory. He is talking with people from the Kiwanis regarding a cooperative effort.

New Business:

The Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company has requested that the Chamber renew its request to use the facility. Discussion followed regarding the amount of the donation – was it $25 or $50, monthly or annually.

Tim Barkley brought up an opportunity to sponsor a team for the Literacy Council’s SpellinBe at Martins Westminster on April 22, 2004. Discussion followed but no vote was taken.

Carol Cahall and Donnis Klein reported on plans for the Mt. Airy Business Fair on Saturday, March 27 at the Mt. Airy Senior Center. Applications were made available with an incentive to sign up today. Discussion followed regarding advertising (Keir Knight), sponsorships to offset costs, door prizes. Members were urged to sign up for a committee. It was agreed that the Fair be family-friendly, with some activities available for children, as well as adults.

Robert Holt, President of the South Carroll Business Association spoke briefly about his organization, inviting all Mt. Airy Chamber members to join, as they are quite similar in size and scope. They meet the third Wednesday of each month at Salerno’s in Eldersburg at noon for lunch. Cost of membership in the SCBA is $50/year, and the luncheon is $15 for non-members, $10 for members. Upcoming speakers are Wayne Caskey, an Executive Coach and Baltimore CEO (???) for the January 21 meeting, and Roscoe Bartlett for the February 18 meeting. In addition to speakers, there is an organized quarterly networking roundtable, and the March meeting will be the next one.

Ross Levin suggested that members concentrate on encouraging referrals to one another, scheduling one hour a week to do so.

Carol Blackburn asked what the Chamber’s position is on the town’s proposal to ban trucks on Main Street.

Dennis Regulinski reported that the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company hosts a breakfast every third Sunday from 7am-12 noon, inviting all Chamber members to support the Fire Company in this way.

President Tim Barkley adjourned the meeting at 9:03 a.m.

The following is a list of Committees: Please volunteer for a committee and get involved for 2004!

Membership Government Relations

Professional Development Ambassadors

Finance Business Fair

Public Relations Nominating

Social Charitable Chamber