JANUARY 2006 MINUTES
January Minutes

In attendance:Carol Cahall – The Main EventDenny Ahalt – New Windsor State BankTom Neff – MSCCKerry Turner – Frederick News-PostAaron Kahn – Eclipse SecurityDennis Regulinski – CPAHoward LeRoux – Mt Airy Dent RepairLeslie Brenneman – CostcoRamzy Nassar– CostcoPaul Clay – RemaxAudrey StapfArchie Rogers – Rogers EngravingTim Slane Sr – Tim’s Lawn & LandscapeCarol Blackburn – GazetteBen Gue – Ben Gue Gifts & CollectiblesGail Slane – Forever FlowersJim Jones – The Credit Card StoreTom Watkins – Watkins LimousineMichael Zimmer – AttorneyKeir Knight – Plain English Writing & DesignEllie Bonde – Blossom & BasketJackie Bingham – Patches QuiltingKaye Kolb – Rohrbaugh’s CharterMarlene Titus – Carroll Community CollegePaula Wilhelm – Lorien Mt Airy Karen Skidmore – Completely FitKathy Brossart - Mt Airy Sports SupplyTim Barkley – Barkley LawKarrie Rhodes – GazetteHarry Johnson – AflacBrendan Madden – All Around PlumbingFirehouse Pottery CoColor WorksCraig Bedard – Bank of AmericaBryan Pelino - AmerifundsGuest: Eric Bouchat, candidate for Carroll County Commissioner District 4Meeting Began: 8:10 amTreasurer’s Report:Finished year with $16997.74 for 2005. $18081 additional deposits were made in the beginning of 2006 for membership dues, the Gala, and the Business Fair.The Audit was performed by the audit committee. The books were found in good order. Suggestions will be covered later.Social Committee / Business Card ExchangesThe committee is working on finalizing dates for Business Card Exchanges for the year. They will post these as soon as they are final. If you are interested in hosting in Dec, let Leslie or Ray know.Membership:3 new members in Dec: BNI, Mt Airy Sports Supply, and Convenience CateringTotal membership for 2006 is now 159Government Relations / DebateThe chamber and the Gazette will be co-sponsors for a debate for the Town Council, Carroll Co Commissioners, Fred Co Commissioners. Possibly Roscoe Bartlet and Scott Rolle.Carroll Co Chamber
As a member of the Mt Airy Chamber, you are able to attend Carroll Co Chamber events.

State of the County: January 12^th

Carroll County Chamber Gala: January 21^st

AmbassadorsWelcome new members! Following the Feb meeting, there will be a new member orientation. All interested members are invited to attend. Ellie is looking for volunteers who are interested in joining the Ambassador Committee. Professional DevelopmentThe continuing ed catalog for Carroll Community College has come out. The chamber’s series is listed on page 34. 1^st class is Feb 7^th – business uses of Power Point. Advertising & MarketingLast month, an ad was placed in the Frederick News Post Mt Airy group pages . Also, holiday ads were placed in the Gazette and Messenger. ‘06- The Lance (Linganore High’s newspaper) is asking for advertising support.If you have any ideas on how the Chamber can brand itself, let Keir know.Website – there were 420 hits last month. Please update your profiles if needed.Keir would like to hold a committee meeting in Feb – he will e-mail possible dates to the committee.Last year, the budget was $7500 dollars and came in approx $1300 under budget. A question was raised about the difference between that number and what Denny has in the financial report. Keir pointed out that the difference is money paid in 2005 for 2004 budget items (Denny would report this, but it is not counted in the committee’s 2005 budget).Gala UpdateThere are 110 people attending! If you are still interested in coming, you must see Paula today after the meeting. After that, the total numbers are due today. Thank you to the committee who has been working on this.Business FairThere is 1 table available in the activities building, as well as buildings available outside under the tent. Thank you to Costco for donating a Stainless Steel Grill for a door prize.ScoreboardWe are waiting to hear about the installation of the scoreboard at Parr’s Ridge. Following the installation, we will have a dedication ceremony. More to come.Review of Audit and RecommendationsRecommendations:Allow President and 1^st VP check signing capabilities (already done).2 signatures required for checks over $500Supporting documentation required for checks to be cut (receipts)Should have an audit committee elected each year, different people from the Finance Committee.Have a requirement for RFP for larger jobs done by the chamber. (this is something that the exec committee will work out this year)New BusinessKeir has come up with the idea of having a member driven membership drive. Any member who fills out an application with your name on it would be entered into a drawing for a free 1/4 page ad in the phone book each. Then also, the member who signs up the most new members would receive a $100 gift certificate to a chamber member’s restaurant. This would cost about $1100. Keir Knight made the motion, Tim Barkley seconded. Discussion: it would take 13 new members to have this project break even. Paul brought up the idea of having the LLC donate the space. Tim Barkley answered that he would like to have the paper trail clean, and also because technically the Kiwanis would be donating the money as well. Motion Passed

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 am