April 2007 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

In Attendance: Carol Cahall, Kerry Turner, Aaron Kahn, Keir Knight, Archie Rogers, Robert Cage, Todd Kellner, Paul Clay, Kaye Kolb, Elle Bonde, William Fries, Mark Jarema, Sudha Kaistha, Paula Wilhhelm, Leslie Sier, Annette Breiling, Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Harry Johnson, Karrie Rhodes, Bill Butts, Melinda Byrd, Sandy Shumate, Carl S.Minkel, Ryan Langelan, Dennis Regulinski, Bradley H. Hartzel, Scott Boutaugh, Sis Barnes, Patricia Clements, Susan Howes, Tim Slane, James Jones, Alice Decker, Leslie Brenneman, Gary Crutchfield.

Minutes approved.

Finance Committee/Treasurer: Dennis Ahalt Balance $38,887.18

Executive Committee: Kerry Turner. Paul Clay liason for downtown parking. Aaron Kahn judge for Easter. Working on by-laws contract

Membership: New Members. Paul Clay. 43 during March 2007.

Ambassadors: Ellie Bonde. New member orientation after membership meeting. Chamber name signs are now available for display in your business free. If you want chamber sign to display, contact Ellie Bonde. Name tags are now paid for by chamber.

Professional Development: Marlene Titus/Archie Rogers. The Chamber’s professional development series is holding a session on "Branding" on April 23 at Mt. Airy Library, 6-9 pm. Free to members. Sponsor is Keir Knight, Plain English Writing & Design. Carroll Community College is holding "Small Business Start-Up BOOTCAMP at the college Thursday –Saturday, April 26-28, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. Cost: $995 (MD Senior Adults - $25)

Scholarship: Tim Slane. We have 30+ applications to this point. 95% are high school. 5% are college students. High Schools represented are Linganore, South Carroll, Urbana, Glen Elg, Middledtown. Colleges – Frederick Community College, Hood College, McDaniel College. The committee will be meeting several times in April to review applicants.

Business Expo: Howard LeRoux. Need someone to write editorial. Need volunteers for set up and breakdown. 4 spaces available for tent. Need pictures from last year. Program to be distributed in the Gazette. 70,000. Booth sign up deadline Apr 5th.

Advertising & Marketing: Keir Knight. The folder being passed around the room has a large amount of advertising and editorial this month. The Chamber paid for two advertisements to promote the Fire Benefit dinner to be held next weekend . The ads were in the Gazette and the Messenger. The Chamber is not currently advertising in the Carroll Co Times as that newspaper has not rejoined as a member for 2007. $500 has been spent to sponsor a Four County Little League (FCLL) team. All 330 members are now complete on the Web Site. Need email for each member to send information to update Web Site. There is an idea under discussion for the Ambassador’s Committee to help contact all members that either don’t have a profile and/or don’t have an email address listed.

Phone Book: Is in good shape. Orange paper all ordered. Over 380 business taking more than 80 ads. The Orange Pages will be about the same size as last year. Met our goal for revenue. We share revenue with the Kiwanis Club. The proofing stage is coming to an end, then the book will be prepared for the printer. Eight tons of orange paper is on standby in a warehouse in Harrisburg, PA.

Social Committee: Leslie Brenneman. Bus card exchange April 17th –The Acupuncture Center 4-6:30; April 30th The Healing Temple in Frederick; May 8th Costco w/ Mt Airy and Frederick Chambers. Mini-Golf and picnic May 31st. If you would like to Host an exchange, we have NO more months left in 2007. 2008 is open.

Carroll County Chamber: Web Site

Frederick Chamber: John Beck. Partnership agreement has been signed with Frederick Chamber. Business card exchange between the two chambers is set for May 8, 7am – 9am at Costco. Mt. Airy Chamber members wishing to join Frederick Chamber will receive a $100 discount off of membership.

New Business: Welcome sign for Mt. Airy. Ben Gue handles the signs. Bob Cage moved to have sign updated

Seconded by Howard LeRoux. GMACC to pay. Motioned passed.

Mayor Johnson – News letter being published in April. Parking committee working.

Trash issue being addressed. Non-profit meeting space available in city hall.

Bechtel Power sponsors meetings about crime. Next one June 6. Contact Pre-Paid Legal.

Bob Cage. Thurs 17th

Bob Cage going to help in Katrina. Biloxi, MS

Chili cookoff Apr 14th.

Meeting adjourned 9:15 am