April 2008 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

4/3/08 General Membership Meeting

Members Present (33)

Kerry Turner, Denny Ahalt, Dennis Emerson, Aaron Kahn, Paul Clay, Laurie Dilks, Ellie Bonde, Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Carol Cahall, Colleen Strube, Tim Slane, Marlene Titus, Brian Jacobs, Archie Rogers, Kaye Kolb, Sandy Shumate, Gary Crutchfield, Sis Barnes, Karen Skidmore, Ken Matthews, Keir Knight, Chuck Boteler, Kim DuBuono, Tim Barkley, Alice Decker, Jim Scales, Paul Shaffer, Dan Strayton, Lynda Hamel, Michael Santos, Harry Johnson, Brenda Madden,

The meeting began at approximately 8:05 AM.

Introductions were heard. Chuck Boteler with Sudden Values went first as a new member.
The minutes were unanimously approved (Ken Matthews moved to approve, Carol Cahall seconded.)

1. NEW BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD / Aaron Kahn:
• Mary Alexander, President of the PTSA, South Carroll High School was presented with a check for $500 to be used for the post prom party. Specifically to purchase door prizes. The hope is to get as many students as possible to attend the party and staying safe instead of going out on their own.

Aaron Kahn, president of the Mt. Airy Chamber of Commerce, presents Mary Alexander, president of the South Carroll PTSA, with a check for $500 from the chamber in support of their activities.

2. COMMITTEE REPORTS

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT

• Phone Book/ Keir Knight: The phonebook is in line to be completed and mailed immediately prior to the Expo which is wonderful timing. We have 429 advertisers, 3 more pages than last year, and a 3-½ % increase in revenues from last year. Also, 262 advertisers are chamber members. Important that the businesses in the phone book know that the phone book is being used. When a business in the book is patronized, tell them when they are found by way of the phone book.
• Web Advisory Committee/ Brian Jacobs: Pages that are most widely used are the membership list, the Expo information page and the sponsor ads. The site is experiencing excellent click through rates.

KERRY TURNER, 1st VICE PRESIDENT

• Ambassador Committee / Kerry Turner: Alice Decker has resigned as Ambassador Committee Chair. Need a new chair and we need people to help out the committee. There will be a meeting next Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 3 PM at the Vintage Coffee House. Please come, get involved and support the Ambassador Committee.
• Advertising and Marketing / Carol Cahall: Moving along slowly but surely. They are splitting up the work and it’s going well. She is working with Colleen on the May 8, 2008 event. There will be advertisements in the Lions Club booklet as well as the town newsletter. Be aware that several events in May require RSVPs. Tim Barkley: there was $126 made from the Advertising and Marketing budget. Also a question as to why there hadn’t been any ads this year so far in the Mt. Airy Messenger. Carol just hasn’t had time to track her down. She will put it on her list. Advertising and Marketing will absorb the Expo budget deficit of $140.

DENNIS EMERSON, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT

• Membership / Dennis Emerson: 341 members so far (last year we had 369.) We have 93% of what we had in all of 2007.
• Government Relations/ Mayor Frank Johnson: Thanks to those who advertised in the town newsletter. The town survey is coming up. It should be announced at the next Council meeting. They are in the midst of budget discussions. There are possible tax decreases and moderate increases in water/ sewer rates. The mayor is working for small and steady increases each year, instead of a large rise in rates every three to four years.
• Economic Development Commission /Andrew Williamson: Wants input from everyone as to what types of businesses are wanted and needed in Mt. Airy. He has a business brochure in the works which will be given to people considering starting or opening a business here. Where can we change? Rezone properties? Most people seem to want a decrease in residential property and an increase in commercial and service businesses. A couple of buildings that are for sale or lease are the Coldwell Banker Building and the Macintosh Realty Building.

LAURIE DILKS, RECORDING SECRETARY

• Professional Development / Marlene Titus: April 7 & 9 are the QuickBooks workshops. Both are currently full with short waiting lists. She will be sending out a short email to the registrants stating that they need to follow through with attendance. She is in the process of arranging for a speaker for June. Announced the Practices and Procedure document. It will be posted on the web.

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER

• Our end of quarter revenues were $35,362.25. Expenses were $11,656.64. The checking account balance was $45,308,75 plus the CD of $6,500 equals the total funds available at the end of the quarter of $51,808.75. Everything is on track, on budget and all is good.
• South Carroll PTSA requested a donation, which was approved by the Board in the amount of $500.00.
• Scholarship Committee / Tim Slane: They have 16 applications to date.

PAUL CLAY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

• Expo Committee / Jeanne LeRoux: Aaron thanked Jeanne and Howard and the Expo Committee for all the hard work. They have done a phenomenal job. 83 vendors and more calls every day for space. Blood drive - 17 people so far, asked for more volunteers. Key 103 radio spot recorded & will air 15 times, ads in 4 newspapers, & two articles written so far. Entertainment all day long. We do have some 11 x 17 color fliers printed out, plus we can email the file to people. Patriot Guard Riders arrive between 10:30 - 11:00 and hopefully will have a few vets from Walter Reed. Set up is Friday afternoon & evening. Everyone must be set up by 8:00 am Sat. when exhibitor area will be roped off. Need volunteers to man the Chamber table, blow up and/or hand out balloons, help with bloodmobile sign in, help Mark Jarema with entertainment, setup and especially CLEANUP. An hour or more will help. Many hands make light work. Kids activity area will have moon bounce, plus rock wall (hopefully), 18' fire truck slide, make your own stuffed animals and cotton candy. Wristbands for moon bounce and Kidsafe will be in Activities Building. Moon bounce will be on the other side of event, past tents and outdoor vendors to get traffic through all areas of event. Door prize tickets will be dropped off in 4 locations, building, back of each tent and registration booth to also help move traffic through entire event. Everyone over 18 is eligible to win prizes including exhibitors. Must be present to win all prizes except grand prize.
Door prizes can still be donated but let me know right away. Last committee meeting before Expo is 4/10 at 8:30 am at Vintage Coffee House. Jeanne thanked Brian Jacobs, Chamber Webmaster, for publicizing th Expo on the Chamber’s website.
• Social Committee / Colleen Strube: Next Business Card Exchange is on 4-8-08 at Lorien Assisted Living from 4-7 PM. It will be hosted by Lorien Mt. Airy Assisted Living, Forever Flowers, Tim’s Lawn and Landscape Service, Inc., Fun 4 Hours, and brand new to the Chamber, A&G’s Carryout & Convenience Store. For the May 8 event, please RSVP to the Carroll County Chamber. Need help with the Mini Golf Tournament. The social committee to meet right after today’s chamber meeting.

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

• Carroll County Chamber: Carroll County Public Schools Teacher Awards Night is tonight. Next board meeting is later this month. New members get a free website.
• Frederick County Chamber / Archie Rogers: GMACC members get $100 off membership to the Frederick Chamber. There are many benefits to membership. Archie has applications for whoever wants one. He also does GMACC name badges.
• SCBA Liaison / Katie Feltz: Next meeting is Salerno’s on the third Wednesday of April, noon, at Salerno’s in Eldersburg. There’s an event tonight at Wagner Digital Video (television studio.) It’s in part of the old London Fog building from 5-9 PM.

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

• Ken Matthews: Patriot Guard Riders have Challenge Coins available to purchase online for the wounded veterans. Go to PatriotGuard.org. Scroll down and click on PGR Challenge Coins for Wounded Warriors.
• Carol Cahall: Thank you to Sandra Wiles for publishing the Newsletter.
• Howard LeRoux: Expo fliers available. See him after the meeting. Also, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Flyers. Come and support them!
• Mayor Johnson: Disabled Vets need a lot of items. They really appreciate care packages.
• Ellie Bonde: Children’s Miracle Network event, Sunday, May 18. Applications will be at the front table at the Expo.
• Paul Clay: Thanked all who participated and advertised at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast.
• Bob Cage: Carroll County Tech Council is sponsoring a Golf Tournament. 1st weekend in May. Calvary United Methodist Church is sending a team to Biloxi MS to help again with the rebuilding. 2 slots available.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:06 AM.