August 2008 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

8/7/08 General Membership Meeting

Members Present (32):

Paul Clay, Denny Ahalt, Dennis Emerson, Aaron Kahn, Kerry Turner, Laurie Dilks, Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Marlene Titus, Archie Rogers, Sandy Shumate, Gary Crutchfield, Tim Barkley, Mayor Frank Johnson, Kurt Hider, Audrey Stapf, Alice Decker, Sis Barnes, Janice Kispert, Rich Rowen, Tim Slane, Rick Morehead, Alyson Rothberg, Kaye Kolb. P.W. Shaffer, Jim Scales, Carol Pickett, Dennis Regulinski, Paula Wilhelm, Kim Witner, Carol Cahall, Alfred LeBeau.

The meeting began at approximately 8:03 AM.

Introductions were heard.
The minutes were unanimously approved (Paul Clay moved to approve, Alice Decker seconded.)

1. NEW BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD:

• Preliminary remarks were heard from Tim Barkley who reiterated the By-Laws regarding election policy and procedure. The main points in summary were that each position is held for two years yet any person can challenge for any position.
• Note: This was later clarified that the positions of President and 1st and 2nd VP’s cannot be contested as they are elected to 2 year terms. The positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary are elected each year.

2. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER

• Starting balance for July 2008 was $28,478.04. Income was $60.00 form Website Sponsorships. Expenses were $1,699.99. On July 31, 2008 the checkbook balance was $26,838.05. The CD has accrued funds for a total value of $6,593.57. The total balance at the end of July was $33,431.62.

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT

• WAC/ Aaron Kahn: Explanation of the two Yahoo email groups. The main one is for chamber business only; including advertising promotions, which are, integral to chamber events, and the other is for members to advertise special events and business-to-business information. We will be qualifying what goes in the official chamber emails. Only officers and committee chairs will be able to send chamber emails on the main list. Only chamber sponsored events and advertising for those events will be sent via the main list, example is the Expo. Newspaper postings will go through Carol Cahall. Trivia questions are working well and have generated new memberships. Marlene Titus asked if there was a link on the chamber website and detailed instructions on how to sign up for the group. Yes, and there are instructions that went out with the trivia contest emails. Alice Decker questioned if she was on the second email list. She said she joined but she has never gotten any emails. Aaron said it has been a while since the last trivia question went out. Aaron stated that the second list is loosely watched for content. Dennis Regulinski asked what the turnaround time is for requested postings. Aaron said that three business days should be all that is necessary for approval and posting. Aaron said that the officers and committee chairs would have their contact information and links to their business websites on the chamber website. Aaron went over the RFP dates:
• Dates have been set. The schedule is:
8-11-08 RFP sent out to members
8-29-08 bids will be due
9-08-08 bidders presentations
9-15-08 award contract
9-19-08 new contract signed
10-1-08 Webmaster term begins

• EXPO/ Jeanne LeRoux: We are penciled in for April 18, 2009. There will be some layout changes. More tents on the grass will provide greater visibility and allow more vendors. KidSafe will be there again but they are trying to arrange more help to streamline the process. Next meeting is 9-14-08 at 8:30 AM at the Vintage Coffee House.

KERRY TURNER, 1st VICE PRESIDENT

• Advertising and Marketing / Carol Cahall: Advertising is on track for the Business Card Exchanges and they are thinking about the Membership Drive.

DENNIS EMERSON, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT

• Membership / Dennis Emerson: 378 members so far. Our goal for the year is 400. Reminded everyone about the 18-month reactivation rate for prior members. Has sent out an email and a regular mailing. Asked for assistance in contacting some of the prior members. Laurie Dilks suggested that Dennis email the list of old members to the current membership. Members could then review the list and contact those businesses, which are familiar to them. Jeanne LeRoux commented that the website is not up to date, some old members still on it. Marlene asked if it is a calendar year membership. Dennis confirmed that. Dennis remarked that he had a current database that he could forward to Howard and Jeanne for their use in the Expo. Tim Barkley asked if it is feasible to keep a password protected list on the website for membership to correct and update their own profiles? Aaron said that the option had been looked into and was cost prohibitive. Audrey Stapf says there are members who think they are still members. Gary Crutchfield suggested posting a delinquent list on the site.
• Government Relations/ Mayor Frank Johnson: The Newsletter will be out this week. Thanked all who advertised. The next issue is in September/October and he welcomed suggestions on improving the Newsletter. The Mayor is looking for more ways to involve businesses in the town’s recycling efforts. There are spots open on the Recycling Commission. Thanked businesses, which donated money for the flags up and down Main Street. There are sponsorship opportunities available. The Town will have movie night once a month and each showing costs approximately $175.00. In addition, there is a town calendar in the works to feature the older Mt. Airy homes and this project will fund youth activities.
• Economic Development Commission /Andrew Williamson: Not present.

LAURIE DILKS, RECORDING SECRETARY

• Professional Development / Marlene Titus: The surveys are in. People want a workshop on Excell. There will be a two-part course on 9-22-08 and 9-24-08 at the College and this is free to Chamber members. On 10-13-08 or 10-20-08 there will be a Disaster Planning Workshop at the Mt. Airy Library. This will have 4 panel members: insurance, business planning, investments and data protection. The date is not yet set. Another workshop will be on Human Resources and Hiring, and concentrating on small business specifics, i.e. employee handbooks, rules, IRS issues and state tax law. There will be other free three-hour workshops offered by the College and these are listed in the course booklet. May 15, 2009 is the Small Business Conference.

PAUL CLAY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

• Ambassador Committee/ Paul Clay: Introduced his Co-Chair, Alyson Rothberg. At the next meeting there will be a new member orientation.
• Social Committee / Bruce James: Next Business Card Exchange was moved to August 21, 2008 at Sandy Spring Bank. September’s exchange will be on the 30th at Blossom and Basket Boutique. October’s exchange will be on the 15th at New Windsor State Bank. In addition, there will be a speed-networking event at the Green Turtle in September; the date is to be announced.

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

• Carroll County Chamber: Carol Cahall: The chamber has a sub-committee on hiring issues and this may be a good resource for Marlene’s workshop.
• Frederick County Chamber / Archie Rogers: August 20 is the chamber’s picnic at Adventure Park USA from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
• SCBA Liaison / Katie Feltz: Not present.

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:

• Kurt Hider: did we email all the non-renewing members? Dennis said yes. Dennis also mailed a flyer with the 18-moth renewal rate.
• Paula Wilhelm: She is putting together a team for a Diabetes Walk and will have a hot dog fundraiser.
• Alfred LeBeau: November Seniors Special. Four-hour program in Columbia, MD for employers only dealing with re-employment of returning veterans.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 AM.