January 2008 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

1/2/08 General Membership Meeting

Members Present (41)

Aaron Kahn, Kerry Turner, Denny Ahalt, Dennis Emerson, Paul Clay, Laurie Dilks, Keir Knight, Ellie Bonde, Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Audrey Stapf., Carol Cahall, Tim Barkley, Colleen Strube, Ray Miller, Alice Decker, Ken Matthews, Tim Slane, Marlene Titus, Brian Jacobs, Archie Rogers, Bruce James, Bill Butts, Gary Crutchfield, Jackie Bingham, Wayne Barnes, Kaye Kolb, Katie Feltx, Kim Witner, Michael Santos, Patricia Knight, Robert Cage, Sandra Wiles, Sudha Kaistha, Filomena Thompson, Sandy Shumate, Melinda Byrd, Dianne Ryan, Harry Johnson, Chrissy Jongezoon, Dennis Regulinski.

The meeting began at approximately 8:05 AM.

1. NEW BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD / Aaron Kahn

• Agenda will be in this essential format. All committees will be chaired by a board member and whenever possible all new business will fall under a committee..
• 25th Anniversary Summer Event - TBD, new logo is being designed
• Sandra Wiles is the new GMACC Newsletter Editor.
• New members: Trish Knight and Kim Witner
• Thanks you’s to Ellie Bonde and Keir Knight for their service to the chamber.

2. COMMITTEE REPORTS

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT

• Phone Book / Keir Knight The deadline is 1-18-08. Many more applications in. Please take flyers and give to businesses. Trying to target the non-traditional businesses.
• By-Laws/ Tim Barkley Will hold annual review meeting in about three weeks, TBD. Please come forward with any ideas, changes, suggestions, etc.
• Web Advisory Committee/ Aaron Kahn Currently reviewing updates to website, and draft sponsorship application and contract. Email lists, there is one for chamber business and one for all other business and these will be delineated further. Introduced Brian Jacobs, the new webmaster.

KERRY TURNER, 1st VICE PRESIDENT

• Ambassador Committee / Alice Decker New member orientation today to cover what your membership can do for you and what you can do for the chamber. Plaques have 2007, but they will be getting 2008 to put over the current year.
• Advertising and Marketing / Carol Cahall Still some organization and defining of tasks to be done. Business card exchanges will be advertised.

DENNIS EMERSON, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT

• Membership / Dennis Emerson 196 Confirmed members at this point. We’re getting the word out.
• Government Relations/ Mayor Frank Johnson The Recycling and Sanitation Commission needs volunteers to fill one or two vacant positions. The deadline for the town newsletter is 1-15-08.

LAURIE DILKS, RECORDING SECRETARY

• Professional Development / Marlene Titus Workshops to be on January 4th and 6th in Mt. Airy, and on April 7th and 9th at Carroll County Community College. Trying to get someone form the IRS to speak in late February or March. Also trying to get someone from the State taxing authority because there are more changes taking place on the state level. All information will be sent to Brian Jacobs to post. These are all free to members. There will also be sponsors. There will be an obligation and regulation list for sponsors as well. Marlene will be in contact with the participants in the Fall 2007 Business Plan program.

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER

• Our beginning balance was $17,932.93 and our ending balance was $28,103.14. Our income was $56,056.10 and our expenses were $51,885.89, leaving a net income of $21,603.14, less the CD of $6,500, leaving $28,103.14. The dues were approximately $4,300, which was excellent. Tim Barkley asked if we roughly made $5 k.. Yes, per Denny. There were a couple of end year amounts that were skewed, i.e. the Gala. Q: rate on the CD? 3.35% at Damascus Community Bank.
• Scholarship Committee / Tim Slane Welcome new committee members Paul Clay and Robert Stine. Existing members are Melinda Byrd, Aaron Kahn, Howard LeRoux. Next meeting is 1-8-08. The committee still has and monitors the email address. Also info is posted on the chamber website.

PAUL CLAY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

• Expo Committee / Howard LeRoux Next committee meeting is at the Vintage Coffee House, 1-7-08. Anyone wishing to reserve an exhibit space and does so at the Business Card Exchange on the 9th of January will recieve the 10% discount. Need a sponsor for Kids Safe: $2 k.
• Social Committee / Paul Clay Next Business Card Exchange is on 1-9-08 at the Senior Center, Mt. Airy, Upper Level. Space for exhibitors is full. Those present will be: Keir Knight (Phone Book), Dennis Emerson (Membership), Kiwanis, Jeanne LeRoux (EXPO), Paula Wilhem for Lorien, Laurie Dilks for Juice Plus+, Leslie Sier for Prepaid Legal, Kim Witner for Arbonne, Colleen Strube for Send Out Cards, and Sandy Shumate for Bezalel Designs.

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

• Carroll County Chamber / Tim Barkley Voice of Business annual meeting with State Delegation. State of the County Lunch 1-10-08, Noon, Martins in Westminster. Huge grand opening of FMH refurbished facility on 5-8-08, time TBD We are host Chamber. Joint event with Carroll County Chamber, Frederick County Chamber.
• Frederick County Chamber / Carol Cahall Grand opening of new chamber office at 8420 B Gas House Pike on 1-16-08. Lunch next Thursday at Carrabas 11:30 to 1 PM.

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

• Chrissy Jongexoon, PTA of Twin Ridge Elementary School announcing a Silent Auction in February. Asking for donations of money and / or services, sponsors of gift baskets. Left flyers. All infor also in electronic form.
• Laurie Dilks, Recording Secretary asking for a continuation of the policy that all present leave a business cards or write their name on a slip of paper for an accurate accounting of those in attendance.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 AM.