March 2008 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

3/6/08 General Membership Meeting

Members Present (45)

Kerry Turner, Denny Ahalt, Dennis Emerson, Paul Clay, Laurie Dilks, Ellie Bonde, Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Audrey Stapf, Carol Cahall (late), Colleen Strube, Tim Slane, Marlene Titus, Brian Jacobs, Archie Rogers, Bruce James, Kaye Kolb, Patricia Knight, Sandy Shumate, Gary Crutchfield, Patricia Clements, Gayle Shaw, Shawn Reilly, Sis Barnes, Karen Skidmore, Ken Matthews, Jackie Bingham, Brian Ward, Mike Santos, Jim Scales, Brandon Martin, Richard Stein, James Jones, Gayle Crowder, Pete Bowlus, Janice Kispert, Randy Goldstein, Keir Knight, Carol McGurrin, Christina Mayhew, John Seymour, Paul Shaffer, Kim DuBuono, Tom Watkins (late?).

The meeting began at approximately 8:03 AM.

Kerry opened and ran the meeting in Aaron’s stead.
Introductions were heard.
The minutes were unanimously approved (Archie moved to approve, Tim Barkley seconded.)

1. NEW BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD / Kerry Turner (Aaron Kahn absent)
• All items moved to committees.
• Calendar on the back of the agenda.

2. COMMITTEE REPORTS

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT

• Phone Book/ Keir Knight: The sign for the Lion’s Club board at the north end of Main street has been completed, as well as the Fire Company sign. They’ll be mounted when the weather warms up. The Phone Book is on track to be published next month. 425 Businesses are in the book, 561 ads and 84 orange pages. 4% increase in revenue from last year. There are one or two ad spaces left. Paul Clay commented on the white pages, community listings and the important telephone numbers being Kiwanis’ contribution and all the effort that went into those listings. There were over 500 changes made to the white pages alone.
• Web Advisory Committee/ Brian Jacobs: Kerry Turner gave special thanks to Brian for his website work especially in the light of recent challenges. Spaces for banner ads still available. A number of the ads have already had over 4,000 “ad views” so far. The ads are getting anywhere from 3.5 to 6.9 “click through” rates (very good.) In November 07, the web site received 20,382 page views from 7958 visitors. In December 07, the web site received 17,750 page views from 8,674 visitors. In January 08, the web site received 24,219 page views from 8.325 visitors. In February 07, the web site received 17,000 page views from 6,807 visitors. The navigation has been expanded and more pages will be added to make the site that much more useful. He added a calendar and will continue to add more events to it. He is coordinating with Marlene Titus to get the Professional Development events on the website.

KERRY TURNER, 1st VICE PRESIDENT

• Ambassador Committee / Kerry Turner (Alice Decker absent): New member orientation to be held after the general meeting
• Advertising and Marketing / Shawn Reilly (Carol Cahall absent): The committee met with Gail Crowder, with the Gazette, to coordinate the advertising for the Expo.
• New 25th Anniversary logo was circulated among the members. Kerry thanked Mike Santos for spearheading the design process.

DENNIS EMERSON, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT

• Membership / Dennis Emerson: 320 members so far (last year we had 369.) He read a list of members who have not renewed and asked for help in contacting these individuals.
• Government Relations/ Mayor Frank Johnson: The Town Council backed off on the noise ordinance. Asked for attention and involvement of the business community in the water commission and the recycling and sanitation commission. If there is anyone who would like to advertise in the newsletter, there is still room. $40 for a business card size ad.
• Kerry Turner announced that Andrew Williamson is now the Chamber liaison for the Economic Development Commission and will be attending our general meetings. Next month he will be giving us an update on setting up a business in Mt. Airy.

LAURIE DILKS, RECORDING SECRETARY

• Professional Development / Marlene Titus: Business Plan workshop has seven participants. Next workshop is Tips and Tricks with Quick Books on April 7th or 9th. There are 14 spots for each session. Please don’t sign up unless you are committed to being there. It is unfair to those who could not sign up if you commit and do not show up. She is hoping to have a speaker in June, Mike Manison on how to personally market your business. She will work with Brian Jacobs to put all of the PD committee information on the website. She is working on the Practices and Procedures for event sponsors.

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER

• Our beginning balance for February was $26,419.05. Revenues were $19538.75 of which $17,445.00 was from the Phone Book. Expenses were $2.308.17. Balance in the checking account was $43,649.63. When the CD amount of $6,500.00 is added, the total revenue for February was 50,149.63.
• South Carroll PTSA requested a donation, which was approved by the Board in the amount of $500.00.
• Scholarship Committee / Tim Slane: The ads have been placed. The schools have been contacted. They have one application to date.

PAUL CLAY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

• Expo Committee / Jeanne LeRoux: 60 vendors so far (10 more than last year.) Still 9 tent spaces left. The Bloodmobile will still be there, but they would like more donors to sign up. Hard copies of flyers are available, as well as an electronic version. March 15 is the deadline for submitting a door prize. It must be worth at least $100 and have “no strings attached.” Key 103 will be broadcasting from 10 to Noon with four breaks. They will have a booth with a prize wheel. You may submit prizes for the prize wheel. A certificate will be placed on the wheel. If a contestant wins then that person will pick up their prize at the donor’s booth. Working on the entertainment. They have a couple nailed down, but they are working on more. They do have other goings on throughout the day. Magic shows, etc. Gayle Crowder (sp?) showed an example of the pull out ad for the Expo. It will be included with the papers that are distributed in Damascus, Eldersburg, Sykesville and Frederick.
• Social Committee / Colleen Strube: Next Business Card Exchange is on 3-11-08 from 4-7 PM at the Stauffer Funeral Home. Sponsors will be Ray Miller with ReMax Realty Group and Ellie Bonde of the Blossom and Basket Boutique. Please help the Social Committee. A co-chair is needed for the Mini-Golf Tournament. Next meeting is on March 22, 2008 at 1:30 PM at the Olive Leaf Cafe. Also need door prizes. M&T Bank will be hosting a business card exchange on March 25, 2008 from 4-6 PM. Lorien Assisted Living will be hosting on April 8, 2008.

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

• Carroll County Chamber: Marlene Titus has latest Newsletter with updated calendar of events. In April there is a bridal extravaganza. Taneytown has a business breakfast coming up. She will pass the Newsletter around the room for those that are interested.
• Frederick County Chamber / Archie Rogers: Has over 820 members and a dedicated recruiter. They have a goal of 1,000 by the end of the year. There are many benefits to membership. A single membership if you already belong to the GMACC is only $280.00. New facility is very impressive and easily accessible.
• SCBA Liaison / (Katie Feltz absent): Next meeting is Salerno’s on March 19, 2008. Becky Maurio from Carroll County Community College Adult Education Program. There are two main groups of people who participate in the program. Those for whom English is a second language and those wishing to obtain their High School Diploma. There is an External Diploma Program, which is not offered in all counties in Maryland. The participants work with an advisor to compile a portfolio. The program is run from Mt. Airy Middle School and is subsidized by the Maryland State Department of Education. The tuition is only $200 per participant.

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

• Carol Cahall brought copies of the Newsletter. Mentioned the joint event on May 8 with the other chambers and Frederick Memorial Hospital. An RSVP will most likely be required.
• Pete Bowlus of the Historical Society of Mt. Airy, Maryland, thanked the Chamber for its help with the program book. Encouraged all to come and visit. On 3-18-08 there will be a Hall of Fame Dinner at the American Legion honoring Benjamin Gue, Althea Miller, Arthur Brett, Frances Free and Thomas Wagner. Tickets are $20.00.
• Paul Clay encouraged all to help with the committees. Reminded everyone about the upcoming Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Please post the flyer in your place of business. Reminded all about renewing their placemat ads.