November 2008 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

11/6/08 General Membership Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT

Members Present (32):  Paul Clay, Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Patricia Clements, Aaron Kahn, Dennis Emerson, Tim Barkley, Marlene Titus, Alyson Rothberg, Alfred LeBeau, Audrey Stapf, Archie Rogers, David Arthur, James Jones, Colleen Strube, Ellie Bonde, Kaye Kalb, Layne Price, Denny Ahalt, Dennis Regulinski, Sis Barnes, Sandy Shumate, Carol Cahall, Tim Slane, Bruce James, Bob Cage, Laurie Dilks, Mark Jarema, Mayor Frank Johnson, Paula Wilhelm, Annette Freeling, Shawn Reilly.

The meeting began at approximately 8:20 AM.

INTRODUCTIONS WERE HEARD 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Aaron Kahn called for a motion to approve the last meeting's minutes.  Archie made the motion.  Motion was seconded.  Comment was made that Zero Lag was misspelled.  Motion was made to approve the minutes from October's General Meeting.  October's minutes were unanimously approved with that notation. 

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD

• Planning Meeting / Aaron Kahn: The Planning Meeting went well.  Aaron explained we adopted a method for taking the minutes that was in line with Roberts Rules of Order.  Aaron encouraged the committee chairs to touch on what was done at the meeting with regard to each committee.

• Membership Drive/ Carol Cahall:  A large chunk of the budget was put into the advertising for this event.  Thank yous to Sandy Shumate, Carol Pickett and Shawn Reilly for all of their help.

• Committee Chair Openings/ Updates/ Aaron Kahn: Aaron resigned as Chairman of the By-Laws Committee.  Sandy Shumate is Co-Chair with Carol Cahall. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT (Eclipse Security, Inc.)

• Website Advisory Committee/ David Arthur (Arthur Graphics):  The transition is complete except for a few remaining bugs.  David's email address is GMACC@arthurgraphics.com.

• Bylaws Committee/ Tim Barkley (Tim Barkley Law Offices):  There are a few issues still outstanding.  The next meeting is on November 11 at 1:00 PM.  Questions are how many meetings are required for voting eligibility and the President should be an ex-officio member of every committee.

KERRY TURNER, 1st VICE PRESIDENT (Frederick News Post)

• Community Expo/ Shawn Reilly (Carroll County Times) and Carol Pickett (Sandy Spring Bank):  The main focus of the committee is currently the Membership Drive.  The next meeting is November 20 at 8:30 AM at the Vintage Coffee House.

DENNIS EMERSON, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT (Sherman Emerson Insurance, Inc.)

• Membership / Dennis Emerson: Thank yous on behalf of Keir Knight to Karen Skidmore and Audrey Stapf for all their help with the mailings.  We have 387 members.  The Membership Drive is scheduled for November 13.  The event will be at Century Ford from 4 –7 PM.  Asked for help with phone calls.  Handed out sheets after the meeting.  Talked about the Directory.  Discussion.

• Government Relations/ Mayor Frank Johnson:  There are a couple of spots left on the EDC.  There will be a reduction in revenues in the future; therefore there will be a reduction in the budget.

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER (New Windsor State Bank)

• Finance Committee/ Denny Ahalt: Total revenue through October 31, 2008 were $60.00.  Our total expenses were $2,433.48.  The checking account balance as of October 31, 2008 was $29,158.48, plus the CD in the amount of $6,593.57, equals total available funds as of October 31, 2008 of $35,752.05.

• Government Relations/ Mayor Frank Johnson:

LAURIE DILKS, SECRETARY (Juice Plus+)

• Professional Development/ Marlene Titus (Carroll County Community College, Miller Small Business Resource Center):  There will be a committee meeting today, immediately after the general membership meeting.  We plan on doing a survey and post it online as to the types of workshops that the membership would like to see in the future.  Workshops are planned for January and February and the information will be forthcoming.  New idea for a speaker's bureau, with members giving the benefit of their experiences to other businesses regarding challenges of the current economy.  Also looking into online courses because the business owner's time is at such a premium.  The software for these courses is becoming more affordable.

PAUL CLAY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY (RE/MAX Realty Group – Paul and Paula)

• Corresponding Secretary/ Paul Clay (RE/MAX): Please tell him if you hear of an event, i.e. a death, birth, promotion, etc. because he wants to acknowledge these.

• Ambassador Committee/ Paul Clay (RE/MAX) and Alyson Rothberg (Aflac): Next meeting is on November 18 at 4 PM at RE/MAX.

• Social Committee/ Colleen Strube (Send Out Cards):  All evening business card exchanges for 2009 are planned except for July.  Next one is at Vintage Coffee House on December 10 from 5-7 PM.  January's exchange will be at the Senior Center sponsored by the Kiwanis.  Colleen is trying to have one luncheon networking event per quarter in 2009.

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAT PRESIDENT (The Main Event)

• Carroll County Chamber/ Marlene Titus (Carroll County Community College, Miller Small Business Resource Center): The 2008 Business Awards Dinner will be on November 20 at the Portico at St. Johns.  There will be a Business-to-Business Fair on February 19, 2009.  There will be a State of the County Meeting in January.  You must register for this event before the December General Membership Meeting.

• Frederick County Chamber/ Archie Rogers (Rogers Engraving and Stamps):  One of the benefits of membership is a complete membership directory.  FCCC recently held it 96th meeting. 

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:

• Scholarship Committee/ Tim Slane (Tim's Lawn and Landscape):  We have a much larger budget this year.  Our first meeting will be in January.  One committee member has stepped down and they could use more members. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Paul Clay reminded us of the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast.

• MAMSA is requesting help with decorating for their Main Street Christmas.  The Finance Committee is recommending that the Chamber become a silver sponsor and donate $100.00 for the event.  Alyson Rothberg moved to approve that sponsorship.  Motion seconded.  Motion carried.

• Ellie Bonde handed out the agenda for the holiday events downtown.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 AM.