October 2008 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

10/2/08 General Membership Meeting

Members Present (34):  Kathleen McLellan, Karrie Rhodes, Thomas Watkins, John Roerty, Colleen Strube, Paul Clay, Bruce James, Tim Barkley, Carol Cahall, Bob Cage, Karen Skidmore, Alyson Rothberg, Laurie Dilks, Kerry Turner, Dennis Emerson, Denny Ahalt, Aaron Kahn, Keir Knight, Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Marlene Titus, Archie Rogers, Sandy Shumate, Gary Crutchfield, Kurt Hider, Audrey Stapf, Alice Decker, Kaye Kolb, Carol Pickett, Dennis Regulinski, Brian Ward, Melinda Byrd, Sis Barnes, Ken Matthews.

The meeting began at approximately 8:03 AM.

Introductions were heard. 
Motion was made to approve the minutes from September’s General Meeting.  Keir Knight remarked that the minutes incorrectly showed a 12:00 PM start time for the Website RFP presentations, but at last month's meeting Aaron did not state the time when the meeting would occur because it was a closed meeting. September’s minutes were unanimously approved with that notation.  Aaron Kahn moved to approve, Kerry Turner seconded.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT

• By-Laws & Elections / Aaron Kahn: Aaron read from the By-Laws and from Roberts Rules to clarify the issue of not sending out election notices.   Discussion.  There are two choices.  We can have a voice vote or we can postpone the elections until November.  So, either way we violate the By-Laws.

• Archie Rogers moved to have a voice vote. Bob Cage seconded.   Discussion.
• Call for voice vote by Audrey Stapf.  Objection by Bob Cage.  First we must call for the question.  So called.  Motion carried.  Tim Barkley moved to accept the Secretary, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary candidates.  Bob Cage seconded.  Motion carried.

DENNIS EMERSON, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT

• Membership / Dennis Emerson: 387 members so far.  Membership Drive scheduled for November 13.  The event will be at Century Ford from 4 –7 PM. 

KERRY TURNER, 1st VICE PRESIDENT

• Advertising and Marketing / Carol Cahall will have a hefty advertising campaign and planning for giveaways.  There will be a request for bids on t-shirts and some other items.  We will keep the new logo minus the 25th anniversary language. 

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER

• Total revenue through 9-3-08 is $51,487.32.  Our total expenses were $41,558.50.  The checking account balance as of 9-30-08 is $31,531.96, plus the CD as of 9-30-08 of $6,593.57 equals total available funds as of 9-30-08 of $38,125.53

WEBSITE RFP

• Aaron Kahn:  Explanation of process used for the RFP, third party host (Sero Lag) and content management system.  Aaron introduced David Arthur.

PHONEBOOK

• Keir Knight, on behalf of the Phone Book LLC, requested that the Chamber contribute $2,000.00 to the mailing costs of the Phone Book.  Howard LeRoux moved that the Chamber pay for all or part of the mailing cost.  Motion seconded.  Discussion.
• Aaron Kahn – vote on the question as to whether or not the Chamber should pay for all or part of the mailing cost.  Need at least a 2/3 majority.  Voice vote and hand count.  Two “no” votes.  Motion carried.
• Aaron Kahn – made a motion to pay $1,000.00 toward the mailing costs.  That is a significant increase, about 80%.  Discussion.
• Howard LeRoux – would like to amend the earlier motion to “give up to $2,000.00 for the mailing costs” and Keir seconded.  Discussion.
• Gary Crutchfield – he would like to amend the motion to say that this contribution is a one-time thing. Now and never again.  Discussion.  Voice vote, amendment defeated.
• Voice vote.  Amended motion to contribute up to $2,000.00 to the Phonebook mailing costs carried.

EXPO

• Howard LeRoux said that the plans for the 2009 Expo are all on track.  He and Jeanne have decided to resign as Chairmen of the Expo committee.  Discussion. 

LAURIE DILKS, RECORDING SECRETARY

• Professional Development / Marlene Titus:  Seven people enjoyed the Excel training.  The next workshop is on Monday, October 13th at the Mt. Airy Library. 

PAUL CLAY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

• Ambassadors Committee/ Paul Clay:  There will be a new member orientation following today’s meeting.
• Social Committee / Colleen Strube:  There were approximately 45 attendees at the last business card exchange and the speed-networking event went well.  The next exchange is on October 22 at New Windsor State Bank from 5 – 8 PM

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

• Carroll County Chamber:  Carol Cahall:  There will be a business-to-business conference at the Portico of St. John in Westminster on February 19, 2009.

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:

• Tim Barkley:  There will be a meeting on amending and revising the By-Laws on October 24th. 
• Kerry Turner:  Comments regarding Jeanne & Howard LeRoux’s resignation.
• Janice Krsipert: Rape Crisis Intervention is doing a fundraiser on October 13th at Martin’s.  Great networking.