February 2009 Minutes

Proposed bylaws changes

Microsoft Word version

02/05/09 General Membership Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT

Members Present (42): Laurie Dilks, Keir Knight, James Jones, Alice Decker, Carol Pickett, Rich Rowen, Paul Buck, Sandy Shumate, Patricia Clements, Kerry Turner, P.W. Shaffer, Paul Clay, Dianne Ryan, Brian Ward, Aaron Kahn, Dennis Emerson, Tim Barkley, Marlene Titus, Alyson Rothberg, Archie Rogers, Gary Crutchfield, Colleen Strube, Ellie Bonde, Denny Ahalt, Dennis Regulinski, Carol Cahall, Tim Slane, Annette Freeling, Kim DiBuono, Kim Witner, Kurt Hider, Bob Wagner, Tom Watkins, Paula Wilhelm, Shawn Reilly, Chuck Boteler, Melinda Byrd, Linda Koons, Shawn Reilly and Susan Jones, Jason Witty, Tim Taylor, and Josh Parish.

The meeting began at approximately 8:07 AM.

INTRODUCTIONS WERE HEARD

New members introduced themselves: Jason Whitty, Tim Taylor and Josh Parish.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Aaron Kahn called for a motion to approve the last meeting’s minutes. Alice Decker moved for approval and Ellie Bonde seconded the motion. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT (Eclipse Security, Inc.)

• Website Advisory Committee/ David Arthur of Arthur Graphics: We are in the process of adding all renewing members to the Yahoo groups email list. Only ten can be added daily so this will take some time. Dave is in the process of testing a different content management system. If you have any updates, please send them to gmacc@arthurgraphics.com .

• Mt. Airy Phone Book/ Aaron Kahn: We currently have 281 advertisers. Sales are officially closed but Keir will try and accommodate those who still want to advertise.

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

• Advertising & Marketing/ Carol Cahall (The Main Event): Carol arrived late so no report was given.

• Community Expo/ Shawn Reilly (Carroll County Times) and Carol Pickett (Sandy Spring Bank): The Expo will be on April 18, 2009. There will be a bloodmobile again this year and possibly a rock band. February 19th is the next meeting. Looking for sponsors and volunteers to help in general and with set up and clean up.

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

• Membership / Dennis Emerson: We currently have 253 members, of which 31 are brand new.

• Government Relations/ Mayor Frank Johnson: Mayor Johnson was not present.

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER (New Windsor State Bank)

• Finance Committee/ Denny Ahalt: We started the year with $18,668.40. Revenue was @2,990. The checking account balance was $29,931,94. The CD is now valued at $6,709.65. Funds available as of January 31, 2009 were $36,641.59.

• Archie Rogers reported for the Audit Committee. They reviewed all checks written and all supporting documentation. Archie recommended that whenever the membership approves the disbursement of funds that there be a separate note written to the Finance Committee. This is so that the minutes are not the only supporting documentation.

• Scholarship Committee/ Tim Slane (Tim’s Lawn and Landscape): The Chamber is giving away $6,500 this year. The word is out. Applicants are not required to be Chamber members.

LAURIE DILKS, SECRETARY (Independent Distributor of Juice Plus+)

• Professional Development/ Marlene Titus (Carroll County Community College, Miller Small Business Resource Center): There will be a workshop today immediately following the meeting on the topic of Organizing Your Financial Life. The survey was sent out a second time. Workshops asked for include marketing on the internet, certification for small business, general marketing, power point, Adobe Photoshop, stress reduction, and Quickbooks. Marlene also hopes to do at least one of these as a virtual workshop.

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

• Ambassador Committee/ Paul Clay (RE/MAX) and Alyson Rothberg (Aflac): There will be a New Member Orientation after the March general meeting. Alyson is working on revamping the folders in the new member packets, and these will shortly be going out for bid. Special thank you to Brian at M5 Signs who donated a Chamber sign with our mission statement. This will be displayed at all events.

• Social Committee/ Colleen Strube (Send Out Cards): 17 people attended the speed-networking exchange. The next exchange is at ReMax on Feb. 11. There will be a joint exchange on March 11 at the Mt. Airy Town Hall. Colleen is currently looking for sponsors for that event. Stauffer’s Funeral Home will host an exchange on March 31.

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAT PRESIDENT (The Main Event)

• Carroll County Chamber/ Marlene Titus (Carroll County Community College, Miller Small Business Resource Center): The Business-to-Business Conference was postponed until late fall. They are looking at involving all the local chambers for this event.

• Frederick County Chamber/ Archie Rogers (Rogers Engraving and Stamps): Archie stressed the chamber directory as a strong benefit of membership. If you want to do business in Frederick, you really need to join the Frederick Chamber. If you are not a Frederick Chamber member, you can only attend two events as a guest.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Tim Barkley announced that Ellie Bonde and Bonnie Winker have been admitted into the Mt. Airy Hall of Fame. Denny Ahalt (a fellow inductee) elaborated on the significance of the admittance and stated that there will be a banquet on March 17, 2009. Tickets are $20.00.

• Kim Witner announced that she is involved with the Miss Frederick Scholarship and has forms for sponsorship of the contest.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40 AM.