March 2009 Minutes

Proposed bylaws changes

Microsoft Word version of the Minutes

03/05/09 General Membership Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT

Members Present (40): Laurie Dilks, John Sadowski, Ginny Crist, Tim Slane, Patricia Clements, Janice Krispert, Kurt Hider, Kaye Kolb, Pete Bowles, Robert Wagner, Sis Barnes Keir Knight, Shawn Reilly, P.W. Shaffer, Carol Pickett, Ken Matthews, Harry Johnson, Sandy Shumate, Chrissy Matthews, Colleen Strube, Tim Barkley, Marlene Titus, Fred Berney, Audrey Stapf, Linda Koons, David Arthur, James Jones, Alyson Rothberg, Alice Decker, Dennis Regulinki, Dennis Emerson, Denny Ahalt, Aaron Kahn, Kerry Turner, Brian Ward, Ellie Bonde, Archie Rogers, Tom Watkins, Ray Huxler, Tim Taylor.

The meeting began at approximately 8:05 AM.

INTRODUCTIONS WERE HEARD

New members introduced themselves: John Sadowski and Ginny Crist.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Aaron Kahn called for a motion to approve the last meeting's minutes. Alice Decker moved for approval and Tim Barkley seconded the motion. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

AARON KAHN, PRESIDENT (Eclipse Security, Inc.)

• Bylaws Committee/ Tim Barkley: Revisions have been posted to the website. Call for motion to vote on the revisions as posted. Discussion. Aaron Kahn questioned whether revision number 10 concerning contract bids allowed for very small projects to be assigned without the requiring a formal bid process. Tim Barkley felt that the wording of the revision took this into account. (Add further language here.) Aaron called for motion to vote. Kerry Turner made the motion to approve the revisions as posted. Audrey Stapf seconded. Motion carried.

• Mt. Airy Phone Book/ Aaron Kahn: Aaron asked if Keir Knight had any comments on the progress of the Phone Book. Keir has a list of categories that are not yet filled up. There are still opportunities to advertise.

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

• Advertising & Marketing/ Sandy Shumate (Bezalel Designs): Nest meeting will be on Wednesday, March 11 at the Main Event.

• Community Expo/ Shawn Reilly (Carroll County Times) and Carol Pickett (Sandy Spring Bank): Final deadline for vendors is March 11. Tom Watkins commented that they are trying to make the Expo as good as last year, but they need volunteers to help in general and with set up and clean up. Kiwanis is also helping with the Expo.

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

• Membership / Dennis Emerson: We currently have 275 members. Aaron mentioned that the Chamber will have a membership directory and more information would be forthcoming.

DENNY AHALT, TREASURER (New Windsor State Bank)

• Finance Committee/ Denny Ahalt: For February, we had income of $3.334.00 and we spent $3,678.10. The checking account balance on February 28 was $29,577.84, plus the CD value of $6,725.06, equals available funds on February 28 of $36,302.29. Denny also mentioned the new web page featuring the donations that the Chamber has made.

• Scholarship Committee/ Tim Slane (Tim's Lawn and Landscape): Tim Slane thanked his committee for their work so far. They are currently waiting for applications. They have three to date, which means they are slightly ahead of last year.

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

• Professional Development/ Marlene Titus (Carroll County Community College, Miller Small Business Resource Center): The topics of upcoming workshops will include marketing on the internet, certification for small business, general marketing, power point, Adobe Photoshop, stress reduction, and Quickbooks. There was an article in the Gazette regarding the workshops. She is trying to get a speaker regarding government contract certification. Next meeting is on March 24 at 9 AM at Ellie's shop.

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 this meeting. The new folders and other materials are complete. They got nine bids in and the contract went to Valley Graphics. Aaron thanked Paul and Alyson for their hard work.

• Social Committee/ Colleen Strube (Send Out Cards): The next few business card exchanges are as follows: March 11 at Mt. Airy Town Hall, March 31 at Stauffer Funeral Home, April 23 is a networking lunch at the Green Turtle, May 12 at Flow-Rite on Main Street. There will be an email sent out shortly regarding the Crown Rose Manor event.

CAROL CAHALL, IMMEDIATE PAT PRESIDENT (The Main Event)

• Carroll County Chamber/ Marlene Titus (Carroll County Community College, Miller Small Business Resource Center): There will be a Job Shadow day in November and they are starting to take applications for that. October 2 there will be a corporate challenge activity. There is an electric co-op being formed so that cheaper electricity will also be available to residential customers.

• Frederick County Chamber/ Archie Rogers (Rogers Engraving and Stamps): There is a lot going on. Look on their website for all the activities. Thanked Paul and Alyson for new folders - "They look great!"

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• James Jones stated that he had sent out an email looking for volunteers for the Business Advisory Council and he has some people now. It will take time but maybe it can get some press once it gets going.

• Paul Clay called attention to the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast flyers he handed out and asked for advertisers on their placemat.

• MAMSA is having a chili cook off on April 4 and there are opportunities for vendor spaces.

• Janice Krispert said that April is sexual assault awareness month.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 AM.