June 2008 Minutes

Microsoft Word version

5/1/08 General Membership Meeting

Members Present (30)

Denny Ahalt, Dennis Emerson, Aaron Kahn, Laurie Dilks (late), Jeanne LeRoux, Howard LeRoux, Colleen Strube, Marlene Titus, Brian Jacobs, Archie Rogers, Sandy Shumate, Gary Crutchfield, Ken Matthews, Keir Knight, Chuck Boteler, Tim Barkley, Mayor Frank Johnson, Kurt Hider, Harry Johnson, Fred Berney, Bill Butts, Sheila Graham, Audrey Stapf, Alice Decker, Deborah Nikurk, Tracey Stamates-Roerty, Wayne Barnes, Ted Nettles, Janice Kispert, Karrie Rhodes.

The meeting began at approximately 8:00 AM.

• Audrey Stapf took the meeting minutes for Laurie Dilks.
• President Aaron Kahn opened the meeting greeting all present. Individual business introductions were made by those present. Three members attended for the first time.
• Aaron called for the minutes to be approved. Keir Knight brought up the fact that the motion that Ken Matthews made last month was not seconded. He was the one that seconded the motion. A discussion ensued. Aaron said that the minutes would not be approved, until that change was made.

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD

• Mrs. Deveda Coley gave a short discussion on the purpose of the response pads that are being implemented in each classroom. The Chamber gave the money for three of them. Aaron Kahn presented the school the check from our Phone Book sales.
• Presentation to Expo Donation Recipients. Jeanne LeRoux asked each of those receiving donations to tell about their charities. Patriot Riders support our troops and veterans anyway they can. St. Baldrick’s Foundation: Childhood cancer research. ICARE links patients with resources. Jeanne then presented the checks and Brian Jacobs took pictures.
• Aaron asked all the members of the LLC to please stand and be recognized by a round of applause for all their hard work on the phonebook
• Webmaster Contract Revision w/ Red Noodle. Aaron brought up that the Executive Committee had discussed Brian’s move to Buffalo. The website committee recommended adding a 90 day clause if the move does not work out for either side. Howard LeRoux stood up and made a motion that the website should be re-awarded to a Greater Mount Airy Business, and not “a Business member” in Buffalo. Aaron asked Howard to come to the next website meeting and bring up his concerns. Keir Knight said that Aaron had not waited for a second to Howard’s motion. He was concerned, as that was what had happened at the last month’s meeting. Keir felt that the monthly meetings is where decisions are made, and not in a private meeting of a few people. Aaron asked for a second for Howard’s motion and Alice Decker seconded the motion. Paul Clay asked the question if Howard meant Business member or Chamber member? Then he asked Howard when the motion would take effect?
Howard stood up and said he meant Chamber member. Then he read from our by-laws and Robert’s Rules of order to explain why he was making his motion. Paul Clay then asked if the motion would take effect immediately or at a specified time? Then Tim Barkley stood up and said we had to honor the contract that the Chamber had with Brian. Tim suggested an amendment to the motion. He explained that the contract for Brian would be up for bid again at the end of October. He suggested the amendment say, “At the time the contract is put up for bid again,” and then put in the rest of Howard’s motion. Jeanne LaRoux seconded the motion. There was a great deal of discussion and then the amendment was voted on. Then the amended motion – “At the time the contract for webmaster is put up for bid again, the website should be re-awarded to a Greater Mount Airy Chamber member”. The amended motion passed.
• Town of Mt. Airy and MAMSA Coordination: The Chamber is going to work more with town and MAMSA by posting their events on the website so all the Chamber members will be able to participate in other events if they wish; and also to allow the Chamber members to know what is going on in town and with MAMSA.

NOTE: At this point, it was 8:45 A.M. and Audrey had to leave. Paul Clay took the remaining minutes.

Brian Jacobs– Because there had just been a discussion and vote on the Webmaster contract Brian took a few moments to discuss the qualifications for the Webmaster based on the changes and upgrades that the Chamber has requested and he has implemented since he took over. Although the website appears the same there have been many changes behind the scenes. He also expressed his interest in continuing as the Webmaster after he moves. Jeanne LeROUX asked if drop down menus could be added to the items along the top, she gave the By Laws as example that can’t be easily found. Brian explained that the Website committee had looked at this and based on the time to implement this, and that only 2-3 items would even have a drop down, the decision was to add a sitemap. The sitemap is on every page with only two clicks you can get to whatever you want on the site (one click to open the site map and then one click to the item you want).

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Advertising and Marketing: Aaron Kahn (for Carol Cahall)

Advertising and marketing has been busy with all of the events of the past month and upcoming this month. Advertisements were placed in the Lions Carnival book and the Fireman’s carnival book. She is working with The Gazette on the ad for the Mount Airy Community Guide.

Membership / Dennis Emerson

Reported that the chamber currently has 365 members. He also announced that the executive committee had approved a pro-rated membership fee of $47.50 for the remainder of this year as we have done in the past. He also announced that the executive committee had approved a special incentive for approximately 90 prior chamber members of a $95 18-month membership. A lively debate ensued with some asking why members who failed to renew should get a special deal, some felt this rewarded those who didn’t re-join, others asked what was so special about increasing the membership to 400, and it was pointed out that next year’s dues are $105. Dennis pointed out that the 18-month membership was a one-time deal and would only go through the month of August 2008. Some stated that there was power in numbers, some suggested the list of 90 be split up so current members could also call them about re-joining (Dennis said he would do this), and it was mentioned that the chamber is always looking for new members and ways to attract new members. Tim Barkley raised a point of order that because the 18-month membership has never been done before and deviates from the norm, that it needs to be presented as a motion, discussed, and voted on. Dennis moved that the chamber offer a pro-rated membership fee of $47.50 for the remainder of this year and that an 18-month membership for $95 be offered to prior members as a one-time deal through August 2008, Archie Rogers seconded the motion. Aaron called for a voice vote of all those in favor and then all those opposed. It was too close to call, so Aaron asked for all those in favor to raise their hand and the hand votes in favor were counted by Paul, Corresponding Secretary. Aaron Kahn then asked for all those who oppose the motion to raise their hands and the hand votes opposing were counted by Paul. Paul then announced that the motion carried 20 to 12.

Marlene Titus / Professional Development

Announced the upcoming professional development classes: Excel in September, Disaster Planning in October, and Human Resources and Hiring in November. She also announced that immediately following the meeting that Mark Manion would be presenting a 1-hour class on “Making Your Business Memorable”.

Paul Clay / Ambassador Committee

Announced that he would be contacting the members of the Ambassador committee to get it up and running again as it had been in the past and asked if anyone was interested in joining the committee to contact him.

Colleen Strube / Social Committee

May was a busy month with two business card exchanges and the 3rd annual charity golf tournament. She thanked all who participated in the tournament in any way but especially those who sponsored it. A complete list of sponsors will be in an upcoming email. After expenses the event made approximately $1,750 and that as previously decided the Chamber would be making a donation of $1,700 to the Carroll County Library, Mount Airy Branch’s Summer Reading Program. She announced that the next business card exchange is on June 18th at the Frederick News Post; it is a joint event with the Frederick Chamber and other area organizations. It will include a tour of their new high-speed color press. RSVP is required. Aaron Kahn thanked Colleen and Paul for their efforts with a very small committee they put together a very successful event. Round of applause.

Archie Rogers / Frederick County Chamber

Reminded everyone that GMACC members could join the Frederick Chamber at a discounted rate. He encouraged everyone to join the Frederick Chamber. It is definitely worth the membership fee.

Aaron Kahn – Asked if there was any further new business. Ted Nettles of the Patriot Guard Riders thanked the Chamber again for the contribution, showed several canes that will be given to soldiers, and showed a magazine article highlighting four amputee soldiers.

Tim Barkley – Addressed Brian Jacobs saying the web vote was not against Brian personally. He also explained to Ken Matthews the procedure money is requested from the chamber. Last month at the general membership meeting, Ken had requested that additional monies be added on the spot to the scholarship awards. Tim said he should make this request in writing and submit it to Denny Ahalt. It would then be considered by the board and presented to the general membership regardless of the board’s decision.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 AM