DECEMBER 2004 MINUTES

Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce

Minutes of December 2, 2004 meeting – held at the Mt. Airy Fire Hall

8:00 – 8:05 am "Meet Someone New"

President Tim Barkley called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

Introductions followed with the following in attendance:

Paul Shaffer, National City Mortgage

Karen Skidmore, Completely Fit

Todd Sampson, Mackintosh Realty

Howard LeRoux, Mt. Airy Dent Repair & Touchup

Danielle Bradley, Mt. Airy Dent Repair & Touchup

Ken Matthews, Freedom Carpet Cleaning, Inc.

Mark Stokes, Carpet Crusaders, Inc.

Kaye Kolb, Rohrbaugh’s Charter

Archie Rogers, Rogers Engraving

Denny Ahalt, New Windsor State Bank

Donnis Klein, Weekenders

James Jones, The Credit Card Store

Ray Miller, New Horizon Van Lines

Paula Wilhelm, Lorien Mt. Airy Assisted Living

Timothy M. Slane, Sr., Tim’s Lawn & Landscape Service, Inc.

Carol Blackburn, The Gazette

Ellie Bonde, Blossom & Basket Boutique

Carol Cahall, The Main Event

Marlene Tims, Carroll Community College

Jackie Bingham, Patches Quilting & Sewing

Kerry Turner, Frederick News Post

Keir Knight, Plain English Writing & Design

Joyce Picard-Busse, The Entrepreneur’s Source

Mike Zimmer, Attorney

Bob Brill, Morgan Stanley

Tim Barkley, Barkley Law Office

Andrew Williamson, Chiropractic First

Bob Cage, Brahma Technologies, Inc.

Laurie Dilks, ZisTech Technology Consulting

Audrey Stapf, Stapf Crafters Woodworking

James Jones was introduced as the Chamber’s Historian, a new and much needed position.

Minutes from November are posted on the web site and were accepted as posted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

New Tradition: The (new) President’s Award was presented by Tim Barkley to Audrey Stapf , the member who has given unstinting service above and beyond the call of duty to the Chamber since 1983. Thank you, Audrey, and congratulations!

Finance / Treasurer Report: Denny Ahalt reported that the present balance is $10,350.28. Denny requested that all committee chairs submit their budget requests and numbers to him as soon as possible!

Social: Paula Wilhelm reported the following upcoming events

• Tuesday, January 11, 5-8pm – Business Card Exchange at the Firemen’s Activities Building, sponsored by Tim’s Lawn & Landscape, Forever Flowers, Mid-Atlantic Accounting.

• Thursday, February 24, 2005, 4-7pm - Business Card Exchange @ Stauffer Funeral Home

• Saturday, April 16, 2005 Business Fair at the Mt. Airy Fireman’s Activity Building

• Date to be determined in June - Business Card Exchange @ 40 West Builders Model Home

• Date to be determined in October - Business Card Exchange @ New Windsor State Bank

Please let Paula know if you are interested in hosting a Business Card Exchange.

Membership: Audrey Stapf reported a total of 71active members for 2005. Renewing members total 55, and 16 new members joined at the Membership Drive at Century Ford in November. This is a calendar year renewal, and annual membership is $75. Whoever joined after July 1, 2004 will be charged only $40 to extend membership through December 31, 2005.

Government Relations: Michael Zimmer had no report. Tim announced that today was Mike’s last day in the position of Government Relations Committee Chair. A volunteer to fill this position is needed.

Carroll County Chamber Report: Carol Cahall reported the following upcoming events:

• "The Art of Schmooze" seminar on December 12 from 9am – noon at Wilhelm’s Caterers ($49)

• "Connections After Hours" will be held on Tuesday, December 21 from 4-6pm at the CHANGE, Inc. Respite Inn

• "Voice of Business" on January 7 from 8 – 9:30am

• The Annual Gala Dinner Dance is scheduled for January 22 from 6-11:30 pm at Wilhelm’s in Westminster. The "Mood Swings" will be performing, and the $60 per person will benefit the Charles D. Schaeffer Scholarship Fund for Carroll County Public High School students.

• The 20^th Annual Carroll County Business Fair is scheduled for March 19 from 10am – 6pm at the Westminster Towne Mall. Booths are available for $100 - $325.

Mailing labels can be purchased from the Carroll Chamber to advertise your business. There are also opportunities for ad placement in the newly designed Newsletter. Mt. Airy Chamber members may attend Carroll County Chamber functions since the Mt. Airy Chamber is a member of the Carroll County Chamber. Tim announced that the decision regarding the appointment of liaison to the Carrroll County Chamber is still under consideration, with Joyce Picard-Busse, Jim Jones and Amy Benton being considered. This may be discussed more at the January membership meeting or the Planning Meeting.

Ambassadors: (Ellie Bonde & Kerry Turner) Ellie reported that with 15 new members, she will soon be requesting more literature for handouts for our new member packets. Tri-fold brochures work best.

Advertising/Marketing: Keir Knight reported the following:

• Requesting that all new and old members email updated business profiles to Keir for posting on the web page.

• "Happy Holidays" ads from the Chamber will be placed in the Messenger (12/16) and Gazette (12/17). This half page ad will include the Chamber website and a list of all the members.

• Ads in the12/1 Messenger and the 12/2 Gazette for "A Main Street Christmas" are being sponsored by the Chamber, as well as the Coloring Contest page in the Gazette.

• The new Advertising Committee has met following last month’s discussion regarding the possibility of advertising in the Frederick News Post and the Carroll County Times, in addition to our regular spots in the Mt. Airy Messenger and the Mt. Airy Gazette. Keir reported that originally the Chamber dues were intended to pay for the cost of advertising in the local media. Historically, only 25-35% of the Chamber dues has been spent on advertising, so the Committee feels that it would be reasonable to double the dollar amount of advertising, which would allow us to place ads in the Carroll County Times and Frederick News Post. Kerry Turner suggested the Chamber be included when the Post runs a shared Mt. Airy ad page. The committee further decided that having individual businesses sponsor the Chamber ad is not a good idea at this time. Alternative suggestions include having the Business Card Exchange sponsors run an ad inviting local businesses, or to offer special advertising on the web page. This will be further discussed at the January business meeting, as well as a new slogan for the ads (the old slogan was "Commitment"). The advertising Committee will meet again on January 12 at 8am in the Community Room of the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company.

OLD BUSINESS

Business Fair: Keir Knight reminded us that the Business Fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 at the Firemen’s Activity Building. The committee will discuss the plans further at the January business meeting. The opportunity to reserve vendor space will be made during the February meeting. Anyone with a suggestion of an "attention-grabber" for the public is urged to speak with any committee member.

Business Directory: Keir Knight reported on this joint effort between the Chamber and Kiwanis. The response from the "Early Bird" opportunity offered to Chamber members has been very good. The 10% discount is still available until Monday, December 6. If you have a neighboring business that isn’t a member, this is a good way to get them to join. The directory will be mailed to all residents and businesses in the 21771 zip code. An additional 2000 more will be distributed to local businesses and organizations to hand out to the public. Budget projections show better than breaking even with this project. The intent for the profits from this venture will be to split with the Kiwanis, hold some in reserve for the next book, and to donate to local charities. All details, including the Advertising Packet can be found on the web site.

2005 Planning Meeting: Tim Barkley encouraged members to attend the planning meeting for 2005 Chamber activities on Wednesday, January 26 at 1:00pm at Lorien Assisted Living. The proposed agenda was discussed at the Executive Committee meeting. Any additional suggestions for discussion may be made to Tim Barkley. Lunch will be served, so please RSVP to Paula Wilhelm at 301-829-6050, ext. 112 by January 19.

NEW BUSINESS

Committee Chairs: Tim Barkley announced that there are two openings for committee chairs – Professional Development and Government Relations. These volunteers would be responsible for arranging speakers and / or events of interest for the membership and the general public. The goal is to have a Chamber-sponsored activity (business card exchange, speaker luncheon, etc.) every month.

Christmas in Olde Town: Ellie Bonde announced "A Main Street Christmas" to be taking place on Saturday, December 4 beginning at 3:00pm. The afternoon will provide entertainment for children and families, including food, games, coloring contests, and wandering groups of carolers. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for 5pm, and the Parade with Santa’s sleigh will begin at 5:30 at the Calvary UM Church, following Main St., with Santa posing for pictures in the old F&M Bank Building. The public is encouraged to bring contributions for two organizations – Mt. Airy Net (food and money), and the VFW (money to aid families that are left behind while their loved one is in active military service). Thanks to the Chamber for supporting this event!

Calendar Reminders: Tim Barkley has included a complete list of Executive Committee and Business Meetings on the back of today’s Agenda.

Please note the following upcoming events:

January 3 at 1pm Executive meeting at Tim Barkley Law Office

January 6 8am Membership Meeting at the Fire House Community Room

January 11 5-8pm Business Card Exchange at the Firemen’s Activity Building

January 26 at 1pm Planning Lunch at Lorien

February 24 at 4-7pm Business Card Exchange at Stauffer’s Funeral Home

April 16, 2005 Business Fair at Firemen’s Activity Center

Mentions:

Howard LeRoux expressed his appreciation for the communication network of the Chamber. He announced a need for garage space a few months ago, and one of the Chamber members came through for him!

Tim Barkley mentioned that we will need a photo taken of the new officers at the January meeting.

Mention was made of the additional networking groups in the area – Four County Business Exchange and BNI.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03am