NOVEMBER 2004 MINUTES

Minutes of November 4, 2004 meeting – held at the Mt. Airy Fire Hall

President Tim Barkley called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Introductions followed with the following in attendance:

Audrey Stapf, Stapf Crafters Woodworking

Kerry Turner, Frederick News Post

Archie Rogers, Rogers Engraving

Jim Naecker, Bladen Lithographics

James Jones, The Credit Card Store

Kevin O’Neill, Remax

Kaye Kolb, Rohrbaugh’s

Denny Ahalt, NWSB

Ray Miller, New Horizon Van Lines

Bob Brill, Morgan Stanley

Carol Blackburn, The Gazette

Tim Barkley, Barkley Law Office

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

Joyce Picard-Busse, The Entrepreneur’s Source

Howard LeRoux, Mt. Airy Dent Repair & Touchup

Mike Zimmer, Attorney

Paula Wilhelm, Lorien Mt. Airy Assisted Living

Dennis Regulinski, Mid-Atlantic Accounting

Keir Knight, Plain English Writing & Design

Ellie Bonde, Blossom & Basket Boutique

Bob Cage, Brahma Technologies, Inc.

D.J. Fenton, Stauffer Funeral Home

Paul Clay, Long & Foster

Donnis Klein, Weekenders

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance / Treasurer Report: Denny Ahalt reported that the present balance is $6,785.96.

Social: Paula Wilhelm reported that Pane e Vino hosted a successful business card exchange on Monday, October 11^th, which was well attended by new and old members, plus some visitors. Attendees enjoyed delicious food, great atmosphere and several door prizes were awarded.

Upcoming events are:

• Membership Drive at Century Ford – Tuesday, November 16th

• Business Card Exchange @ New Windsor State Bank – date to be determined in January

• Business Card Exchange @ Stauffer Funeral Home – Thursday, February 24, 2005

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

• Business Card Exchange @ 40 West Builders Model Home – date to be determined in May

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

Membership: Audrey Stapf indicated three new business joined in October: D.R. Snell Nursery (Rick Snell), Colorful Stitches (Annette Graham), Remax Realty Group (Michael Bennett), bringing our membership total to 126.

The membership is reminded of the upcoming Membership Drive at Century Ford on Tuesday, November 16 from 4-7pm.

Renewing members and new members signing up that night will receive a $10 discount on dues (from $75 to $65). Be sure to invite non-member businesses to attend and join! If you need a bill for your company, let Audrey know.

Nominating Committee: Audrey Stapf distributed the ballots for elections for the Greater Mt. Airy Chamber of Commerce, 2005. Audrey moved to accept the ballot as presented and Bob Cage seconded the motion. The following slate of officers were accepted by unanimous voice vote: President: Tim Barkley, Barkley Law Office

1^st Vice President: Carol Cahall, The Main Event

2^nd Vice President: Archie Rogers, Rogers Engraving + Stamps + Plus

Recording Secretary: Kerry Turner, The Frederick Post

Corresponding Secretary: Joyce Picard-Busse, The Entrepreneur’s Source

Treasurer: Dennis Ahalt, New Windsor State Bank

Government Relations: Michael Zimmer reported a successful luncheon meeting for Maryland Secretary of Transportation Robert Flanagan on Thursday, September 21, with several local and county government officials in attendance. Tim Barkley commended Mike for arranging this gathering, which also served to highlight Chamber involvement.

Mike moved that the Chamber pay the bill for the decorations provided by The Main Event. Paul Clay seconded the motion, and the membership unanimously approved by voice vote.

Carroll County Chamber Report: (Ellie Bonde reporting in Carol Cahall’s absence)

• Connections After Hours at the Small Business Resource Center at Carroll Community College on November 16 from 4-6pm.

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

• 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.

Carol is willing and happy to step aside from the Carroll County Chamber Board as the representative of the Mt. Airy Chamber if someone will be willing to step up. She will continue to serve on the Board as 1st Vice President for 2005.

Ambassadors: Ellie Bonde & Kerry Turner

Ellie and Kerry are continuing to distribute welcome packets to new members. She will soon be asking for more brochures to put together new packets.

Advertising/Marketing: Keir Knight

The ads that were approved at last month’s meeting were run in the Mt. Airy Elementary School Dinner & Auction Program and the Gazette (congratulations to the Jaycees).

Keir proposed that the Chamber place a "Happy Holidays" ad in both the Messenger (12/15) at a cost of $280 and the Gazette (12/16) at a cost of $371. This half page ad will include the Chamber website and a list of all the members. Further discussion ensued regarding the possibility of advertising in the Frederick News Post and the Carroll County Times. Keir reiterated that he has been donating his design services for free so far for the Chamber ads. Ellie Bonde is looking to the Chamber to support the Main Street Christmas ad in the 12/1 Messenger and the 12/2 Gazette. (She gave a brief description of the nature and intent of the Main Street Christmas – see New Business.) Archie Rogers suggested to accept the proposal as is, and to set up an advertising committee for 2005. Denny Ahalt (Treasurer) would like the dollar figures asap, so he can build it in to the January budget. Tim Barkley restated that we would approve the two Happy Holidays ads and the two Main Street Christmas ads for a total expenditure of $1347. Keir moved and Tim Slane seconded the motion, and the members unanimously passed the motion by voice vote. It was decided that an ad hoc Advertising Committee should be formed to explore the possibility of members co-sponsoring the placement of ads in the various papers serving our members.

OLD BUSINESS

Business Fair: Keir Knight

The Business Fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 at the Firemen’s Activity Building. Keir suggested that we may want to have more outdoor vendors (perhaps a State Police helicopter), which would serve to utilize available space and to attract attention.

Kiwanis Placemat: Paul Clay

The annual Kiwanis Breakfast is scheduled for November 20. Business card ad space for the placemats is still available at $25 each. Give Paul your card today if interested.

2005 Planning Meeting: Tim Barkley

Members are encouraged to attend the planning meeting for 2005 Chamber activities on Wednesday, January 26 at 1:00pm at Lorien Assisted Living. Please come with new ideas and topics, etc. Lunch will be served, so please RSVP to Paula Wilhelm at 301-829-6050, ext. 112 by January 19.

Electricity Deregulation: Tim Barkley

There is a new procedure: the coop will submit a contract as soon as a supplier hits the "strike" price. This will lock the price in for one year. The current standard offering price is still lower than the supplier proposals. Because of the time sensitivity, coop members may wish to have a proxy form completed to allow a designee to sign for you if you are not available. The proxy form is available on the Chamber website.

Administrative Assistant: Tim Barkley

We are all in agreement that this is an important position to fill. We will discuss this more at the January planning meeting.

Business Directory: Keir Knight

Keir has been in discussion with the printer. The directory will have "orange pages" to help it stand out. He plans to have packets to hand out at the Membership Drive, so that all Chamber members will be able to sign up first. Paul Clay said that the Kiwanis will be coordinating the residential listings. All details, including the Advertising Packet can be found on the web site.

NEW BUSINESS

Christmas in Olde Town: Ellie Bonde

Ellie announced the upcoming winter festival, "A Main Street Christmas", a combined effort of the service organizations and businesses in Mt. Airy – the MAVFC, Lions, Jaycees, Main Street Association, DBA, Rotary, Kiwanis, VFW, and the Mayor. This is intended to be a gift to the families in Mt. Airy. Because many of the activities incur a cost (the band, kids’ games, rental of port-a-potties, the group is soliciting support for the expenditures. The Chamber has been asked to pay for advertising in the Mt. Airy Messenger and the Gazette (see above in Advertising report). The festival will be on Saturday, December 4 from 3-8pm. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for 5pm, and the Parade will begin at 5:30 at the Calvary UM Church, following Main St. to the old F&M Bank Building. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Marketing Committee: Tim Barkley / Keir Knight

No discussion or report was made.

2005 Executive Committee Meeting Day: Tim Barkley

The Executive Committee meets on the Monday preceding the monthly Chamber meeting. If Monday is a bad day, and you would like to attend, please email Tim to let him know a better day and time. He will prepare a list of dates for 2005.

Calendar Reminders: Tim Barkley

Please note the following upcoming events:

November 16 at 4:00pm Membership Drive at Century Ford

November 29 at 1:00pm Executive Committee at Tim Barkley’s office – Committee Chairs please come!!!

December 2 at 8:00am Business Meeting at the Fire Hall

December 4 at 3:00pm "A Main Street Christmas"

January 26 at 1:00pm Planning Lunch at Lorien

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

Press Briefing: Dennis Regulinski

Dennis Regulinski invited members of the Chamber to attend the press briefing /open house at the Sterling Glen Model Home, to see the first home built under the residential sprinkler ordinance the town adopted in 2003. Representatives from the Town Council, the state Fire Marshall’s office, MAVFC, the developer, general contractor and sprinkler contractor will be present to show how the system is installed and to answer any questions and provide information.

Festival of Wreaths: Melinda Byrd

The Arts Council is sponsoring a Festival of Wreaths from December 1-5. Businesses will decorate wreaths (for sale), and the proceeds will be donated to the Arts Council. This is a great way to promote your business. Talk to Melinda for more information.

Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge: Ray Miller

Ray is going to "take the plunge" on January 29, so anyone wishing to support the MD State Police in this way can contact Ray to make your pledge.

Dinner: Dennis Regulinski

There is a turkey-oyster-ham dinner this Sunday at noon at the Firemen’s Carnival Grounds.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03am.