NOVEMBER 2005 MINUTES
November Minutes

Minutes 11/3/05Meeting began 8:05 amIn attendance: Tim Barkley, Barkley LawDenny Ahalt, NWSB
Carol Cahall, Main EventKerry Turner, Frederick News-PostArchie Rogers, Rogers EngravingRandy Hively, A Touch of Class LimoKeir Knight, Plain English Writing and DesignBen Gue, Ben Gue Gifts & CollectiblesEllie Bonde, Blossom & Basket Boutique, Secret StorkAudrey Stapf, RetiredTom Neff, MSCCMarlene Titus, Caroll Community CollegeDennis Regulinski, CPATim Slane Sr, Tim’s Lawn & LandscapeKen Matthews, Freedom Carpet CleaningHoward LaRoux, Mt Airy Dent RepairPaul Clay, Long & FosterPaula Wilhelm, LorienMichael Zimmer, AttorneyKevin Murphy, Browning Reagle InsuranceDennis Emerson, Sherman InsuranceJames Jones, the Credit Card StoreDave Vario, CPAKaye Kolb, Rohrbaugh’s Danielle Bradley, Mt Airy DentBob Cage, Brahma TechnologiesAaron Kahn, Eclipse SecurityFrank Johnson, Legislative Dir Carroll CountySandy Shumate, Bezalel DesignsKaren Skidmore, Completely FitJoseph Clagett, J Bernard ResourcesSteve Rose – Torn 2 ShredzJulie Marcoux – Mt Airy MiddleDiane DeAtley – Mt Airy MiddleMinutes were posted on the web. Minutes stand as posted. Treasurer:Funds as of 10/31/05 $21932.56. 2006 budget is proposed. Estimated balance to start the year is approximately $20,000. Note - $8000 of this budget is allocated to charitable giving. This will end 2006 with approximately $12000 to carry forward to 2007. Audrey Stapf moves that we accept the budget as posted, Archie Rogers seconded. Motion passed.Social Committee:Business Card exchange – Thank you to NWSB for hosting last month’s business card exchange. Ray Miller will be heading up the social committee next year – if you are interested in serving next year, see him. Membership288 Members + 4. The 4 new members who joined towards the end of Oct will be considered members for 2006. Membership drive is Nov 17^th 4-7pm at Century Ford. THAT day, your 2006 membership dues will be $75 (all days after it is $85). If you can not come to the membership drive, contact Audrey and get money to her before the 17^th to take advantage of the reduced rate. Audrey is looking for some help during the drive – see her if you can. Audrey would like help calling members who do not attend regular chamber functions to help invite them to the membership drive. Please see Audrey if you can help make phone calls. If you need an invoice prior to the membership drive, contact Audrey Stapf.Business FairThe last day to reserve your same spot as last year will be Nov 17^th, at the membership drive. Government Relations
MD Chamber business agenda was passed out. 2005 agenda from the Carroll County Chamber business agenda was also passed around. Carroll County ChamberCalendar of events was passed around. Their Gala will be in January. They also have networking and Leadership Carroll events coming up. There is a networking event at noon on Dec 8^th that the Mt Airy Chamber members have been invited to. Ambassador’s CommitteeNew member packets will be distributed during the Membership drive on Nov 17^th. Professional DevelopmentWorkshop sign-up sheets are going around. The first one will be on Power Point. If you are interested in sponsoring a future workshop, please see Marlene Titus. MarketingThis month ads were placed with the elementary schools. Also, ads were taken in the Frederick News-Post on Nov 15^th Mt Airy pages. There will be Happy Holidays ads taken in the Gazette and the Messenger – 1/2 page each.Last year, we voted to support the downtown Christmas event. This year’s event will be Dec 2^nd and Dec 3^rd. Keir Knight moves to spend $651 to sponsor the Christmas event. Ken Matthews seconded. Carol brought up that this is a lot of money, and it wasn’t built in this year’s budget. Motion passes. The Christmas Tree lighting is looking for a sponsor. There will be a banner in the downtown area stating that the lighting is sponsored by "X" business. The cost for the sponsorship is $250. Tim Slane brought up that we just approved $651, so this is yet an additional expense. Tim Barkley moved that we spend the $250. Motion is tabled due to a lot of questions and discussion. Tim Slane moved that we go forward with the motion to spend the $250 on the sponsorship. Keir Knight seconded the motion. Motion passed. Newsletter and updates to the website will be on the way. Keir will post on the web the membership invoice as well as a form to update your Chamber profile. Gala UpdateYou should have your invitation – January 14^th 2006! Your reply should be in by the December 1st. There are 4 sponsors currently. The Gazette, Rogers Engraving, Raymond Law, and Marlene Titus are all sponsors. Kiwanis Club There is a pancake breakfast fundraiser coming up. If you are interested in advertising on the place mat for $25, please let Paul Clay know. Kiwanis is working on beautifying the area of Main St from the bank building to the old fire hall. There is also a foundation of a building that they would like to put up a sign that says something to the effect of "welcome to Mt Airy". In the future Frank Johnson will come to the Chamber with a specific motion. ElectionsSlate presented by nominating committee: President: Carol Cahall1^st VP: Tom Neff2^nd VP: Aaron KahnRecording Secretary: Kerry Turner Corresponding Secretary: Susan Howes Treasurer: Dennis AhaltAudrey Stapf moves that we accept this slate for the 2006 officers. Bob Cage seconded. Motion passed. ScoreboardThere is a new school, Parr’s Ridge. They need a new scoreboard. There is money set aside in the budget that is allocated for charitable giving. Carol Cahall moves that $5000 go to purchase this scoreboard. Audrey Stapf seconded. Discussion: Keir noted that the $5000 specifically came from the phone book proceeds. The scoreboard will have the Chamber’s name or logo on it. This money is in the budget, and has been specifically allocated to charitable giving. Paul Clay brought up that it is on the Carroll County side. Denny answered that this is a larger gym that will be used by multiple organizations in the community. Motion passes.Diane DeAtley – Peer MentoringDiane is looking for adults to mentor children at Mount Airy Middle School. The Mentoring Connections Team is putting together a mentoring team who will be in the schools once a week for the entire year from 12:45 – 1:30 pm. If you are interested, please contact her at 410-751-3554. Town Council We will again be sponsoring a debate for Town Council candidates next year which is an election year. 2006 business card exchanges: If you are interested in hosting an exchange in 2006, please contact Ray Miller.Upcoming DatesDBA holiday open house: Nov 12 5-8pm – Downtown merchants will be open late. Executive Meeting Nov 28^th 1pmDec 1 Business Meeting 8amGala January 14^th 7pm

Meeting adjourned: 9:15am