FEBRUARY 2006 MINUTES
February Minutes

Chamber Meeting 2/2/06Meeting began: 8:05amIn attendance: Carol Cahall – The Main EventArchie Rogers – Rogers EngravingTom Neff – MSCCDenny Ahalt – NWSBKerry Turner – Frederick News-PostAudrey Stapf Keir Knight – Plain English Writing & DesignTim Barkley – Barkley LawRay Miller – RemaxPaul Clay – RemaxKaren Skidmore – Completely FitJoyce Picard-Busse – Entrepreneur’s SourceBob Cage – Brahma TechnologyEllie Bonde – Blossom & BasketKen Matthews – Freedom Carpet CleaningHoward LeRoux – Mt Airy DentTim Slane – Tim’s Lawn & LandscapeMarlene Titus – Carroll Community CollegeBob Brill – Morgan StanleyKaye Kolb – Rohrbaugh’s Charter Leslie Brenneman - CostcoRamzy - CostcoAaron Kahn – Eclipse SecurityCarol Blackburn – GazetteJim Jones – The Credit Card StoreSteve Rose – Torn 2 ShredzDennis Emerson – Erie InsuranceJudy Turner – Concetta’s Italian GrocerGary Crutchfield – Lawn AideSteve Edmondson – Catonsville HomesKarrie Rhodes – GazetteFrank Johnson - Carroll Co LegislatureBrendan Madden – All Around PlumbingTom Watkins – Watkins LimousineJennifer Shaffer – Firehouse PotteryPaula Wilhelm – Lorien MtAiry Evan Wyant – BB&TJudith Casey – BB&TDana Snapkoski – Bank of AmericaSandy Shumate – BezalelEric Willie - Baltimore Bagel CoLast months Minutes approved.Treasurer: Began the year with $16992.74 and ended with $37861.90.Finance Committee has received a request from Mt Airy Middle School to cover the cost for training videos for mentors. The cost is $195. She also asked for money to cover incentives for the mentors. The recommendation of the finance committee is to help put together 8 goodie bags from our businesses, and then offer the cash donation for the videos. Bring items to NWSB to Denny or to the Business Card Exchange. This type of money is specifically in the budget. Business Card ExchangesFeb 6 4-7 Vintage Coffee HouseMarch 28 4-7pm Stauffer Funeral HomeApril 25 4-7 Mealey’sMay 23 4-7 Lorien Mt AiryJune 19 4-7 The Green TurtleJuly 21 7am-9 CostcoIf you are interested in co-hosting, please contact Leslie Brenneman or Ray Miller.MembershipTwo new members in January, Skyview Gymnastics and Concetta’s Italian GrocerTotal members for January are 201.Government RelationsTown Council and Mayor debate/forum will be mid-April and Carol Blackburn is currently seeking a location to hold the event. Chamber members will be asked to submit questions for the forum. Carroll County ChamberAs a member of the Mt Airy Chamber you are allowed to attend any Carroll County Chamber functions. There is a new President: Richard HadaadAmbassadors CommitteeAmbassadors are Kerry Turner, Tom Neff, Paula Wilhelm, Ellie Bonde, and Harry Johnson. The committee came up with some new ideas that were proposed to the executive committee. One is to have folders to distribute to members with information inside such as contact information, important dates, committee information, membership application, etc. The other idea is to have an inter-chamber discount program. Members would be distributed cards, and when you purchase something from another chamber member, when you show your card you get a discount. Both of these ideas were presented today, Ellie is looking for feedback, will find out exact pricing and will present these for a vote at the March meeting.Following this meeting will be an orientation for new members. All are welcomed.Professional DevelopmentThe first professional development seminar on Power Point is next week on Feb 7. There are 14 people signed up already! Sponsored by MSCCMarch 7 will feature a Financial and Tax Seminar, sponsored by Barkley LawThank you to Ellie Bonde, Tom Neff and Keir Knight – committee members.Advertising & MarketingAds are hitting the papers for the business card exchange next week.The advertising committee met last week and are working on some new ideas. The next meeting is Feb 9^th at 4pm J&P Pizza. The committee currently has 12 members, but all are welcome. Clarification from last month – the money left over from 2005 budget will go back into general funds.See Keir if you’re interested in joining him for a meeting with the Town of Brunswick – they are looking to start a chamber, and they are looking for advice. 7pm Feb 22This year, Keir and Audrey are working hard on membership retention for this year. They did a mailing to all of last year’s members who hadn’t rejoined for 2006. From that mailing (cost $202) they got 40 memberships back, which brought in $3400. Please give Keir your updated web profile if you have not done so.Keir has the membership applications that we discussed last meeting. When you sign up a new member and they list your business, you will both be entered for a drawing to win a free ad in the phone book. These forms will be available through Keir as well as on the website. Gala UpdateGreat turn out, we are in the black, and we’ll do it again next year!
Business FairActivities’ building is sold out, but there are outside spaces still available. Costco has donated a grill to give away. Next meeting is Tuesday at 8am Burger KingSet up is recommended the night before – Howard and Ken have offered to be overnight security.ScoreboardDue to a mix up, the scoreboard had not been ordered. This process is now moving forward. It should be up by next month.GMACC Written Policy & ProceduresThe chamber does have by-laws, but does not have policy written for how to handle certain things, such as budgets or committees. Carol is recommending that we have policies and procedures written. Policies can be easily amended as needed. Committee chairs – please put something in writing so that if someone takes over your position, they will know how things are done. New BusinessTom Neff: Tom would like to put together a crab feast this summer. If anyone is interested in helping host/plan, let him know.Also, he would like to put together a job fair. He will put out an e-mail so if you’re interested in this, see Tom.Audrey – the GMACC is now part of the World ChamberPaula – Lorien Mt Airy is hosting a blood drive next Tuesday.Ray – Keir and he did the Polarbear Plunge – if you would like to give a donation to them for Special Olympics, see them.Joyce - BNI – meeting Thursday Lunch Olive Leaf Café 11:30Taste of Mt Airy Feb 11^th at Activities Building $30Tom Watkins – The Town of Mt Airy has an ordinance that if you have a home-based business, you have to have approval from the town and fill out a home-based business questionnaire.

Meeting adjourned 9:15am