JULY 2006 MINUTES
July Minutes

Chamber Meeting Minutes 7/6/06In attendance:Carol Cahall – The Main EventDennis Emerson – Sherman Emerson InsuranceTim Barkley – Barkley Law Office
Kerry Turner – The Frederick News-PostArchie Rogers – Rogers EngravingTom Neff – MSCC
Ellie Bonde – Blossom & BasketMarlene Titus – Carroll Community CollegeKeir Knight – Plain English Writing & DesignMichael Zimmer – AttorneyFrank Johnson – MayorRamzy Nassar – CostcoRay Miller – RemaxAudrey StapfAaron Kahn – Eclipse SecurityKen Matthews – Freedom CarpetAndrew Williamson – Chiropractic FirstTim Slane Sr – Tim’s Lawn & LandscapeBob Cage – Brahma TechnologySandy Shumate – Bezalel DesignHoward LeRoux – Mt Airy Dent Melinda Byrd – Byrdcall StudioBob Brill – Morgan StanleyDiane Ryan – Jeremy FoundationJerry Crutchfield – Lawn Aid PlusWill Fries - It’s got to be GreenSteve Lopez- Verizon WirelessMike Santos – The Frederick News-PostKeri Rhodes – GazetteSusan Howes – Long & FosterLast month’s minutes passed as posted.Finance$33727.01 was the balance at 6/30/06The application by Keir was approved up to $2000 to purchase and install a widescreen TV to be installed in the Library. This TV will show public service announcements or CNN. Archie is going to donate the plaque.Keir noted that the mini-golf tournament has its own line under Revenue - but that amount then comes out of the "donations" line under Expenses. He will ask Denny to create a separate mini golf line under Expenses so that the "donations" line (which is budgeted) is not effected. The mini-golf tournament will therefore cancel itself out in the report.Tim Barkley moved to accept the finance committee report, Audrey seconded. Motion passed.Social CommitteeJuly 10^th 6-8pm Chiropractic First July 21^st 7am CostcoThank you to everyone who came out to the mini-golf tournament. We raised over $2200. Thank you to Ramzy and Leslie for the work that they put into the success of this event!
Membership7 new businesses joined in June. This brings our membership up to 300 members!!!!Carroll County ChamberLuncheon will be at Mt Airy American Legion. Thursday July 13 noon. Reservations required.AmbassadorsCommittee meeting following this meeting. Frank Johnson has been distributing packets to new residents of the community. We will need a new batch soon. Folders are available – please distribute to people who are interested in becoming a new member.Professional DevelopmentOct 17^th – Business Succession PlanningNov 15^th – Small Business Financial PlanningFree to members!Scholarship CommitteeBased on last meeting’s input, Tim has updated and completed the application. This application will be on the website when we launch this project. The scope will be the Greater Mt Airy area.Advertising & MarketingKeir showed current articles and press releases that were shown in the area newspapers. Group advertising program winners– Gazette is running on July 20^th Paradise TitleFNP – Hello Frederick July 23^rd Provident BankAdvertising & marketing committee will meet in August to discuss the budget for next year – all are welcome.Old BusinessCarroll/Frederick Commissioners ForumTim Barkley updated us. The Fireman’s carnival is at the end of the month. Tim is going to try to have a "candidate’s corral" after the carnival parade as a designated area for both Carroll Co and Frederick Co candidates to mingle and meet constituents. Tim asked if it is ok to take the money allocated and use it for a tent and bottled water (or something for hospitality). Thursday July 27^th. Business FairApril 21^st 2007Platinum Sponsor – The GazetteTable pricing will remain the same as they were in 2006. The committee is discussing having a drawing or event for vendors only. Business Fair committee had requested $1000 of their profit to go to the Jeremy Foundation. This request was not supported by the finance committee. Archie asked to have this explained. Tom Neff answered that the Finance committee felt that it should be local, not a national charity. Diane Ryan from the Jeremy Foundation spoke and said that they are local to the community and in fact not a national foundation as of yet. Carol Cahall brought up that this was not brought up to the Executive Committee. Keir asked to have the membership vote on the issue. Ken Matthews brought up that we have supported many charities in the past that weren’t members – the Jeremy Foundation is a member of our Chamber.Archie Rogers moved that the Finance Committee and Executive committee review this recommendation again. Howard LeRoux seconded. Motion passed.Carol Cahall said that this will be taken back to the Finance Committee and the Executive Committee, and we will update the membership next month.Planning Meeting9/14/06 at Lorien Mt Airy – all are welcome.Committee Chairs need to have their proposed budgets for 2007 by the end of August.Thank you from Mt Airy middleIn the back of Keir’s notebook, there is a thank you letter from Parr’s Ridge middle for the scoreboard. There will be a dedication ceremony this fall.New BusinessCommunity Champion ProgramSponsored by Sandy Spring Bank. Please fill out the contest entry if you know someone who has made a difference in the community.Frank Johnson – last call for the town newsletter. Issues – keep an eye on Sanitation and Recycling commission positions – Frank may have upcoming vacancies.Frank is asking for local businesses and community members to pay attention to the current issues on the website. If you have strong feelings about something, please show your support.Nominating Committee – If you are interested in being on the executive committee of the chamber next year, please speak to Bob Cage or Paul Clay. Also, if you are interested in being on the nominating committee itself, see Bob or Paul.