MAY 2006 MINUTES
May Minutes

Chamber Meeting 5-3-06 Meeting Began at 8:05am

In attendance:

Carol Cahall – The Main EventTom Neff – MSCCKerry Turner – Frederick News-PostKeir Knight – Plain English Writing & DesignTim Slane Sr – Tim’s Lawn & LandscapeHoward LaRoux – Mt Airy Dent Sam Smith – Advanced Pest SolutionSteve Rose – Torn 2 ShredzAaron Kahn – Eclipse securityLeslie Brenneman – CostcoScott Gardner – The Benefit CompanyCindy Ahmann – Carroll Co Public LibraryBob Brill – Morgan StanleyJane Carroll – Carroll’s LocksmithingPaul Clay – RemaxGary Crutchfield – Lawn Aide PlusBob Cage – Brahma TechnologiesKay Kolb – Rohrbaugh’s ChargerPeter Holt – Town CouncilFrank Johnson – Mayor ElectJim Johnson – The Credit Card StoreHarry Johnson – AflacTim Barkley – Barkley Law Office Marlene Titus – Carroll Community CollegeCarol Blackburn – GazetteEllie Bonde – Blossom & BasketAmy Green-Phillips – Acupuncture Center of Mt AiryArchie Rogers – Rogers Engraving & StampsIleana Sutter – The Healing TempleScott Helmick & Tim Houck – Total Home Repair & improvementsSandy Shumate – Bezalel DesignsJane Carol - Carol’s LocksmithingMarsha Carmack – The Job Shop Filomena Thompson – Events Made SimpleDennis Emerson – Sherman-Emerson InsurancePaula Wilhelm – Lorien of Mt AiryDiane Ryan – Jeremy FoundationTwo chamber members were given 5 minutes to introduce their businesses. We heard from Harry Johnson from Aflac and Amy Green-Phillips from the Acupuncture Center of Mt Airy.

Minutes accepted as posted.

Committee Reports

Finance

As of 4-30-06 we had $38826.56. There was a motion at the last meeting for the expenditure for the Ambassadors committee. The actual cost came in at $183.70 over the cost that was passed. Tim Barkley moved that we pay the bills as submitted, seconded by Archie Rogers. Motion passed.

Government Relations

Thank you to everyone who helped with the candidate forum. A lot of good feedback from the community, as well as the candidates.

Social Committee

Thank you to everyone who came out to Mealey’s last month. The May 9^th exchange is filled. Looking for a co-host for July 10^th. Get your applications in for the mini-golf tournament.

Membership Outreach

Dennis Emerson was introduced as the new membership chair to replace Audrey.

There were 11 businesses that joined in April, bringing the total membership up to 281. PLEASE change your address on the website list if your address has changed.

Carroll Commissioners Debate

Tim Barkley will be scheduling a Carroll Commissioner debate after the primary, towards September. Right now, he is looking for a location.

Carroll County Chamber

Please take advantage of the upcoming events with this chamber. The Mt Airy chamber is a member, therefore you can participate.

5-11 Member Luncheon, Connections After Hours, Power Networking Breakfast, What can the chamber do for me

Ambassadors

Thank you to the committee for the work that was put in on the folders. The folders are finished, and available. Ambassadors are going to start making phone calls to people whose sections are not complete on the website. Ellie is calling for 50 pieces of information from each business for the new member packets. You can drop them to Ellie at the Blossom & Basket Boutique by the end of May.

Professional Development

May 16^th 6:30-8:30 at the Mt Airy Senior Center – workshop on Guerilla Marketing.

FREE to chamber members.

Scholarship Committee

Tim Slane announced the committee: Aaron Kahn, Howard LeRoux, Melinda Byrd, Brian Pelino.

The committee is going to put a scholarship program proposal in writing, give that to the Finance Committee. Then, the Finance Committee will bring it to the next Executive Committee, and it will finally be presented to the Chamber.

Advertising & Marketing

Keir passed a notebook with all the recent advertising & coverage. Keir met with the 4 local newspapers in the past month. Next month, Kerry will present this idea to the chamber.

Old Business

Business Fair

The Business Fair raised $149 for MAYAA. The Business Fair meeting with be May 18^th 8am at the Burger King. This will be a wrap-up meeting, and they will decide where to donate the proceeds from the fair.

Scoreboard

The scoreboard is up and operating at Parrs Ridge.

New Business

Announcements

Lorien of Mt Airy is having a blood drive on June 13^th.Mt Airy Rotary is having a bingo on Fri night.Frank Johnson’s swearing in for Mayor will be May 17^th.Issues he would like input on – downtown parking, trash pick up, licensing and permitting, and the process of starting a new business. Other things he wants to continue – the newsletter, welcome packets, & quarterly business roundtables.