Chamber Minutes, January 2010

February 10, 2010

PORTLAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MINUTES FROM JANUARY 20,2010

8AM Looking Grand Café

Present RJ Niklas, Kory Blastic, Linda Eden, Margery Briggs, Tammy Beson, Kevin Reagan, Kim Thorp, Tom Dempsey, Marilyn Danielson

Call to Order RJ Niklas

Agenda was approved Linda/Kim-unanimous

Minutes were approved-unanimous

Treasurer’s Report Linda Eden

A. There is money in the account

B. Membership dues are coming in

C. Trying to conserve as much as possible

D. Estimating cost of Easter Egg Hunt at $200-$300

E. Looking at a very tight budget for the 4^th of July

F. *Snowbirds need to make sure they claim residency for the upcoming census

Committee Reports

A. Communication & Promotion-Tammy Beson

1. Suggestion made for more wine and cheese tastings-good attendance

a. Held at the Wagon Wheel, $20 per person with $5 going back to Chamber

b. Will put on agenda for next meeting

2. Linda Eden contacted Tammy re: member profile in the R& O

a. Tammy said could have members pay for profile at 1/3 off discount. It would be billed to the Chamber then paid by business.

B. Programs & Activities-Margery Briggs

1. Easter Egg Hunt tentatively set for April 3 (spring break) with possible egg stuffing at the Church of the Nazarene. Kim will check. Will need fire truck. Suggest Patrick as Easter Rabbit. No comment from Patrick.

a. Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Bogue Flats. Will need egg scatterers on day of hunt.

C. Membership-Kory Blastic

1. Most members have plaques and year tabs. If not, need to contact Chamber office. Kory also has some with him.

2. Getting a list of current members, stopping in at new businesses. Encourage all members to do the same.

3. Second round of letters have gone out requesting renewal of membership.

4. Will have application forms at the Annual Dinner.

5. Tammy suggested that second round of letters should come out in November so members can use as tax deductions and also allow members To pay quarterly.

6. Maybe a 10% discount after 2 years membership.

D. Organization & Finance-Gary May (not present) no report

E. City Report-Tom Dempsey & Patrick Reagan

1. Strongly recommend everyone filling out census. Will allow greater funding for city. It’s short-only about 6 questions. It can place Portland in another category allowing for many financial advantages. Again, Snowbirds, please make sure you claim residency.

2. Many different projects getting ready to happen.

3. 80 people coming to Portland tomorrow to see a Main Street Master Level City. They are coming from all over the state for 11/2 hr lunch.

4. January 26^th at 8:30 webinar will be held at the city building to help businesses with faced design with historic buildings. It is free and open to Main Street district only. Must attend to get grants for $5,000 for façade work.

5. There is a vacancy on the zoning board.

6. Portland one of few cities in which there are only a few vacancies in the downtown area. Congratulations to Portland. We are beating the odds together.

F. Ambassadors-RJ Niklas

1. Edward Jones ribbon cutting is tentatively set for February 19^th around 5-5:15

2. Legislative lunches continue to be well attended. A representative from Van Ehlers office presents a report, as well as other government officials and local leaders.

3. The Chamber has officiated 15 ribbon cuttings in 2009.

Old Business

A. Finalized details for annual dinner.

B. Chamber Book by Great Lakes Publishing -some didn’t receive the info.

1. Directors would like to see book prior to publishing

2. Recommend good proof readers to go over info.

C. Chamber ornaments are selling slowly. Congregational Church ornament for 2009 are still available at the Chamber office and the Congregational Church.

New Business

A. 4^th of July Riverfest planning meeting, Tuesday February 9^th at 6:30 at Looking Grand Café. Come with ideas.

Next meeting 8am at LookingGrand Café, Wednesday, February 17^th, 2010. Everyone is welcome.

Meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Danielson, Secretary

Written by admin · Filed Under Chamber Minutes | Comments Off