Shelly Hampton, Chamber Board president, called to order the California Area Chamber of Commerce Board meeting held Thursday, Oct. 13.
After review, Norris Gerhart made a motion to accept the minutes from the Sept. 8, meeting. Robin Ratcliff seconded and the motion carried.
Carolyn Kiesling moved and Marla Wright seconded to accept the treasurer's report as presented and the motion carried.
Executive Secretary Diane Eulinger included a written secretary's report which was approved as presented. In it, Eulinger reported there were three new Chamber members; Gina Design, Kay, Greene and Benne LLC, and Windmill Ridge Funeral Service, LLC. During the month of September, Eulinger notarized three documents.
Eulinger processed 50 thank you letters for the Ham and Turkey Festival. She also printed 2012 vendor applications to be taken to Versailles and added names and addresses of 16 new vendors to contact for the 2012 festival. Photos from the 2011 festival are in the process of being uploaded to the Chamber website.
Upcoming ribbon cuttings are Bristol Manor scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m., and Windmill Ridge Funeral Service, LLC, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.
In old business, Gerhart reported the Signage Committee is still working.
In new business, Bill Campbell asked that the Chamber of Commerce draft a letter to the County Commissioners asking them to encourage the contractor(s) to promote the use of local businesses in the construction of the new jail. A majority of the members agreed this would be beneficial for local businesses. Hampton will write the letter.
In committee reports, it was reported Ann Perry is still working on the Articles of Incorporation.
Dolores Burger, chair of the Christmas California Style committee, presented a work sheet and time line for advertising this year's Christmas festivities. It was suggested that we change the name to Christmas Festival, but after discussion a show of hands chose to stay with Christmas California Style. Hope Hoellering will be the chairperson for the parade, Robin Ratcliff will be chairing the house lighting/decorating contest, Hampton and Peoples Bank will host Santa and Mrs. Clause for the children. Sounds of Joy from the California High School will be performing. The Girl Scouts will be selling hot chocolate. Pictures with Santa will be offered this year for a nominal fee. Burger is working in conjunction with the Moniteau County Historical Society who will be hosting tours of The Eitzen Mansion on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2-4. Businesses in the downtown area will be encouraged to be open and decorate their store windows to coincide with these festivities. There was a recommendation the Art Club at the high school could help in decorating the windows.
Ham and Turkey Festival Committee Chair Brad Baer reported, in spite of the weather, the festival was a success. Money is still coming in and bills are still being paid, but the Chamber looks to still have done well. Some changes being considered for next year are with the barbecue contest, car show and antique tractors. Sally Vogel suggested vendors who do not have enough products to buy a booth space could possibly bring their items to a spot set up in conjunction with the information booth where the items could be displayed. There was discussion on advertising and how to market the festival more soundly utilizing more different avenues in area publications. It was reported the pottery and chain saw demonstrations went well and they are hoping to get more artisans to demonstrate next year.
Hampton mentioned during the nominating committee report Richard Barry is chairing this committee. They hope to have advertisements in the California Democrat in November asking for nominations. The deadline will be Dec. 31. Eulinger has applications at the Chamber Office for anyone wishing to make a nomination. Eulinger will contact the webmaster to get these applications on the web site.
As far as new Chamber members, Hampton reported the Chamber bylaws state they need to have at least 15 members on the Board. Two members are scheduled to rotate off at the end of 2011. Currently there are 24 members on the Chamber Board. Hampton will be working with the committee on these replacements.
In regards to the Chamber Scholarship, Eulinger was asked to contact Cara Duenow at California High School to see if Duenow had everything she needed for the students to apply for the scholarship. Gerhart and Wright asked to be removed from the selection committee as they both have seniors this year. Eulinger was also given permission to send letters to the current scholarship recipients to remind them to get in their spring schedules.
The Annual Dinner will be held at the Nutrition Center on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. This is when the Citizen of the Year and the Business of the Year will be recognized. The Chamber will be soliciting for auction items soon. The proceeds from these items fund the Chamber Scholarships.
There was no miscellaneous business to report.
Ratcliff made a motion the meeting be adjourned, Kiesling seconded and the motion carried.
Board members present were Baer, Tammy Bleich, Bonecutter, Gerhart, Hampton, Doris Hardy, Hoellering, Brian Hufendiek, Kiesling, Becky Lawson, Chris Long, Melanie McDonald, Ratcliff, Dwight Sanders, Pam White and Wright. Also in attendance were Breck Summerford, Bartlett & West, Campbell, Putnam Chevrolet, Dr. Todd McCluskey, Capital Region Medical Center and Eulinger.
The next scheduled Chamber Board meeting will be at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.