The California Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 8 a.m. in the City Hall Meeting Room. Amanda Trimble, President, welcomed the following: Brad Baer, Cale Brown, Jenny Brown, Melissa Bonecutter, Norris Gerhart, Rita Hammerly, Shelly Hampton, Blake Howard, Dr. Todd McCluskey, Pamela Pearon, Robin Ratcliff, and Tom Winters. Also present were Sandra Ratcliff, Executive Secretary and one guest, Michael Barnes, West Ridge Event Center, Centertown, Missouri, who is a new Chamber member.
The minutes of the September meeting were reviewed and approved. Jenny Brown, Treasurer, presented the treasurer's report and it was accepted. Sandra Ratcliff reported that she sent nine newcomer letters, presented four welcome baskets, and notarized four documents in September. There have been some issues with the Monday email to all Chamber members reaching all email addresses. This should be resolved. She reported a successful 26th Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival. Ratcliff complimented the businesses who decorated for fall. It has made the town look great.
There was no old business on the agenda. New business that came before the group included setting up the annual financial audit. Cale Brown, Vice President, will schedule a time for that with representatives from Hawthorn Bank and Central Bank. Membership renewals for 2017 will be sent out in November. The group discussed updating the website so that it provides current information and presents a positive reflection of the Chamber and the community. Sandra will research the topic and report back to the Board at the next regular meeting.
Brad Baer, Ham & Turkey Festival Committee Chairperson, reported that the festival was a success. The weather was beautiful, vendors were pleased, a crowd filled the streets, the parade was well attended, and events went as scheduled. He thanked those who assisted at the festival for their time and efforts. The committee held a wrap-up meeting on Oct. 3 and some suggestions were taken to consider for 2017. The 27th Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, (the third Saturday in September). Planning meetings will begin in March 2017.
The 2017 Annual Dinner Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21, at Centennial Hall. Committee Chairperson, Rita Hammerly, has a planning meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 18. More details will be available after this meeting.
Christmas California Style is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3. This committee will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 19 and details will be announced.
Michael Barnes thanked the group for welcoming his business to the Chamber. He announced that the business will have a one-year anniversary celebration of West Ridge Event Center the evening of Oct. 20 and invited everyone is to attend. To make reservations or for details, call 573-634-9732.
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 8 a.m. in the City Hall Meeting Room.
Chamber of Commerce reports festival was success
October 18, 2016 at 5:58 p.m. | Updated October 18, 2016 at 5:59 p.m.