By PAULA EARLS
Democrat Staff
Board members of the California Area Chamber of Commerce met for their monthly meeting Thursday, Aug. 8, at the California City Hall meeting room.
Brad Baer reported the Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival was coming together nicely. The theme of the Festival Parade will be "Get All Fired Up" to concur with the theme of the festival.
PediaCure, Relay For Life Team, will handle the Kidz Korner during the festival. J&B Promotions assisted with the updating of the flyer for the Compact Figure 8 Scramble & Tuff Truck Challenge to be handed out at the fair gate Friday.
Currently there are 43 vendors registered for the event. A new rack card was designed to place in businesses in surrounding cities to promote the festival. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 5:30 p.m.
Anyone needing information regarding the festival may call the chamber office at 573-796-3040 or go to www.calmo.com.
Minutes from the July board meeting were reviewed and approved as well as the treasurer's report. Diane Eulinger, executive secretary, distributed a written report which included her duties for the month.
During old business, the Phase I - Welcome to California sign, was discussed. Melissa Bonecutter recommended contacting Tom Winters for assistance with the logistics of placing of signs at the commuter parking lot on the east side of 87 and at the old 50/new 50 interchange west of 87.
During new business the Chamber President shared he will be working with a nominating committee to present a slate of officers and board members with expiring terms at next month's board meeting.
Shelly Hampton shared the Downtown Historic Committee would like to work with the Chamber in promoting current businesses in the California area. The board agreed to work with the Historic Committee in promoting all the Chamber businesses. After discussion several ideas were proposed. One idea would be to have a Chamber Spotlight in the California Democrat with photos and information about each group of businesses. During next months meeting the board will look at membership by category to begin work on the project.
A recommendation was made to place the agenda and board minutes on the Chamber website. After discussion, it was determined a tentative agenda would be e-mailed, the Monday before each meeting, to all members.
The California Area Chamber of Commerce Board will meet again Thursday, Sept. 12, at 8 a.m., in the California City Hall meeting room.