Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
April 8, 2008
Noon

1. Call to Order

2. Minutes  (following pages 2 & 3)

3. Treasurer's Report  
   1. March Treasurer's Report (handed out at meeting)
   2. Budget Update (see Excel attachment)
      i.      IRS Payment

4. Executive
   1. Executive Director Meeting Report March/April (see attached)
   2. Dutch Days Festival - Blow-Up Ride and Parade Participation
   3. Annual Dinner - Location, Date, Meal
      i.      Approve Nominating Committee
      ii.      Board Expired Terms:  Steve Owen, Shirl Wierenga-Huber, & Bill Stoermer - all could fill another 3 yr. term, if willing/asked

5. Tourism & Promotions
   1. Advertising Publications (available for review at chamber office)
   2. Cubs vs. Cardinals Bus Trip - August 9, 2008
   3. Fall Festival Committee..."Marking the Fall Season" (see minutes attached)
   4. City Tourism Committee Report 
      i.      Volunteer Fair Update

6. Government Affairs
   1. Competitive Communities Initiative - Strategic Plan

7. Member Relations
   1. Membership Education Committee Report  (see minutes attached)
   2. Donuts & Discussion River Bend District - April 19, 9am-10am - RSVP
   3. Bridal & Anniversary Walk Update - June 26, 4:30pm - 7:30pm (see minutes attached)

8. Downtown
   1. Fulton Retail Development Group Update

9. Old/New Business
   1. Next Board Meeting - May 13, 2008
   2. Other

10. Adjourn

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from March 11, 2008

Attendance:  Paula Rogis, Bill Wilkin, Patti Housenga, Chuck Dykstra, Heather Bennett, Linda Hollis, and Lynne Loreop

Absent:  Shirl Wierenga-Huber, Bill Stoermer, and Steve Owen

Minutes:  A motion was made by Housenga and seconded by Loerop to approve the minutes from February 12, 2008.  Motion carried.     

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of February:  $209.75 revenue and $3,003.95 expenses, leaving a balance of $13,734.86.  A motion was made by Wilkin and seconded by Housenga to accept the February Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget report. 

Executive:  The monthly Executive Director meeting report was provided to the chamber board.  Bennett has received the contract for the large inflatable for Dutch Days and the cost will be $450.  Bennett is waiting to hear confirmation from Fulton Corporation if the chamber can use their property along 9^th Avenue for the inflatable.  The inflatable must be on grass and this was the location of last year's inflatable. 

Tourism & Promotions:    Copies of the February advertising were provided.  Due to some cancellations, 6 Cubs tickets remained; however, Bill Wilkin immediately spoke up for them.  The Fall Festival Committee plans to meet March 12, 2008.  Bennett provided a copy of the minutes from the Tourism Committee meeting.  A volunteer fair will be held Saturday, April 5, 2008, from 10am - Noon at the Fulton Masonic Lodge.  The fair is sponsored by the Tourism Committee and will consist of volunteer groups associated with bringing visitors/tourists to the community. 

Government Affairs:     Bennett provided a copy of the itinerary from the Springfield Lobby Trip.  One of the initiatives from the trip included a state program titled Competitive Communities Initiative.  Basically, it is a 12 to 18 month detailed process for a steering committee to come up with a strategic plan for the community.  The program is sponsored by the state and state personnel attend every meeting of the steering committee to guide them through the process.  Bill Stoermer, Heather Bennett, and Chuck Dykstra met with staff from the program.  While the process has been approved by the city council, the chamber is asked to support the program and possibly assist with action plans that may be identified.  General consensus from the board was that the program sounded good and was something the community needed.  Chuck Dykstra, Bill Stoermer, Heather Bennett, and Randy Balk plan to meet to discuss potential steering committee members, which will then need approval from the city council.  Chuck Dykstra reported on his trip to Washington, DC on behalf of the US Route 30 Coalition.  Chuck was pleased with the trip and the discussions held with the staff of our federal legislators.  Eric Johnson and Betty Steinert also attended on behalf of Fulton and the US Route 30 Project.  

Member Relations:  Bennett provided minutes from the Member Education Committee meeting.  The Donuts & Discussion with the River Bend School District will be held Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 9am to 10am at the Masonic Lodge.  Superintendent Dr. Jane Bauer and the principals from each school will be in attendance.  The Member Education Committee chose to have the D & D on a Saturday because it will be open to the public and parents could attend.  Bennett provided minutes from the Bridal & Anniversary Walk committee.  The Bridal & Anniversary Walk is set for June 26 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm in downtown Fulton.  A ribbon cutting will be held for Paddlewheel Pizza on March 13, 2008. 

Downtown:  Chuck Dykstra briefly updated the board on the progress being made to the former Vander Vinne building located in downtown Fulton.  Chuck, Ed Kolk, Larry Russell, and Bob Feldt have completed the restoration of the tin ceiling.  Chuck is proud to report the ceiling looks fantastic.  During the last week of March, insulation and drywall will be installed.  The FRDG hopes to have the façade started sometime in May and completed by the end of June.  The group plans to restore the façade to it's original theater appearance, including a marquee. 

Adjourn:   A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Housenga to adjourn the meeting at 12:50pm.  Motion carried.     

Next board meeting:  Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Noon.