Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
March 11, 2008
Noon

1. Call to Order

2. Minutes  (following pages 2 & 3)

3. Treasurer's Report  
   1. February Treasurer's Report (handed out at meeting)
   2. Budget Update (see Excel attachment)

4. Executive
   1. Executive Director Meeting Report February/March (see attached)
   2. Dutch Days Festival - Blow-Up Ride and Float Participation

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
   4. City Tourism Committee Report (see minutes attached)
        i.      Volunteer Expo - April 5, 10am - Noon, Masonic Lodge (see attached)

6. Government Affairs
   1. Springfield Lobby Trip Update (see MW attachment)
              i.      Competitive Communities Initiative - Strategic Plan
   2. Washington, DC - US 30 Lobby Trip Update (see MW attachment)

7. Member Relations
   1. Membership Education Committee Report  (see minutes attached)
             i.      Donuts & Discussion River Bend District - April 12 or 19, TBA
   2. Bridal & Anniversary Walk Update - June 26, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
   3. Ribbon Cutting Updates -  Agri-King 2/21, Manny's Too 3/7, Paddlewheel 3/13  

8. Downtown
   1. Fulton Retail Development Group Update
   2. City Streetscape Committee

9. Old/New Business
   1. Next Board Meeting - April 8, 2008
   2. Other

10. Adjourn

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from February 12, 2008

Attendance:  Steve Owen, Linda Hollis, Lynne Loerop, Heather Bennett, Paula Rogis, Chuck Dykstra, and Bill Wilkin.

Guest:  Barb Mask

Absent:  Patti Housenga, Bill Stoermer, and Shirl Wierenga-Huber

Minutes:  A motion was made by Hollis and seconded by Loerop to approve the minutes from January 8, 2008.  Motion carried.     

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of January:  $335.69 revenue and $1,867.29 expenses, leaving a balance of $16,529.06.  A motion was made by Dykstra and seconded by Owen to accept the January 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.  At the chamber annual planning session held in November a request was made for the chamber to participate in the Dutch Days festival by sponsoring an inflatable ride.  A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Owen to sponsor an inflatable ride with the following stipulations 1.) Saturday only (May 3) from 10am to 3pm, 2.) the Dutch Days committee must find a location for the inflatable,  3.) the Dutch Days committee will locate a power supply for the inflatable,  and 4.) the Dutch Days committee will carry insurance for the inflatable.  The chamber will order, sponsor and staff the inflatable ride.  Motion carried.  Barb Mask announced the Dutch Days committee is trying to organize cricket teams and find people willing to pole vault.      

Tourism & Promotions:    Copies of the January advertising were provided.  Bennett provided information for the Lincoln Highway Mural to be located in Fulton.  The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition has received a $443,000 federal grant to erect 40 murals in all the communities located along the Lincoln Highway in Illinois.  The murals will be a gift to the community, but it is up to each community to find a location and a story for the mural.  Lynne Loerop and Heather Bennett have booked a Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals game for Saturday, August 9, 2008.  Nearly half of the tickets have already been sold. 

Government Affairs:     The Springfield Lobby Trip will be held February 27 & 28, 2008.  This is the first lobby trip organized by the chamber so attendees will be limited the first year.  A lobby trip to Washington, DC is set for the first part of March.  Those planning to attend the DC trip include Heather Bennett, Eric Johnson, Betty Steinert, and Barb Bees.  

Member Relations:  Bennett provided minutes from the Member Education Committee meeting.  The committee has identified 4 goals for this year:  1.) implement a "Green" program, 2.) have a Donuts & Discussion with the River Bend School Board, 3.) host a lunch and learn workshop with a business professor from Ashford University, and 4.) implement a program to increase voter registration.   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 Agri-King's new conference center on February 21, 2008.  A ribbon cutting will be held for Manny's new banquet facility on March 7, 2008.  Bennett noted she would not be able to attend the ribbon cutting for Manny's but would give Linda Hollis the supplies (ribbon, fish bowl, clock) ahead of time for the event. 

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 done much of the grunt work at no charge.  The men have been able to fully repair and paint the original tin ceiling.  In addition, the volunteer crew has done a tremendous amount of work cleaning the building and doing minor repairs.  Darwin Olson has been hired to repair the outside stairway.  Kelly Heating & Cooling has been doing all of the heating and cooling repairs.  Peterson Plumbing has been contracted to assist with installing water meters and new water heaters.  The Fulton Retail Development Group (FRDG) is working very well with Great River Gymnastics and the upstairs tenant.  The FRDG plans to restore the façade to it's original theater appearance, including a marquee. 

Old/New Business:    Barb Mask noted the Fulton Historical Society will participate in the Bridal Walk by decorating the Fulton Masonic Lodge window again.    

Adjourn:   A motion was made by Hollis and seconded by Loerop to adjourn the meeting at 12:48pm.  Motion carried.     

Next board meeting:  Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at Noon.