Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
March 10, 2009
Noon - meet at Golden Wok

Call to Order

Minutes  (page 2 )

Treasurer's Report 

February Treasurer's Report (handed out at meeting)
Budget Update (attached)

Executive

2009 Goals (attached)
Executive Director Meetings Report (attached)
New computer/printer
Nominating Committee - 3 chamber members

Tourism & Promotions

City Tourism Committee Report
Bridal Walk Committee Report
"Celebrate Fulton" - Springfield/Lincoln Museum Bus Trip

Government Affairs

Candidates' Forum - March 12 - 5pm to 7pm - Manny's Too
Springfield Lobby Trip
Focus 2010 (CCI Committee) Update

Member Relations

Member Ed Committee
Urban Chic - Ribbon Cutting - TBA

Downtown

Fulton Retail Development Group Update

Old/New Business

Quarterly Tourism/Chamber Report to City Council - March 16 @ 5:30pm

Other

Next Board Meeting: April 14, 2009, Noon

Adjourn

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from February 11, 2009

Attendance: Bill Stoermer, Linda Hollis, Patti Housenga, Bill Wilkin, Lynne Loerop, Greg Naftzger, Heather Bennett, and Chuck Dykstra

Absent:  Steve Owen and Paula Rogis.

Minutes:  A motion was made by Housenga and seconded by Loerop to approve the minutes from January 13, 2009.  Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed January Treasurer's Report:  revenue as $16.48 and expenditures of $950.04, leaving an ending balance of $13,319.75.  A motion was made by Wilkin and seconded by Naftzger to accept the January Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.

Executive:  Planning session minutes were provided.  Board discussed all of the points and will allow President Stoermer and Bennett to prioritize 4 or 5 goals for the year.  It was noted several ideas brought up in the session were either too costly or should be handled by other organizations in town - Fulton Historical Society, City Tourism Committee, City Council, and/or CCI (FOCUS 2010) Committee.  Bennett provided a copy of her monthly meetings report.  The e-newsletter will be modified.  Bennett will create the newsletter in Publisher and send it out as an attached PDF file.  The monthly e-newsletter will also be uploaded to the city website. President Stoermer has approached the city administrator about purchasing a new printer and computer for the chamber office.  Since Chamber Board meetings are during the lunch hour, they will be moved from the chamber office to Golden Wok (March thru October) and Freezers/Cousins (November thru February) - pending approval from the restaurants. 

Tourism & Promotions:  Naftzger reported on City Tourism Committee.  Nancy Kolk is coordinating "Celebrate Fulton" activities and meeting with several organizations in town.  Bennett is working with Clinton Herald on a new Fulton visitor guide.  Bennett submitted tour options to Celebration Cruises.  Connie Koehn and Bennett are coordinating a hospitality training program for front-line employees.  The Early American Crafters are electing new officers and working with Midwest Tool Collectors Association on cataloging and displaying tools in the blacksmith shop.  The windmill volunteers are gearing up for a new season and plan to organize some programs this summer focused upon the province of Groningen.  Dutch Days will have the Dutch dinner at Manny's Too on Saturday and use the same caterer as last year. 

The Fulton Bridal Walk Committee met and will be sending out letters to businesses the first part of April.  Some changes for the event include:  registration back at the chamber office, divide up vendors between Manny's and Masonic Lodge, have a separate $200 Bridal Bucks drawing to entice participants to go inside vendors not located at Manny's or Masonic Lodge, and Sue Jobin (Best Buds) has agreed to be on the committee. 

Government Affairs:  Candidate's Forum to be held March 12, from 5pm to 7pm, Manny's Too.  A pizza buffet will be available for $5.00 from 5pm to 5:30pm.  Chamber will seek sponsors to help supplement cost of buffet.  Bennett provided a copy of the letter that will be sent to the candidates. 

A Springfield Lobby Trip will be planned late spring or early summer with the City of Fulton.

CCI - Stoermer reported a Downtown/Riverfront Corridor meeting will be held this Thursday with about 15 people who have a vested interest in the downtown/riverfront area.  From this meeting, CCI hopes a committee of seven people will be identified to initiate developments of both the downtown and riverfront area.    

Member Relations:  Stoermer reminded Chamber Board to please make their contacts regarding membership renewals.  The Member Ed Committee will meet again at the end of this month and is looking for more volunteers to assist with implementing goals identified at the chamber's planning session. 

Downtown:  Fulton Retail Development Group - nothing to report.

Old/New Business:  None

Next Meeting:  March 10, 2009, Noon, at Golden Wok.    

Adjourn:  A motion was made by Dykstra and seconded by Loerop to adjourn the meeting at 1:07 p.m.  Motion carried.