Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
May 12, 2009
Noon - meet at Golden Wok

Call to Order

Minutes  (pages 2 - 3 )

Treasurer's Report 
     April Treasurer's Report (attached)
     Budget Update (attached)

Executive
     Executive Director Meetings Report (attached)
     Annual Dinner - Thursday, June 18, 2009, Agri-King Conference Room

Government Affairs
     Springfield Lobby Trip Update - Stoermer
     Focus 2010 (CCI Committee) Update - Stoermer

Member Relations
     Member Ed Committee (see minutes attached)
     New Member Mentoring Program -  Biz After 5, May 14
     2009 Goal Business Site Visit/Tour - Visual Imaging, June 10
     2009 Goal - Workshop & Speaker - September Workshop & November Bill Davis
     Hazardous & E-Waste Pick-Up Day - Oct. 3 in conjunction with Bulky Waste

Downtown
     Fulton Retail Development Group Update

Old/New Business

Other

Next Board Meeting: June 9, 2009, Noon

Adjourn

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from April 14, 2009

Present: Heather Bennett, Linda Hollis, Steve Owen, Paula Rogis, Bill Stoermer, and Greg Naftzger.

Absent:  Patti Housenga, Bill Wilkin, Lynne Loerop, and Chuck Dykstra.

Minutes:  A motion was made by Rogis and seconded by Owen to approve the minutes from March 10, 2009.  Motion carried.

Guest Speaker - Ted James, The Complex (Recreational/Community Center).  The 12 member volunteer board needs to raise $3M to purchase and renovate the Wildwood Farms Building.  The goal is to market to a 25 mile radius around Fulton.  Colleen Wilkin has been hired as the campaign manager.  The group is meeting weekly and hopes to make more official announcements on their progress soon.  The building would house basketball courts, track, meeting spaces, fitness area, community room/kitchen, etc. 

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed March Treasurer's Report:  revenue as $322.20 and expenditures of $866.40, leaving an ending balance of $13,059.50.  A motion was made by Naftzger and seconded by Rogis to accept the March Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.

Executive:  Bennett provided a copy of her monthly meetings report.  The new computer and printer for the chamber office have been delivered and will be installed soon.  A photo thanking Community State Bank for their donation was provided in the local newspaper.  Randy Clary, Eric Johnson, and Deb Riggen all agreed to serve on the nominating committee.  Paula Rogis with check if the Del Curley Conference Center could host the chamber's annual dinner on Thursday, June 18, from 5pm to 8pm.  Steve Owen will approach Best Buds about providing some floral center pieces. 

Tourism & Promotions:  Naftzger reported on the City Tourism Committee - new visitor guide is being designed, the Summer Community Nights Committee has chosen the second and fourth Thursday of each month for community nights and is seeking sponsors/organizers, the Great River Road Kiosk will be installed soon, there is a new telephone museum opening up for Dutch Days, and there was a round table update by several organizations present.  Thus far, a dozen people have signed up for the Springfield/Lincoln Bus Trip.  Bennett sent around a sign-up sheet for volunteers to assist with the bounce house and float.  Paula Rogis and Bennett will be in charge of decorating the float on Friday, May 1.  Chuck Dykstra has offered his trailer for the float and Bill Stoermer will pull the float with his truck.  A letter was sent to the Fulton Historical Society requesting their involvement in the 2011 Reagan Centennial Celebration.    

The Fulton Bridal Walk Committee met and letters were sent to 250+ businesses. 

Government Affairs:  The Candidate's Forum was very well attended.  Bill Stoermer and Randy Balk are working to coordinate a Springfield Lobby Trip in May.  The FOCUS 2010 Committee has two current initiatives - Riverfront Corridor Committee and The Complex Board (not directly affiliated with FOCUS 2010).  The Riverfront Corridor Committee has divided into two sub-committees - aesthetics and safety.

Member Ed Committee - would like to ask each chamber board member to sponsor two new chamber members this year.  The board member would help "mentor" the new member by encouraging and welcoming them to participate in chamber events and activities.  Board members divided up the list and Bennett will email those board members not present requesting they mentor two new chamber members.  There will be a business site visit/donuts with Visual Imaging on June 10 and one with JT Cullen on September 16.  The Fulton Library will host a Biz After 5 on April 15 and Urban Chic will have a ribbon cutting on April 22.  FACE has agreed to assist Bennett with organizing a hazardous/e-waste pick-up day on October 3, in conjunction with the Bulky Waste Clean-Up Day. 

Downtown:  Fulton Retail Development Group - no report.

Old/New Business:  The chamber may need to contact the Fulton Journal if they continue to use chamber board member titles in political photo captions.  If the photo does not pertain to a chamber event or function, it would be best to note the person's place of employment rather than "Chamber Board Member."  Bill Stoermer would like to try and get Pete Harkness to attend a chamber board meeting and discuss his ideas as the new marina operator.

Next Meeting:  May 12, 2009, Noon, at Golden Wok.   

Adjourn:  A motion was made by Rogis and seconded by Hollis to adjourn the meeting at 1:15 p.m.  Motion carried.