Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from November 10, 2009

No board meeting was held in October due to lack of quorum.     The November Board Meeting was held at the Fulton (Martin House) Museum. 

Present:  Bill Wilkin, Linda Hollis, Heather Bennett, Greg Naftzger, Paula Rogis, and Phyllis Housenga.

Absent:  William Stoermer, Kim LaShelle, Deb Schaver, and Steve Owen.   

Minutes:   A motion was made by Rogis and seconded by Wilkin to approve the minutes from September 8, 2009.  Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed the September Treasurer's Report:  revenue as $1,237.62 and expenditures of $2,946.45, leaving an ending balance of $3,563.60.  Hollis reviewed the October report:  revenues as $11,719.71 and expenditures of $3,093.11, leaving an ending balance of $12,190.20.   A motion was made by Housenga and seconded by Rogis to accept the September & October Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget to actual report. 

Executive:    Bennett provided a copy of her monthly meetings report for September 4 thru November 5, 2009.  A copy of the October & November Newsletter was provided as an FYI.  Bennett spoke with Kathy Kingery, Manny's Too, and she agreed having the brunch fundraiser in the spring would be fine.  Bennett, Rogis, and Housenga will meet with Kathy after the first of the year to plan the brunch.  The annual planning session is usually held in January over an extended lunch period with the meal provided by the Chamber.   Bill Stoermer will be asked to facilitate the planning session.  A motion was made Hollis and seconded by Rogis to approve the planning session on January 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fulton Masonic Lodge with pizza as the meal.  Motion carried. 

Tourism & Promotions:  The City Tourism Committee set their 2010 Goals.  Some of the goals will include a trivia night for the WCC, continuation of the summer night program, a ladies day shopping promotion, highlighting the theme "Celebrate Fulton:  1835-2010, 175 years" utilizing hospitality as the focus, a volunteer appreciation event, and the grand opening of the WCC.  Despite frigid temperatures, Fall Festival went "alright."  All 250 pumpkins were distributed, the beanie bingo was well attended all day long, the beer garden moved indoors but the bar was packed later that night, and the hay bale maze and jump houses were popular.  Due to scheduling conflicts with both LeClaire, IA and Galena, IL the planning committee recommended the event be move from the 2^nd weekend to the 1^st weekend in October.  A motion was made by Wilkin and seconded by Housenga to change Fall Festival from the 2^nd weekend to the 1^st weekend in October.  Motion carried.  The Christmas Walk will be held December 4 from 5pm to 7pm in downtown Fulton.  Volunteers are needed to help with the race starting at 6:30 p.m.  If any board member is able to assist, please contact Heather Bennett.  The interpretive panels have been installed at the Lincoln Highway gazebo at the corner of 3^rd Street & 10^th Avenue.  The Summer Night Events will continue in 2010 - June 10, July 8, July 22, and August 12.  All the past sponsors have agreed to assist.   

Government Affairs:  Bennett read reports from the Senior Services Action Team and The Complex. 

Per Mayor Russell, Senior Services Action Team: 

• Whiteside County Transit Bus is now based in Fulton and will be promoted. 
• Plan to focus on continuing education, nutrition, housing and recreation for seniors
• Committee members include:  Karen Abbott, Wendell Davelaar, Bob Dykema, Merle Sterenberg, Joe Coulter, Evelyn Pessman, Harlan Wiebenga, and Joyce Zajicek.
• Would like to consider a senior expo with the chamber. 
  • Per past experiences with the Fulton Trade Show, which had been discontinued because of continuous poor attendance and difficulty acquiring vendors, the board did not feel a senior expo would be advantageous to organize.  There was concern many of the attendees simply came for "free" items and vendors did not receive much business from the trade show.  It was suggested perhaps the Senior Services Team could take advantage of the Plus 50 Living Fair sponsored by KROS in April each year.  Bennett will communicate with the Mayor.

Per Colleen Wilkin, The Complex:

• The Board of Directors has put in place to purchase the Wildwood Farms building by January 1, given the price is within their range.
• Focus on 30 key donors during this period in order to secure building.
• Informal banquet dinner at Manny's Too

Member Ed Committee - The Lunch & Learn Program with Ashford University Instructor Bill Davis was cancelled due to limited sign-ups.  The Fall Clean-Up event went very well.  Both city trucks were filled with e-waste in less than an hour and over 50 households took advantage of the hazardous waste disposal.  FACE does not anticipate helping with this event again as it is not within their mission.  FACE and Bennett believe waste disposal is not necessarily within their organizational objectives and would like the city to continue the program annually with financial support from other taxing bodies.  Over 30 people attended the JT Cullen Site Tour in September.  Ribbon Cuttings were held for both The Velvet Pod & Bowen Therapy.  The current membership renewal list was distributed and assigned.  The following board members agreed to follow-up with nonrenewals: 

Fulton Concrete - Phyllis

Fulton Country Club - Heather

Fulton Family Health - Bill W.

Fulton Fire Dept. - Bill W.

Fulton Historical Society - Heather

Fulton Journal - Phyllis

Huizenga & Wierenga - Greg

J & B Welding - Greg

KROS - Greg

Long's Garden - Phyllis

Manny's Too - Greg

McEleney- Linda

A & D Seamless Gutters - Bill W.

American Legion - Bill W.

Boonstra Heating & Air - Bill W.

Dutch Days - Heather

Russell Embroidery - Linda

State Farm - Bill W.

Total Comfort - Paula

Neese Kimball - Heather

Pet Styles - Phyllis

Quality Ready Mix - Linda

R & R Hauling - Phyllis

RK Dixon - Heather

Urban Chic - Heather

VanZuiden Enterprises - Linda

Warren Wiersema - Greg

Wiersema Charter - Linda