Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
November 11, 2008
Noon - meet at Golden Wok

Call to Order

Minutes  (following pages 2 & 3)

Competitive Communities Initiative (CCI) Update - Larry Russell / Bill Stoermer

Treasurer's Report 

October Treasurer's Report (see Excel attachment)

Audit Update

Executive

Membership Drive Update - review results to date / determine corrective actions

Tourism & Promotions

City Tourism Committee - Greg

Christmas Walk "Silver Skates & Silver Bells" Dec.5, 5pm to 7pm, downtown Fulton

Government Affairs

FOCUS 2010 Committee

Member Relations  

Encouraging New Members

Downtown

Fulton Retail Development Group Update

Old/New Business

Next Board Meeting: December or January ?

Other

Adjourn

Other items of note:

Total Comfort Therapeutic Massage has scheduled a ribbon cutting for Monday, November 24 from 5pm to 6pm. 

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from October 14, 2008

The October Chamber Board meeting was held at Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant.

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

Absent:   Paula Rogis, Patti Housenga, Steve Owen, and Bill Wilkin. 

Minutes:  A motion was made by Hollis and seconded by Loerop to approve the minutes from September 9, 2008.  Motion carried.     

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of September: $6,972.31 revenue and $2,585.83 expenses, leaving a balance of $12,030.82.  A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Naftzger to accept the September Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget update.  Garry Medema has been contacted about auditing the books and he seemed interested, but Bennett is waiting for an official confirmation.  Bennett will contact Garry again. 

Executive:  Bennett provided the September/October Executive Director meeting report.  A copy of the current membership and non-renewed membership listing was provided.  Half of the membership has renewed thus far, which is typical.  A reminder letter was mailed October 14, 2008.  Thus far, the chamber has received 9 new chamber members in addition to 4 new businesses which receive a free membership during their first year.  Dykstra noted RSC Auto Sales needs to be removed from the non-renewal listing as they paid their membership twice last year. 

Tourism & Promotions:    Copies of the August/September advertising are available for review at the chamber office - most of the advertising was for the Green Expo and Fall Festival.  Fall Festival update - 551 children participated in the hay bale maze, 1,111 toured Heritage Canyon, good crowds at all entertainment acts, food vendors have requested to come back, 250 pumpkins completed by 1pm (event ended at 4pm), 200 apples gone by 2pm, 64 run/walk participants, and the bake sale sold out of everything by noon.   Naftzger reported the Tourism Committee is working on their 2009 goals and will adopt a set of by-laws at the next tourism meeting on October 16, 2008.  Stoermer indicated he has had other commitments the last two months and has been unable to attend the Dutch Days meetings, but still plans to be apart of the committee.  The chamber board had no issues with Stoermer's prior commitments and appreciated whenever he could attend the Dutch Days meetings. 

Government Affairs:     A Legislative Luncheon with Representative Boland will be held after the first of the year due to the upcoming elections.  Stoermer also indicated he will attempt to get the Illinois Chamber President to speak to the membership.  The IL Chamber President has indicated interest in running for governor.  Chuck Dykstra handed out a brochure supporting an Illinois Constitutional Convention.   

Member Relations:  Due to limited interest and cost, the Quick Books Workshop will be held after the first of the year in conjunction with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.  The Green Expo went extremely well with 260 adults and 180 children registering for the event.  The waste disposal services were very popular and it is hoped the city will continue this service once a year.  A ribbon cutting was held for Best Buds Flowers & Gifts on October 9, and attendance was good.  The owners were very appreciative and excited to be apart of Fulton.  Pet Styles Grooming will have a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, from 5pm to 6pm.   Bennett is still waiting on a confirmation from McDonald Funeral Home regarding a ribbon cutting.  Naftzger noted KROS Broadcasting would also like to do a ribbon cutting for their new digital transmitter, but they have not pinpointed a date, yet. 

Downtown:  The Fulton Retail Development Group continues to work on their building.  Currently, the building is undergoing tuck pointing and plastering.  Once that is complete, the painters will come back to finish the job.  Wooden letters and ornamental wooden features will also be added to the building. Dykstra noted two people have already approached him about purchasing the building.  Dykstra reported he had been asked to move his antiques out of Susan's Calico Creations.  Dykstra will move his antiques into the former Interiors, etc. building and have a sign on the door for people to see Mor-Huiz Promotions if they are interested in purchasing any items.  

Old/New Business:  Bill Stoermer reported the CCI Committee will be giving a presentation to the Fulton City Council on Monday, October 20, 2008, regarding the community survey results.  Larry Russell, CCI Co-Chair, will also present the information to the chamber board in November. 

Adjourn:   Meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Next board meeting:  Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at Noon at Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant.