Agenda & Minutes: July 2007

 

Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Agenda

July 10, 2007

Noon - Chamber Office

  1. Call to Order
  2. Minutes  (following pages 2 & 3)
  3. Treasurer's Report - (see Excel attachment)
    1. Budget Update FY'07 (see Excel attachment)
  4. Executive
    1. Annual Dinner Review
    2. Executive Director Meeting Report (see MW attachment)
    3. Officers (President, Vice President and Treasurer) elected in August
  5. Tourism & Promotions
    1. Advertising Publications - handed out at meeting
    2. City Tourism Committee Report
    3. Cubs Baseball Bus Trip - Saturday, August 4, 2007
    4. Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sales Event, August 9 - 11, 2007
  6. Government Affairs
    1. Highway 30 Public Meeting - July 25 - Morrison, location and time TBA
  7. Member Relations
    1. July Spotlights:  Exelon, Comfort Inn, Kelly's Food Mart & Wiersema Charter Service 
    2. Fulton Bridal & Anniversary Walk Report
  8. Downtown
    1. Fulton Retail Development Group Update
  9. Old/New Business
    1. Workshop and/or Donuts & Discussion - ideas, suggestions? 
    2. Gaining Additional Chamber Memberships - (see MW attachment)
    3. Next Board Meeting - August 14, 2007
    4. Other
  10. Adjourn

 

Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Minutes from June 12, 2007

 

Attendance:  Chuck Dykstra, Bill Wilkin, Heather Bennett, Patti Housenga, Shirl Wierenga-Huber, Lynne Loerop, Sue Mannix and Linda Hollis. 

Minutes:  A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Wierenga-Huber to approve the minutes from May 8, 2007.  Motion carried.     

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of May:  $3,241.98 revenue and $3,314.83 expenses, leaving a balance of $10,188.72.  A motion was made by Wierenga-Huber and seconded by Loerop to accept the Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget report.

Executive:    The Annual Dinner will be held at Red Dog Steakhouse & Saloon on Thursday, June 21, 2007.  A total of 25 people have RSVP'd thus far.  President Housenga will do an annual review of the chamber activities and Vice President Charles Dykstra will read the annual minutes.  Bennett reminded board to submit their chamber volunteer nominations.  The annual slideshow is nearing completion.  Bennett provided a list of her monthly meetings.  Randy Balk submitted a letter on behalf of the city council requesting the chamber form a committee to review a downtown streetscape plan.  The chamber board felt a downtown streetscape plan (lighting, sidewalks, etc.) is a great idea; however, the board feels the city should appoint a committee.  There are several businesses located in the downtown area that are not chamber members and the chamber does not want to emphasize only promoting the downtown district.  A motion was made by Dykstra and seconded by Wilkin to ask the city to appoint a downtown committee to work on a streetscape plan.  Motion carried.  It was recommended a city council member and the Public Works Director should be appointed to such a committee. 

Tourism & Promotions:    Copies of the May/June advertising were provided.  The second meeting of the City Tourism Committee was held on May 17.  Wierenga-Huber reported the committee held a brainstorming session to come up with various ideas and goals for tourism planning. At the next Tourism Meeting in June, the committee will work on prioritizing the goals and coming up with action plans.  The Cubs Baseball Game is scheduled for August 4, against the New York Mets.  A total of 35 people attended the trip to the Amana Colonies and Old Creamery Theatre.   The Wooden Shoe Exhibit is going well and several people are making special trips to the windmill.  Betty Wiebenga helped coordinate 80 5th graders to paint wooden shoe prints on the downtown sidewalks.  JT Cullen's Dutch Fisherman has been relocated near Windmill Cottage along 10th Avenue.  The Lincoln Buy-Way Yard Sale Event will be held August 9 - 11, 2007.   Sue Mannix mentioned the library would sponsor a refreshment stand on Saturday during the sale.   

Government Affairs:     Nothing to report.   

Member Relations:  June spotlights are on schedule and if everything goes as planned, the spotlights will end in August.  The Fulton Bridal & Anniversary Walk is scheduled for Thursday, June 28 from 4pm to 8pm in downtown Fulton.  A total of 21 vendors have signed up to participate. 

Downtown:  Dykstra reported the Fulton Retail Development Group is currently looking for another building to purchase in the downtown area. 

Old/New Business:    Dykstra would like to see the chamber board make personal visits to entice businesses to join the chamber.  Dykstra has requested at the July meeting Bennett provide a listing of businesses that might be worthwhile to pursue. Bennett reported the chamber received $150 from Dutch Days for having a float entry in the parade and winning 1st place in the commercial category.  Dykstra and Loerop mentioned the idea of the chamber ordering some chamber/community shirts since Friends of the Windmill will no longer provide them at the windmill gift shop.  In addition, all the t-shirts ordered a few years ago have been sold.  Bennett will research some ideas and costs.  

Adjourn:   A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Mannix to adjourn meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 12:50pm.   

Next board meeting:  Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at Noon.