The Chamber of Commerce in Culver board of directors met at the Culver Coffee Shop with members Greg Fassett, Ralph Winters, Rick Tompos, Dawn Minas, Scott Huberty and Julie VandeWater Bailey in attendance. Also present were Jon Guenin, town manager and Bobbie Ruhnow, secretary. Absent were Mike Stallings, president, Ben Schaller, treasurer, Dick Brantingham and Judi Dodge.
Vice President Fassett opened the meeting at 7:30 AM with a discussion of the final budget for 2006 and proposed 2007 budget as the first agenda item. Tompos presented the budget information in the absence of Schaller.
Final budget figures for 2006 showed a cash balance on hand of $2,600. Tompos noted that the Chamber was able to fund the budget without transferring funds from the Marshall County Community Foundation. Interest rates on investments with MCCF were 12.7 percent for 2006.
The proposed budget for 2007 changed revenue totals to $10,300 in dues received ($1,550 more than 2006); $2,500 proposed in raffle receipts ($500 less than projected in 2006); moved Top Ten projected costs to “Other Expenses”; increased professional fees (secretary/Destination Culver editor) to $430 monthly (from $390) and $300 (from $250) respectively. The subscription to the Marshall County Visitors Guide ($2,000) is incorporated in the 2007 budget. Mike Woolfington sent a letter to the board showing the new cover of the Guide that features Culver prominently. There will also be a 1/3 page in Midwest Living featuring Culver. No charge for the $12,000 ad. Merchants will be allowed an advertisement at a discounted rate.
Tompos advised that at present, there are no funds available in the budget for the repair or replacement of the Farmers Market tent without accessing surplus funds in MCCF. Guenin suggested the Chamber might want to consider that avenue if the tent condition warrants it. Tompos said he has spoken with the employee at the Academies who repairs canvas sails, tents, etc to get an estimate of the cost of repair.
On a motion by Winters, seconded by Huberty, the budget was approved for presentation to the general membership at the February meeting.
A. Membership
Fassett said he had attended the Family Dollar open house as a representative of the Chamber. They should be contacted for a Chamber membership he noted.
Regarding membership, Fassett said he would be meeting with his committee and hoped to increase membership by 10 percent. Medallion Cabinetry will be contacted for 2007 membership and Ruhnow noted that Richard Wilson, Wilson Metal Products, and Sue McInturff, new Diva Shop owner, would be joining. A new deli, Gladys) will be opening soon operated by Lee Willhite who will be asked to join.
VandeWater Bailey said that membership engagement was important and Fassett agreed suggesting the Publicity committee should have a joint meeting with the Membership group. He also said seasonal membership for lake residents would be explored.
Ruhnow reported that Susie Mahler had been in contact with the Academies regarding their patron informational packet. The Chamber’s web site will be listed as the prime source of local information. Mahler said this would be an inducement to local businesses to join. Several who have dropped out of the Chamber have indicated their desire to rejoin Mahler said.
Guenin reported that he and Schaller had been working with Satellite Software (Pat Renneker) on a community calendar. There will be a link between the town’s web site and the Chamber’s. Tompos asked that there be an Academy link also.
Renneker is working on a new venue for the Chambers’ web site and will make a presentation on the changes at the February directors meeting. Presently, the site includes board minutes, Destination Culver, Second Century minutes, shoppers guide as well as individual listings. Tompos suggested the addition of an area map.
Fassett asked that Minas have a brief presentation available for tentative dinner meeting plans for 2007 to give members at the February dinner. He also requested committee reports be available for the February directors’ meeting.
Copies of a previous pamphlet published by the Chamber of Commerce featuring local points of interest in the community and Academies was handed out by Tompos who suggested members review it with a view toward a similar publication by the present Chamber.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 am.
Bobbie Ruhnow
Executive Secretary