Where Business Meets Opportunity

Greater Odenville Chamber of Commerce

June 2006 Minutes

June 19, 2006

In Attendance: John Joyner, Melba Knight, Debbie Hitchcock, Gabriel Cifuentes, Mark Weaver, David Wood, Margaret Isenhower, Shannon Reese, Heather Harper, Paul Becker, Jeff Armstrong, Andy Armstrong, Larry Carmon, Mark Brandt, Jennifer Brady

The meeting was called to order by John Joyner at 7:00 pm at Sal’s Italian Restaurant.

Treasurer’s Report:   In Gayle Brandt’s absence, Mark Brandt gave the Treasurer’s Report and reported Beginning Balance of $1156.72, with deposits of $0.00 and an outlay of $10.00 for Bank Fees.  This gives a new ending balance of $1223.38.  The motion was made by Debbie Hitchcock to accept Treasurer’s Report and Seconded by Mark Weaver.  Report Accepted

Minutes:  Everyone had a copy of the May 2006 minutes.  Motion made by Melba Knight to accept Minutes and Seconded by Mark Weaver.  Minutes Accepted.

Grant:  No new information was available on the Grant that the Chamber is pursuing for use in creating a new park for the Greater Odenville Area.

Fundraising:  BBQ contest – There is still research and arrangements to be made in the setting up of a BBQ contest to be held at the end of September, 2006.  There is a committee already set up to complete this task and they will report progress at the July meeting.

Mailing List:  The need of having a mailing list of area businesses was discussed.  Armstrong Partners, LLC offered to provide the labels for multiple mailings. The mailings first would let prospective members know we exist and could also be used for solicitation of donations for businesses not ready to join.  Mark Brandt will work with Heather Harper in coming up with a suitable mailer after researching which would be the most cost effective means of getting this information mailed.  Motion was made by Debbie Hitchcock to pursue this and Seconded by Melba Knight.  Motion Passed.

Senior Citizen’s Help Line:  John Joyner submitted a report on another community that has set up a Senior Citizen’s Help line.  This organization would be available to help those in the area when low cost or free services could be made available by local residents and business to aid those in need.   Discussion was held on this matter with nothing but a positive response from Chamber Members.  The Chamber felt that this was a possible Long Term project to undertake.  A motion was made by Mark Brandt to research this idea further and Seconded by Debbie Hitchcock.  Motion Passed.

Meeting Places:  John Joyner brought up that other Chamber Members had offered their places of business as a meeting place.  Sal’s Italian Restaurant has graciously provided a meeting place for the past meetings.  It was discussed that a rotation could be set up for multiple meeting locations.  The Barnyard Restaurant in Branchville was suggested for the July, 2006 meeting of the Chamber.  A motion was made by Mark Weaver to institute this rotation and Seconded by David Wood.

Committee Chairmanship:  Mark Brandt brought up the point that we have former members that have let their membership lapse.  He also pointed out that we have also gained additional members.  The Membership Chairmanship, along with other Chamber responsibilities was more that one person could handle and asked for help.  Margaret Isenhower offered to take the Chairmanship of the Membership Committee.  John Joyner asked that Paul Becker take over Chairmanship of the Fund Raising Committee.  Melba Knight Motioned that Margaret Isenhower be appointed Chair of the Membership Committee and Paul Becker be appointed as the Chair of the Fundraising Committee.  This was seconded by Debbie Hitchcock.  Motion Passed.

New Members:  Jeff Armstrong remarked that Armstrong Construction would like to place membership in the Chamber.   Motion was made by Mark Brandt to accept membership and Seconded by John Joyner.  Membership accepted.

Future:  Discussion was held that progress was being made in the community and that the Chamber would pursue any and all ways of making the Greater Odenville Area a place that new residents and business would be proud to call home and to keep it a place “Where the Future is Promising”.