Where Business Meets Opportunity
|
|
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|||
|
Where Business Meets Opportunity
| ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Greater Odenville Chamber of Commerce Minutes for Meeting held October 17, 2005 The meeting was called to order by President Dr. Shawn
Stubbs at 7:00 pm on October 17, 2005. Members
in attendance, President Dr. Shawn Stubbs, Vice President Larry Campbell,
Treasurer Gayle Brandt, John Joyner, Debbie Hitchcock, Paul Becker, Melba
Knight, Gabriel Cifuentes, Mark Weaver, Dave Wood, Mark Brandt. Prayer: John
Joyner was asked to open with prayer, John Joyner offered a clipping to be read
and Debbie Hitchcock read the clipping. Treasurer’s Report: Gayle Brandt reported that we had a beginning balance of
$997.11. There was $680.00 income with $52.30 as outlays giving a new balance of
$1,624.81. This total includes $875.00 deposited as income from the
Lawn Mower Give Away. Motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report by
Debbie Hitchcock, seconded by Mark Weaver and the Report was accepted. Minutes: Minutes
from September’s Meeting were read by Dr. Shawn Stubbs.
No changes were needed. A
motion was made to accept the minutes by Mark Brandt, seconded by Mark Weaver
and the Minutes were accepted. Review New Member Application:
Gayle Brandt stated the following have applied for Membership: 1.
Pro-Tech Metals – Contact: Dewayne Gurley. Address: 755 Solar
Shield Blvd, PO Box 280, Odenville, AL 35120. Phone: 205-629-5884.
Email: articshield@altell.net. Web Page: Protechmetal.org.
Type of Business: Metal Roofing. 2.
Wood Appraisal Service: Contact:
Dot Wood. Address: 1704 Cogswell Ave, Pell City, AL 35125. Phone:
205-844-1608 Email: Woodd@centurytel.net. Type of Business: Real Estate Appraisal. 3.
Mark Brandt: 70 Key
Circle, Odenville, AL 35120. Phone: 205-629-6633. Email: MBrandt56@aol.com
and markb@mbmetals.com. Motion was made by Debbie Hitchcock to accept the
applicants, seconded by Paul Becker, applications accepted. City of Branchville list of City Licenses:
Larry Campbell reported that as Gayle Brandt has stated before, that the
City Clerk of Branchville is hard to contact.
More attempts will be made to contact her and obtain a list. Purchase of Thumb Drive: Gayle Brandt reported that a second Thumb Drive has been
purchased. Committee Reports: By Laws:
Debbie Hitchcock reported that the Articles of Incorporation have just
been received. The Articles state
that the Name of our organization is “The Greater Odenville Chamber of
Commerce”. The committee will
start drafting By-Laws now that the Articles have been received.
The committee will consist of Chairman Debbie Hitchcock, Larry Campbell
and David Woods. Financial:
Gayle Brandt stated the committee will meet to draft a budget for our
organization. Discussion was held
that additional committee members were needed to help develop the budget.
Mark Weaver and Larry Campbell will join Mark Brandt and Chairman Gayle
Brandt on this committee. The
committee will attempt to draft a budget for Chamber approval. Media:
Members are Chairman Ed Brasher, Debbie Hitchcock and Mark Brandt. Mark
Brandt spoke in the absence of Chairman Ed Brasher.
1. Mark Brandt stated that press releases have been sent to the
St Clair Times concerning the Chamber’s Logo Contest and Lawn Mower Give Away.
Discussion was on how the St Clair Times has been putting these articles
on the back pages of their additions. Dr.
Shawn Stubbs stated that conversations with the Times have been held about
getting these articles a higher priority. 2. Dr. Shawn Stubbs also brought up the subject of having Ribbon
Cutting Ceremonies for local merchants. Mark
Brandt stated that he will arrange for a ceremony for Sal’s Italian Pizza in
the very near future and will seek out other opportunities for such ceremonies.
Any such arrangements will be announced to the Chamber so that maximum
attendance can be achieved by Chamber members.
Membership:
Chairman Larry Campbell, Melba Knight.
Larry Campbell stated that he is pursuing area businesses for membership.
Fundraiser:
John Joyner Chairman, Paul Becker, Mark Brandt.
1.
John Joyner stated that the Lawn Mower Give Away ticket sale was
progressing. Gayle Brandt was to
get with John Joyner and establish how much the Chamber was to pay for the
Mower. John Joyner asked for all
members to give any suggestions for enhancing sales to a committee member.
Melba Knight brought up that we could bring the mower to the Odenville
vs. Ashville game on the 28th of October.
Mark Brandt and Gayle Brandt will attempt to get it shown in
Odenville’s game against Moody on the 21st of October. 2.
John Joyner informed the Chamber about an ongoing project to build a
train with cars that can be used in parades in the area.
After the project is completed, the Chamber can sell sponsorship areas on
the train. John Joyner stated that Mark Weaver and Mark Brandt have
supplied materials to be used on the framework that he has donated.
The thing needed now is labor to help on the project.
Debbie Hitchcock stated that she may have a lead on some labor help. 3.
Debbie Hitchcock brought up the subject that we have neglected an area
business and suggested having Jackson’s Carnival involved with an event as a
fundraiser. Dr. Shawn Stubbs
explained that other communities in the area had annual events of this type.
Gayle Brandt said that if we could get the School involved, we might be
able to use their grounds. John
Joyner would contact Jackson’s Carnival to see what dates are available on
their schedule. This would be an event that had the potential of getting the
school and band involved. 4.
Mark Weaver suggested that we have a “Car Bash”.
A car would be obtained by donation and then we would charge money to let
people buy opportunities to use a sledge hammer to bash on the car.
It was suggested that this “Car Bash” could be incorporated in the
event with Jackson’s Carnival. 5.
John Joyner also mentioned that information is being compiled on a Lawn
Mower Race to be held as a fundraiser. More
information will be given as it is obtained. Nominating:
The Committee consists of Chairman Paul Becker, Debbie Hitchcock and John
Joyner. The committee had no
positions to fill except the position of Chamber Secretary.
Since this is this meeting’s agenda, nothing further to report. Secretary Nominations: 1.
Peggy Pettus has resigned as Chamber Secretary. Larry Campbell stated
that Peggy Pettus had served in that position with praiseworthy success but
would no longer be able to serve. 2.
The floor was opened for nominations for the position of Chamber
Secretary. Paul Becker nominated
Mark Brandt for the position of Secretary and Mark Woods seconded the motion.
Upon completion of the voting, Mark Brandt was installed as Secretary. Board Members:
Dr. Shawn Stubbs initiated discussion on last month’s notes about how
many Board Members the Chamber would have.
Debbie Hitchcock researched the Articles and they state that there would
be five board members. There had
been five original members and one had resigned and one did not attend any
meetings. Melba Knight motioned
that Mark Weaver join Debbie Hitchcock, John Joyner, Paul Becker bringing the
number of Board Members to 4 with one vacancy open for a future Branchville
member or will be filled if one cannot be found. Logo/Newsletter: 1.
Mark Brandt stated that the date for the Logo Contest had been extended.
Discussion was held on when the contest would end.
Mark Brandt stated that the press release listed the contest ending on
November 4th with the winner being announced on the 15th.
Therefore, the winner will be announced in conjunction with the drawing
for the Lawn Mower Give Away. Discussion
was held on having a respected person do the drawing.
John Joyner suggested that the Odenville Elementary School Principal,
Mrs. Bailey, do the drawing. 2.
The future of the Newsletter has been tabled until a Logo has been
approved so that it can be incorporated into the newsletter. Plaques and Signs: Mark Brandt stated that K&T Trophies had quoted $8.00
each for a 5x7 plaque that members could display.
Mark Brandt also remarked that K&T Trophies is placing membership
with the Chamber. John Joyner
mentioned that there is another company in the Odenville area that might be able
to quote. Dr. Shawn Stubbs voiced a
concern on how to police if a member would not renew how we could distinguish
former from active members. Dr.
Shawn Stubbs inquired about obtaining a window sticker. Mark Brandt said that the cost would be prohibitive, but
would research other options. Banner: Gabriel
Cifuentes, Paul Becker and Mark Brandt will attempt to obtain new banners from
Coca Cola and Buffalo Rock (Pepsi). Sponsorship:
New Business: 1.
St Clair County Sound of the Saints Marching Band Boosters:
Wayne Brooks, President of the Booster Club gave an outline of how the
Band Boosters have raised money in the past by selling cooked Boston Butts and
BBQ. In the past, they have had to rent the cooker.
If the Boosters had their own cooker, they could have more cook outs and
increase their profit margin. Mr.
Brooks explained a fund raiser that they were starting by selling sponsorship
plates that would be affixed to a new cooker they were trying to purchase.
This new cooker is an 8 foot professional cooker.
The cost for one of these cookers is $8,000.00 plus shipping costs.
The cooker would be used in future fundraisers.
The band presently has a debt of $11,000.00 for the uniforms they bought
last year. Also, Mark Brandt
informed the Chamber that their band room was flooded almost three years ago and
that the band suffered damage or complete loss to all their instruments.
Also, there was no insurance on the Band’s equipment.
The band is growing and in dire need of upgrading or replacing
instruments. The sponsorship plates for the cooker ranged from $50.00 ea
to $1000.00 each depending on the size of the sponsorship plate.
Larry Campbell motioned that the Chamber be the first pledge in this
program for a $125.00 plate. Paul Becker seconded the motion and the motion was carried.
Gayle Brandt prepared the check. Mark
Brandt conferred with Mr. Brooks and arrangements will be made to have a formal
check presentation made for media use. Mr.
Brooks was thanked for coming to our meeting and was assured that the Chamber
will work for the betterment of the “Sound of the Saints” Bands such as
participation in the future Lawn Mower Race.
The members were notified about a Chamber of Commerce Networking Meeting
in Cook Springs on the 20th of October at 5:30pm until 7:30pm.
Chambers from St Clair County have all been invited.
All members were encouraged to attend. 2.
Gabriel Cifuentes told us about his encounter with the newly appointed
Building Inspector. The situation
arose when he was having lighting installed at his business place.
The inspector stated that work would have to halt until a permit for
construction was obtained. Gabriel
Cifuentes asked how much it cost and the inspector did not know.
Discussion about the City appointing such an inspector centered on his
qualifications and why the City Counsel had not communicated an item that would
have a significant effect on the Chamber and area business.
It was also discussed on the arrangement to have a Counsel member present
at all Chamber meetings and that lately there presence has been lacking. This
lead to discussion on how the City Council had determined having the Annual
Christmas Parade on a Sunday. Having
the parade would cause many to miss the parade due to Sunday Services. Mr. Cornutt, the “Sound of the Saints” director stated
that he would not lead the band on a Sunday.
Gayle Brandt stated that she would be meeting with a Council member to
voice the problems having the parade on a Sunday would cause. Chamber members
were encouraged to attend the next council meeting. 3.
Gayle Brandt mentioned Cleveland Farms passing out the Magazine that they
publish and that they should be pursued them as a potential member as no other
area organization was acknowledging the potential benefit they will bring to the
area. Discussion was held on drafting a letter of introduction to the Chamber to
be sent out in friendship giving information on the Chamber and how to join.
Gayle Brandt suggested that this letter also be sent to area churches,
utilities, and municipal fire and police departments. 4.
Larry Campbell suggested that a letter be sent to Peggy Pettus thanking
her for the outstanding work she provided the Chamber while in office of Chamber
Secretary. Mark Brandt motioned for
approval and it was seconded by John Joyner.
Larry will draft the letter. Motion was made to adjourn by Mark Brandt and seconded
by John Joyner. Meeting adjourned. |