Canby Chamber of Commerce - Meeting Minutes

Canby Chamber of Commerce Meeting

January 17, 2007– PK Egans

1)    Attendees: The Canby Chamber of Commerce met at 6:00 pm on January 17^th at the Connection with the following board members present: Derrick Ruether, Don Beman, Amy Szumal, Laurie Driessen, Karen Houtman, and Katie Delaney. Ellie Beman was also present.

2)    Derrick called the meeting to order.

3)    Marketing-Katie, Ellie and Karen met to discuss marketing for the Chamber. The Committee developed a Member Survey for the Chamber members. Ellie tested the survey on a merchant and she felt that it gave her the right amount of information. The Committee will have Carmen do a phone survey. Also, the businesses information will be updated at the same for the website. The Committee will then add up the information and send it to the webmaster (Josh Sumption). The Board also discussed increasing the number of members on a committee. Suggestion to add a question to the survey and then after the survey is complete, send out a follow up letter. The Board discussed ideas for getting businesses involved, such as Business After Hours, or a Leadership Academy. Ellie discussed the Enterprise Network from Montevideo. They are a non-profit group that is free of charge and provides marketing help for micro-businesses and also information on lending sources. A Fix-Up Fund was suggested as a way for businesses to come to the Board and ask for help painting their store. This would have guidelines for how often the business could ask. The Board discussed doing business enhancement programs, such as how to expand your business without spending more overhead? Also, how to compete with the box stores, such as Wal-Mart? Possibly provide three of these programs a year with invitations and a meal. There was a suggestion that the service organizations send one person from their organization to attend the Chamber. This was also mentioned at a monthly Chamber meeting. Other ideas suggested, the Chamber Fun Night. The Chamber provides 2 free drink tickets at the VFW and some small door prizes. Also suggested was that the Chamber pays for the entire Citizen of the Year Banquet, possibly 2-4 tickets to members. Also, a $500 grant for improvements. This would be given twice a year and the recipients would be recognized at the Citizen of the Year Banquet. This would be for improving the City of Canby.

4)    Dues Structure-Board discussed the dues structure the Chamber has now and the dues structures of other Chambers in Minnesota. The Board reviewed the Madison dues structure and a calendar that the Madison Chamber puts out with the year’s events listed. There was a suggestion to put a proposal together for the Annual Meeting on January 26^th, but the Chamber agreed to announce at the Annual Meeting that the Chamber is going to be reviewing the dues structure in 2007. There was discussion regarding offering a rebate to the businesses if a person in the business helps the Chamber, then that business can take $10-$20 off their next dues.

5)    Meeting places-Board discussed alternating sites every year. The site will be announced at the Annual Meeting every year. MN West offered the college as a place for meetings to take place. They have space for meetings and also food is offered at the dining room. The Board agreed that the meetings would be held at MN West for 2007 and will be on the 3^rd Wednesday of every month.

6)    President position and Board member position-Derrick’s term as President will be ending at the Annual Meeting. He will remain on the Chamber Board after his term as President is complete. Board discussed nominating Karen Houtman as Chamber President. Also, discussed were the members of the Board. The current members are: Derrick Ruether, MN West (Katie Delaney or Becky Weber), Laurie Driessen, Sabrina Stockman, Amy Szumal, Karen Houtman, and Don Beman. There is a need for one more Board member. There were some suggestions as to who may be interested in the position, but the Board did not make any decisions.

7)    Adjournment-Derrick left the meeting due to a fire call. At this time, the meeting had to end due to quorum being broken. There was no formal adjournment.

8)    Next meeting-Annual Meeting on January 26^th, 2007 at the VFW, 5:00 p.m.