Canby Chamber of Commerce Meeting

July 18, 2007

Minnesota West Community & Technical College

1)    Attendees: The Canby Chamber of Commerce met at 12:00 pm on July 18^th at Minnesota West Community & Technical College with the following board members present: Laurie Driessen, Karen Houtman, Amy Szumal, Don Beman, Katie Maranell, Rebecca Weber, and Ellie Beman.  Also present were Bonnie Longtin and Pat Stanley.

2)    Reports: Laurie called the meeting to order. The Secretary’s report was passed around to all attendees.  The minutes were reviewed and approved (1^st-Karen, 2^nd-Becky).  The Treasurer’s report was passed around to all attendees.  Don noted some checks that were on the expenditures list.  There was a check for PS Computers.  This is from banners for the parade a few years ago.  They never submitted a bill.  They finally submitted a bill and we finally paid it.  Also, there were some checks for the parade, such as Pandemonium, Groove, Inc., and the Ivanhoe Times.  There were some voided checks and these were from entries in the parade that did not show for the parade.  The parade committee was pretty much under budget.   There were a few donations for the parade.  Also, the raffle was under budget.  Chamber discussed moving the raffle to the area where the drawing is located.  Also, we need people during and after the parade to sell tickets.  There was a rush of ticket sales at the end of the parade.  The gambling permit was discussed.  There is information needed for this year’s raffle and last year’s raffle.  Last year’s raffle information was not sent to the state.  The state gave us a permit if we promised to send last year’s raffle information with this year’s information.  If we do not send in the information, the state will not give the Chamber a permit next year for the raffle.  Amy gave the information to Don to complete.  Once completed, he will return to Sabrina so she can mail it in to the state.  Treasurer’s report was approved (1^st-Karen, 2^nd-Katie).

Old Business

3)    Dues Letters:  Dues letters are coming in.  Don presented a list of businesses and individuals that have paid their dues.  By the next meeting, there will be a complete list of paid members so we can follow up with a letter in September to the members that have not paid.

4)    Marketing Committee:  No update.  Will not start up again until fall.  Becky discussed the Minnesota West Student Welcome.  This will be organized differently this year.  

5)    Office Committee:  Office Committee was waiting for some storage space to be cleared out.  Ellie said that it is ready and we can start any time.  Committee will look at ordering a rack for business information and also look to see if there is a banner.  Katie, Sabrina, and Amy will keep working on it.

New Business

6)    Open Board Seat:  Laurie suggested that we start looking for someone now to fill Derrick’s term until it expires in January.  Laurie’s term will be up in December, as will Sabrina’s and Amy’s terms.  Laurie will not renew her term on the board.  The Chamber may possibly be looking to fill 2-4 seats.  Amy suggested that she and Sabrina decide what they are going to do with their seats by October so if all seats need to be filled the Chamber may begin looking for candidates.  Don suggested Toni Rustand.  Amy said that she would contact Toni to see if she would be interested in joining the board.  Bonnie Longtin volunteered to finish out Derrick’s term.  There was a motion to approve Bonnie finishing Derrick’s term (1^st-Pat, 2^nd-Karen).  The motion was approved.  Other suggestions for board members were business owners, Outland Energy, and the Hospital.  The Chamber will put a letter together to send to the members to see if there is any interest and also put an ad in the paper announcing that there are open seats on the board.  If the Chamber does not receive a response by October 31^st, a committee will be put together.

 

7)    Website:  Amy and Laurie and will be meeting with Josh on Monday, July 23^rd, 7:00 p.m. at PK’s.  Anyone is welcome to join the meeting.  Becky asked if we had any ideas or if there was a contract?  Josh should have some ideas.  He agrees that the website needs to be updated.  There is no contract with him.  The Chamber did discuss withholding payment at a previous meeting, but because he is the webmaster, he may have the ability to shut down the website so the Chamber decided not to withhold payment.  Josh is a dues paying member and has been with the Chamber for a long time.  Pat mentioned that Frontier does web hosting.

 

8)     Depot Update:  Eldeen Baer was not able to attend the meeting.  Eldeen sent a letter explaining that the Canby Depot Visitor and Information Center along with MECCA would like the Canby Chamber to consider a historical theme for next year’s Hat Daze to celebrate Minnesota’s 150^th year.  Laurie tabled this item for next year’s Hat Daze committee to work on.  Kate Spaner with the King of Trails contacted Ellie asking for $100 to promote the September event.  It would possibly be a half page ad in the magazine.  Karen made a motion to approve, 2^nd by Becky.  Motion approved.  However, Ellie will find out if the ad will say Canby or the Canby Chamber and also if she is going door to door asking the businesses.  Ellie said that she did not know and that it was just an ad saying that it will be in Canby.

 

9)    Crazy Days:  The activities committee organizes this event.  The date is August 2^nd.  The date is set by Runnings and Duebers.  The Chamber and the Canby News just provide the ads.  The City has requested that an ad be included for a benefit for the Gazebo.  Ellie will contact Bonnie Merritt at the City regarding the Gazebo.  Ellie said that the Activities Committee will be meeting after the Chamber meeting.  Ellie suggested a Cruise Night/Day for the classic cars to cruise around town.   There was a suggestion for a medallion hunt.  There used to be a treasure hunt and in order to get the clues a person had to go into the businesses to get the clues.  Some of the businesses liked this and some did not.  The Chamber may possibly do a medallion hunt.  While discussing Crazy Days, Laurie mentioned that the City asked about the old planters.  They have been donated to the City.  The current planters look great!  Next year, the Chamber will purchase a few more planters. 

 

10) First Dollars of Profit:  A New Leaf will call when they are ready.  Amy’s-Amy said that Sabrina will continue working with Amy.  She is having a hard getting Amy to commit to a date.  American Financial Partners-Amy Wagner has been on vacation.  Katie will touch base with Amy.  Jake Tetrick-needs a dues letter sent to him.  Laurie will get a hold of him.  Misti Nelson-received a grant to start a business.  She has started a breeding and horse training program.  If the business shows a profit within a period of time, she will receive a $40,000 scholarship to school.  The Canby News will being doing a story.  Conrad Doom-he has a diesel truck service.  Laurie sent a dues letter to him and Cole Implement.

 

11) Adjournment:  There was a motion to adjourn (1^st- Amy, 2^nd-Katie).  Motion approved.

 

12) Next Meeting:  August 15^th at Minnesota West Community & Technical College.