Greater Odenville Chamber of Commerce

December 2005 Minutes

December 19, 2005

Members in Attendance:  John Joyner, Kathy Joyner, Melba Knight, Mark Weaver, Debbie Hitchcock, David Wood, Ed Brasher, Paul Becker, Gayle Brandt, Mark Brandt

Due to the absence of the President and Vice President the meeting was called to order by Mark Brandt at 7:00 pm.  John Joyner offered the Prayer.

Treasurer’s Report:   Gayle Brandt gave the Treasurer’s Report and reported Beginning Balance of $2,328.31, with expenditures of $1,341.19, deposits of $80.00.  This gives a new ending balance of $1,067.12.  The motion was made by Debbie Hitchcock to accept Treasurer’s Report and Seconded by Melba Knight.

Minutes:  Everyone had a copy of the November 2005 minutes and one spelling change was needed.  Motion made by Mark Weaver to accept Minutes and Seconded by Melba Knight.

New Applications:  No new applications were offered.

By Laws:  David Wood provided everyone present a copy of a By-Laws draft.  Discussion was held on having the Annual dues changed from an anniversary to annual dues.  Mark Brandt and David Wood both commented on the budgeting and administrative problems caused by the present dues schedule.  The motion to accept the By Laws was tabled until the January’s meeting to insure that more members would be present to vote on the possible change to the dues schedule.

Financial:  Gayle Brandt reported that the Committee had not completed a budget.  The committee felt that if an annual dues schedule was instituted, that it would be much easier to project a budget.

Media:  Mark Brandt reported that both the St. Clair Times and Leeds News had both been very responsive in covering events for the Chamber.  Continued communication will be ongoing to insure maximum coverage of Chamber events such as additional ribbon cuttings.  Mark Brandt has asked for any articles to go into a newsletter be forwarded to him.  Mark Weaver suggested that a business highlight could be put in the letter that would rotate between members until all had been featured.

Membership:  Membership committee has four new memberships in the works.

Fundraising:

• Jackson’s Amusements is presently out of contact.  When contact is established, it can be discussed on what available dates would be good for a Community Block Party. 

• A Car Bash was again discussed.  The ease of getting vehicles was determined to be of no problem.  Times to have this type of Car Bash Fundraisers were discussed.  The committee will endeavor to have them on OYAA Baseball Opening Day, during the Community Block Party and the “Cruise Ins at the Pig”.

• Cost for advertising on the Train was discussed and $100.00 for a 1 foot sign was suggested.  Also, if the train was sponsored by multiple businesses, free rides could be offered at local events.

Council Representation:

• Ed Brasher gave the Chamber an update on efforts by the City Council to solve the constant flooding that happens under the overpass in Odenville every time it floods.  The Council has made progress in getting permission to clear the water flowing in the creek.  This land is owned by private companies.  The problem of removing beavers that are building dams on private land was discussed.  If this problem is not solved, no permanent solution can come about.  Mark Brandt made a motion that a representative from the Chamber will officially offer its support at the Council meeting scheduled for the 9^th of January 2006.  The motion was seconded by John Joyner.

Post Office Box:

• Mark Brandt asked for approval to rent a PO Box for the Chamber.  He explained that this would facilitate easier correspondence tracking.  John Joyner motioned that we purchase a PO Box and this was seconded by Melba Knight.

Motion was made by Melba Knight to adjourn and seconded by John Joyner.  Meeting Adjourned.