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:

  1. Alabama Power – Dr. Shawn Stubs presented a check from Alabama Power for $100.00.  A thank you letter will be sent as a receipt for this donation.
  2. Subway – Larry Campbell said that he has established a fundraising program at his Subway location.  Candy machines are set up and a percentage of the income is earmarked for donation to the Chamber.  Discussion was held on how the program worked and other members will look at putting machines in their establishments.  Also, it will be checked if machines could be put in City Hall and the new laundry business in Odenville.
  3. Colonial Bank – Debbie Hitchcock said that if the Chamber had a letter of solicitation, she could approach Colonial Bank Corporate Offices about a corporate donation.  Mark Brandt stated that he will provide a letter that can be used when a company is solicited for a donation.

 

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.