Meeting Minutes

Call to order: Meeting called to order at 6 PM by President Janet Stanley

5 in attendance

Minutes:  Minutes from January 2018 meeting reviewed, no changes. Motion to accept made by Tim Robertson and seconded by Sue Barker

Treasurer’s Report:

Balance: $167.03. Motion to accept made by Tim Robertson and seconded by Matt Stanley

Correspondence:

Holiday card received from Kinderhook bank

Membership request from Liberty Foundation, also request for donation from Mohawk Valley Collective, we cannot join at this time

Old Business:

Membership letters have been sent out. Membership on website needs updating.

New Business:

A mission statement was discussed, the mission statement would include how to promote economic growth and stability for businesses. Discussion included what the role of the chamber should be and how we can best support local businesses and enhance our community. Supports provided should include advertising through a variety of venues such as website, social networking, and print. A new mission statement will be drafted for review.

President Janet Stanley has started posting “Merchant Monday”, an article will be posted each week with pointers for a successful business. If anyone has information they would like to share please send to Janet.

Fundraising:

Planning and implementing a successful fundraiser continues to be one of our goals. A food truck festival is still under discussion, vendors would be charged a fee for being part of the event. Might be something that could be combined with the farmers market. Suggestion was made to include an antique truck show or perhaps a car show

Golf Outing is planned again for fall.

Selling a canvas bag with a picture of the dummy light is being discussed. Further discussions will be made to determine quantities and pricing of the item to be sold.

At this point in time funds are extremely limited for the chamber. Anyone with ideas or willing to put on fundraiser should contact Janet Stanley. Downtown flowers are one of the expenditures we do not have funds for, additional donations may need to be solicited.

Other:

John McGlone owner of the new Erie canal guest house made some suggestions on setting concrete goals that the chamber wants to accomplish for the year and capitalizing on the I love NY Erie canal celebration this year. Mr. McGlone offered to meet additionally with the president to share some ideas from his own business and marketing experiences.

All agreed that more outreach is needed to get businesses and community members involved in the chamber.

Meetings: Meetings to be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Next Chamber meeting 3/13/18 at Arkell Center at 6 PM.

Motion: meeting adjourned by Sue Barker and Tim Robertson

Respectfully Submitted by:    Kim Lawrence, Secretary