Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

Board meeting minutes

1/14/2010

Present: Andrew Marietta, Becky Davidson-Nielsen, Yvette DiMaggio, Dion Wade, Donna Shipman, Mary Joan Kevlin, Margaret Savoie, Steve Elliott, Will Green, Mike Otis

Absent: Jane Duel, Ken Meifert, Scott Dunlop, Deb Taylor, Marc Kingsley

Staff: Susan O'Handley, Exec. Director, Angela Chadwell, Business Officer

Meeting called to order 8:05am A. Marietta, Pres.

Approval of November 12, 2009 minutes. 1st Margaret Savoie, 2nd Becky Davidon-Nielsen, Unanimous vote

Committee Reports:

Finance:

Jane Duel, treasurer submitted resignation from board. Executive committee is working on candidate to fill position. Report made by Susan O'Handley and Becky Davidson-Neilsen.

* Renewals to date indicate that we'll be operating on a tight budget.

* Worst case scenario - $23k shortfall in renewals and advertising.

* Staff is working on possible advertisements for area guide that would help close gap.

* following up on lapsed members to encourage renewal

Executive: A. Marietta, Chair

Motion to accept Jane Duels resignation, Becky Davidson-Neilson, Will Green seconded. Unanimous vote in favor.

* discussion on public recognition of Jane's service to chamber

* Donna Shipman considering position of Treasurer, will meet with Andrew and Jane

* Recap of Board phone calls to non-renewed members. response was positive, enlightening for board members who participated. Desire to continue next year with earlier start

* Staffing, Angela now salary, increased responsibilities. move is budget neutral due to other changes in staffing pay/hrs.

Strategic Planning, D. Taylor, Chair

Deb absent, report by Mike Otis. Committee is working on implementing plan as developed. Working with committee chairs to align charges with goals. Confirm primary goals with chairs.

Tourism, subcommittee under Marketing, M. Kingsley, Chair

No Report

Membership, K. Miefert

Ken absent, report by Margaret Savoie.

New member applications.

* Richard Walker, Photography- contingent on membership committee recommendation.(required board approval due to advertising deadline.)

* Cooperstown/N. Otsego Cty Relay for life Committee

Becky, motion to approve; Andrew seconded. Unanimous vote

*Alexis Carriage House, motion to accept contingent on favorable inspection. Received good report from Cooperstown Stay. (approval required to make advertising deadline). Motion to approve Yvette, second Will. Unanimous

* Seminar series on social networking/Web marketing has been well attended. approx 35 average attendance

* Pumpkinfest- discussion on collaboration with Rotary to cross market Pumpkinfest/Applefest. Both scheduled to be on same weekend. Rotary is still exploring options to avoid conflict. Margaret to report on Rotary's final date.

* Membership count- report distributed to board with historical membership numbers. Steve E. suggested we review past rolls for possible contact to renew.

* discussion of planned merchants meeting 1/26/10 outgrowth of phone calls to non-renewed members, awareness of dissatisfaction by merchants of chamber events/lack of, focus on accommodations. Plan is to listen and learn of concerns and ways to improve our effectiveness/value.

Marketing, S. Dunlop

Scott D. absent, will be out of town until May. report by Susan O'Handley.

*Area guide is moving to completion. Expected to be thinner this year due to less advertising. Smaller print run + changes in distribution, both aimed at controlling costs.

* discussion on Style Sheet relative to limiting ad lay out options.

*Web site, more web only ads this year. Weekly Blasts has been improved, its quicker to update, rec'd good response.

*Community Calendar has been created, available to all organizations, member or not. Should help all with scheduling events, reduce conflicts.

Board Development-By Laws, Will Green

*Looking for current committee roster

*reviewing new payment policy to see if it conflicts with by-laws

Call for board members to serve on Audit Committee-Call was answered by Andrew, Becky, and Mary Joan.

Directors Report, S. O'Handley, Exec. Dir.

See handout

Old business

None

New business

None

Next Meeting: Thur. March 11 8:00am Howard Johnson

Motion to adjourn: Margaret Savoie, Second Dion Wade 10:30am