January 5, 2006 Meeting Minutes
Benkelman Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Regular and Annual Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 5, 2006 Dundy County Hospital Conference Room
The meeting was called to order by President Rita Jones at 7:00 p.m.
Others in attendance were Glenda and Richard Bartholomew, Janice Edwards, Linda Melchert, Phyllis Gardner, Bill Lewis, Linda Jones, Joya Neville, Steve Krug, Pastor Brian Fong, and Father Sean Redmond.
MINUTES AND TREASURER'S REPORT--Minutes of the December 1, 2005, meeting were reviewed. Linda J. made a motion for approval, seconded by Janice; motion carried.
Through review of the treasurer's report, Richard said he estimates that about $900 worth of Chamber certificates are still outstanding. Phyllis questioned the use of "meat" certificates for the Christmas promotion drawings. Richard explained the process and that, if specified, "beef drafts" will be requisitioned in the future. Phyllis made a motion, seconded by Linda M., to approve the treasurer's report; motion carried.
CHRISTMAS PROMOTION--Highlights of a review of the 2005 Christmas Promotion included: criticism that there was only one ping pong ball blast for the younger children; a general positive response to and about the Thursday evening events; displeasure by the Benkelman Jaycees that only one Saturday preceding Christmas was highlighted; the caroling led by employees of Dundy County Hospital provided a nice added touch to the evening activities; a mixed response from the cottage industries and businesses off main street; an overall positive assessment of a successful happening; a great turnout by the public for the Thursday night drawings and wide support by businesses and individuals who provided the prizes.
MEETING SCHEDULE--Following some discussion, Phyllis made a motion to change the regular meeting time to 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, seconded by Glenda; motion carried.
REPORTS AND UPDATES--Reports and updates included discussion on the viewing of the Web page; correspondence received; a review of the recently received "2006 Nebraska Festivals Guide" that lists the September 16 Ward Bond Festival in Benkelman; the need to update brochures and other information about the immediate area for handouts and the possibility of grant funds that may be available for such a project.
Rita reported that Bob Prangley, who is a member of the Southwest Area Development Corporation organization, expressed his desire to help with the handout update project. Linda M. (SWADC president) and Linda J. indicated that they would be willing to help with the project.
Phyllis reported that she recently attended a SPUCC meeting in Minden, she plans to attend the next SPUCC meeting in Holdrege, and Benkelman is to be the host site of the June 13 SPUCC meeting; that a Nebraska Economic Development Commission meeting is scheduled for March 9 at the McCook Community College; that she has learned that an actor, Robert Fuller, who played in the Wagon Train television series with Ward Bond, is still alive and an attempt to contact him may be made to invite him to the festival in September; that a meeting is being organized for April 7 that will introduce Republican political candidates of upcoming elections to the local populace, and that a copy of the "Around The Town" book was being sent to Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman. She also updated the group on the Benkelman west highway entrance project.
A motion was made by Phyllis and seconded by Linda J. to continue the Chamber's membership in the South Platte United Chambers of Commerce organization and pay the 2006 dues. Motion carried.
RESOURCE EFFORT--Pastor Fong and Father Redmond, as representatives of the Dundy County Ministerial Alliance, were given the floor and explained an effort to establish a resource committee to provide coordination for the needs of victims of misfortune and the donors who respond in the immediate area. Linda M. volunteered to be the Chamber's representative on the resource committee.
SWADC RESOLUTION--Rita, as a member of the SWADC organization, read a recently approved resolution of SWADC on the subject of cooperation between that organization and the Chamber. A copy of that resolution is attached to the official copy of these minutes. Linda J. made a motion to recognize the Chamber's receipt of the SWADC resolution and to agree to reciprocate. Phyllis seconded. Motion carried.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS--Election of 2006 officers was held.
Phyllis nominated Rita Jones for president, seconded by Linda M. Hearing no other nominations, Phyllis moved that a unanimous ballot be cast to elect Rita as president of the Chamber for 2006. Seconded by Linda M. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Linda M. nominated Janice Edwards for vice president, seconded by Glenda. Hearing no other nominations, Phyllis moved that a unanimous ballot be cast to elect Janice as vice president of the Chamber for 2006. Seconded by Glenda. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Linda M. nominated Richard Bartholomew for secretary/treasurer, seconded by Linda J. Hearing no other nominations, Phyllis moved that a unanimous ballot be cast to elect Richard as secretary/treasurer of the Chamber for 2006. Seconded by Linda M. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Linda M. excused herself from the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP AND DUES--Discussion was held about Chamber membership and dues for 2006. Rita reported that Bob Prangley has expressed a desire to help with membership recruitment. Phyllis stated that more effort should be put forth to get members from the agricultural community. Glenda made a motion to set the 2006 Chamber dues at $100 for businesses and $25 for individuals, as has been the amount for the past several years. Linda J. seconded. Motion carried.
The next meeting of the Chamber was scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2006, at 6 p.m. at the hospital conference room.
There being no further business to come before the Chamber at this regular and annual meeting, it was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Richard Bartholomew
Secretary/Treasurer
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