November 2, 2006 Meeting Minutes

Benkelman Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 2, 2006 ­ Community Building

The meeting was called to order at 6:07 by President Rita Jones. Other members present were Janice Edwards, Joya Neville, Roger Windholz, JoAnn Decker, Margaret Moore, Linda and Gene Jones, Harlan Cansler, Bill Lewis, Bob and Cheryl Prangley, and Richard Bartholomew. Alan Shillington was a visitor.
MINUTES AND TREASURER'S REPORT--Minutes of the October 5, 2006, meeting were reviewed with Bob making a motion to approve. Seconded by Harlan.
Motion carried. After review, Margaret made a motion to approve the treasurer's report. Cheryl seconded and the motion carried.
POKER WALK--Alan Shillington was introduced to the group for an explanation of the "Poker Walk" as organized by the Masons of Justice Lodge 180 and used during the Classic Iron & Auto Show at the Benkelman Fall Festival on September 16. It was decided that the Chamber try a form of the poker walk on Thursday evening, December 14, during the hours of 5 to 7 p.m.
Cheryl volunteered to distribute cards and instruction sheets to participating businesses. A central point of coordination for the event would be in or near Knoles Ford and the Red Room. Margaret made a motion that the winner of the poker walk be awarded $50 cash and that there be only one winner. JoAnn seconded and the motion carried.
CHRISTMAS KETTLE--Bob led a discussion of the Christmas Kettle promotion to also be held on Thursday evening, December 14. He stated that Larry Sargent would construct the displays as a donation to the Chamber if the cost of supplies was covered. Volunteers will need to be recruited to man the displays. Gene made a motion that the Chamber pay for the $56 estimated cost of materials to construct two Christmas kettle displays. Harlan seconded. Motion carried.
LIGHTING CONTEST FOR BUSINESSES--Discussion was held on the subject of the businesses lighting contest as to who would judge the event. It was decided to ask members of the Dundy County Ministerial Alliance to serve as judges and that the winners be announced at the Thursday evening drawing.
DECEMBER 9 EVENTS--Christmas promotion events of Saturday, December 9, were reviewed: ping pong ball blast at 10 a.m., youth and adult drawings at
11 a.m., free movie for children at 1:30 p.m., and goodie sacks to be distributed following the movie. Rita said that she would contact the ambulance crew about providing an ambulance and its PA system for announcements during the drawings and events. Joya said she could use some help with calling contacts to beef producers who have provided gift certificates in the past; Cheryl offered to help.
REPORTS--Richard presented a billing question from Eric Schrader about updating the Chamber/City website for the period from July 2005 to October 2006. Margaret made a motion to approve $150 in website maintenance fees by Eric Schrader conditional upon receipt of an invoice. Bob seconded the motion and it carried.
NEXT MEETING--The next meeting of the Chamber was set for Thursday, December 7, 2006, at 6 p.m. at the Community Building.
There being no further business to come before the Chamber at this meeting, it was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

Richard Bartholomew
Secretary/Treasurer