July 25, 2006
7:30 am
Café Michel
Board Members in attendance: Steve Clair, Jim Duelmer, Gary Hill, Curt Johnston, Wanda Lee, Buddy Purvine, Julie Rea, Ronnie Smith
The minutes were approved from the last meeting.
Jim Duelmer called the meeting to order. He announced three new members joined the meeting at the last meeting.
Secretaries’ Report: Julie Rea
Julie reviewed the notes from the last meeting. A few corrections were pointed out in the spelling of member’s names.
The group decided we will now record each monthly meeting of the Smyrna Business Association in addition to the Board meetings. It was also decided that the minutes should be posted on the Business Association website. The group also felt it be important that the minutes be e-mailed to the board members for approval before they are posted to the website.
There was motion to accept these decisions by Jim Duelmer and a second was made by Curt Johnston.
Treasurer’s Report: Ronnie Smith
Ronnie Reported we made more than $645 dollars at the Concert on the Green a few weeks before in the report that was passed out. It was also confirmed that at the meeting next month the announcement would be made that the statements for membership will be mailed out. The board decided that we would not change the way membership is being charged for this membership year. Jim Duelmer suggested we re-address the way membership is assessed in March. The by-laws state that April be the month that such a change could be voted on by the membership of the Business Association. Lastly, the board discussed contacting past members and talking with them about renewing their membership.
Buddy Purvine motioned to accept the report, Jim Duelmer seconded the motion.
1st Vice President Report: Buddy Purvine
-Membership Report
It was announced that Jim Duelmer, Buddy Purvine and others have different lists, the board decided there were too many people keeping track of the same information, making it a confusing. There are lists kept for membership, mailing information is kept separately. Finally, the group decided to have central location for membership and membership fee collection. The discussion of how members are charged for membership was addressed regarding members who join mid-year. It was suggested the new members have membership assessed pro-rate. The members of the board were reminded to bring door prizes to monthly meetings. One of the door prizes at monthly meetings will be the opportunity to share with the members at the next meeting about yourself and what you do for a living and what you enjoy. The board thinks the members of the Association will enjoy this opportunity as a door prize. The board is also considering at some point in the future allowing businesses in the Association to sponsor lunches financially and make a short presentation during the meeting the business sponsors. It was also discussed how we could accesses membership by credit card for members. We are looking into finding this service. The board also said they would like an announcement to be made at meetings that explains to visitors and members the benefits of membership. It was discussed that there be a list on the website and in the newsletter of special offers being offered by members to other members in the Association. It was also suggested new members be given one minute to introduce themselves at monthly meetings.
2nd Vice President Report: Wanda Lee
-Programs report
Wanda announced the speakers have been scheduled through the end of the calendar year.
Directors/Committee Reports:
-Newsletter: Steve Clair
Steve announced that the newsletter was mostly together, and he shared a sample of the front page. He suggested we gather more information and some of the other statistics and reports being made by other members of the board, through a committee to help with the newsletter. It was suggested the newsletter be a bi-monthly production. The notes Julie Rea is keeping from monthly meetings will be included in the newsletter for members who can not attend and for record keeping purposes. It was suggested there be a space for new members to be announced, using update information from Buddy Purvine and Ronnie Smith. It was decided we should include pictures in the newsletter and on the website this will also serve as a record of meetings. Wanda Lee offered to take pictures at meetings. Again, the subject of sending the newsletter out over e-mail was suggested, it could also be posted on the Smyrna Business Association website. Steve also announced there are 11 advertisers listed to sponsor the newsletter, and that advertising can completely support the production costs of the newsletter.
-Projects: Steve Clair
Steve reported that the water feature in the village green area is not a project the committee was going to continue to pursue. Steve presented 4 options for the board to consider. First, look to present something to the city. Second, the Association could do a project that is park specific, for example a kiosk in the green, pointing out different varieties of trees and other plants. Another option is an electronic kiosk in the Community Center to be used as a Smyrna business directory. The board thought this may be costly to purchase and to maintain. The forth option presented was to give a donation toward the renovation of the Taylor-Bruenner House. The board decided it would take considerable dollars to effect that size of a project.
-Concert Series: Gary Hill
Gary announced that the committee will need more help with the Smyrna city birthday party next week. More members will need to volunteer to participate to run the booth. An announcement should be made at the next meeting. Funds raised at the booth funds the scholarships at the end of the school year.
Old Business:
Website Calendar: Kirby Winters, tabled
Alive After Five/Business After Hours: Russ Lutterbie, postponed until September
New Business:
Cobb County Business Association- 911 Program and Canine Program: Jim Duelmer
The Smyrna Business Association will buy lunch and deliver it to one fire station and the others could join those firefighters if they are interested.
Must Ministry donation to provide school supplies for children going back to school. It was decided 50 book bags would be purchased for the children.
Sunshine Committee: It was suggested $50 go to the family of CJ Fouts and $50 to Amir Asterin’s family.
Curt Johnston adjourned the meeting, and Julie Rea seconds the motion.