Garden County Nebraska

GardenCoNe.com

Oshkosh, Lewellen, Lisco

Minutes of Meeting For
GARDEN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
February 18, 2010

The Garden County Chamber of Commerce met Thursday, February 18, 2010, at 6:30 PM at the Most Unlikely Place in Lewellen. The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Val Williams. Motion was made by Kent Loyd and seconded by Duane Newman to accept the minutes of the January 21 meeting.

Treasurer Newman presented the financial reports which showed a balance of $3,157.27 in the checking account and $11,401.35 in the savings. He reviewed the 2009 year-end report which reflected a profit in 2009 of $5,967.27. He indicated there have been some 2010 dues paid.

Guests and new members were introduced and welcomed.

Vice-President Williams reported that we would be having Chamber Ambassadors this year. Their duties would to be the face of the Chamber to welcome attendees at meetings and assist anyone who may have questions regarding where to go or what to do. Carol Lake of Carol Lake Real Estate, Deborah Feller of Volunteers of America, and Josh Henne of Holechek Funeral Home have consented to serve in those positions for 2010.

Williams introduced the "Tribute Tuesday" Business of the Month which will begin in April. On the second Tuesday of each month a Chamber Business, chosen by drawing at the previous Chamber meeting, will be honored on Tribute Tuesday with a certificate, photo op, and feature article in the Garden County News. As Chamber dues are paid, those names will be entered into the drawing for this special recognition.

Marlis Shearer reported on the plans for helping new businesses with their openings by doing a special ribbon cutting event. She expects that at least two Chamber members would be available to attend the businesses grand opening to represent the organization and welcome the business by presenting them a certificate for a half-price one-year membership to the Chamber. She also indicated it would be nice to have special shirts for Chamber members to wear to these events so the organization's presence would be readily recognizable. Val Williams said she was checking into pricing for this.

"Welcome Home" packets are being developed to provide new community members with information on where to go for information and services and what to do within our communities. Chamber members are encouraged to provide some form of information about their business-flyers, business cards, coupons-for inclusion in the packets. Participating members should provide 25 copies of their enclosures at the March 18th meeting so the packets can be assembled.

Vice-president Williams presented some ideas for committees that could provide ideas and input into Chamber activities to make the organization a viable assistance to its members and to encourage membership. Some areas that may be considered would be a Brainstorming Committee to develop ideas, New Businesses Committee to solicit new businesses to both start and become Chamber members, and a Promotional Committee to develop plans on ways the Chamber can promote its members businesses. Members are asked to give some thought on which committee would interest them most and be ready to volunteer their time at the March meeting.

Rex Miller, representing GROW Garden County, presented a program introducing the new GROW Garden County website www.growgardencounty.org which provides numerous opportunities for guests to learn about the County, share their memories, ask questions, and just participate in our virtual community. The site is up and running but is still a work-in-progress with many exciting things yet to come. Eventually there will be opportunity for County businesses to sell products from the site. He encouraged everyone to go to the site, explore, and even contribute to it. It has a social networking format which provides tremendous opportunities to communicate with former residents, potential residents, and visitors.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

MARLIS SHEARER
Secretary

Archives of previous Meeting Minutes:
Garden County Chamber of Commerce Archives of Minutes