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2010 Chamber Meeting Minutes
January 2010
February 2010

January 2010 Minutes

The Traer Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held its monthly meeting on January 6, 2010 at 12:00 at Jokers. Present were board members: Kirstie Seda, Wendy Barnes, Cindy Weida, Thad Espenscheid, Bonnie Eisele and Dahn Kennedy. Ronda Posusta was present a few minutes late. President Kirstie Seda presided at the meeting and handed out packets to the new board members and went over highlights of them.

Kirstie addressed the elimination of the paid secretary/treasurer position and that the board would need to elect a secretary and treasurer from within the board. Dahn nominated Thad Espenscheid for the position of Treasurer and the motion was seconded by Wendy. Motion was carried for Thad Espenscheid to serve as the board treasurer. Thad will be put on the signature cards along with Kirstie for all the accounts at Farmers Savings Bank. Bonnie nominated Dahn Kennedy for the position as Secretary and the motion was seconded by Wendy. Motion was carried for Dahn Kennedy to serve as the board secretary. Discussion was held regarding removing the chamber items and historical records from the museum and where to store it permanently. The board will be checking on a permanent location for storage, possibly in the basement of the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum. Kirstie will be checking with Ellen’s schedule to meet on Saturday, Jan 9 at 1:00 to remove the chamber possessions from the museum. The computer that was being used by Ellen is owned by the chamber of commerce and Ellen has expressed interest in buying or using it for a time. The board has considered purchasing a laptop that can be shared and brought to the meetings to have everything accessible on it. Thad made a motion to offer the computer and printer that the chamber owns to Ellen for $100, with the condition that the board receive a backup of all chamber information/programs prior to the sale. The motion was seconded by Cindy. Motion carried. Ronda made a motion, seconded by Bonnie to purchase plastic totes from Whannels to use for storage of chamber items. Motion carried.

The board held some discussion regarding the Taylor Park lighting display and how it has been kept up well by having someone maintain it and we would ask TMU to turn the lights off, as the season has passed. Kirstie presented a bill from Whannels for numerous light bulb purchases for the park and downtown wreaths for $378.77. Dahn presented a bill for postage and envelopes to send letters to chamber businesses informing them of the changes in the board for $46.76. Ronda made a motion to pay those two bills, Cindy seconded and motion carried. Dahn reported that information she received from Ellen and new in the mail, we currently have 13 paid chamber members for the new year. The chamber board has purchased a cell phone to be used for all chamber business, that number is 319-429-6667. A question has been raised on a couple different occasions about a physical address for the chamber. We will be using P.O. Box 431 for all mailing purposes and Dahn will check with city hall and see if their address can be used for a physical address, as the board does not have a permanent home location. Wendy made a motion to list the chamber’s cell phone number with Iowa Telecom to get it into the phone books, at a cost of $60 year. Ronda seconded the motion, motion carried.

Kirstie addressed the board about a couple glass vases that belonged to Cindy that were used for Gals & Pals and the annual dinner. Two of them got broken in the packing and Kirstie priced replacing them at $40 each. Thad made a motion to pay Cindy $80 to replace the two broken vases and Wendy seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Committees were set up for the chamber events to be held throughout the year with those committees headed up by board members in hopes of filling them with community/business members.

Chocolate hearts/Valentines promotion – Kirstie Seda
First Baby of the Year – Dahn Kennedy
Car Cruise – Cindy Weida & Bonnie Eisele
Gals & Pals – Wendy Barnes & Kirstie Seda
Garage Sales – Ronda Posusta & Bonnie Eisele (to help distribute flyers)
Taylor Park Lighting – Dahn Kennedy & Thad Espenscheid with Ronda doing downtown wreaths
Holiday Happenings – Ronda Posusta & Wendy Barnes
Homecoming Windows – Kirstie Seda
Halloween Costume Contest – Kirstie Seda & Thad Espenscheid
Ribbon Cuttings – Thad Espenscheid

Discussion was held regarding the various chamber hosted activities with questions regarding the effectiveness of the home & products show and whether to hold it in 2011. Also, possible idea of holding a spring bedding plant sale in conjunction with the spring garage sales. Cindy will check with greenhouses for pricing on this. The board discussed changing holiday happenings back to one weekend and packing the weekend full of activities. Also discussed were other fundraising ideas to raise money for a Traer entrance sign. The board would like to make some progress on this project and do some fundraising to get a sign in place. Ideas that were offered were a golf outing and holding a dance.

Thad looked through the bylaws and made note of some changes that need to be made. Each director is advised to look through the bylaws prior to the February meeting and note changes that need to be considered. A committee will meet in February to go over changes needed.

Kirstie will be pricing and ordering Valentines promotion suckers.
Next meeting will be Wednesday, February 3, 12:00 p.m. at Traer Short Stop.
Kirstie made a motion to adjourn, Ronda seconded. Motion carried.

February 2010 Minutes

The Traer Chamber of Commerce met in its regular monthly meeting on February 3, 2010 at Short Stop. Present were board members: Kirstie Seda, Ronda Posusta, Thad Espenscheid, Dahn Kennedy & Wendy Barnes. President Kirstie Seda presided at the meeting. Previous minutes were reviewed with one correction by Dahn – last month’s minutes stated that the chamber owned the computer & printer, when in fact we do not own the printer. Thad motioned to approve the minutes with a second by Ronda. Motion carried. Thad presented the financials, with $3510 dues income so far and $110 in candy sales to date. Ronda motioned to approve the financial statement, seconded by Wendy.

Plastic storage tubs were purchased from Whannels for storage of chamber items and will be placed in the basement of the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum. Josh Seda has built shelves for storage of the chamber items and Kirstie has a key to access it. Kirstie also reported that a debit card has been secured for the checking account to use for purchases, the contact phone number will be published in the June edition of the local directory and the Chamber website is being updated. The chamber board would like to say “THANK YOU” to Farmers Savings Bank for printing our newsletter for us until a printer is purchased.

Discussion was held again on the need to purchase a new computer. Thad made a motion to spend up to $2000 for the purchase of a laptop, printer, carry case and programs needed. Motion seconded by Wendy & carried. Thad made a motion to sell our old computer for $100 when we are done with it. Motion seconded by Ronda and carried. Kirstie submitted a bill for $98.41 from Champion Enterprises for building the shelves. Ronda moved to pay with second from Wendy. Kirstie also presented the bill for $96.18 for purchase of the candy, Dahn motioned to pay with second from Ronda. Motion carried.

The board set up dates for the various chamber events coming up this year. Those being: Golf Outing Fundraiser – Jun. 5, Car Cruise – Jul. 31, Garage Sales – Apr. 30/May 1 & Oct. 1/2, Gals & Pals – Oct. 9, Hayrack rides/Decorate Pumpkins – Oct. 23, Halloween Costume Contest – Oct. 29, Holiday Happenings – Dec 3-5. All dates are pending building/location availability.

Spring Plant Sale – Cindy is contact person and was absent. Thad will be writing changes to bylaws, bringing to the board for approval. Rick Vesely benefit is May 1, Sue Nachazel made a request to solicit donations for that benefit. Board gave their support to Sue for her to collect donations. Thad made a motion to donate two $25 Chamber gift certificates to that auction in response to the contribution that Pastor Vesely has given this community. Ronda seconded and motion carried. Kirstie is putting together a packet for new members and brought ideas for new membership plaques. We will be hosting a ribbon cutting on February 12, for Champion Enterprises, as they are moving their business into this area. The board is wanting to get member information into the monthly newsletter and run monthly ads to promote businesses. Kirstie brought ad info for the Traer Star Clipper and Tama County Shopper. Ronda made a motion that we sign the contract with Traer Star Clipper for 1/2 page ad, 2 times a month for $316.98 year. Motion was seconded by Thad and carried.

Next meeting is Wednesday, March 3^rd at 12:00 at Cookie Mom Cookies. Meeting Adjourned.

New Decals
As you pay Chamber dues for 2010, you will receive a decal you can proudly display on your front door or window, to identify your business as a member, supporting the Traer Chamber of Commerce, the business community, and Traer. Join today!

Traer Chamber of Commerce Board (2010)

President: Kirstie Seda (Joe Morris State Farm)
Past Co-President/Secretary: Dahn Kennedy (AWE Auto Setives)
Treasurer: Thad Espenscheid (Farmer's Savings Bank)
Board Members: Cindy Weida (Joker's Iron Legend Saloon), Ronda Posusta (Farmer's Mutual Insurance), Bonnie Eisele (Traer Supermarket), Wendy Barnes (A Wild Hair)

Why Join the Traer Chamber? (click here to download a printable PDF)

Receive more Exposure
• Listing in the Newsletter
• Listing on Traer web site with the ability to link your web site
• Membership Decal
• Ribbon Cuttings or Ground Breaking Ceremony
• One Insert/year in the monthly chamber newsletter (good opportunity to promote
various specials/sales)

Get More Business
• Membership mailing labels
• Networking Opportunities
• Advertising Opportunities
• Committee Participation/Event planning opportunities
• Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Make More Connections
• Baby of the New Year Promotion
• City Wide Garage/Sidewalk Sales
• Car and Motorcycle Cruise
• Business After Hours
• Taylor Park Concert
• Winding Stairs Festival
• Homecoming participation
• Gals and Pals
• Halloween Contest
• Holiday Happenings
• Annual Dinner
• Various other activities

Your dues will include the opportunity to participate in or take advantage of all the
above.
• One ticket to the Chamber annual Dinner (on average $15)
• Being listed on the Holiday Happenings flyer if you are having an open house or
promotional event during the holiday season. (previously $10 to list)
• Gals and Pals
• Yearly advertising on various radio stations and in local newspapers (these are
currently being negotitated)
• Yearly upkeep and maintenance of rooftop lights
• Gives your business an opportunity to promote through goodie bags, giveaways, and
coupons

Due Structure
$10,000 or less = $60
$10,000 to $50,000 = $125
$50,000 to $100,000 = $140
$100,000 and over = $155
Non-profits = $60

*Keep in mind that throughout the year we asked for an additional $30-70 for various
sponsorships/fees, etc. This will help us manage our time more appropriately and save you time by us not continually asking for these items throughout the year.

Contact Information
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 431, Traer, IA 50675
Phone: 319-429-6667
Email: kirstie.seda.rk09@statefarm.com