Pomme de Terre Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Meeting Minutes February 15, 2010 Members in Attendance: Damon Smith, President Hermitage Floral & Gifts Gary Neely, Vice President Pomme de Terre Muskies Mabel Davis, Secretary Lady Esther Enterprises Earle Hammond, Treasurer Pomme Muskie Guide Service Vincent Sala, Board Member Berryland RV Park Jim McCarty, Board Member NARFE Melissa Boyd, Board Member US Bank Harold Dunning, Chamber Member Indian Hill Resort Karolyn Dunning, Chamber Member Indian Hill Resort Don Thrall, Chamber Member Becker’s Guide Service Greg Becker, Chamber Member Becker’S Guide Service Linda Russell Volunteer Office Help Tish Burchell, Chamber Member American Broadband Chip Shaddox, Chamber Member The Triangle, etc. Bill Arnold U S Census President Damon Smith called the meeting to order at 6:59. The Agenda was approved with additions. Guests and Chambers Members introduced themselves. Minutes of the last meeting were red and approved with the following amendments: spelling corrections, Joanne Miller was Guest not a Chamber Member. Treasurer - Earle Hammond presented the Treasurers report. Earle reported the Chamber currently has $7,640.17 in the Checking account, $1,555.20 in the Savings (Fireworks fund), and $5178.98 in the Building fund. President Smith reported that he Nancy Sisson and Jim McCarty made a presentation about what the Chamber of Commerce does for the community to the Hickory County Federated Republican Women’s Meeting. The club donated $500 to the Chamber to help with community projects. . The Budget was presentd and adopted at a special Board meeting. The Board purchased the 2010 Chamber insurance from Costelow Insurance. President Smith showed a Certificate of Appreciation from the Pomme de Terre Muskie group for the Chamber’s trophy sponsorship in last year’s tournament Gary Neely reported two new members: Costelow Insurance and Midwest LowE Insulation. Bill Arnold, U S Census Recruiter for our area, gave a presentation on the 2010 U S Census. The 2010 Census has jobs available in Hickory County including Census Takers, Crew Leaders & Assistants, Recruiting Assistants and Census Clerks. These jobs are temporary, part-time jobs, with flexible hours. Starting wages begin at $10 an hour and up with mileage reimbursement. Applicants need to be 18 years old with veterans receiving preference. Local testing for the positions is being conducted at several locations in the area. For mor information contact 1-866-861-2010, 573-818-3313 or visit www.2010censusjobs.gov. Practice tests are available on the web site. Gary Neely commented that the individuals listed on the Chambers’ “Looking for Work” site will be sent e-mailed the US Census jobs information Earle Hammond reported that he, Harold Dunning and Jim Wilson attended the St Louis Sports Show. There were about 38,00 people in attendance at the show. They gave out approximately 2300 2010 Vacation and service Guides. They also passed out maps of the Pomme de Terre Lake. The March Dinner meeting is to be held on March 8, 2010 at the McCarty Senior Center at 6 p.m. Fried chicken and roast beef are on menu with a dinner cost of $5.00. Any donations above that amount will go to Meals on Wheels. Please contact Gary Neely or Nancy Sisson by March 1 if you are planning to attend. 2010 Membership packets will be given out at the dinner. The new 2010 Vacation Guides may be picked up at the dinner or the Chamber office. The Chamber website was discussed with suggestions for possible improvements. Vince Sala reported that the Fall Festival information had been sent out to venders for next fall’s festival. Vacation Guides were discussed. The Guides are available in the office. At present the office is open on Monday morning. A volunteer, Beverly Bastian, was approved to open the office on Tuesday mornings in the near future. Chamber members can contact Damon Smith or Melissa Boyd for other pick up times. Boxes of brochures will be available at the March Meeting. Jim McCarty reported that a request for U S Air Force flyover has been sent. The Corps of Engineers need a copy of the 2010 Insurance. There is a brochure rack in the foyer of the Corps building that is property of the Chamber of Commerce. The brochures on the rack need to be updated. Melissa Boyd invited members to attend the Hickory County Community Improvement Coalition dinner to be held Tuesday, February; 16 at the McCarty Senior Center. Earle Hammond and Gary Neely were asked to build a carry case for the Chamber Muskie that is taken to Sports Shows. Chip Shaddox reported on the new store opening in Pittsburg on June 1. ALPS at SOS will carry groceries along with meat and produce. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next regular meeting will be February 8 at 7:00pm at the Chamber Office. Mabel Davis Board Member / Secretary