The Minutes of the Meeting of the
MAYSVILLE-MASON CO. AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING
August 4, 2011


Present: Allison Adams, Cortney Burkhart, Cara Clarke, Lynn David, Chuck Doughman, Bob Hendrickson, Mindy Howell, Denise Lewis, Harry Mann, Michael Parker, Norlene Rice, Robert Roe, Sue Rose, and Suzan Ross

Absent: Nicole George, David Lawrence, Larry Poe, David Swolsky, and Joe VonDerHaar

Cara Clarke, Chairman, welcomed everyone and called the meeting of the Maysville-Mason Co. Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to order at 8:37 am.

Cara asked the Board members to review the minutes from the June 2, 2011 meeting. Motion to accept, Harry Mann, seconded by Allison Adams. Motion carried.

Sue Rose, treasurer, gave an overview of the financial report dated Aril 30, 2011. Motion to accept, Michael Parker, seconded, Robert Roe. Motion approved.

Old Business:

Strategic Planning Committee updates:

Events Committee: Cara Clarke, Chair, reported that the committee is preparing for the Anniversary event and for the Golf Scramble.

Communications Committee: Michael Parker, Chair, reported that the framework of the Ambassador Program will be presented at the next meeting.

Membership Strategies Committee: Vicki Steigleder, Executive Director, reported on the Committee in Lisa Linville’s absence. Vicki explained the new membership strategy and gave notice that Board Members would be contacted with regards to implementation of the strategy before the next meeting. She also reported that the Chamber has increased membership by twenty and that the goal for this year is fifty new members.

Review Bylaws/Procedures Committee: Suzan Ross, Chair, had nothing to report.

Vicki gave the final report on the 2011 Buffalo Trace Multisport Races held on May 28th. The profit from the race was $96. The cost to replace the stolen walkramp for Carmeuse was $1800.

Vicki informed the board that the prototypes of the new regional maps were ready for review and invited the Board to proof them after the meeting. Vicki reported that the Chamber Audit is underway and that Board Members may be called by the auditor to discuss procedures.

Vicki introduced a Brown Bag series of seminars which will give members an opportunity to present their product and increase exposure. The seminars will be hosted at the Chamber offices, once a month. She also presented plans for a New Member Breakfast and Orientation. A date is set in September to review benefits and meet Chamber leaders. The Chamber is also planning a tour of an area industry for members in October. Vicki reported that she has been invited to sit on a new committee being organized by Duff Giffen, Director of Tourism and Maysville Renaissance. The Committee is meeting to address empty buildings downtown, to help Maysville find its niche, and to promote new businesses. Discussion regarding the Chamber’s role in this initiative included the following ideas:
• Taking a needs assessment survey
• Utilization of existing media outlets, including web, radio, newspaper, and television
• Screening video walk-through of empty buildings
• Camouflaging empty buildings by putting up ads and banners in “black hole” windows
• Erecting billboards on major highways to promote Historic Downtown
The Review By-laws / Procedures Committee plus other board members will meet to formulate a plan..

Upcoming Events:
August 11th – Ribbon Cutting – People’s Bank, May’s Lick, 2 pm
August 18th – Network@Noon – deSha’s, 12 noon
August 26th – Chamber Golf Scramble, Maysville Country Club, 1pm start
August 29th – Leveraging Social Media Seminar, sponsored by the City and Entrepreneur Center,
5pm to 9pm, Maysville Conference Center
September 1st – State of the Community Membership Meeting, Caproni’s, 11:30 am
September 21st – Business After Hours, deSha’s, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Announcements were as follows:

Sue Rose mentioned the Rotary Horseshow on September 10th at the Germantown Fairgrounds.

Lynn David reminded members of the Oktoberfest, hosted by the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, August 12th and 13th in downtown Maysville.

Cara Clarke promoted the Maysville Community and Technical College Culinary Institute’s Farm to Fork event on October 30th.

As there were no further announcements, the meeting was adjourned at 9:38 am.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gwendolyn Boone
Administrative Assistant