Carlisle Chamber of Commerce
Board Meeting
March 2nd, 2006
Carlisle Community School Board Room

1. Previous minutes - Not available

2. Executive Director Report -            

A. March Membership meeting in the evening at Our Café, option to invite spouses and / or a guest was discussed and a decision was made to open meeting to guests. They will need to pay for the cost of the meal.

B. New members – A Quick Tow, AJ’s Service

3. Treasurers Report –

A. Dues collected year to date – there are about a dozen members who have not paid there dues yet.

B. Feb 2006 Report presented.

4. Old Business -

A. Committees:

1. Governmental/Community Relations –

a. Signage Subcommittee – no report

2. Membership –

a. Hartford business – compiling a list of businesses to contact

b. Name Change – Will investigate changing the name if enough interest from surrounding business that want to join. Board doubts that it will get finalized prior to directory being printed.

3. Program/Community Events –

a. Come to Carlisle – Jim Segreto reports that there doesn’t seem to be enough interest in a separate event and that we could consider adding it to another event that we are having.       

b. Greater Des Moines Partnership Annual Golf Outing –

1. First Meeting to be held on March 16th, at 7:30am

2. Prairie Meadows has agreed to sponsor again. 

4. Nominating – no report

5. Fundraising –   

a. Chamber Directory – Tom spoke with Cindy and he has received the timeline for completion. All advertisements will be complied by March 17th, the inside information pages will be updated and returned to Cindy by March 7th. The anticipated delivery date is April 4-15th.

1. Discussion held regarding making sure membership dues are paid prior to ads being placed in the directory. Several businesses placed ads but did not pay membership for 05.

6. Finance –

a. GDM Partnership –The board took a look at the cost of the membership of the Partnership vs. the benefits received by the Chamber to ensure that our annual fees were validated.

1.  List of benefits received by the Carlisle Chamber from the GDSM Partnership has been completed. These benefits include: Regional focus on Economic Development including notifying GDSM area of open buildings, land, and opportunities; Provides strength in numbers as partnership now has 21 affiliates; Issues tackled by the Partnership affect all members of the partnership;   There is an opportunity for networking with others and assistance with developing new programs or training new staff. Provide monthly distribution of “New View” newsletter to communicate information about events and issues amongst membership; Involvement in special events and access to multiple invitations to events, programs, and meetings; Multiple Press releases completed and assisted with; Invitation to the DC trip along with lobbying by the partnership at the hill, to enhance our efforts; Assistance with Membership drives; Small business advisory group.

b. Upon receiving information Motion was made by Steve W to continue our membership in the GDSM Partnership. Seconded by David W, all in favor, Motion is passed.

5. New Business -

A. Welcome to Carlisle Sign on the East side of Carlisle is damaged and needs to be repaired. There are calls in place to investigate this repair.

6.  Greater Des Moines Partnership report –

A. State Fair Parade – considering a float from all the partnership members. Tom related that Carlisle would be happy to be involved as long as he was not required to walk!

B. Chamber Night at Principal Park – meeting scheduled for April 10th, with the actual game scheduled for August 8th, 2006.

a. Opportunity presented to be involved in an advertisement for the program for that evening. A full page ad will cost approximately $2000, with each affiliate’s cost at around $70.00. Discussion held and motion was made by Larry W. to include Carlisle Chamber in the program ad. Seconded by Tom L., all approved and motion carried.

b. The Advertisement will be developed by the Partnership and presented to Affiliates for proofing.

7. Greater Carlisle Foundation update – by Steve Wilson

A. 7 grants have been submitted to the DSM oversight board for examination of organizations that have applied to make sure they meet definitions to receive the grant.

B. Foundation is working on developing a brochure to elicit donations.

C. Foundation would like to place a link on the Chamber website to receive emails. 

- Board discussion held and decision made to allow Foundation link.