1. Meeting was called to order.   The regular meeting of the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce was opened by President Tom Wagenknecht at 7:55 am at the VFW Post, #2009, 34 School Street, Carlisle, Ia, with 18 members present.

• Tammy Davis, Secretary, was not present at this meeting.  She will be asked to e-mail the minutes to the Chamber membership.

2. Introduction of new members

A. Greenwoods and Aaron Presley of AJ Service were recognized.

3. Previous minutes: 

4. Treasurer Report:

• Jim Segreto, Treasurer presented the treasurer’s report.  He has been receiving a number of membership dues for 2007 and will be sending out reminder notices shortly.

• Motion by David Wright to approve the treasurer’s report as presented.  Seconded by Larry Watkins.  Motion carried unanimously.

• Ethel Lee will present a summary of the Light Up Carlisle expenses at the January meeting.

5. Executive Director Report:

• Ethel Lee, Executive Director, reported that the ’Light Up Carlisle Committee’ had been very busy the last month working on this event.  There will be a follow-up meeting this Friday morning, so if anyone has any comments, good or bad, to talk to her before then.

• The Board members, both outgoing and incoming, had met last week to prepare for next year.  The Chamber has grown and the Board is committed to continue making improvements to the Chamber.

• Preparations are being made for the Annual Dinner to be held on Sunday, January 14, 2007.  Hors d’oeuvres will be at 5:30 p.m. with dinner following at 6:00 p.m.  It will be held in the Carlisle Elementary Multi-purpose Room again.  Cost will be $25 per person.  Martha Willits from the Greater Des Moines Partnership will be the guest speaker.

• Ethel also shared a new Carlisle poster that has been printed by the Greater Des Moines  Partnership for each affiliate Chamber.  These posters are available for any business that wishes to have one.

6. Old Business – 

A. Committee Reports –

1. Government / Community Affairs -  

• Tom Wagenknecht reported that the Legislative Luncheon will be Monday, January 8, 2007 at the Des Moines’s new Central Library.  Anyone wishing to attend, please let us know.  We will also need volunteers to help at Carlisle’s booth.  This is a great way to meet our legislators. 

• Neil Ruddy also mentioned that there is a luncheon tomorrow, Wednesday, the 13^th, for those who can’t make the January 8^th date. 

• Mark Davitt extended an invitation to all Chamber members to come and visit the State House at any time.  He will be happy to give us a ‘hands on’ tour.      

b. Partnership and City Leaders are meeting at City Hall at 10:15am on March 30^th.

2. Membership –

• Statements for annual membership dues have been sent out.  Presently we are at 90 members.

3. Program / Community Events

• Ethel Lee reported that the Light Up Carlisle festivities went very well and thanked everyone for their participation.

4. Nominating 

• Tom Wagenknecht reported that a Citizen of the Year has been chosen and will be announced shortly.

• He also mentioned that Tom Lane and the principals from the School will be presenting awards to four individuals for the Friends of Education recognition.

  5. Fundraising –

• Tom Wagneknecht asked the members to be thinking of ways to raise money for our organization.

6. Finance – Nothing to report

7. Greater Des Moines Partnership report: Waived - Shar Pardubsky was not present at the meeting.

8. Announcements –

• Tom Wagenknecht mentioned that Tom Lane and the principals from the School will be presenting awards to four individuals for the Friends of Education recognition.

• Steve Wilson, Carlisle Betterment Liaison, shared that the Betterment Group is continuing to move forward with new businesses interested in this Community.

• Monday, January 8, 2007  -  @the DM Public Library's new Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave, DM  -  OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION.  $15 per person

• Sunday, January 14, 2007  -  ANNUAL DINNER @ Carlisle School Elementary Multi-Purpose Room.  5:30 pm - hors d'oeuvres, 6:00 pm - Dinner.  $25 per person

9. Guest Speaker:

Roger Kuhn, representative of the VFW, gave a very interesting synopsis of the VFW’s involvement in the Community.

The Service part of the Organization was chartered in 1983.  Presently they have approximately 100 members.  They hold the annual Loyalty Day Parade in May.  Their most important role is doing Military Rites for funerals of veterans that served in any conflict.  At the most recent funeral, 17 or 18  members were present to do the Rites.

The Bar portion of the Organization was also chartered around 1983 as a VFW.  They presently employ 7 people.  Their monthly payroll is $4,000.  They pay yearly property taxes of $3,800.  The annual gross income is approx. $250,000.  They are open 365 days a year, including Christmas, for individuals with no families.

They have an annual golf outing to help raise money.  This past year, they were able to give $1,200 to the Food Pantry.  In the past they have given $1,000 to the Garden Club, also contribute to Toys for Tots, the Special Olympics, and many School organizations.  They also help support the Children’s Home in Eden Rapids, MI.  This home is for children of veterans needing help.  Normally they contribute $10,000 a year to charities. 

The VFW’s Color Guard ranks #1 in the State.  They will travel anywhere to do Military Rites, if the local VFW isn’t able to provide this service.

President Wagenknecht thanked Roger for giving this interesting presentation and also thanked the VFW for all of their Community Involvement.  The Chamber also thanked Donelle for preparing the breakfast for our meeting this morning.

10. Adjournment:  Meeting adjourned at 8:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,