MINUTES – February 15, 2017

The Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 6:00pm at The Coldwater American Legion.

The meeting was called to order by Beth Butler, President, with the following trustees present: Beth Butler, Angie Lefeld, Liz Wenning, Sher Stahl, Kylie Lange, Mindy Schwieterman, Keith Selhorst, Bob Hibner, Andy Kremer, Jason Wood, Becca Wenning, and Kerri Lauber. Also present was Eric Thomas, Village Manager.  Over 170 people attended the 2017 Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce banquet and meeting.

 

The evening began with a cocktail and social hour. At 6:34p.m., Beth Butler gave a short opening with acknowledgments to Calico Café and Mary Heinrichs for donating the desserts, and Romer’s Catering and American Legion for hosting the evening’s event.  Butler also recognized special guests in attendance, including Mayor Joe Knapschaefer and his wife Lynn, Coldwater council members, Mercer County Commissioner Greg Homan, and past mayor Maurice Cron.  After concluding these recognitions, Butler introduced Bob Hibner, who gave the invocation. The business meeting followed a dinner.

 

The business meeting began with president, Beth Butler introducing the 2016 trustees; President: Beth Butler, Discovering Abilities/Community Connections; Vice President: Angie Lefeld, Mercer Health; Secretary: Liz Wenning, Elizabeth Ann Photography; Treasurer: Keith Selhorst, The People’s Bank Co.; Bob Hibner, Community Sports and Therapy; Andy Kremer, Preferred Insurance; Jason Wood, Coldwater Exempted Village Schools; Becca Wenning, Brides & Beyond; Kerri Lauber, First Choice Credit Union; Kylie Lange, Kenn-Feld Group; Mindy Schwieterman, Kevin Schwieterman Construction and Sher Stahl, ValcoPax.  Butler then continued the meeting by introducing Keith Selhorst, Chamber Treasurer, who gave the treasury report.

 

Selhorst’s treasury report provided information on the three biggest sources of revenue for the chamber including; 1) the gift certificate program which brought in $12,765.00 this past year, 2) dues from members which totaled $12,815.03, and 3) aluminum collection which totaled $1,157.33.  Selhorst also provided information on the Chamber’s biggest expenses, which include public relations, and marketing, administrative & capital expenses, and donations to community organizations. Selhorst noted that the chamber added the expenses of adding a second scholarship and donating to the Ohio Business Week by sending two high school students for further training. The regular checking account balance as of December 31, 2016 was $24,140.40.  Kari Lauber and a second by Mindy Schwieterman accepted the treasury report with a motion.

 

Beth Butler then introduced Liz Wenning, who gave the annual secretary’s report. Wenning informed the Chamber members that in 2016 the Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce consisted of 170 paid Chamber members. Fourteen new members joined the Chamber in 2016. Wenning also stated that all regular minutes of the Coldwater Chamber meetings are posted on the website at www.coldwaterchamberofcommerce.com and minutes from last year’s annual meeting were provided at the tables.  Bob Hibner made a motion to approve the secretary’s report; Kylie Lange seconded.  

 

At this time, Mayor Joe Knapschaefer was introduced and provided his annual address to the chamber.  Upon his completion, Beth Butler provided a 2016-year in review.  Highlights of the 2016-year include:

 

  1. The 50th Anniversary of the Coldwater Chamber of Commerce
  2. 4th Taste of the Town was a wonderful event with beautiful weather. Ongoing support for the community allows this to be a success for both the community and the businesses.
  3. Highlighted the annual Community Picnic activities including Lemonade Stand and parade entry. Which the chamber won the Mayor’s trophy.
  4. The continued growth with the annual Christmas activities with the Coldwater Hometown Christmas. The activities with the event were well attended. In celebration of the chambers 50th year the carriage rides and pony rides were a great success.
  5. Provided a website update with Charlie at the Chamber and the continued efforts for members to become more active with the website for 2017. Chamber Chatter was encourage as a way for businesses to get more exposure with help from the chamber.
  6. The addition of the Future Leaders of Ohio business week where the chamber sent two high school students.
  7. Butler concluded her review with a personal thank you for the support and dedication for the last three years of her term with the Chamber.

 

President Beth Butler welcomed Jason Woods to begin the annual awards presentation by introducing the Community Improvement of the year. Presenting other awards for Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and the new award for Youth in Action were Angie Lefeld, Rebecca Wenning, Bob Hibner, and Beth Butler.

 

Receiving the Awards:

Community Improvement Awards: Tailspin Brewing Company, and Totally Promotional with the Sycamore Group.

Business of the Year:  Lefeld Welding

Volunteer of the Year: Jack Schwegman

Citizens of the Year: Rob Fisher and Jesse Steinke

Youth in Action: Brandon Rose

 

After the award presentation, Beth Butler announced the 2017 chamber trustee nominees; Brittany Uhlenhake, Community Sports and Therapy; Jason Wood, Coldwater Exempted Village Schools; Kim Rammel, Preformance Physcial Therapy and Wellness; and Janel Schulte, Briarwood Manor. Butler introduced the roles for this coming year which include officers: Angie Lefeld, President; Liz Wenning, Vice President; Kylie Lange, Secretary; and Keith Sellhorst, Treasurer.

 

Incoming President, Angie Lefeld, provided a brief closing and summary of upcoming events for the Chamber of Commerce. After, door prizes and 50/50 winners were announced; a motion to adjourn was made by Kylie Lange with a second by Mindy Schwieterman.