MINUTES – April 9th, 2019

The Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at the Village Offices with Michelle Clune & John Yoder as guests to discuss Business Week Camp.

Trustees Present: Janel Schulte, Brad Niekamp, Keith Selhorst, Leah Koesters, Keith Kessen, Brittany Uhlenhake, Amber Evers, Megan Stull, Jack Schwegman, Nathan Burtch, Gina Hess, & Eric Thomas

President Janel Schulte called the meeting to order at 7:30 A.M.

Guest Presentation- Presented by John Yoder & Michelle Clune

  • Ohio Business Week Camp- The camp provides group activities and team building skills with the ultimate goal of having the student come back to the area after school to hopefully pursue their business idea. Students get sponsored by local businesses. The cost is $449 for a business to sponsor a student. Keith mentioned that the Chamber had donated $250.00 in the past to sponsor a student. John and Michelle will stay in touch and let the Chamber know if a student has interest from Coldwater. The pending date is towards the end of July.

Officer Reports

  • Treasurer’s Report- was presented by Keith Selhorst. Keith S. reviewed the 2019 budget and mentioned he has not received a request for a donation to Arts In the Park. Previously, the Chamber has given $550.00. Discussion was brought up to possibly utilize the budgeted Arts In the Park donation to donate to Ohio Business Program, which would benefit area businesses more. Keith S. suggested we have possible budget of $750.00 for future Chamber After Hours & other possible miscellaneous funds for donations. The reports were motioned for approval by Brittany Uhlenhake and seconded by Jack Schwegman. Motion carried.
    • Checking Balance – $27,791.50
    • Gift Certificate Balance – $14,157.54
  • Secretary’s Report– the minutes from the March meeting were provided prior to the meeting date by Secretary Keith Kessen and reviewed by the Chamber trustee members. The meeting minutes were approved with a motion by Gina Hess and seconded by Leah Koesters. Motion carried.

. Committee Reports

  • Membership- We have one new Chamber Member – Ebbing Metrology. Janel and Brad will bring them a chamber plaque.
  • Website/Social Media – Leah Koesters says the Chambers website/ social media is good to go. She posted her first “Charlie Chatter” and is continuing to work on these.
  • Banner Update of New Members- Chamber will get this printed before the “Taste of The Town” event.
  • Quarterly “Charlie Chats” – Janel to continue to look into “Charlie Chats”
  • Taste of The Town Updates- Amber Evers heard complaints last year about why the Shelter House #3 wasn’t open for wheelchair accessibility. Eric Thomas said both Shelter House #3 and #2 will be open for handicap accessible bathrooms. The location of the Taste of the Town is going to get moved (weather permitting) closer to the Amphitheater if it’s not too wet. The People’s Bank has set up three bands to perform this year, in conjunction with the Concert in the Park series. It was mentioned that Evergreen Vineyards may want to supply wine for the event. It was suggested to reach out to McDonalds and Hazelnut to see if they would like to participate. Amber Evers will be working on sending out vendor mailings and setting up a vendor meeting in April.

Old Business

  • Trustee Listing– Janel Schulte has sent this out.
  • T-Shirts– New Chamber T-Shirts will be printed soon. Charcoal Gray is the color.

 

New Business

  • Business Week Camp– Janel will be in touch with Michelle Clune about a $500 donation towards Business Week Camp, should a student be interested.
  • Mercer County Leadership Class of 2019-2020- In the past Mercer County offers a leadership class to individuals that teach leadership skills. The Chamber sponsors an individual to attend each year. Class dates are the third Thursday of each month. Dates pending. Leah Koesters is interesting in taking the class.
  • Business After Hours Event – Pla-Mor Lanes teamed up with the Chamber to provide an evening of bowling for area businesses. Plan is to have one event in spring and one event in fall. The first event is planned for Thursday May 9th with Happy Hour at 6PM and bowling at 7PM. If you want a team signed up email lee@plamorlanes.net. You get 2 games/ 2 drink tickets. Pizza and wings are provided. $40/ team/ 3 bowlers.
  • Sun Screenings- Derma-skin screenings. Plan on providing sun screenings in May as May is Sunscreen awareness month. Chamber donated lip balm in the past to pass out at the event, which was purchased through Totally Promotional. Chamber plans on purchasing lip balm or sunscreens again. Official date of the sun screenings is yet to be determined
  • Where’s Charlie– Brad Niekamp brought up ideas pertaining to a scavenger hunt around local businesses to find a Charlie statue. Discussed having Matt Shroer make a mini statue of Charlie which would be used for the hunt. Brad plans to talk to area businesses to see if they would have any interest. The plan is to send out clues via Facebook and possibly in the store that wants to participate. The first 10 people who find Charlie will be entered in a drawing. Drawing prizes yet to be determined.

Jack Schwegman motioned to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Brittany Uhlenhake.

President Janel Schulte adjourned the meeting at 8:17 P.M.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Save the Dates:

Bowling After Hours—May 9th, 2019

Taste of the Town – June 4th, 2019

 

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON MAY 14, 2019 AT 7:30 AM. AT THE COLDWATER VILLAGE OFFICES.