New Hamburg Board of Trade Executive Meeting
March 11, 2009
Present: Paul Knowles, Ed Lemont, Nigel Gordijk, Tom Hinz, Dave Seyler, Audrey Cook, Terry McIntosh, Tim Bender and Larry Zehr. Regrets: Lynne Mackie and Doug Brenneman
Motion to approve minutes from previous meeting Tom, second Nigel. Carried.
Financial report: In Lynne's absence Paul gave us the bank balance of $36,235.00 and said more information as to memberships received etc. would be given later. Flood Fund Update: The priorities list on applications received totaled $60,000. Thankfully, the flood fund on hand also totaled $60,000. Since that time another $1,500 has been received and this will be given to homeowners for incidentals such as extra hydro expenses. A motion was made by Nigel that a letter should be sent to the Grand River Conservation Authority from the Board of Trade indicating our support of flood control in New Hamburg. Second Tim. Carried.
Membership update: Currently there are 50 memberships, basic and full, paid and deposited. A listing of 2008 members will be given to the new office manager and all past members will be contacted. Corporate memberships were discussed and it was decided that this should be pursued further for the 2010 year.
MOT and by-pass update: On March 23rd Charles Organ and Brenda Jamieson will be in our town from 10:AM to 5: PM. Paul will be taking them to various business owners in New Hamburg to hear, personally, the impact MOT plans would have on their future. The February General Membership meeting went very well with good attendance and a good question and answer period. However it was stressed that we shouldn¹t stop or waver in our opposition to this project.
Nigel was excused from the meeting. Contract staff member applications: We have received 4 applications, all of them from well qualified people. The executive reviewed them and after discussion decided the job should go to Cheryl Gordijk as she had done extensive volunteer work for the Board of Trade over the past several months and thus was familiar with our projects as well as with many of our members.
Nigel rejoined the meeting.
New Hamburg welcome signs: Shirley Koehl is acting on our behalf and a meeting with the other groups is pending.
Duck Race update: Hopefully our summer student and our new part-time office person will be a major help to getting a volunteer in place.
Tourism Committee and First Impressions: Lyle Cressman, one of our members, has suggested we have a Tourism Committee. After some discussion Paul volunteered to pursue this.
Summer student application update: Our application for funds is in the system and we will hear more later. Hopefully we'll be able to hire a summer student for a 10-week period.
Advertising report: Nigel passed out an extensive report he had done showing all the advertising done by the Board of Trade during 2008. No decisions were made and more information will be gathered before the next meeting.
New Business: Tim, our Retail Committee chair, had a call from a local plaza owner who would like to know what kind of business he could attract that would appeal to New Hamburg shoppers and residents. Several suggestions were given to Tim by the executive and our members will be asked for their input as well via our website.
Motion to adjourn 8 PM, Terry. |
