Area Chamber of Commerce meeting

Houston County

Minutes

November 6, 2008


The meeting was called to order at 12:06 by President Betsy Ligon.

Members present: Betsy Ligon, Mayor Cecil Baggett, Jimmy Lowery, Melinda Conwell, Linda Bratschi, Shannon Kilgore-Harris, Paxton Harris, Sharon Knight, and Bettye McKinnon.
The minutes of the October 2, 2008 meeting were presented in written form by Bettye McKinnon. The motion for approval of the minutes was made by Linda Bratschi and seconded by Jimmy Lowery. The motion carried.
The treasurer report was presented in written form by Jimmy Lowery. Mr. Lowery noted the 2008 Chamber Membership Banquet was not deficit. The motion for approval of the treasurers report was made by Bettye McKinnon and seconded by Linda Bratschi.


OLD BUSINESS:
Betsy Ligon stated the Membership Banquet at the high school was successful and she had received several compliments on it. She stated she was interested in securing Aaron Wilburn as next years entertainment since he was so well received. Betsy congratulated Shannon Kilgore-Harris for receiving the first Russ James Volunteer Award and thanked her for all her hard work.
Junior Achievement has started and is in the preschool, 1st and 2nd grades. Allen McCampbell is already planning to extend the program to the other grades in the upcoming years.

President Ligon stated the need for a chamber director and she will pursue this issue.
Shannon Kilgore-Harris gave an update on the membership drive, stating it is going well with 111 members renewed so far. She is still waiting on plagues to distribute.
Southernaire Restaurant has been selected Business of the Quarter by the committee. Yard of the month has been suspended until the spring. Kay French is the committee chair.

The Irish Day Executive Committee meeting will meet on November 17th at 5:30. Shannon Harris suggested one person or committee placed in charge of booths and pavilions space, as there was an unfortunate and avoidable conflict last year. Betsy invited Shannon to attend the executive committee meeting. Shannon and Melinda Conwell are Co-chairs of the 2009 Irish Day vendors committee and are sending out vendor applications this week.
Teresa Mitchell has already sent the Irish Day theme contest forms to the schools.
Betsy read Debbie Schmidt’s thank you card and displayed the ornament Debbie sent us.


NEW BUSINESS:
The 2008 Christmas Parade theme is “We Believe”. The Erin Police Department is organizing the parade. Parade will start at 5:00 on December 6th. Parade participants need to contact the Erin Police Department. Betsy would like for the Chamber to go with a Nativity scene and will check to see if we can borrow one for the parade. She will notify Chamber Board when she has details. There will be bell ringers here for the event however they will leave immediately after the parade. After the parade, Santa Claus will receive children at City Hall. Betsy will contact Diane Lynch about the Ham Give Away.
Jan Posavec has sold all the spaces for the Arts and Craft Show on December 6th. The show from 10:00A.M. until 8:00P.M. is at Erin City Hall. She is donating all proceeds from the show to the Houston County youth program. The Houston County Lions Club will have a gift wrapping booth.


ANNOUNCMENTS:
Signature Health Care will honor the health care workers on November 13th at 6:00 P.M.
The Houston County Community Theatre’s “The Homecoming” will be held December 5th, 6th and 7th at the HCHS forum. Call 931-289-2787 (ARTS) for ticket information.

The Houston County Youth Choir Christmas Choir Concert will be held December 9th at 6:00 P.M. Admission is free. (Donations accepted)
The FCE Holiday Tour of Homes is December 14th from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M.
The Relay for Life sponsorship kick off campaign will be held November 17th at Erin City Hall.

Bettye McKinnon read the Governor’s letter of regret to his invitation to the Chamber Membership banquet.
With no further business or announcements, President Ligon adjourned the meeting.
The next scheduled meeting will be held December 4th at 12:00 noon.