HOUSTON COUNTY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 5, 2009
The meeting was called to order by President Betsy Ligon.
Members present: Betsy Ligon, Mayor Cecil Baggett, Jimmy Lowery, Melinda Conwell, Becky Averitt, George Alsobrooks, Linda Bratschi, Penny Clark, Dave Hardin, Shannon Harris, Diane Lynch, Allen McCampbell, Bettye McKinnon, and Lajuana Parchman, Philip Powell, Christy Ross, .Donna Underwood and Tammy Wimberly.
The minutes of the February 5, 2009 meeting were presented in written form by Melinda Conwell. The motion for approval of the minutes was made by Christy Ross and seconded by Linda Bratschi.
The treasurer’s report was presented with printed financial reports and statements by Jimmy Lowery. The motion for approval of the treasurer’s report was made by Philip Powell and seconded by Christy Ross.
OLD BUSINESS:
Debbie Schmidt and the other volunteers have been diligently working to get several quilts ready to be hung before Irish Day. Two signs have already been placed and two more will be placed today, one at Archie’s TV & Appliance Store and the other at the Houston County Recreational Club building. The chamber’s quilt designed for the Celtic Quilt Trail will be placed on the back wall of Accents by Bonnie at a later date.
Allen McCampbell is contacting the company to repair the Welcome Sign. All but 3 advertising spots have been sold. Betsy stated the increase in the advertising price will barely cover the expense of the sign. During the 24 month advertising period the chambers only profits from two months of rent, cost of maintaining the sign includes electricity, the States right to use fee, and repairs cost to cover damage to the sign.
Irish Celebration Committees:
The Kick-Off Breakfast is March 13 at 9:00 a.m. at Erin City Hall. The Emerald Award winner plaques and the Lord High Mayor jacket have arrived and are ready for presentation. Kay French is the chairperson for this committee and the City of Erin is sponsoring the breakfast.
Regions Bank is sponsoring the Lord High Mayor’s Breakfast on March 18th at 7:00 a.m. Byde Simpson is in charge of the breakfast arrangements and Allen and Suzanne McCampbell will assist Ms. Byde.
Linda Bratschi stated 63 tickets have been sold for the March 20th Irish Banquet, tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased at Erin City Hall. Linda reminded members that desserts will be needed. She would also like to decorate for the banquet Thursday; she will check with the high school for availability, volunteers will be needed to help with the set up. Approximately 20 meals are complimentary for guests, which include the Lord High Mayor and guest, Miss Houston County and guest, theme contest winner Seth Batten and guest and the meals for the Youth Leadership students who assist with the dinner.
Becky Averitt asked members to review a list of businesses that had donated to last year’s silent auction and asked members to select the businesses they would like to contact for donations. Becky suggested setting up the auction for the banquet only, due to the time involved in setting up a display of items for the breakfast and then later moving the items to the high school. Betsy suggested only bringing a few of the larger items to the breakfast to remind people of the auction.
Melinda Conwell and Shannon Harris reported approximately 110 vendor booths have been sold, there are spaces still available, however we are still receiving request for spaces on a daily basis.
Betsy stated the profits from the Irish celebration come from the vendor booth fees, parade entry fee, the silent auction and the $1000.00 newspaper insert. The Irish Banquet usually breaks even.
Diana Lynch reported the City of Tennessee Ridge is sponsoring the parade leprechaun and donated an additional $50.00 toward other expenses. Traditions Bank will assist with band travel sponsorships. Christy Ross has arranged for Channel 4’s Snowbird to be our 2009 Parade Grand Marshall and he will be available for pictures and autographs after the parade. Parade entries must be at the parade line-up by 9:00 a.m. on March 21st at the Houston County Middle School to be eligible for the parade float competition.
Christy Ross has arranged for two parade judges and will find one more. Channel 4’s Snowbird will serve as one of the judges in addition to his duties as Grand Marshall. Betsy and Christy will arrange for gifts for the parade judges.
Cecil Baggett, chairman of the exhibits committee, stated Perdue Industries will be the site of the car show, the antique tractors, the demolition derby, and the civil war encampment where the re-enactors will fire 5 cannons. Vans should be available to taxi between Perdue’s and the town area.
Philip Powell stated the float is in pretty good shape from its last use, he will procure a few items for necessary repairs to the float. Allen, Cecil and Chad Smith are assisting in the design and painting of the decorations. Philip will call for further assistance if needed. Someone will need to ride the float and distribute candy.
Becky Averitt is coordinating the entertainment for the festival. Regions Bank corner will stage country music entertainment and will include a Minnie Pearl impersonator.
The Navy Bank will perform at the City Hall/ Health Dept stage after the parade.
Celtic fiddlers and Celtic dancers have asked to perform at our celebration; Becky will try to find an adequate place for them to perform.
Advertising and promotional cost have totaled $2526.00, this includes the radio ads, the cost of the brochures, the two newspaper ads, the banners over Main Street, (the four Mountain Dew banners were free). The contract with the Stewart/Houston County Times goes through 2010 and is renewable for 5 years at the Chamber’s discretion; the contract states the Times will pay the Chamber $1000.00 for the privilege of doing the insert and selling ads for it. The insert will come out during the March 17th edition of the newspaper.
Parking situations were discussed; tour buses will be directed to Valley Drive and will be parked on the walking trail close to the Playground. Arrangements are being made for handicapped parking.
There will be meeting of Central Command Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
Betsy thanked Ronnie Bratschi for the repairs he made to the Chamber office and for hanging the banners in front of the building. Betsy also thanked the office volunteers.
Allen suggested surveying celebration participants to see how they feel about the festivities. Survey forms could be placed at different locations.
Philip suggested contact the National Guard to assist with traffic control.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Harpist Shelia Mitchell-Hart will perform at the Erin United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. on March 17th.
Carnival opens March 17th, Thursday is Family Night.
The next scheduled meeting will be March 12th at noon to review Irish Celebration progress.
With no further business or announcements the meeting was adjourned.