COUGAR COUNTRY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Meeting Minutes for January 21, 2010
ATTENDING
Members present were: Trish Schutte, Kevin Schutte, Peggy Hansen, Liz Monnette, Jean Grosse, Franny Makos, Vern Christopherson & Gary Gluth.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER & WELCOME
President Vern Christopherson called the meeting to order at 6:27pm.
SECRETARY REPORT
Copies of the September & November minutes were distributed. Peg Hansen moved to accept them as written, Kevin Schutte seconded the motion and it passed.
TREASURER REPORT
Jean Grosse presented the Treasurer’s report included with these minutes.
Receipts of $4,183.00 & expenses of $412.07 equaled an ending balance of $9,155.04. The CD renewed balance is $10,435.24 without interest. Tourism Guide is paid up. Kevin Schutte moved to accept the treasurer’s report, Peg Hansen seconded and it was passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Membership - Training - Advertising - Promotion
(Committee members: Fran Makos, Trish Schutte & Kevin Schutte)
Makos reported she would update the email addresses then give the forms to Vern C. to update member list. He would get the updates to Liz Monette to update the website. Peg Hansen also has some corrections for the mailing labels that Jean and she researched and she will get those to Vern as soon as she can. Trish Schutte opened a discussion on the membership dues.
Liz Monette moved to extend the membership dues to match the calendar year rather that our fiscal year for less confusion. Kevin Schutte seconded and the motion passed.
T. Schutte reported that spring sale would be on Friday and Saturday. There was a discussion on the garden show being changed to a business expo and is scheduled for June 12 in Pound.
B. Community Development
(Committee members: Tom Prue, Dan Rhodes, Vern Christopherson, & Bonnie Beamer)
Liz Monette was approached by Dennis Gross, President of the Kum-along snow riders snowmobile club, (representing the village of Coleman also.) He asked for funding for signs for the snowmobile trail welcoming riders and pointing the way to businesses in our area. After a discussion on the format of the sign, Jean Grosse moved to donate up to $100.00 to the cause, if the executive board thought his next proposal fit with our theme of promoting the entire Cougar Country area. Kevin Schutte 2nd the motion and it passed.
Trish Schutte reported that Bonnie Beamer is in the process of surveying the municipalities and will compile that information for the website etc.
C. Market Analysis
(Committee members: Jim Karban, Jean Grosse & Nancy Deering)
Nothing to report.
D. Signage
Next meeting will be January 29th at 7:30 am.
E. Clinic
Interested parties do not wish to buy the building. The Village of Pound sent out a letter to area municipalities asking to make it a Community effort.
F. Fundraiser
The Fundraiser committee reported on status of ticket sales and raffle buckets. There are plenty of sponsors but we need to increase ticket sales efforts.
Discussion on the economy and other reasons for the lack of interest.
G. Committee structure
There was a discussion on Committees that are obsolete and creation of or splitting of committees. Since the Market Analysis Committee has completed it’s target goals, it was thought that committee could be disbanded and split the Membership, Advertising, Training and Promotion committee into 2 committees. Membership being by itself and Advertising, Training and Promotions being a separate committee. Trish volunteered to head up Advertising, Training and Promotions. Jean reviewed duties of each committee.
The idea of having a speaker at every other meeting was entertained. Some ideas were: an Accountant at Tax Time, Bankers, Insurance person, etc.. It was decided that we would only have speakers if meeting attendance improved with the new time frames.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Tourism Guide
Ads are paid up for this year as covered in the Treasurer‘s report along with CD renewal.
B. Coupons on the website
None were received and Liz Monette has taken it off the website.
C. Lion’s club letter
Peg Hansen read the letter we sent to the Lion’s club regarding the welcome sign on Business 141 in Coleman at Sunset Ave..
NEW BUSINESS
A. Correspondence
Peg Hansen read a letter from Russ Feingold on his achievements.
Liz Monette read her letter of resignation due to her pregnancy. She would be willing to keep up the website till March. Trish Schutte moved to accept her letter, Gary Gluth seconded and the motion passed. Peg Hansen offered to take over the Vice Presidency. Trish Schutte move to accept her offer, Liz Monette seconded and it passed. Liz Monette also reported that our website rate was lowered.
B. Computer issue
There was a discussion on keeping records straight and in one place, maybe a laptop that could be mobile if separate persons help with the work load. Trish Schutte moved that we buy a laptop for the association, but it was felt we should shop around for different ideas first, and find out about dollar amounts and programs that would be on them (Microsoft word and Excel are important formats that we have things on.) Vern Christopherson said he could look at laptop computers this weekend. Liz moved that Vern should also pick up a Rubbermaid tub and office supplies that could be kept at a central location (the Land Office was suggested) for use by committees and officers. Jean Grosse seconded and that motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Tom Prue suggested having a speaker at the meetings. The members felt we could try every other meeting. Some ideas were: an Accountant at Tax Time, Bankers, Insurance person, etc.. It was decided that we would only have speakers if meeting attendance improved with the new time frames. This is something we should address to the crowd at the fundraiser.
FUTURE MEETINGS
Liz reviewed the survey she sent out about meeting times and dates.
We will try the March 16th meeting at 6:45am. Future meetings will be: May 18, July 20th, September 21st, & November 16th. Time will be announced after attendance is evaluated.
Trish Schutte moved to adjourn the meeting. Peg Hansen seconded and the meeting was adjourned.
Thanks to the Village of Pound for letting us meet at the Community Center.
Respectively submitted to the best of my knowledge and ability,
Franny Makos
