Board of Directors Meeting
November 11, 2011 at 7:00 a.m.
Sodbusters
Goldendale, WA  98620

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER:

Meeting called to order at 7:00 am by President Ray LaFond.

DIRECTORS PRESENT:

Ray LaFond, Mike Canon, Jeanne Morgan, Karen Henslee, Gina McCabe, Tom Ireland,     Jan Mosbrucker, Mike DeMott, Dr. Denis Carver

GUESTS PRESENT:

Lucille Bevis, Lou Marzeles

APPROVAL OF LAST MEETINGS MINUTES:

Ray informed the Board he changed the meeting minutes, he stated he had made the     decision to do the PCI magazine and he was not going to recant his decision. He also             changed the audit minutes because he thought they would be inflammatory and that the audit did not represent how the chamber functions. It was stated the minutes have to reflect what was said at the meeting. It was also stated that if there is a negative tone to the minutes we may need to change them to make it sound more positive. It was decided all minutes must reflect exactly what was said at the meeting. Karen stated she was very offended about what Ray had said about Beth’s audit, she also stated that Beth is a very credible and knowledgeable individual and the audit did reflect exactly what has happened in the office.

Karen made a motion to approve the original minutes. Gina seconded the motion.           Motion carried.

GUESTS COMMENTS:

Lou addressed the Board, he said they were looking into the situation between PCI, The   Sentinel and the Chamber and possibly doing a story. They will be doing a story if they in    fact find that the Chamber took sides by using PCI for a product the Sentinel (a local business) could do. Lou loves the Chamber and is in full support of the Chamber.

Ray stated the contract was entered into to bring revenue into the Chamber.

Lucille gave a little history of PCI magazines, Chamber went to The Sentinel originally     and Sentinel said they couldn’t do it, which is why PCI came into the picture. The      Chamber was committed back then in 2004 or 2006.

Tom stated we were fulfilling the contract with PCI.

Instead of being secretive about the contract, we should let people see it such as The      Sentinel because it looks like we’re trying to hide things.

BOARD COMMENTS:

Overall big picture, we would be running events looking for a profit, and also looking forward to helping small business development.

Don’t like seeing all the squabbling between board members, years almost over look to next year and move forward.

Frustrating to get off agenda and go on, on all these other things, get back in touch with City and County. City is waiting on us.

Believe in Chamber and it’s frustrating the progression at the meeting and the leadership. More confusing after each meeting, miscommunication about what the Board wants. Don’t think the Chamber should have ever went against a local business. Hoping for a lot of directional change next year.

Very little confidence in our Board, mostly the leadership, second year and it’s the only Board I have ever been on, last Board I will ever be on if this is any indicator, should be a more vital course and not constantly fighting, President who makes decisions, and board follows along and can’t do it anymore. Why even have a Board? By-laws don’t give much information about what the Executive Director is supposed to do, By-laws are vague about who is to be doing what.

Really feel sorry for the new people coming in and it’s embarrassing. It should be what’s good for business. The first thing I did when I moved to town was join the Chamber, every bit of positive energy has been zapped out, every time a meeting happens and a motion has been made an email comes saying it didn’t happen. Tired of long meetings and fighting over the same thing for hours.

Board needs to address the By-laws and see what could be changed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Ran out of time last week, Tom asked everyone to go home and look over the Home and             Garden budget. Possibly cut down on pipe and drape to save money.

OLD BUSINESS:

I.          Budget Meeting

We need to set a date for the budget meeting. We know the about that the city is going to come forward with $35,000 we also have not seen the county budget with their expectation for the chamber and there proposal to the Chamber. Ray still thinks we should have a budget meeting and get an idea for what we are going to do in 2012.

Ray proposes we go forward and make a proposal to the city. We can go to Larry and the budget committee or you can go to the City Council. Dennis suggested we go the budget committee because most of the City Council will not be up to speed on what were are doing.

We should put in the contract that the events will make a profit. Ray stated it has never been determined by the Board.

It needs to be clear, are we utilizing the Hotel Motel tax or are we running it like a business and making a profit.

What language does the Board want to take to the City as a proposal?

Our goal is to bring people into town, and we want to break even and make money for seed money for the next year’s events.

Each event will try to make a profit.

Tom made a motion that they use the proposal already written to the city but also include that events will be profit making using the exact language Tom put in an email. Jan seconded the motion. Motion carried.

II.         Board Member

Last meeting the Board voted two new members on the Board, Laura was not able to      accept, Mike DeMott is now on the Board fulfilling position 7.

Mike Canon joined the Chamber, he was appoint to be a board member, there is still      one open position on the board and three opening up in December. Mindy Blomquist,           Earlene Sullivan, Peter Baze and Gina McCabe have been nominated. Earlene however is             not a member and can’t be considered.

Tom made a motion to appoint Mike Canon to the Board, filling position 8. Jeanne           seconded the motion. Motion carried.

III.        Membership Meeting

Don’t want any negative in the Membership Meeting, we had a train wreck at the last meeting and don’t want another one. The Chamber has showed that they really tried to listen to what the members have to say and follow through, you should be excited about being a chamber member, and we are moving forward.

Separate groupings of tables and a director had a one on one conversation with the groups with 3 positives and 3 negatives for the most critical needs that are presented as one unit to the whole group. We can get an idea of what our membership wants. Last meeting was awful. Nothing got accomplished and a lot of finger pointing. This way is a lot more positive also more people will talk in a small group when they won’t in front of everyone. Also shows Board Members are regular business people who are concerned.

Blocks of tables and a tablet at each table to record what has been said.

ADJOURNMENT:

Jeanne made a motion to adjourn, Jan seconded the motion. Motion carried at 8:39 am.