Sequim~Dungeness Valley
Chamber of Commerce
Board Minutes
February 9, 2012, 7:30 a.m.
The Lodge at Sherwood Village
Attendees: Christy Rookard, Joe Borden, Phil Castell, Scott Clausen, Bill Thomas, Theresa Rubens, Vickie Oen, Bill Littlejohn, Ron Farquhar, and Steve Perry
Excused: Linda Barnfather, Deon Kapetan, Lizbeth Harper, Michele Sorrentino
Partners: Ken Hays, Doug Nass, Paul McHugh, Val Jackson Staff: Shelli Robb-Kahler, Jeri Smith
Call to Order by President, Christy Rookard 7:35 a.m.
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Consent Calendar
Approved:
· December 08, 2011 Board Meeting minutes - moved by Joe Borden, second by Ron Farquhar and passed unanimously.
· December 2011 Financial Statements - moved by Bill Thomas, second by Joe Borden and passed unanimously.
President’s Report – Christy Rookard
· Thank you to Fundraising Committee for their hard work to make the Chamber’s fundraising Dance at the Oasis a success.
Partner Reports:
City of Sequim – Ken Hays
· The purchase of the new City Hall property is scheduled to close soon.
· Final hearing on the Critical Area Ordinance will be held Monday, February 13th at the Transit Center during City Council meeting.
· The City continues making plans for Sequim’s Centennial. Business and public participation is highly encouraged. Contact Karen Kusnek-Reese for more information. The Chamber was encouraged to begin promoting Centennial through features in its monthly newsletter.
· Ken attended the Association of Washington City’s conference last month. Through AWC’s lobbying efforts, a bill waiving impact fees for housing developments is in progress.
Sequim Open Aire Market – Val Jackson
· The Open Air Market experienced a 23% decrease in 2011 sales compared to 2010. Annual monies received each year are generally $200,000.
· The Open Aire Market’s November 23Holiday Event received low attendance.
· Market is currently in the process of interviewing new vendors for 2012. Each business must be local and make/grow the products they sell. A booth is available for nonprofit organizations to use if desired.
· Market is also signing up sponsors to partner with them. They would like to have a Sequim restaurant as a sponsor this year.
· Lavender weekend plans are in progress.
Port of Port Angeles – Paul McHugh
· Issues currently are John Wayne Marina cleanup after a boat explosion, PenPly cleanup and a continued partnering with the City of Sequim in regards to Battelle NW.
· Paul is now a representative on the steering committee of the Washington Port Association.
PUD – Doug Nass
· The procurement of power as mandated by the passing of I-937 continues to be a challenge as PUD researches feasible renewable energy. Renewable energy credits have been purchased from Idaho and staff is currently working with legislators to introduce a bill that stipulates the utility companies do not have to procure renewable energy until it is needed.
· Clallam County Public Utility District crews were able to help Pierce and Klickitat Counties repair storm damages in their area.
Executive Director’s Report – Shelli Robb-Kahler
· The Chamber’s fundraising dance at the Oasis Bar & Grill was a success. Thank you Sequim Gazette for the support given through ad donations.
· The Chamber’s annual report for 2011 was mailed out with the newsletter this month.
· The Visitor Information Center was used for a successful Home Improvement Workshop facilitated by Brad Griffith, Home Improvement and Maintenance, and Sherry Grime Designs.
· Shelli attended a community meeting focused on the feasibility of Sequim being a culinary destination. The meeting was not very well attended by food-related businesses. Resolution at this time is to focus on the culinary arts during the First Friday each month. It is hoped that interest would be generated through advertising and monthly participation.
· Shelli attended the Economic Development Council’s annual dinner with speaker Ron Allen, Tribal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.
· The Visitor Information Center Count for January was 394, only 40 people down from the same time period in 2011 in spite of the inclement weather.
· Maids N More, a business joining the Chamber in January, posted that her business has increased from being introduced in the Chamber’s newsletter as a new Chamber member.
· A new “Chamber Member Benefit 2012” brochure is now available and may be used as a tool to explain benefits of membership to potential members as well as existing members.
· Featured benefit of the month: Newsletter Advertising. Members may send Shelli news briefs and event notices that are included in the newsletter. This benefit is free and few businesses are using this benefit. A new Chamber member receives a business size ad introduction ($95.00 value) and if they do a ribbon cutting, a picture is included in the next month’s edition ($95.00). Chamber membership ($170.00 + $25.00 administration fee=$195.00) value returned!
Old Business
Board at Board Retreat-Christy Rookard
· The creation of three standing committees was approved:
o Finance Committee
o Membership Development Committee
o Sequim Tourism & Events Committee
Chamber Board Committees, Goals and Action Plans distributed.
New Business
Fundraising Dance – Shelli
· Thanks to the Fundraising Committee including, Joe Borden, Shawnna Rigg, Stephanie Sweet, for a successful event. See Committee Report below for more detail.
Membership Plaque Distribution-Shelli
· A spreadsheet listing January renewing members is available for Board members to sign up to deliver plaques.
· Discussion ensued as to how renewing December businesses responded when board members brought a plaque into them. Consensus: positive
Policy and By-Law Changes – Christy Rookard
· Staff e-mailed Board members the proposed Policy & Procedures and By-Laws amendments to reflect the new standing committees voted on by the Board at its annual board retreat. 1) Finance 2) Membership Development, 3) Sequim Tourism & Events. The proposed changes were highlighted in green for ease of review.
o Action: it was moved by Joe Borden, second by Ron Farquhar, and passed unanimously to accept the proposed Policy & Procedures and By-Laws changes as presented.
Lavender Weekend – Christy Rookard
· The Chamber Board of Directors was asked to take a stand regarding Sequim’s Lavender weekend controversy between the Lavender Growers Association, Lavender Farmers Association and City of Sequim. The executive committee met and recommends the Chamber Board of Directors support the City of Sequim’s memorandum presented to both entities.
Luncheon RSVP – Shelli Robb Kahler
· Sunland has requested that the Chamber now pay everyone it calls in as a luncheon attendee. This is a challenge as people RSVP who don’t show up and people show up who don’t RSVP. The Chamber now offers businesses an option of prepaying for their lunch by the month or year which is non-refundable for no-show.
Oasis Staff – Scott Clausen
· Board members are encouraged to meet at the Oasis Bar & Grill, Friday, February 10, at 5:30 for a group picture.
COMMITTEES
Membership Committee – Phil Castell
· Five new members joined the Chamber since the last board meeting: 1) Olympic View Properties 2) League of Women Voters 3) Ruth Marcus/Writing Coach 4) Susan Parr Travel 5)Blue Sky Property Management
o Action: It was moved by Joe Borden, second by Bill Littlejohn and approved unanimously to accept the cancelation of five non-renewing members. List Presented.
· Current membership count is 443. A New Membership goal of 500 was suggested.
Board members are challenged to invite two businesses to join the Chamber this year.
· The Membership Committee is in the process of finding ways to encourage and educate board members, Chamber members and other businesses about how the Chamber can help them grow. NEW GOAL:
· Development of a new membership benefit brochure is top priority this year.
Fundraising Committee – Joe Borden
· Meeting time: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 11:30 a.m. at Re/Max Fifth Avenue Office.
· Fundraising dance shows a profit of over $2,400.00. Thanks again to Oasis Bar and Grill for donating the food and free drink for attendees, as well as the Sequim Gazette for donating advertising.
Sequim Tourism & Events – Bill Thomas
· Bill did a “secret shopping” for three Sequim businesses and found two had employee issues and one had cleanliness issues. These issues are being resolved by each business.
· Toastmasters listened to speeches from the seven young ladies who will try out for Royalty at the Pageant on March 3.
Irrigation Festival – Joe Borden
· Royalty Pageant – March 3 at Sequim High School Auditorium
· Kickoff Dinner – March 24, 5:00 at Seven Cedars Casino. Tickets are on sale now until the Pageant for $50.00. After the pageant tickets will be $65.00.
· Chamber board members are invited to attend the VIP reception before the Kickoff Dinner at 4:00 p.m. for appetizers and drinks.
· The float will be at the Kickoff Dinner for viewing.
· The float trailer displays the Irrigation Festival sponsors. Businesses display their name all year for $1,500.00. The Royalty and float go to over 13 parades in other communities and is a great outreach venue for Sequim.
Merchants Group – Vickie Oen
· The January Merchant meeting was potluck and well attended. Good discussion ensued.
· Currently trying to establish committees to work with certain issues.
· City has allocated money as part of the Downtown Plan project signage so merchants will give their input as to how it might be spent.
· Also working on a “Fun Map”.
Shiso City Committee – Ron Farquhar
· Gail Sumpter is Shiso City Chair.
· Initiations asking for teen participants to travel to Shiso City in the fall have been sent.
· A Readers Theatre plus is presenting Movies and Their Music on February 10, 11, 17 & 18, 7:30 p.m. and February 12 & 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dungeness Schoolhouse. All proceeds will go to Shiso City Association.
OTHER
· Susan Parr Travel as a second location in Carlsborg
· Irrigation Festival Merchant Fair applications are now available on-line.
Meeting adjourned at 9.25 a.m.Next board meeting: March 8, 2012
Submitted by Jeri Smith, Office Administrator
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