Phone: 856-234-8260; Email: ; www.moorestown.com.mba
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Moorestown Community House
Call to Order: President Mark Morgan (Moorestown Theater Company) called the meeting to order at 7:41 AM with members introducing themselves around the room.
Attendance (16): Ana Cafengiu (Cafengiu Podiatry & Sports Medicine), Pete Certo (Cerevs I.T.(?)), Vice President Brian Cooper (Infinity Title), John Ginley (Superior Mortgage), Secretary Michelle Henderson (Moorestown Radio Control Hobbies), Treasurer Harry Koons (Moorestown Community House), Bill Kaisla (Sir Speedy Printing), Helen Miramontes (Prudential Fox Roach), President Mark Morgan (Moorestown Theater Company), Karen Mutzel (Gateway Funding), Lori Sacalis (Barron & Posternock LLP), Dana Schroll (Dana Schroll Interiors), Tom (Sheckels Creations Photography), Bill Taylor (McAllister The Service Company), Eric Wei (MBA 2010 Scholarship Recipient), Howard Yermish (Howard Yermish.com LLC).
Guest Speaker: Howard Yermish, owner of HowardYermish.com, spoke to members about online strategies to market our local and retail businesses. In his remarks, Howard cited Google, Yahoo, and Bing—among other search engines—as great starting points for wider recognition. Howard also offered members an opportunity to receive his PDF, Online Marketing Playbook for Local & Retail Businesses, for free. The file would be e-mailed to any members sending him an e-mailed request. Members’ questions followed Mr. Yermish’ s remarks.
Minutes: Copies of the June General Meeting minutes were on each table for review, and were unanimously approved.
Financial Report: According to Harry (Moorestown Community House), at the end of June we have $38K in all accounts, and $6K in Moorestown Day invoices to be paid. There are no more invoices until Autumn in Moorestown. Our financial status looks good.
Standing Committees
Board of Directors: Mark (Moorestown Theater Company) reiterated the board’s meeting time and alternating venues (Susquehanna Bank and Moorestown Radio Control Hobbies).
Bylaws: Nothing to report at this time.
Community Affairs: Harry reported that on July 28th, the Township is expecting a trolley carrying 40 people (affiliated with our Classic Town designation by the Regional Planning Commission) to come into Moorestown from Philadelphia to tour our town. Our ‘Classic Towns’ selection allows Moorestown to apply for $25K in grants. Mark reported that there was no E.D.A.C. this week, but two new restaurants are coming to Main Street and Mark will update us as he hears more. Mark will also report anything happening at the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce meetings.
Speed Networking: Began at 8:00 AM with assembled members doing their 60-second commercials about their businesses.
Ethics: Helen (Prudential Fox Roach) said there was nothing to report at this time.
Marketing: It was reported that Amy Barton (PNC Bank) and Jay Winkler (Idea Lab) are gearing up for fall 2010 events, posters, etc.
Membership: Brian (Infinity Title) says MBA membership is over 200, with an additional 15 members on the ‘Paid’ list, but no checks received. The directory draft is just going to the printer.
Nominating: A request of the membership, from Mark (MTC), to serve on the MBA Board of Directors—in Holly Sanborn’s stead—in three slots opening up in 2010.
Policies: Nothing to report.
Scholarship: Lori (Barron & Posternock LLP) introduced Eric Wei, one of two graduates from Moorestown High School (Kevin Trainor is the second graduate) who recently received the MBA’s 2010 Scholarship awards. Eric said that he will study Economics at Harvard University and that Kevin (unable to attend today’s general meeting) will study Economics at Duke University.
Social: Lori mentioned that Idea Lab would host our next Business After Business event, a Christmas-in-July theme, on July 28th at their Main Street location. Lori went on to say that except for the month of August, each month through December of this year, an MBA member will host a Business After Business event. Events are free to members, with hosts providing refreshments.
Sponsorship: Tom (Sheckels Creations Photography) reported that we currently have $6,250 in commitments for this year; half of that amount has been received. The membership was reminded that it isn’t too late to sponsor three remaining events.
Event Committees
ArtWalk Season: Next ArtWalk is Friday, August 13th. Per Lori, ArtWalk has been better attended this year, than last.
Autumn in Moorestown: To be held October 9th. Chair Helen Miramontes said vendor applications are trickling in.
Halloween Parade & Bonfire: To commence on Saturday, October 23rd at 3:00 PM. Brian said some participants have already contacted him.
Candlelight Night: To be held on November 5th. Tom Sheckels said that glow sticks are on order, and that this event won’t sponsor as much street entertainment as we had in 2009.
Easter Egg Hunt: Scheduled for April 16th, 2011 on the Moorestown Community House lawn.
Moorestown Day: The 35th annual event is scheduled for Saturday, June 4th, 2011.
Old Business
-MBA website: Mark said that the current website would be accepting new website bids from the membership by July 26th.
New Business
-Mention of the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) State of the County Dinner at Aloft Hotel (Mount Laurel, NJ).
Next Meetings:
1. Board of Directors:
A. Wednesday, August 4, 2010 – 11:30 AM – Moorestown Radio Control Hobbies
B. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 – 11:30 AM – Susquehanna Bank
2. General Membership:
A. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 – 7:15 AM – Moorestown Community House; Guest Speaker: Jon Runyan, 2010 U.S. Congressional candidate.
Meeting adjourned at 8:54 AM.
Submitted by: Secretary Michelle Henderson
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