Phone: 856-234-8260; Email: ; Web: Moorestownbusiness.Com

Phone: 856-234-8260; Email: ; Web: MoorestownBusiness.com

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 11:30 am

First Baptist Church, 19 West Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057

Board Members Present (8): Hala Al-Shawaf (PNC Bank); Kristen Babcock (Wing King); Candace Coleman, Secretary (MoorArts); Adrienne Cooper (MT Publishing); Brad Kenney (Moorestown Community House); Josh Lipson (Karr Barth Associates); Don Powell, President (Powell Solar Energy, LLC); Tom Sheckels, Treasurer/Webmaster (Sheckels Creation Photography). Not present: Steven Pazienza, Vice President (CarePatrol).

Also present: Mark Morgan, MBA Executive Director (Moorestown Theater Company); and guest Randy Abidin (Moorestown.com).

Meeting Start: President Don Powell opened the meeting at 11:40 a.m.

·  A motion to approve the 3/4/15 BOD meeting minutes as corrected was made by Brad Kenney and seconded by Hala Al-Shawaf; the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

·  Treasurer Tom Sheckels presented the MBA Financial Outlook for 2015, which included current bank balances, expected additional income, expenses to date and total remaining budget. Reported balances in the MBA accounts:

o  LBB Checking $28,561

o  LBB Money Market $30,535

o  Beneficial CD $10,130

·  The 2015 MBA budget was presented for the board’s vote. Josh Lipson made a motion to approve the budget, seconded by Candace Coleman; the motion carried and the budget was approved.

·  It was noted that a line item for the first Main Street Merchant’s Reception would need to be added to the budget.

Visitor:

·  Randy Abidin presented a proposal and summary of operation for an events management system designed specifically for the MBA. The system would be accessed through a link on the MBA home page, and provide a convenient and quick way for event chairs, vendors, and volunteers to manage event details. Coordination between the system and the MBA website will be further streamlined when the website is converted to WordPress, as planned.

·  The Board endorsed the system design and looks forward to exploring ways it could be expanded to facilitate MBA membership registration, MBA happy hour events, etc.

·  The Board was asked to review expenditures for the system: $2000 for Mr. Abidin, and $5,500 for his sponsorship fund. A motion was made by Don Powell to approve the proposal and expenditures, was seconded by Adrienne Cooper, and was carried.

Committee Reports:

·  Social: Committee chair Mary Beth Caracci made arrangements for the April MBA Happy Hour to take place at Liberty Bell Bank on April 2.

·  Sponsorships: Committee co-chair Hala Al-Shawaf reported that the committee had met and discussed reevaluating sponsorship processes, including: systematic follow-up with members and potential sponsors, best approaches for prospect contact and engagement, and developing a program for effective communication with sponsors. The Board agreed that business cards should be requested from non MBA members at MBA Happy Hours, so contact information can be retained.

·  Main Street Reception: An MBA sponsored happy hour event scheduled for Tuesday, 4/21 at the Moorestown Community House.

o  Kristen Babcock reported that an invitation/flier promoting the event has been designed and will be hand delivered to all Moorestown businesses, as well as electronically distributed. The Board decided to change the RSVP process so that guests will respond to instead of one of the committee members.

o  A budget of up to $500 for food and beverages at the event was proposed. Tom Sheckels made a motion to approve this expenditure, seconded by Kristen Babcock. The motion carried.

·  Directory: Mark Morgan reported that the directory is at Tin House Design undergoing final updates. The publication will be 60 pages with 282 business listings. Today and tomorrow are the final days for any changes.

Events:

·  Easter Egg Hunt:

o  Kristen Babcock reported that the event, to be held April 4 at Jeff Young field in conjunction with the Lenola Fire House, will start at 9 a.m. and volunteers are needed at 7 a.m. Volunteers and participants are encouraged to park in the lot behind the firehouse.

o  Eggs will be provided by MBA and LFH, and MBA will pay for the DJ. LFH will purchase the prizes awarded at the event, and asked if MBA would pay for half of this expense. The Board agreed and asked K. Babcock to request an invoice for the prizes.

o  The MBA will hang its banner at the event.

New Business:

·  Affinity Programs:

o  The Board briefly discussed Perk Plans affinity program, and decided to table a vote about this specific plan until next month’s meeting to allow more time for review.

o  The Board decided to turn down BJ’s Wholesale Club affinity plan proposal, and will suggest instead that they use a $25 MBA email blast to promote specially priced BJ’s memberships to MBA members.

·  Tom Sheckels reported that Moorestown Day Chair Helen Davies-Miramontes wants to confirm that MBA members who are also event sponsors should receive two free booths. The Board concurred.

·  A second email detailing the next MBA general membership meeting sponsor will be distributed.

·  Don Powell reported:

o  The MBA has received a request from the Moorestown Library for a donation toward a $1500 sculpture planned for the library grounds.

o  The MBA sent a letter to the Moorestown Town Council in support of a budget process to fund flowers to enhance Main Street and parking access improvements.

o  A speaker is needed for the April General Membership meeting.

Adjournment:

Tom Sheckels made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Kristen Babcock. Don Powell adjourned the meeting at 1:10 p.m.

Submitted by Candace Coleman, Secretary

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