Sequim~Dungeness Valley
Chamber of Commerce
Board Minutes
April 12, 2012, 7:30 a.m.
The Lodge at Sherwood Village
Attendees: Christy Rookard, Joe Borden, Phil Castell, Vickie Oen, Bill Littlejohn, Deon Kapetan, Lizbeth Harper, Michele Sorrentino, Linda Barnfather, Steve Perry
Excused: Scott Clausen, Bill Thomas, Theresa Rubens, and Ron Farquhar
Partners: Jim McEntire, 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: March Board Meeting minutes - Motion passed unanimously. March Financial Statements - Motion passed unanimously.
President’s Report – Christy Rookard
· Thank you to the following:
o Irrigation Festival Chairperson, Deon Kapetan, for her hard work.
o Thank you, Joe and Fundraising Committee for successful 1st 50/50 luncheon fundraiser.
Partner Reports:
City of Sequim – Barb Hanna
· Attended the WA State Tourism Summit. Since Washington State eliminated the tourism budget a new tourism alliance has formed.
· The United States is currently working on an international campaign to bring increased tourism to America.
· The new fun map is coming this week. Businesses who aren’t tourism related may buy them from the Chamber.
· A forty page travel magazine for Sequim is in the design process. This will replace our current travel planner.
· Sequim was featured in April’s Sunset Magazine and several businesses featured experienced a significant number of calls in direct correlation to the article.
Open Aire Market – Val Jackson
· Val’s business received recognition in Costco’s monthly magazine.
· The Market’s “Spring Fling” was held last week at Guy Cole Center and was well attended.
· May 5 is Market’s opening day.
· ASCAP issues have been resolved, thanks to City of Sequim intervention.
Clallam County – Jim McEntire
· Economic Overview – Sales taxes are down
· Ecology’s water rule (WIRA) date for signing is May 8th.
· Carlsborg Water/Sewer issues include: a) Waste water & sewer infrastructure b) stream flow restoration with reuse.
Executive Director’s Report – Shelli Robb-Kahler
· EDC continues to work with the Port of Port Angeles, City of Sequim and Battelle concerning infrastructure issues.
· The Visitor Information Center visits are down by 5% compared to 2011.
· The VIC saw an increase of visits the first week of April due to Spring break. It also added 3 new volunteers who were procured through Home Depot’s job fair.
· Thanks to the City of Sequim, the Visitor Information Center now has two new bicycle racks.
· Membership Benefit highlighted today: Brochure Display at the Visitor Information Center. Over 20,000 people come into the VIC each year looking for services. It is to a Chamber member’s advantage to have their brochure on display. After-Hours for March is Tranquility, 165 E. Bell Street, 5:00 – 7:00.
· Ribbon Cutting Open Houses –Reality Homes, April 26th and Open House - April 25th at Native Horsemanship Riding Center on Taylor Cutoff, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
New Business
1) 2012 Goals
· Board member involvement – Shelli Robb-Kahler
The winner for the first quarter’s participation is Scott Clausen, with Joe Borden and Bill Littlejohn following.
· Membership Drive – Shelli Robb-Kahler/Phil Castell
“Sequim Chamber 500” has officially started. The Chamber office will send out past member recruitment letters and board members will follow up with a telephone call the following week.
2) Potential second visitor center location- Shelli presented the possibility and projected costs for the Chamber to host a satellite office at Olympic View Properties location down town. Blue Whole Gallery has agreed to partner with the Chamber (in June) if the office is opened. Shelli will report back to the board when she receives City’s feedback.
3) Request for banking service proposal – Shelli Robb-Kahler.
· A request for services was sent to all Chamber member banking facilities.
4) Board participation at:
· Relay 4 Lives – August 10 & 11. Board passed. Some members already participating
· Crazy Daze Skit – May 11, 7:00 at Sunland. Bill and Phil will participate along with office staff.
COMMITTEES
Finance/Fundraising Committee – Joe Borden
· The Chamber luncheon 50/50 pot grossed $48.00 on April 10th. The Chamber’s portion was $24.00
· “Wealth of Support Wall” brick fundraising will be advertised again soon.
Membership Committee – Phil Castell Chamber membership: 445
· Four new members joined the Chamber since the last board meeting: 1) Native Horsemanship Riding Center 2) Adrian’s Restaurant 3) Damsel in Defense 4) American Family Insurance/Jason Stanek
o Action: It was moved approved unanimously to accept the cancelation of two non-renewing members. List Presented.
Sequim Tourism & Events – Linda Barnfather
· Two events are being coordinated: 1) May 24th, “Experiencing Sequim –Branding Sequim” 2) Workshop later this year “Getting Businesses Equipped” – tourism packaging.
Special Events/ Merchants Group – Liz Harper /Vickie Oen
· Merchants now have sub-committees that are working on the , a) Downtown Focus – Improvements needed in Sequim b)“Pay It Forward” – shopping incentive program, c) Lavender Festival d) Irrigation Festival Merchant Fair
Irrigation Festival – Deon Kapetan
· Parade route closures: 3rd Avenue – 5th Avenue at 9:45, Brown Road – 7th 10:15.
· Float Fundraiser Dance at Oasis – “Magic Carpet Ride” with Steppenwolf, April 28th. Only 125 tickets available.
· Carnival arm bands are on sale now.
· Daffodil Parade is this weekend.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.Next board meeting: May 10, 2012 Submitted by Jeri Smith, Office Administrator
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