Los Molinos Chamber

Executive Meeting Minutes

July 30 2008

The Chamber’s ‘Executive Meeting’ was called to order at 6:35 pm.

With a full house, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was: Betty Joe, Barbara Ochs, Donna Wallan, Jeannie Shakeshaft, Ron & Jeannie Gallagher, Sharon Druey, Nanette Smith, Charles Githens, Mike Druey, Herb Votaw, Jan Elmore, Clarissa Ortner & Geoff Johnson.

The Chamber had guests: Geoff Johnson from the Red Bluff Daily News, Mr. John Cooper, Melissa Tallan & Janice Horner.

Betty read the minutes from the last meeting and introduced Mr. Cooper to the members. Mr. Cooper wanted to call to our attention an ongoing problem he has with a neighboring property and asked if there was something the Chamber might be able to do to assist him in getting the County interested in helping to clean up “the mess!” The conversation consisted of information about the various County departments who handle the removal of abandoned cars, unsafe conditions for traffic, etc.

Charles read the Treasurers Report for the Chamber & the VFW Independence Day accounts. In addition to the regular reports, Charles had info and questions relating to the Fireworks Sales, Parade & PlayDay.

· The Chamber phone bill was a bit more this month due to Parade activities, so a quick review was in order.

· We voted to buy a packet of raffle tickets from the Tehama Museum; it’s their annual Jubilee held in September.

· The Chamber received a nice donation from Sierra Pacific Industries, a check for $500 to use for July 4^th activities.

· Still waiting on receipts from NuWay Market regarding the tab for the BBQ supplies.

· Fireworks sales for 2008 were the 3^rd biggest in 20 years! And, sales on July 4^th 2008 were the best last day sales ever, coming in at $3425.

· Charles noticed an additional charge when returning what little unsold fireworks we had and will pursue this with the vendor by letter.

Our Legislative Report was brief and delivered by Betty Joe in Mr. Dodd’s absence. We touched on Candidate’s Night and who will be invited. There are many openings on various Boards and Commissions and we will be inviting all who would impact us at the local level as well as State races.

There was lively discussion regarding our Fireworks Sales. Charles gave us a break down of how well we did each day leading up to July 4^th which turns out to be our best one day sales ever. Many of us decided that a few changes should be made for next year, should there be sales at all, given the current attitude about forest fires, and resources.

One area of concern is the issue of bagging the product before it gets rung up in the register. A few volunteers were doing this and it’s just not good practice. At the end when we reconcile our product sales vs. product returns, it creates more work and possible loss of revenue to the Chamber.

We discussed having chamber members serve as ‘shift managers’ and volunteers needing to comply with the policy if they wish to help out in the Fireworks Wagon.

Betty was in charge of the ‘Fireworks Shift Schedule’ and it was challenging to keep the 12-3 pm and the 3-6 pm shifts covered. Thank you letters are going out to all those who volunteered their time!

As always, we talked about how things can be better next year. More coordination, more volunteers with assigned chores, more members to help out!

Membership conversation followed with Clarissa Ortner asking a few questions regarding our unpaid members to date. We discussed, made motions and voted on items that clear up questions about what to do when a member does not renew, how long to wait before dropping them from the website, whether to send reminder notices, etc…..We took the opportunity to designate Clarissa as our ‘Membership Chairman’. That was a Betty-Smooth-Move!

Ron Gallagher had a few questions regarding when the membership year starts, and what if someone pays in September or October.

Under the category of ‘Unfinished Business’, we had talked about the idea of putting up a “Welcome to Los Molinos” sign at the south end of town. We have an offer from a property owner to put a sign in their yard. So, Clarissa will talk with them to see if their offer still exists and get some details.

Some new business on our agenda is the BBQ for all those who helped with the July 4^th activities. Ron & Jeannie Gallagher offered their home for the event. We talked about having it October 18^th, as it ought to be a bit cooler and less smoky by then---More discussion to follow.

Betty read announcements and we adjourned at 8:08 pm. Those who didn’t leave soon enough and some energetic folks stayed and helped Charles get the Fireworks Wagon moved back into its parking place. We’d like to thank Mayor Herb for his lead in steering the wagon and the others for their patience as we got it parked…just right!

07/31/08

Jan Elmore-back up minute taker

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LOS MOLINOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING MINUTES

July 9, 2008

President Betty Morales called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. There were 6 members present (Betty Morales, Herb Votow, Jeannie Gallagher, Clarissa Ortner, Walter Dodd, Charlie Githens and one guest. Guest Donna Wallan from Umpqua Bank.

Secretary Barbara Whitten is unable to attend due to surgery. Jan Elmore has been taking our minutes. Jan did not attend so in her stead, Clarissa Ortner took minutes. The previous minutes were not read, as no copy was available. Please note they can be read at the Website and will be reviewed at our next meeting.

Agenda:

Call meeting to order	4^th of July activities
Pledge of Allegiance	Cancellation Stamp
Introduction of guests	Los Molinos Library
Legislative Report	New Business
Unfinished Business	Announcements
Mayors Race	Upcoming Events
Fireworks Booth

• Legislative Report: Walter presented the Legislative Report: Walter reviewed the Tehama County Incumbent List for Nov. 4, 2008 general Election. This listing provides an overview of all openings in Tehama county by town and or districts. A copy is available by calling the Chamber of Commerce. Please note that candidates may apply on July 14^th and if not an incumbent have till Aug 13^th to prepare all documents. There will be a candidate’s night for all “opposed” candidates on either Sept. 25 or Oct. 2. The date to be confirmed soon.

Unfinished Business:

• Mayors race: Shelley Patchen is the overwhelming winner of The 2008 Honorary Mayor’s Race with approx. $4000 in contributions. Runners up Rob Morales and Jan Elmore supplied approx. $700 further contributions all but paying for next years Parade. Thank you to all and we look forward to our New Mayor’s term. Thank you Shelly!
• Fireworks Booth: Tentatively we have had our 3^rd best year ever in 20 years. Though off to a slow start, business picked up and the final tally is still in process. We have sent back the leftover fireworks and are waiting for the final bill from Phantom. Many thanks to Jan Elmore and other’s who helped supply manpower for the sales. Thank you notes are pending for our helpers. We could not do this without you all.
• 4^th of July Activities (Parade and Play Day): The Parade was about a 1/2 late is starting this year. Coordination was a problem. Some tables and drawing tickets didn’t make it to the Play Day on time. At the suggestion of Jeannie Gallagher, for next year’s activities, a “Coordinators” list of Chairpersons will be created to ensure we don’t overlook any small detail. One big positive this year was the winners of the various Parade entries were ready early. One trophy is “unaccounted” for and may have been given to the incorrect person. For next year “2” copies of the winners must be provided so that the announcements and the handouts (which took place in 2 different areas) can be better coordinated. Betty has rectified this trophy problem. We overbought food and have returned some, kept some (to sell ourselves) and are waiting the final tally from NuWay. Sodas are available at the Chamber office for .27cents each. Come and buy em! The Red Bluff Daily News reported nicely on our activities. They can still be reviewed online. Thank you to the Daily News. As stated in the fireworks info previously, thank you cards are pending for many of the great volunteers who helped make this Parade and Play day work so well.
• Cancellation Stamp: Our special stamp, as designed by the Chamber and created by the Post Office, was a great success. Thanks to John Margelowsky for all his help. The Post Office still has some available and has gotten requests from all over the country for them. The money made by the post office (around $25) has been provided to the Chamber. Betty Morales also has commemorative cards available to purchase, already cancelled, with pictures of businesses around Los Molinos. If the Chamber pays for the postage, they may have the profits. The final decision is pending.
• Pictures and Videos: Clarissa Ortner took digital pictures of the parade and playday contained on one CD. One ea video of the Parade and of Play day. Copies of any of the 3 CD’s on which these are available can be purchased for $5.00 ea CD , $8.00 for 2 or $12.00 for all three. Contact Clarissa Ortner at 384-1902 for purchase.
• General discussion of the potential for a “flyover” by the Military for next year was reviewed. Smoke was the biggest reason for this year’s unavailability of a flyover. A special thanks will be sent to the Navy for their representation is in the works. They were unable to attend the Play day as they left for Sacramento immediately after the parade.
• Los Molinos Library: Karen Brown has been hard at work trying to keep the Library open this summer. The lack of air conditioning being the biggest culprit. She has managed to find the funding for the AC so the library is staying open. Tom Nagos as the landlord is funding part of the requirement and donations are funding the balance. All this even though the lease for the library is up next year and they are in need of a bigger venue. No fundraisers are planned to help the Library until more is learned about what happens next year.
• Membership: Membership was reviewed. A review of “paid and unpaid” members is required to ensure all members are paid and also to ensure those not yet paid realize they will lose their Internet presence on our site soon, if not paid up. Clarissa and Betty will hold this review before the next meeting. Also regarding membership. Guidelines must be reviewed to ensure what constitutes the start/end of a paid year? There is confusion and some double payments have been made.
• The donated trailer: A trailer was donated to the Chamber by the Druey’s and Becky McFarlane with the intent of using it for portable signage of upcoming events . The trailer needs cleanup and a sign made. The suggestion was to utilize the auto shop at the high school. There is a lot of turnover at the school this year, so finding out who the new shop teacher is an issue. A recommendation to call Janella Berens (spelling pending), a counselor, was made and Clarissa will try to call her to introduce the idea and ask for help.

New Business:

• It was lamented by Walter Dodd that we sure do miss Terry now that she has moved from Los Molinos to Red Bluff Umqua. We sure would like to see Jeannie Shakeshaft (Terry’s replacement) attending more. Donna agreed to take our concerns to Jeannie.
• Now that new electronic speed signage has been installed in Los Molinos (north and south), it was discussed that it would be nice have a “welcome” to Los Molinos sign on the south side of town similar to the one on the north side. It was remembered that Marsha from Marsha’s Rocks and Minerals once offered her property for this purpose. Rob Morales has access to good lumber so now would be a good time. Clarissa volunteered to call Marsha.

The next meeting is an Executive Board meeting: July 30^th at 6:30pm.

Meeting adjourned 7:36 p.m.

Clarissa, Recording Secretary Stand in.