October 5, 2005 meeting minutes

 

Mattawan Business Association
Meeting Minutes
October 5, 2005
 
The meeting was held at the Mattawan Village Hall Council Chambers.
 
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lori Anthony of Lori’s Web Design, Jean Gregory of Gregory- Newell Insurance Agency, John Jeannot of John Jeannot Financial Services, Dawn Kobreek of Rhino Refrigeration, Kristine Kounelis of Access First Federal Credit Union, and Mike Miner of Java Joint
 
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Brown of Mattawan Hardware (no show/no call), Barry Cook of Pre-paid Legal Services (no show/no call), and Kayla Ranger-Dean of Mattawan Chiropractic Clinic (excused)
 
MEMBERS/GUESTS: Kim Cox of MPI, Denise Rowekamp of Denise Rowekamp Jewelry, Paula Steffey of Survive, Inc., and Heath Kaplan, Village Manager, of the Village of Mattawan
 
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:10 PM by MBA President Lori Anthony.
 
AGENDA
MSC to approve the Agenda with revisions as such: adding three items, 4.) Village Holiday Event, 5.) Post Office Box Fees Due, and 6.) Posting of MBA Minutes online.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MSC to approve the September 7, 2005, MBA Minutes with one revision (the deletion of John Jeannot from Board Members Present as he was Absent).
 
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mike Miner stated that there are no changes to relate as of the last report of August 9, 2005, given by former treasurer Lesley Benson.
 
NEW BUSINESS
Positive comments were given about the listing of company names along with members’ and guests’ names in the MBA minutes to recognize those companies that are participating.
 
President Anthony asked if the MBA would like to do an After-hours Mixer or something new such as a Holiday Open House. The Holiday event would be open to the public and would feature gifts to purchase from area businesses, food and baked goods, mini seminars, fundraisers for non-profits, and other ideas that all of you may share. The MBA could even do a fundraiser and promote itself with membership forms and other information. A possible location would be the Antwerp Activity Center behind the Antwerp Sunshine Library off of Front Street. If we used the building during the week, then there would not be a charge; however, if wanted on a Saturday then the fee would be $600 (a discount of $150). Right now, any week day in November and the first week in December are open and the only Saturday is November 12. We could have a bake sale fundraiser, Alison Burkey could sing, perhaps the Lions Club would be involved, etc. We could call it a Holiday Extravaganza. What does everyone think? If we do this event, what date do we want to schedule it and times?
 
Discussion about the event and other events coming up followed. The Village Holiday event with the Lions Club and Girl Scouts is slated for the 3rd Saturday in November (the 19th) with the Holiday Parade with Santa and the Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Park along with caroling and Santa visits. Each child will receive a gift when she/he visits Santa. Also, are the downtown area shop owners doing their annual holiday walk? Other ideas brought up for the MBA Holiday Extravaganza were a kids’ area with activities and snacks to entertain the children while parents are shopping (maybe get the girl scouts involved), Santa photos as a fundraiser or through the Lions Club perhaps, maybe food sales for the dinner hour from Mancino’s, popcorn from the Friends of the Antwerp Sunshine Library, Red Hat Ladies booth, and some bake sales hosted by the churches as fundraisers. An MBA food drive for Survive, Inc. and the churches could be organized.
 
Ideas for announcing: the Mattawan Community Guide online portal, the teachers’ lounges in the schools, churches, Daily Calendar Announcements available for community events online at various Web sites such as churches, newspapers, TV, etc. Fliers at the school – would need to have 30 bundles of 35 fliers per bundle.
 
Times and dates were also discussed further. Fees for participating were an issue as to MBA members and other businesses. The Center provides tables and chairs as well as kitchen facilities and bathrooms. Discussion also was had about Mattawan area businesses and businesses from other towns.
 
MSC to have an MBA Holiday Extravaganza at the Antwerp Activity Center on Friday, December 2, from 4-9 PM with participation space free to MBA member businesses and non-profits and a $25 charge for non-MBA member businesses as well as MBA and Mattawan businesses getting first preferences for participating before allowing a similar business from another town to participate.
 
Next item under new business is the need for an MBA Marketing Committee. It would be an open-ended, long-term committee that would bring up ideas to the MBA and would also work jointly on projects and events and distributing information to businesses and the public. A call-out for a committee head was asked for by President Anthony. John Jeannot volunteered to chair the marketing committee for the MBA. John welcomes anyone’s ideas and asked that they be sent to him online through his link on the Mattawan Community Guide online portal.
 
New business coming for next month’s meeting is the MBA Board elections. Secretary and Treasurer are both up for election as to the annual term coming to an end in December. Also at this time, any Board member who would like to step down should feel comfortable to do so. We know that everyone is very busy and appreciate the time that all of you give to the MBA. In addition, we need people who will put in the time necessary and be committed to the MBA and their position if elected. Please think about the level of commitment that you can give when considering whether to continue to serve on the MBA Board or to run for an open position on it.
 
Questions about the Village Holiday event were asked. MBA members announced that the Holiday event was scheduled for Saturday, November 19, with the Santa Parade starting at 6 PM and the tree or park lighting ceremony at 6:30 pm. The whole event with the parade and the park ceremony and Santa visits on stage should be about 1 ½ hours long. Again, the Lions Club hosts Santa and provides the gifts for the kids. In addition, the Mattawan High School Choir usually sings and the Mattawan First Congregational Church does the bells. The MBA Board usually does costumed characters, such as Rudolph for the Parade and the Park activities. Any volunteers for the costumes would be appreciated.
 
MSC for the MBA to cover the costs of the holiday costumes as done previous year.
 
MSC for the MBA to pay the $24 post office box fee to maintain a mail box for the MBA.
 
OLD BUSINESS
 
MSC for the MBA Minutes to be posted on the Mattawan Community Guide online portal as soon as they are typed even without being approved by the MBA Board as long as there is a mention about the Minutes not being approved and/or a “hold harmless” clause such as a Disclaimer: The MBA Minutes have not been approved as final, official MBA minutes as of this posting date. These Minutes will be finalized and approved at the next MBA Meeting.
 
Lori Anthony reminded business owners that orders for Memorial Bricks for the Mattawan Park are being accepted from now until spring with spring/summer tentatively planned for layout and placement of these bricks at the Mattawan Park. A brick is $35 with three lines of text available (20 characters per line) and that the bricks are guaranteed for life. In addition, if a company would like their logo engraved or an individual would like a picture etched on the brick then that service is available for an extra $75-80. The MBA can have the order forms at the Holiday Extravaganza event too to inform the public and businesses about their availability as the holiday time may be a time for people to consider the bricks as nice honorary or memorable gifts. It was also mentioned that perhaps local radio personality Lori Moore of WKZO could attend the Holiday Extravaganza and do some live radio remotes there as well as sell her popular cookbook with sales going to charity.
 
 
COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS/GUESTS
 
Kim Cox of MPI was asked whether the truck for donations to Hurricane Katrina was still available at Ralph Moyle Trucking; and, if so, for how long.
 
Paula Steffey stated that Survive, Inc. could use donations of clothing, personal care, and non-perishable food. Survive counts on donations and contributions, both in needed items and monetarily, to continue to provide support to women and children in need in our community.
 
Village Manager Heath Kaplan welcomed any questions and/or concerns. John Jeannot, absent at last month’s MBA Meeting, welcomed Mr. Kaplan. It was clarified that Mr. Kaplan’s wife taught in the Flint area and would like to teach around this area now that they have relocated here.
 
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 1:04 PM.