OBLONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MARCH 2007

Tuesday March 20, 2007 the Oblong Chamber of Commerce held a general membership meeting at the Oblong Municipal Building at 7 PM.

On behalf of the nominating committee, Gary Lanter presented the new slate of officers as follows: President: Chad Harmon, Vice-President: Jamie Tracy, Secretary/Treasurer: Cindy Anderson. Crystal Ballew moved to accept the nominations a presented, seconded by Brian Leggitt. Motion passed unanimously.

The minutes of the last meeting were read, and the Treasurer’s report was given.

Jeri Harris & Jim Knollenberg updated the Chamber on the progress of the Easter egg hunt. This year, the Easter egg hunt will be held on Sunday April 1st. Last year the committee spent $453.05 of the Chamber’s money on candy and toy prizes, plus used the donations from the banks for monetary prizes. Karen Davis made a motion to keep the Easter egg hunt budget to $500 plus donations. Geron Scates seconded that motion. Motion passed. Chad Harmon advised the committee that Harmon’s Drug Store would be glad to donate some prizes. The Board would also like the committee to purchase as many of the prizes as possible in Oblong.

Karen Davis gave a report on the Annual Chamber Banquet. It was catered by The Hideout with plenty of good food. Everything seemed to go well. The Banquet committee would appreciate some new ideas for awards for next year’s banquet.

Chamber committee lists were handed out to the members present and updated. Anyone interested in serving on a committee or helping with any of the Chamber events should contact Joy Fitzmaurice at the Chamber Office at 592-4355.

The Chicago Commuter Paper has asked if the Chamber would be interested in placing an ad in their paper. It would be put in the section of southern Illinois section in the paper. The ad would cost $200 and the papers are distributed in train stations around the Chicago area. It was discussed and decided that the Chamber would not place an ad at this time but might be interested in the fall.

The Chamber Bylaws were discussed and looked over. It has been awhile since they have been updated. Rod Sparks moved to change the bylaws by eliminating the 2nd Vice-President and making seven voting members a quorum, seconded by Brian Leggitt. Motion passed unanimously. Jamie Tracy volunteered to type up the new bylaws.

Jamie Tracy has contacted Chris Dhom with Fairpoint Communications about taking down the winter banners from uptown and replacing them with the summer banners.
Chris has agreed to take care of this using Fairpoint’s bucket truck.

The Oblong web site was discussed. The Board is going to try to get together with Herb Jones to find out if he will continue taking care of the web site and to get more information on what is needed to keep it updated.

The next Chamber Board Meeting will be held Tuesday April 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM at the Oblong Municipal Building followed by a General Membership Meeting at 7PM.

There being no further business, Rod Sparks moved to adjourn, seconded by Brian Leggitt. Meeting adjourned.