Welcome

Introductions

Secretary Report—approved by Bob Baumgardner (Rootstown Lions) and

seconded by Wes Willis (XCom).

            Got a thank you from Sheriff Doak for the donation toward a new K-9.

Treasurer Report—approved by Dave Moulton (Wood-Kortright Borkoski) and

seconded by Jackie Waltz (Portage Community Bank).       

Joe Paulus (Aloha Computer Services) will be calling members who not paid their dues starting today.

            If members advertise in the county chamber directory then the chamber                              gets a rebate.

           

Budget Committee

Linda Hankins, Jackie Waltz, Dave Moulton, Amy Cajka
- Need to focus on ticket sales for the Community Awareness Day raffle as it is a large fundraiser for us and we were lacking this year due to poor sales.

- Community Awareness Day may partner with other organization event to help promote and increase attendance. Details to follow.

- Scholarships will be back to two $500 scholarships.

- Scholarship committee may want to change criteria for the scholarships to hopefully distribute the money to a student not receiving many scholarships, although a lot of that depends on who applies, too.

- Business scholarships as an option where a student would come in for a few days and work (watch) in a business and get a small paycheck.

- Scholarship Committee: Mike Roberts (PuroClean), Scott Klag (LifeMark Securities), Dave Moulton, and Joe Paulus.

- Linda Hankins (KeyBank) had scholarship questionnaire from last year.

-Santa Comes to Rootstown: Pam Conley (Pamela M. Conley’s Pre-K) will check with the school about an Art Class developing coloring books for a contest.

-          Have Maplewood as a backup for printing

-          Want to hand them out at Community Awareness Day and award a winner at Santa Comes to Rootstown

-Dave Moulton moved to accept the budget with a second by Amy Cajka (Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County).

-          Unanimous approval vote

 

 

Auditing Committee

Linda Hankins, Bob Baumgardner, Joe Paulus

Met twice to go over everything for 2009 – There were no discrepancies

 

            Mentoring Program

                        Dave Moulton

-          Maplewood currently runs a job shadowing program for businesses – usually seniors only, starting in April. They normally try to make it happen for all students on one day.

-          Michelle MacPherson will be in for the next meeting to discuss procedures – permission slips, liability release, etc.

-          Will be sending out notice to all members to see who would like to participate.

-          Great opportunity for students to get out in the field they are interested in.

-          Maplewood goes into the local high schools and runs the program.

-          Business will be asked to evaluate the students and vice versa.

2010 Members Update

-34 paid and 21 unpaid currently.

-E-mails have been sent out since October as reminders, but yet almost half of the membership has not paid. Joe Paulus will make phone calls.

            2010 Directories

-Wes had a new sample with a blue cover and a bit different look that seemed to please everyone. Approval to have a different cover color for this year.

-Deadline for getting in the directory

-Shirley Riemenschneider (Rootstown Historical Society) mentioned that one of the things that people look for when they come to town is a church. We should probably list all of the local churches. Maybe also consider listing all of the utilities.  Scott Klag suggested a small fee ($10?) for non-member organizations to get into the directory.

 

Promoting our businesses brainstorm

-Advertising:  Record-Courier, school sports programs, Communicator,

Town Money Saver, et al.

-“Rootstown Days”:  Delia Paulus (Life Coaching Center) will be willing to chair this event.  The plan is to do a small card where residents will take the card and get a stamp or punch.  When the card is full, one would get a prize.

-Rootstown Sports Booster Club is having a reverse raffle coming up on March 13.  They have a silent auction and are looking for donations. Tickets are $45 which includes food and drinks.  Will be held at Access to Independence Hall. Joe Paulus will send out a mass-email informing members.

-Magnets with the Chamber website – Give-aways for events might be a good idea.  Dave Moulton will contact Hal Timberlake (Studio on Top of the Barn).

-Chamber breakfast/luncheon – Several local chambers do a luncheon for networking.  Greg Weigle (our guest speaker) can help get Streetsboro and us together for this type of event. Sit down at a table with 5-6 people and everyone gives a 60 second commercial and then change tables and do the same thing.  It takes about an hour and a half and usually costs about $10 per person.

-Joe Paulus suggested doing a full page ad in the communicator for the entire chamber.  Business name and contact only.

-Joe Paulus will be checking on the status of the 2010 window clings.

 

Guest Speaker—Greg Weigle with Reach Local and search engine marketing.

*Rootstown Lions Club--Memorial Day parade is coming up soon and “Honoring Those Who Served” is the theme for this year. The chamber is doing a float this year.  Linda Hankins is chairing the committee and needs help. Chamber will sponsor a trophy for the best kids’ float.  Dave Moulton has a trophy to donate for this.

*Rootstown Water Service will be electing Board members on March 15.  Each member gets a vote but you have to be there in person.  There are 3 positions open. Shirley Riemenschneider is running and would appreciate your vote. Meeting is at 7pm and parking is limited--please try to carpool.

*Rootstown Township Trustees want to come up with some annual event to do at the park and are looking for ideas. The park is adjacent to Hot Stove Baseball’s Gracie Fields.

*Josh Collins, a veteran, and Kent State alum started a veterans club at Kent this fall and are helping to sponsor and make aware of the “Freedom House,” which houses homeless veterans. They are open to donations of various cleaning supplies, toiletries, food, etc. The Freedom House offers veterans (heroes) a second chance and to help them get back on their feet. Their primary source of funding is private donations.