East Mountain Chamber of Commerce
Board Meeting—September 6, 2007

1. Call to Order: The monthly board meeting of the East Mountain Chamber of Commerce was called to order by President Bill Walters at 1:20 p.m. at Village of Tijeras Visitor Center.
   
   
2. Board Members Present: Ellen Ashcraft, Jeffrie Burdette, Wayne Clay, Rohnn Sanderson and Bill Walters
   
   
3. Others in Attendance: Julie Albright, Suzy Clay, Gary Sasso
   
   
4. Approval of Minutes: As the general meeting was held immediately prior to the board meeting, the minutes were not available for approval. The board will approve them via email later in the month. Rohnn motioned the approval of the Aug. 10 board minutes. Wayne seconded and all approved.
   
   
5. Treasurer’s Report—The Chamber has $2,931.60 in the operating account and $3,649.86 in the golf tournament account, for a total of $6,581.46. Golf transactions are still outstanding. The board discussed a need for an advertising budget in the new year, and Jeff will research the costs of the magazine-type publications in the area. In an effort to save money, the board discussed not giving calendars to members in the new year, but using stickers we have on hand instead.
   
   
   Finally, the board discussed membership dues. To operate effectively, the Chamber needs at least 120 members at $85 each. 102 members at $100 would work, too. Our dues have been significantly lower than those for other area chambers of commerce. EMCC dues have not increased in five years or more, despite increasing operating costs. Jeff motioned that we set 2008 dues at $100 for regular membership and $150 for advanced membership. Wayne seconded the motion. All approved.
   
   
6. Golf Tournament Report:
• In debriefing the tournament, the board discussed emailing membership in March and mailing a notice once shortly after. We also discussed the need for separate, less confusing brochures for players and for sponsors. Rohnn is targeting March for a cross country ski/snow shoe race.
  
  
7. Old Business:
   • Speakers for the general meeting are arranged for the remainder of the year and into the new year.
   • Several members on the board are interested in not holding officer positions in the next year. There are indications that Loretta Olson would like to be vice president in the new year and could chair the golf tournament. Anne Hella has expressed interest in taking over the secretary position.
   • Tijeras Mayor Gloria Chavez cancelled the Sept. 4 meeting with Sue Wilson and the Chamber re: use of the building. Sue will call and reschedule the meeting.
   • Internet access should be up and running for the Chamber office this month.
   • Ellen has not been able to reach Susan Walker regarding the possibility of piggybacking a blood drive on Breakfast with Santa, but will try again.
     
     
8. New Business:
   • Gary Sasso received hundreds of costumes from Party City on behalf of the Chamber. Jeff is renting a truck to take them to Los Vecinos Community Center for distribution to East Mountain kids in October. A portion of the costumes will go to East Mountain Friends for Families. Jeff will let us know the distribution plan so that we can put out a press release.
   • Gary Sasso suggested the Chamber consider using Prepaid Legal (PL) as a fund-raising tool, promoting sales of new PL memberships. Ellen expressed concern that this would be outside the scope of the Chamber’s mission. Bill added concern about such sales in light of our situation with the Village.
   • Julie said we received an invitation to the Mountain View telegraph open house on Sept. 15. No one was able to make it.
   • Jeff completed the paperwork to allow GCC Rio Grande to make direct deposits into the Chamber account when making donations.
     
     
9. Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ellen K. Ashcraft, Secretary