Minutes of the Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, June 21st, 2005
Madoc Public Library & Cultural Centre

1. Call to order by Rob Price, President

2. Introductions: Rob Price, President
Tressa Kirby, Vice President
Judy Smith, Treasurer
Ellen Wilson, Secretary
Jim Bakker, Events Co-ordinator
Jason Danielis, Intern with Comfort Country
Grant Ketcheson. Past Presdent
Marion Martin, Madoc Farmers Market
Lynda Matchett


3. Agenda - n/a

4. Minutes of the May 17th meeting - n/a

5. Business arising from minutes - n/a

6. & 7. Correspondence - n/a

8. Financial Report - Bank Balance $5089.82. There are 81 paid
members to date.

9. Old Business - i. Canada Day Celebrations: Sandra Sinclair of
Essence Publications has been sent a list of activities for the holiday
Weekend. The Chamber of Commerce will distribute packages containing
flags, balloons, pins etc to the area merchants.
ii. Jim Bakker gave a report of the Main Street
meeting and aid that the area surveys, both personal and business are
underway.
iii. Economic Development Committee Report: Jim Bakker
reported on an economic development meeting he attended. The speaker
pointed out that people are moving to Canada and that an information
package must be made available to encourage this area to be considered
as a destination -- this market is just waiting to be exploited. To
help acaive this end, Bob Cloes of Community Futures has agrred to fund
the hiring of an intern to load data into the 2Ontario website. Jim
Bakker is to be the contact and advisor. "No point in trying to sell
the area without good 'product knowledge'".It was also reported that the
second wave of Eastern Ontario Development funds has been released to
Community futures.
iv. Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting - June 1st: well
received and well attended.
v. Marketing for Small Business Meeting, July 27th: Reta
Byvelds will make a presentation at the Two Loons in Madoc. Businesses
form Stirling and Tweed are also showing interest. On the weekend of
July 9th, a press release will be printed in the Community Press and the
Shield. The following week a mailing to MAdoc & area businesses will be
made. There will be a capacity of 150 people. The following week, an
e-mail will be sent to members. A $10.00 charge will aplly and this
will cover the cost of breakfast. A follow-up meeting will be set for
September with Bev Cameron to discuss the establishing of tourism
products or packages for tourism development. This will be an evening
meeting instead of breakfast.
vi. Council Membership: The Council of the Chamber of Commerce
makes decisions on behalf of the Chamber. It is to be comprised of 4
executives and three directors. The directors have not beeen selected
and it was moved by Jim Bakker and seconded by Grant Ketcheson that the
issue of directors be put off until the next election. There will be
four general meeting a year with the first two breakfast meeting
constituting two general meetings.

10. Market Square Report: A "Battle of the Bands" has been proposed
for the Market Square, tenatively scheduled for August 20th. Two area
young people are helping to co-ordinate. The event with take place from
2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It is hoped thew there will be 2-5 acoustic acts
and 5-8 amplified acts. The Skate Park Committee wil handle the
refreshment booth .
Usage Update: On July 1st, Kelly Foxton's Art Committee will
hold a Dance & Barbeque at the market from 6 to 10 pm. and on Wedensday
Mornings in July & August from 9:30 to 11:00 am there will be Children's
art and on hursdays from 7-9 pm the will be Open Mike with music, poetry
readings etc. Half of the days in the summer have events booked for the
market.

11. Seeking Alternatives: This is an employment training program
managed by Karen Richardson. This group helped put together & deliver
the Canada Packages for the Chamber of Commerce. KAren is looking for
guest speakers for seminars on running a small business and on
entrepreneurship.

12. Next Meeting : July 27th, 7:30 am Breakfast meeting at the Two
Loons. $10.00 charge. Next Business Meeting September 20th , 7:30 pm
Madoc Public Library, Downstairs.

13. Meeting adjourned.