Don Leonard (Chair)

Rob Vogt

Dan Ellsworth

David Moore

Dale McLachlan

Kathy Bantle (Recorder)

Lee Mainprize

Glenda Kenyon

Barb Kemery

Peggy White

Joann McMurray

Wes Wiebe

Wilf Kenyon

Greg Jones

Mark Barber

Roxanne Thompson

Doug Symonds

Betty Mainprize

1. CALL TO ORDER: Don Leonard called the meeting to order at 7:09p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF/ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: Wilf moved, Peggy seconded that the agenda be accepted with one addition:  9.3   South Grow Presentation      CARRIED.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Wilf moved, Wes seconded that the minutes of the December 13, 2005. Regular Meeting minutes be accepted as distributed.   CARRIED.

4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

4.1     Hwy #2 Re-Alignment:  David Moore told us that there are 4 or 5 options being presented.  Mayor Steel is planning to discuss this at the next EDC meeting and then present to other groups.  Mayor Steel would like everyone to be united on one plan.  Discussion followed and various suggestions were made: 
     -  What is the M.D. stand on this?

               -  Should the Chamber have their point of view?

               -  Would it be possible to have a copy of an impact study for businesses if they wanted to
                  do one on their own situation?
                 
           Impact study should cover the implications not just on that particular business, but on real
           estate, taxes overall.  

           Don said he would contact some other towns to see if they did an impact study.
           Don also suggested that if anyone was interested further they could attend the EDC meeting on
           Thursday evening at the Town Office.

4.2     Museum Sign:  Tim Perry has stated that he is not interested in working on this any further.  Don will contact the Museum Board and see what their thoughts are on this.  If they are not interested, then the Kinsmen would like their money back, so they can fund other community projects.

4.3     Centennial Flags:  All of the flags have been washed and are available for pick up at the Local Press.

5. OLD BUSINESS

5.1     Chili Cook-off:  Don and Wilf will represent the Chamber, but they encouraged others to enter a team and try to take the honours away from them.  Wilf said the Prairie Winds Club House are working towards making this a community event and can take up to 12 teams. 

          Wes moved, Doug seconded that the Chamber spend up to $200.00 on a trophy for the Prairie
          Winds Club House Chili Cook-Off.  CARRIED.

5.2     Moonlight Madness:  Discussion was held this year’s annual Moonlight Madness, which was held on a Thursday evening.  The traffic in the businesses was very poor.  Several ideas were talked about and it was decided that everyone should take this back to their various places of business and bring back ideas to the next meeting.

6. FINANCIAL –

6.1     Monthly Statement –Peggy moved and Roxanne seconded that the January financial statement be accepted as presented. CARRIED.  It showed a balance of $2,306.01.

          Roxanne moved, Barb seconded that we cancel the Chamber phone line and try to make
          arrangements with the Town for calls to be directed to the new Community Development
          Officer. CARRIED.

6.2     Financial Review for 2004 and 2005:   Peggy presented the ledger review done by Linda Brooks for the years 2004 and 2005.  To comply with the Society Act for filling our financial statement – a financial statement showing profit (loss) needs to be done, and then signatures can be obtained.

7. CORRESPONDENCE:

7.1     South-Grow: a handout from South Grow.

7.2     Provincial Chamber of Commerce:  

7.2.1   Request for submissions for the 2005 Alberta Chamber Award

7.2.2   Meeting in May at Leduc. Don said he would attend.

8. COMMITTEE/PROGRAM REPORTS

8.1     Business Awards:  Peggy presented a financial statement for the awards.  It showed a net loss of $629.30.

          Discussion was held over combining the Awards with a Business Christmas Party.  This seemed to have worked well two years ago.  Roxanne mentioned   “Johnny Bagpipes” as a good entertainer.  Decisions will have to be made soon as to allow time for bookings.  It was decided to have everyone take this back to their business and report back at the next meeting.      

8.2     Trade Fair: Don handed out copies of the Trade Fair report and summary of the replies from the questionnaire. Brian Lehman has been tentatively booked for next year, it was mentioned that a few people brought items for the food bank. See attachments for complete report and summary.  The hall has been booked for Feb. 2 & 3, 2007. 

8.3     Chamber Web page: Roxanne commented on the web page and that Blain is doing the updates.

8.4     Flower Pot Programs: Barb Kemery has agreed to chair this committee. Anyone should bring ideas for town beautification to the next meeting.

8.5     Memberships: Kathy reported that as of this date we have 88 members.  Renewals are still coming in.

9. NEW BUSINESS:

9.1     Calendar of meeting times and places: A mixture of lunch hour and evening meeting will be tried for the 2006 year. Don will talk to the restaurants which are capable of holding a chamber  meeting. Once a schedule has been arranged, a calendar with meeting times and places will be sent out.   The noon hour meetings will start at 12:05 and end at 1:00pm so that business people can attend during their lunch hour.  For some of the evening meetings Don would like to have special guests such as: Ted Menzies, David Coutts to talk.  It was suggested that we should invite chambers members from Nanton and Fort Macleod to these special meetings.

9.2     Calendar of Chamber events:  A calendar of Chamber events will also be sent out to everyone once dates are known. If you know of anything, please pass on to the executive.

9.3     South Grow:  Gerry McGuire asked Dave Moore to bring up having a presentation by South Grow to the Chamber members. This could also include EDC and the Town Council.

10.   ADJOURNMENT   Peggy moved, Joann seconded that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED.