Board Meeting
Board Meeting
- Hope Church
Members Present: Jack Buckley, Jack Burke, Jodi Christensen, Larry Eberhard, Mitzi Hobot, Ted Lillie, Herb Lohse, Frank Orsello, Ric Pace, Stacie Penn, Tony Schwartz, Rick Timm, and Michele Willard.
City Update: Although Craig was not present, he updated Jodi earlier that Oakdale has experienced $48 million dollars in development during 2006. He also noted that Menards plans to reopen around February 19, 2007.
Treasurer’s Report: Jack Burke report that the OBPA has a checking account balance of $5,126, $9,340 in its money market account, and has open accounts receivables of $2,380. He noted that each of those companies has received a second billing. In addition, all companies were contacted via phone. As a result of the calls, eight members were removed from the membership rolls.
Membership: Mitzi reported that following the December General Meeting, four new members joined the OBPA. They Include: McNamara Insurance, WestConsin Credit Union, Great Plains Millwork, and Rasmussen College. Jodi noted that Lasik Plus also intends to become a member of the OBPA.
Membership Retention: Tony inquired what the Board is doing to retain members. Jodi said that she believes that if members attend the meetings, they will continue as OBPA members. She believes that the members see value in the organization by attending the general meetings. Jodi works more on new memberships than business retention.
In 60 Seconds: Jack Buckley reported that all three In 60 Second spots are filled for January and one person is waiting for an opening.
Promotions/Chamber: Ted noted that the Progress Edition of Lillie News would be published in January. The edition goes to Oakdale, North St. Paul, Maplewood, and Lake Elmo. The price for a two-page spread is $1200. It will include a list of all OBPA members, the picture of the board members, and a schedule of OBPA events. Individual businesses can also buy advertising space in the Progress Edition. Jodi asked Jack Burke if the OBPA has sufficient funds for this advertising. Jack agreed that the OBPA has sufficient funds.
TONY SCHWARTZ MOVED, SECONDED BY MICHELE WILLARD, TO PURCHASE AN OBPA TWO-PAGE ADVERTISEMENT IN THE LILLIE NEWS.
MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Ted noted that the St. Paul Chamber is having its annual meeting and party on February 7, 2006. Blood Sweat and Tears, and Three Dog Night are scheduled to perform. Tony noted that only a small number of raffle tickets are being sold. Please contact either Tony or Ted to purchase a ticket.
Jodi noted that Ted has been elected Chair of the Board of the St. Paul Chamber and will take office in January. Congratulations to Ted Lillie for all his accomplishments!
OLD BUSINESS
Website: Jodi noted that Ric Pace and Go East expect to have the OBPA website in operation by the first or second week of January. She noted that Ric and Go East have great ideas for the website. She added that Go East’s Christmas card was very creative and he has an amazing company.
Holiday Helping Hands: John Larson noted that 50 Tartan students participated in the Holiday Helping Hands Program as elves and Santas. He said that he believes they had a meaningful time of participation. He said that the students and volunteers were honored with an appreciation breakfast. He noted that leftovers from the breakfast were packaged up by Todd Christenson and taken to shelters. He noted that John Bezek and the Tartan students should be congratulated for their outstanding participation in the Holiday Helping Hands Program. John noted that 80 families were helped through the Holiday Helping Hands Program and 150 children. He said that because not as many names were received originally, more families could be helped closer to Christmas. He noted that one of the families had been displaced between the time their name had been given to Holiday Helping Hands and the time of delivery. The mom was able to locate the delivery people and pick up her family’s gifts. The OBPA contributed $12,500 toward the Holiday Helping Hand Program. He noted that some of the elementary schools in Oakdale have far more needs than others. In the future, Jack may try to get some of the receipts earlier and have the checks already written for that morning. Mitzi noted that two of the HSI drivers participated in the delivery of the Holiday Helping Hands Program and were very appreciative of how organized the operation was. Stacie noted that two families in her childcare program were beneficiaries of the Holiday Helping Hands Program and were very appreciative of the fun and the gifts.
Jack Burke noted that the OBPA has reimbursed $11,989 in expenses for the Holiday Helping Hands program. It has received contributions from Arvold Chiropractic and Jane Hogeson in the amount of $2,247. Therefore, the net amount spent has been $9,747.
OBPA 2007 Directory: Ted noted that Lillie News is making good progress with the OBPA Directory. He noted that the Directory is going to be in full color this year. In addition, businesses are being divided into general categories this year. Jodi suggested that Ted speak with Ric Pace, as it has already been broken into categories for the website. Please e-mail Jodi or Ted with any ideas for changes to the OBPA Directory. She will be reviewing the copy for its conformance with the changes that have been added to the website.
NEW BUSINESS
Jodi discussed several requests she had recently received from the City, including a boxer who would like assistance in opening a boxing gym. The Board agreed that boxer could be invited to attend a meeting and to introduce himself. Mitzi noted that Community Volunteer Services could find a place for the woman to volunteer on Christmas Day. Jodi will call Mitzi for the phone number.
GUEST SPEAKER
Frank Orsello noted that the speaker for the January General Meeting is Rolland Schearer. Mr. Schearer will speak on the topic “Computer Repair in the Arctic Circle.” Mr. Schearer was under contract with the Air Force in the Arctic Circle.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jodi noted that as part of the strategic goals planning it was decided that board members should attend three-fourths of the meetings. She said that because some board members are not participating as expected, it puts extra tasks on those who participate. After some discussion, it was decided that she could appoint additional members to fill all open board positions. John Larson will speak with Board Members who are not participating as expected, to determine whether they wish to remain on the Board. Rick noted that the Board must be specific in setting forth its expectations.
Michele Willard suggested that ribbons be attached to Board Members’ nametags. Tony agreed that would be a good idea, and is one that is used by the St. Paul Chamber. He said that he believes it makes Board members more accountable. OBPA will use Beacon Services/Tony Schwartz to help with the purchase and printing of the ribbons.
Tony Schwartz will take over as Chair of Membership for the St. Paul Chamber in January. He said that he believes he will find lots of new ideas to share with the OBPA.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
JANUARY MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS:
General Meeting - January 4, 2007, at Prom Catering
Board Meeting – January 18, 2007, at Hilton Garden Inn
Minutes submitted by,
Laurel Janisch
Minute Secretary