GREY HIGHLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Thursday, March 15, 2018, 7:00pm

Flesherton Library, Flesherton MEETING MINUTES

IN ATTENDANCE: Tom Allwood (President), Kate Fitzpatrick (Office), Ron Gillespie, Jim Halliday, Jennifer Johnson (member), Terry Mokriy, Darrin Patey, Michelle Patey (Secretary), Pam Petch. Quorum was reached. REGRETS: Don Kopplin, Mike McHardy (Treasurer), Dane Nielsen (Vice-President).

1. CALL TO ORDER at 7:05pm.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting: a. Errors and Omissions: None. b. Adoption of the Minutes: Motion to adopt MOVED by Ron, SECONDED by Jim. All in favour.

3. Business Arising from the Minutes:

CoC Website The CoC’s new website is live. The Impress Communications (Michelle’s company) quote for re-writing the site where appropriate was accepted and work will progress. Motion to accept MOVED by Jim; seconded by Pam. All in favour. Michelle will provide the CoC with a file of suggested revisions, and will work with Kate to implement changes. Memorandum of Understanding with Grey Highlands The MOU has been approved.

4. President’s Report: GH Economic Development Meeting April 12, 11:30-4, Flesherton Kinplex Memorandum of Understanding with Grey Highlands The MOU has been approved. Speakers’ Series Sonya Hudson will offer a more in-depth Facebook session March 27, 6-8pm in the Flesherton Library. Cost is $15. Kate F. to send out an eblast to our members.

5. Vice-President’s Report: [None. Dane absent.]

6. Treasurer’s Report: Report presented by Tom. MOTION to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented MOVED by Michelle, SECONDED by Pam. All in favour.

7. Municipal Liaison’s Report: The municipality’s efforts into long-term care continue. The municipality’s new website was unveiled.

There will be an Agnes MacPhail evening at that school on March 22 at 7pm. A group is searching for fundraising avenues to make Kimberley Hall accessible (elevator, better entrance). A trivia night is tentatively scheduled for April 28. Two zoning decisions are being appealed and are before the OMB. Development charges will be phased in over five years, to 50% of the consultant’s recommendation. Mullins Pet Market is moving downtown, making way for demolition of the strip south of Foodland. Sobeys will put shovels in the ground this year, as will Tim Hortons. Numerous home developments are in the works in Markdale and a new downtown revitalization project will change the face of the town. An affordable housing development of 14 townhouses for ages 55+ will be started in April (where tennis courts are by golf course).

8. Secretary’s Report: Nothing to report.

9. Office Report: Membership renewals are at roughly 50%. The EastLink session of our Speakers’ Series has been cancelled. The Grey Highlands Home Show on Saturday, April 12 needs both volunteers and exhibitors. Exhibitors can be furniture, décor, kitchenware, gardening, food…and local tradespeople can meet potential clients and perhaps book their jobs well into the next season. Kate noted the car show is scheduled for Friday, July 27. The Rotary will put on its BBQ. Permits are to be in, in April. “True Real Loyalty” has approached the CoC with a fundraising opportunity. We will discuss further at another time if desired.

10. Committee Reports: Finance Committee Kate’s compensation is under discussion, particularly to ensure . Economic Development Committee Jim has been involved in numerous meeting across the county, including for RTO7, and will keep us informed of goings on. Darrin presented a gateway to Markdale that he has designed, involving rebuilding the stone townline markers. Michelle presented details of a mascot and marketing program – Ollie the Osprey, who flies over the top attractions in Grey Highlands. Motion to take these concepts to Council MOVED by Michelle; seconded by Pam. All in favour. Jim is arranging a meeting with Rob Adams to discuss next steps for these proposals. A Friday afternoon Markdale Farmers’ Market is also up for discussion.

Communications Committee The committee received approval to begin a monthly email newsletter including an interview with a CoC member, events listing and a business tip. Newsletter will go out via Mail Chimp, once reviewed by the Board. Michelle will work with Kate to up a template email for events, and will begin designing a style guide for CoC documents and graphics.

11. Other Business: Member guest Jennifer Johnson noted greater communication is needed between the Board and members. The Board thanks Jen for her input and will work to design a communications plan. The Chamber will seek to position itself as our community’s voice to the municipality. The Board also discussed better use of our Facebook page and making more regular eblasts.

12. Next Meeting: Thursday, April 19, 7:00pm, Flesherton Library

13. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn the meeting MOVED by Michelle, SECONDED by Ron. All in favour. Meeting adjourned at 9:58pm. Minutes submitted by: Michelle Patey, Chamber Secretary