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New Hamburg Board of Trade Executive Meeting

March 13, 2008

Present: Paul Knowles, Tim Bender, Dave Seyler, Nigel Gordijk, Tom Hinz, Ed Lemont, Larry Zehr, Doug Brenneman, Terry McIntosh, Lynne Mackie and Audrey Cook.

1) A motion was made by Tom to accept the minutes of the February 13 Executive Meeting and the February 27 General meeting, seconded Lynne. Carried.

2) Financial Report. Lynne gave the financial report and noted that we had an operating account balance of $11,537.56, plus $1,800. paid by members for the outstanding bridge bucks. Over $3,000. has been returned in bridge bucks to date this year. The Bucks have a security system built in with several highlights and Paul will circulate the list of these to members so that they are aware of all of them. Paul informed the executive that the Township has contributed $1,000 from their Economic Development fund to assist the Board in their bridge bucks finances. The township representative noted that the Board had worked hard for the downtown area during bridge construction.

3) Membership: To date we have received renewals for 50 members. A motion was made by Dave Seyler to offer a reduction of $50. to new members only for a full membership. The full membership amount for this group would be $155 plus GST. Basic membership would remain the same. It is hoped this reduction would be attractive to new members and we would enjoy their input at monthly General Membership meetings. Second Larry. Motion carried. 

After some discussion it was decided that the 2009 membership drive should be started in October 2008, certainly before the November General Membership meeting.  

4) Waterwheel: Advance Millwrights has been contacted regarding the waterwheel. They will be looking at any needed repairs when the snow melts. Nith Valley Construction will be assisting them. We have received a statement from the Township regarding their position on the waterwheel, after the township was contacted by the Board, seeking clarification. and it reads as follows; "The waterwheel is not listed as a Township asset. Thereby, the Township is not responsible for maintenance and liability insurance. This has been the municipality's position from when the waterwheel was constructed by The Board of Trade."

5) Website: The website will be completed by June. A motion was made by Lynne, that we accept the free set-up of the Board of Trade website, and also to accept the invoice of $250 from Nigel for the maintenance of the site for this year. Seconded by Ed. Carried. The address for the business directory will be www.newhamburg.ca. Another address may be created for a broader-based business directory and marketing website. Nigel will report back on that possibility next month. If it is approved, any charges for listings will be waived to members of the Board for the first year in the business directory.

6) The Quidditch Tournament is proceeding with plans. There will be no cost to the Board of Trade for the event.

7) Re. the Sept. 20, 150th Anniversary celebration: the Waterloo Region Doors Open Committee Is considering identifying New Hamburg as its Wilmot focus, in cooperation with the 150th celebrations. Local antique dealer Jim Miller has agreed to operate an antiques appraisal that day, and it is suggested that a small fee for this service could generate some income. Further plans for the day to be discussed.

8) Tourism Advertising: Nigel and Tom have looked at where to put our tourism advertising dollars. Nigel noted that advertising on the Independent website would put the Board of Trade on all Fairway web sites, which has 7 to 8 thousand hits per month. Also, the Visitor Guide is a good magazine for tourism in the area. Nigel and Tom will explore both of these options further.

9) Two requests have been received to use the Board of Trade logo. Josslin Insurance (re: members insurance) and the boy scouts for a crest. A motion was made by Tom, seconded by Dave to give permission for both these requests. Carried.

10) Deteriorating light standard: The light standards on regional road allowances are the responsibility of the Region of Waterloo. The Township was contacted regarding the deterioration of one of our light standards and we were informed that there were a couple of standards in storage with Wilmot Hydro, who would do the work. We should speak to Gary Charbonneau to obtain details on the Regional contacts and their process of replacement. 

11) The student grant application for summer O08 has been completed and submitted by Paul.

12) The Canada Day representative (and duck race convenor), Tim, will be attending a Canada Day Committee meeting for the first time next week. Two new things suggested for this year are a 50/50 draw and the Royal Bank wishes to run a dunk tank.

13) The golf tournament continues to build, sponsors are signed and the committee will remain the same. Brent Hanson will be the MC at dinner.

14) New business: Our welcome sign on highway 7/8 has been maintained by Gaia's Garden for some time now, and their work has not been properly acknowledged. They will be contacted and we will offer to fund them for the maintenance of this sign in the future. As for the flag, Wilmot Recreation and Facilities staff informed us that they had purchased a new flag for this location. Unfortunately, the chain inside the pole is broken and will need to be repaired. Due to the time of year, this form of repair cannot be done. Jeff Dubrick, Manager of Parks and Facilities has this on his work schedule.

15) A motion was made by Lynne, second Nigel that the May meeting be catered by MeMe's. Belzy's, Waterlot, and MeMe's will also cover Sept. Oct. and November.

16) Meeting adjourned.