New Hamburg Board of Trade General Membership Meeting

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Meeting attended by 45 members and catered by The Waterlot.

Kristen Hahn won 50/50 draw of $92.

Our guest speaker, Ginny Dybenko - Dean, Wilfrid Laurier University, School of Business & Economics - was introduced by John Hanson and thanked by Dave Seyler.

Approval of minutes from the previous meetings: Nigel, second John Hanson, Carried

A Financial Report was not available.

President Paul informed the membership that Canada Day is likely to remain in Scott Park.

The Christmas Parade is scheduled for Dec. 6 and volunteers are needed. There is a meeting on Tuesday Oct. 6 at 7: PM at the Board of Trade Office, 121 Huron Street. This event has been chaired by the Optimist Club the last few years and they now wish to step back. NHBOT will run this event for a period of 2 years with Cheryl Gordijk and Nancy Knowles as co-chairs. It is hoped that another organization will take up the duties in 2011.

President Paul gave a description of the Living Wage Motion. The executive felt that this was not a positive direction for small business and there already is a minimum wage in place. Also, another level of bureaucracy would be created in order to police this. Motion made by Don Wagler: That the New Hamburg Board of Trade recommends that Regional Council take no action concerning the Living Wage proposals, and that we communicate this position to Regional Council and all individual members of Regional Council. Second Terry McIntosh. Carried.

Thanks to:

Gaia's Gardens for keeping the New Hamburg sign in tip-top shape throughout the summer,
to Jim Bishop for Cruise Night,
Cheryl Gordijk for the duck race and
Clayton Knarr for tractor repairs in order that Stonecroft residents could continue to water the flowers downtown.
As well thanks were directed to everyone who volunteered their time and worked for Board projects during the summer.

New Hamburg Bucks expire Sept. 30, 2009. Do we wish to continue? Please contact a member of the Executive and express your opinion.

A nominating committee is been appointed and directors will be chosen for the next 2 years. Directors will be responsible for one of the committees or projects of the Board i.e. tourism, membership, advertising, fundraising, retail, etc. If you are interested please contact one of the members of the committee, Larry Zehr, Tim Bender, Paul Knowles.

New Business:
Cedar roping is available for Christmas decorating. Please contact Wally Mueller at Riverside Flowers.

Kathryn Ritz wishes to thank the 31 Stonecroft residents who watered the flowers throughout the summer. Thanks to them, no BOT members or downtown merchants were required to water.

Adjournment: 9:00 PM