New Hamburg Board of Trade General Membership Meeting

Wednesday November 25, 2009

Meeting attended by 45 members and catered by MeMe's.

Justin Hanson won 50/50 draw of $84.

Approval of minutes from the previous meetings, Dave Seyler, second Ed Lemont, Carried

There followed the report of the Nominating Committee consisting of Larry Zehr, Tim Bender, Paul Knowles:

President: Paul Knowles
Vice Presidents: Tim Bender, Steve Wagler
Directors: Doug Brenneman, Nick Cressman, Nigel Gordijk, Meredith Hagen, Kristen Hahn, Tim Hinz, Deb Meyers, Chris Spotswood, Deitmar Walch

Duties of secretary and treasurer will be assigned at the first meeting of the executive, Dec. 9, 2009.

After no further nominations were received from the floor, D. Seyler made a motion declaring nominations closed. Second D. Sapelak. Carried

Councilor Les Armstrong did swearing-in of the new executive and a group photo followed.

President Paul thanked the executive members who would not be returning and listed the accomplishments of the Board over the past 2 years.

Partnered with local churches to raise more than $60,000 for flood victims
Lobbied Provincial Ministry of Transportation to stop the proposed bypass
Continued the N.H. Tourist Information Center with student help - developed 2 websites.
Operated a number of successful fundraisers, including the B of T Golf Tournament, July 1 Rubber Duck Race, joined other community groups to sponsor Canada Day celebrations, and sidewalk sale days food tent.
Parade and celebration for the 150th Anniversary of N.H.
Partnered with other community groups and this year the lead partner of the Santa Claus Parade, including the re-introduction of candy bags at the fire hall.
Maintained the hanging flower pots
Christmas lights
Maintain N.H. symbol, the Water Wheel.
Joined the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation
Brought our financial statement into the phase where we are able to employ a part-time staff member.
Collected outstanding pledges for the N.H. bucks program and brought that program to a successful conclusion.
Replaced the broken garbage can liners in the downtown core.
Attended the Wilmot Community information day at the Rec. Center.
Continue to sponsor a contestant in the Ambassador of the Fair competition
Continue to sponsor 2 bursaries for W-O graduates.
With the help of Gaia's Gardens we maintain the N.H. highway sign.
Present important and informative speakers, giving our members the opportunity for face time with government and other community leaders.

This was followed by a list of upcoming issues faced by the new B of T Executive over the next 2 years.

Hwy 7/8, continue to work to prevent loss of access from the highway.
Scott Park preservation
Tourism Committee - grow our potential
More N. H. signage
Focus on fundraising
Membership - work to approach all N. H. business people
Bylaws - need updating

There followed a short meeting. Paul announced the need for volunteers for the Santa Claus Parade. Contact Nancy Knowles or Cheryl Gordijk for instructions or please show up and help out.

Handwritten invoices are available for 2010. Membership fees for both Full and Basic membership stays the same.

New Business: Riverside Brass will bring the plaque of past-presidents up to date.

The construction on Waterloo Street has been ongoing for the summer and this means that all business owners on that street have felt the impact. Don Wagler brought it to the Board¹s attention that the street is fully paved and traffic is running in both directions, however the signs are still up declaring the road closed. There followed a short discussion by members on the reasons for this. Motion by Don Wagler: "That we, in the strongest terms possible, send a message to both levels of government to be more considerate of the constituents who pay the bills in this and any future road projects." Second D. McKay Carried.

Ernie Ritz reminded the Board that there is only one railway crossing in New Hamburg, due to poor planning. This should be brought up in future discussions with the Region and Township.

Reminders: Executive meeting December 9, General Meeting January 27 and Christmas dinner at the Waterlot for both outgoing and incoming executive members on Jan. 16.

Before the meeting adjourned Kristin Hahn thanked President Paul for taking on the challenge of rebuilding the Board of Trade and making all the accomplishments of the past 2 years happen.

Meeting adjourned with the reminder that candy bag packing at the back of the room needed volunteers.