Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber Names New Officers
The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce board anonymously voted on returning board members during their regular meeting, Dec. 5, since they did not do so during the November board meeting. The vote is required by the by-laws with board member Matt Schwartz stating they needed to set the precedence.
Board members also voted on who would fill the vice president position, naming two nominees, Schwartz and Chad Jonsson. Schwartz won the vote. Richard Owen had already been selected to fill the role of chamber president.
The board decided on a third nominee – along with already nominated Noreen Black with KeyBank and Chip Erwin with The Sleepy Owl – to potentially serve as a board member. Two of the three nominees will then fill two empty positions on the board; they will be voted on by the chamber’s members. The new candidate still has to accept their nomination.
Ribbon cuttings were another matter of discussion in regards to when they should be held. Board members determined that only new business would receive them in the future. Businesses who move or complete remodels will instead be spotlighted or be a site for an after hours event.
Board member Beth Kroes went over bids for the chamber’s membership directory with board members voting to use Spectra Print. While on the subject, board members also voted to limit listings to chamber members only.
The finance committee also presented their 2013 budget for board members to approve. Two minor changes were made before approval to reflect funds needed for Syracuse Holiday Magic and the Liberty Bike Ride.
In other chamber news:
- Board members approved the purchase of a tape recorder to be used by Chamber Executive Tammy Cotton to better record board meetings for the minutes.
- The Indiana Main Street Project meeting with 12 downtown businesses went well, according to Cotton, who noted they plan to pursue the project. She stressed it would be on a one step at a time basis, adding “Everyone has to be on board.”
- Two new members were approved by board members: DDK Enterprises LLC aka Turf Bar in Milford and the Union Tool Corporation in Warsaw. More new members are expected to be voted on at the next meeting.
- The annual awards banquet committee released their selection of award nominees at the meeting for approval. After some changes, the board approved the nominees to be sent to chamber members, who will select a winner in each of the categories.
- The chamber will be hosting a networking luncheon Feb. 13. The luncheon, presented by Krista Thomas, will be “Get Fit — Get Healthy,” which will also talk a little bit about the new health care reform.
- The chamber is also still looking for silent auction items for their annual awards banquet.
Next chamber meeting is set for noon Jan. 9 at the chamber’s office.