Chamber of Commerce making plans
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Coosa County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held its monthly meeting Monday evening, with a primary focus of planning for future events.
Members reviewed the proposed budget for the 2022 fiscal year, and the board unanimously approved the budget as presented.
In addition to having membership renewals, the chamber also reported gaining one new member, the Montgomery Area Council on Aging.
The board also briefly discussed the annual member meeting, which the chamber has not been able to have since the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, if COVID-19 numbers stay low, the chamber hopes to resume having the annual member meeting next year. After some discussion, the board unanimously approved setting the tentative date for the meeting as February 22, 2022, with more details to come closer to time.
Board members also discussed upcoming events where the chamber might be able to set up and sell its Coosa County Christmas cards. The chamber is already signed up to participate as a vendor for the C.O.A.C.H. Holiday in the Country in Stewartville in November.
The group also mentioned possibly registering as a vendor for Weogufka’s Old Farm Day on October 30. Rockford’s Trick-or-Treat on Main Street is also scheduled for October 30, but in the evening, so the board briefly discussed the possibility of trying to participate in both events.
Looking ahead to the winter season, which appears to be an especially busy time, the board mentioned numerous events in which it might be able to participate.
Multiple events discussed by the board are all being held Saturday, December 4, including the Kellyton Christmas Celebration, Rockford’s Christmas vendor event and parade and Poplar Point’s Winter Fest.
Since there is still time to decide, the chamber did not yet confirm which events it would participate in, with that decision expected to be made later.
Also regarding future events, it was mentioned that Tina Fuller had contacted the chamber about potentially holding a combined yard sale on U.S. Highway 231 in the spring. The board was asked to take this into consideration and look into it in the future, closer to time for the proposed event.
Additionally, Chamber Board President Travis Milhan mentioned the possibility of doing “Best of Coosa County” awards.
He discussed with the board the possibility of making either banners or window clings and whether to do it for all chamber members or to have a “Best of Coosa County” contest.
Prices he had received from a company he does business with were approximately $12 for 2×3 banners and approximately $4 for 12×12 window clings. After brief discussion, the board agreed that it preferred the idea of the window clings since many may not want a large banner in their business, as well as the clings being less costly.
Since it is so late this year, the chamber suggested having the window clings for the beginning of next year and having them read “Best of Coosa County 2022.” Other discussion included the possibility of having “Premier Member” designation for those who have been members of the chamber for five years.
Milhan also said that he could get prices from other sources in case he may be able to order the window clings somewhere else at a cheaper rate.
After discussion, the chamber board unanimously approved having a competition and open voting on “Best of Coosa” categories through the rest of this year. Winners would then be awarded and recognized at the beginning of next year.
In other business, board member Sharon Haynes shared information with the chamber regarding a “Be You for You” self-image program that is to be hosted by Central High School Coosa County. The program is currently scheduled to be held in September and is intended to be a way to help improve self-esteem in young adults.
She said it will be a week-long event with training, workshops and more, which will then conclude with a beauty show style reveal of participants and supper at the end of that week.
Haynes said the school is still in the early planning stages for the event, but that they will be looking for volunteers and sponsors. She informed the chamber that it would likely be contacted about sponsorship for that program in the near future.
The chamber also briefly discussed resuming its display ad in the newspaper, to be printed at least twice per year. The chamber will update the logos and membership for that ad to begin running, promoting its members and highlighting the chamber simultaneously.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be held at 5:30 p.m. November 8.