Call to Order:  Meeting was called to order by President Paula Carter. Introductions were made.

Board Members in attendance:  Paula Carter, Vicki Hutcheson, Brian Morris, Keri Robinson,  Dan Watson, Becky Wright and Kathryn Wyatt

Members and guests:  Rick Hess

Approval of Minutes:  Minutes were submitted by prior email.  Keri made a motion to approve minutes as submitted, Becky seconded motion.  Motion carried.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report:  February’s bank statement shows an ending balance of $4538.93, deposits of $40.00 individual membership (Paula Carter), $110 for directory ad (United Methodist Church) total deposits $150.00; expenditures of $19.68 (supplies), $20.00 (donation-city clerk meeting), $244.34 (credit card bill) total expenditures $284.02.  The ending balance for February’s statement is $4649.25; checks not cleared of $244.34; account balance is $4,404.91.  Brian made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, Keri seconded, motion passed.

Membership:  Keri has developed some membership forms to use in making contacts to prospective members, Dan indicated that he could make them available to everyone via the website.  It was agreed that personal contacts is the best way to build awareness of the Chamber and invite members. In-kind memberships were discussed.  It was agreed that Exodus Technologies’ creation and maintenance of the new website was an in-kind membership for 2009.

Technology:  Dan has the new website www.battlefieldchamber.org up.  In our first month of operation we had over 400,000 hits.  We need to promote the advertising available. We agreed to give members who renew a free ad space for 3 months with their renewal.

Farmer’s Market:   Shannon is working on the Farmer’s Market which will begin on May 1^st.  Brochures were distributed at the recent Women’s Expo seeking vendors.

Cell Phone:  Becky reported on the progress to find a less expensive cell phone for the Chamber.  Brian made a motion to allow Becky discretion to find a less expensive option, Keri seconded, motion passed.

Business Development:  Rick Hess discussed the progress of Price Cutter grocery store locating in Battlefield, including work with MoDOT to improve infrastructure improvements at the intersection of Republic Road and FF.

City Wide Garage Sale:  The established date is Friday and Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, which is May 8-9 this year.  Last year we supplied portable toilets, discussion was held as to whether that was worth the expense incurred.

Project ideas:  Brian Morris reported on his attendance to a City Council meeting with information on a Battlefield Beautification project and another project with the Masons called MoCHIPS.  We agreed to continue to get information on both those projects.

Business Development:  Rick Hess discussed recent communication with the Superintendent of Battlefield National Park.  He had also discovered historical information about the community of Battlefield that he was seeking to verify.

President’s Report:  Paula encouraged everyone to attend the ribbon cutting and open house for Russell Cellular from 2-7 on Friday, March 13. 

Next meeting will be at noon, April 3, 2009.  Bring a brown bag lunch.

Adjournment:  Brian made a motion to adjourn, Keri seconded. Motion passed. 

Respectfully submitted:

Vicki Hutcheson, Secretary