MEMBERS The board addresses the community about needing more members to join their board
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Metamora Chamber Of Commerce held their meeting on Wednesday, September 13th. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the minutes.
The board went on to discuss new business, which covered Chamber of Commerce benefits. These benefits included health insurance, energy solutions, payroll processing, workers’ compensation, and a few others.
Next, came old business and the board started off by letting everyone know that they are in search of board members to add to their chamber.
AJ from St. Mary’s Meats volunteered to be president with Marianne Gleckler volunteering to be a board member.
The board is also putting together two committees that they are looking for people to volunteer to be a part of.
The first committee is the membership committee, and they are responsible for membership renewals each year and growing memberships.
The second committee is the scholarship committee, and they are responsible for working with area schools to promote the program, assist interested parties in earning their community service hours, and making suggestions to improve the program.
AJ from St. Mary’s Meats then took time to thank the Evergreen football team for sending four varsity players, the head coach, and assistant coach out to the customer appreciation event to help serve food.
Then, Michael Fischer gave the treasure report, stating that the reports are done quarterly so they will be sent out via email once the quarter is finished.
Marrianne Gleckler then addressed the board about the issue of having to pay for the fire department’s presence at the party in the park.
It was stated that other villages and municipalities fire departments do events as a volunteer service. It was estimated to cost the village $5,000 in upcoming years to have the presence of the fire department.
The fire department’s Chief Jessica Geer responded to Marrianne by saying, “It is difficult to get volunteers. There is a shortage of volunteer firefighters and unfortunately it is happening everywhere.”
“We try to use more volunteers than paid people for events, but volunteer hours eventually run out and paid people have to be used.” The board went on to say they suggest that the matter be taken to the Amboy Trustees in the future.
Next, the Evergreen Library gave an update on a little project they have been working on. The library put a story walk in at the Metamora park for people to walk along and read a story as they walk. The library is also holding trunk or treat and a spooky room again this year on Halloween night.
Then, the chamber talked about putting an event calendar on their new website as well as printing calendars for the community free of charge this year.
Next year they will look into businesses sponsoring a page or month to help pay for the printing of the calendars.
With nothing else to address, the board adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m. The next meeting will be held on November 8, 2023
Renea can be reached at renea@thevillagereporter.com
