X-Spam-Flag: NO X-Envelope-From: nichols78@msn.com Return-Path: Received: from bay0-omc3-s22.bay0.hotmail.com (bay0-omc3-s22.bay0.hotmail.com [65.54.246.222]) by mail913c35.nsolutionszone.com (8.13.6.20060614/8.13.1) with ESMTP id mBCGUbMJ030172; Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:30:39 -0500 Received: from BAY107-W45 ([64.4.51.145]) by bay0-omc3-s22.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:30:36 -0800 Message-ID: Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="_b685ff16-33f9-48c6-9df9-bbe6e86756fa_" X-Originating-IP: [75.121.167.204] From: Rene Nichols To: Huron City Museums , Independent Bank , "Port Austin Motel/Ricou, Michel" , "Acct.Abililty/Stacey Viers" , Port Austin State Bank , Captain Morgans CC: "Nichols, Rene" Subject: RE: Monthly Newsletter & a few other things Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:30:36 -0500 Importance: Normal In-Reply-To: <002801c95c72$32285160$0b01a8c0@user> References: <002801c95c72$32285160$0b01a8c0@user> MIME-Version: 1.0 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 12 Dec 2008 16:30:36.0882 (UTC) FILETIME=[F688B320:01C95C76] X-MMR: 0 X-Antivirus: Scanned by F-Prot Antivirus (http://www.f-prot.com) --_b685ff16-33f9-48c6-9df9-bbe6e86756fa_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Patty, Thanks for taking the time AND for putting your comments in red! If= each board member does the same, it would certainly help. We can discuss everyone's t= houghts once we hear from all the board members. I know Darcie will be back shortl= y to be able to comment as well. Rene From: mpfinan@centurytel.netTo: LWiese@ibcp.com; nichols78@msn.com; ricou@c= enturytel.net; acct.ability@yahoo.com; sschmidt73@hotmail.com; dfinan@centu= rytel.netSubject: Re: Monthly Newsletter & a few other thingsDate: Fri, 12 = Dec 2008 10:56:26 -0500 Here are my comments - I put them in red. =20 Patty ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Wiese=2C LaNette=20 To: Rene Nichols ; Michel & Ilze Ricou, The Port Austin Motel ; Patty and M= ike Finan ; acct.ability@yahoo.com ; Stephen Schmidt ; Darci Finan=20 Sent: Friday=2C December 12=2C 2008 9:26 AM Subject: RE: Monthly Newsletter & a few other things Rene=2C I will forward. thanks =20 LaNette R Wiese Assistant Branch Manager Kinde Independent Bank 989-874-450= 0 Fax 989-874-5107=20 Privacy Statement: This message may contain confidential information that i= s protected under state and/or federal law. If you received this message i= n error, please notify the sender by fax or email and delete this message. = If you properly received this message, you may use its contents only in st= rict accordance with our instructions and privacy policy. If any person makes a false or misleading representation to obtain customer= information, that person may have committed a federal crime, and we may re= port that person to the proper authorities. =20 From: Rene Nichols [mailto:nichols78@msn.com] Sent: Thursday, December 11, = 2008 5:10 PMTo: Wiese, LaNetteSubject: RE: Monthly Newsletter & a few other= things Good comments & thanks for taking time to do this......it would probably be= good for each of us to share our comments and any new ideas with the whole= board.....might lead to more good things.....I didn't want to forward your= comments without asking first....Would you mind forwarding them to the res= t ofthe board? Talk to you soon, Rene Subject: RE: Monthly Newsletter & a few other thingsDate: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 = 13:03:45 -0500From: LWiese@ibcp.comTo: nichols78@msn.com =20 LaNette R Wiese Assistant Branch Manager Kinde Independent Bank 989-874-45= 00 Fax 989-874-5107 Privacy Statement: This message may contain confidentia= l information that is protected under state and/or federal law. If you rec= eived this message in error, please notify the sender by fax or email and d= elete this message. If you properly received this message, you may use its= contents only in strict accordance with our instructions and privacy polic= y.If any person makes a false or misleading representation to obtain custom= er information, that person may have committed a federal crime, and we may = report that person to the proper authorities. =20 From: Rene Nichols [mailto:nichols78@msn.com] Sent: Friday, December 05, 20= 08 4:00 AMTo: Chamber of Commerce; Acct.Abililty/Stacey Viers; Port Austin = State Bank; Port Austin Motel/Ricou, Michel; Captain Morgans; Huron City Mu= seums; Wiese, LaNetteCc: Nichols, ReneSubject: Monthly Newsletter & a few o= ther things Hi Joyce, For our next and future newsletters, I'd like to see the followin= g content: Copy of unapproved minutes for members to review. (as an attachm= ent) . Rene I don't believe that we should be sending out unapproved minut= es. I think it is up to the board to approve the minutes to make sure the = information is correct. It is like something going to print that might hav= e errors. I believe that the approved minutes should be emailed to the memb= ers as soon as they are approved. I'm with LaNette on this - maybe we could= put a summary of what happened, if you really want them to know. But the m= inutes should only go out after having been approved. Maybe this will encou= rage more to come to meetings? List of current members that have paid 2009 dues and a reminder that per ou= rby-laws, dues are due Sept 1. I believe that maybe a couple times a year= we should send out a current list of members. I disagree with stating who= has paid dues and who has not. Reminders to individual members about late = dues are appropriate, but not to the entire membership community. I would r= esent this, if I was having a hard time coming up with my dues. Send out a = members list via e-mail, but don't include it every month.=20 A brief note to the membership updating the status of the Visitor's Guide. = Forexample, how many members have taken out and paid for an ad to date. = I think it would be nice to have some information on the Visitors Guide in = the Newsletter. It is good communication to the members. Maybe they might= have some suggestions. Again, I do not think we want to point out who paid= and who hasn't paid or even those that have taken out an ad because to som= e members that don't take ads I do not want them to feel like they are any = less important than those that do take out ads. An update on the status of = the guide is a great idea and maybe a number (out of total membership) who = has taken an ad out - example 40/60 members. But don't list by name. You ca= n see who took out an ad when you get the guide.=20 A list of upcoming chamber events, name of the chair person and their phone= number. I agree with this completely, but chairs need to make sure to get= Joyce this information in a timely manner. I would add e-mail to the conta= ct information.=20 A report from each Chair with an update on their event. I agree with this = also, but the chairs need to make to get Joyce the information in a timely= manner. They cannot wait for every board meeting and than expect Joyce to = get everything done for the Newsletter in time. We would need set deadlines= for chairs to get info to Joyce so she can get the newsletter out. If she = doesn't receive any information, it is up to her to include what she wants = in the newsletter. I don't think Joyce should have to hound chairs to get i= nformation. If they don't get the details to her, they can't complain that = their event wasn't covered.=20 A monthly report from the Treasurer. Monies received, detail of expenses p= aidfor the previous month and account balances. The Newsletter is not a ba= lance sheet. I do not think this information is appropriate for the Newsle= tter. I have plenty of reports that I do each month so that there is never= a question of what was spent where. I do not have a problem with Joyce f= orwarding these reports to all of the members. I do not have a one page rep= ort. I think we should leave this up to the members - let them know they ar= e available. If they want a copy of the financials, they can be e-mailed. J= oyce can set up a distribution list of those that want financials sent. If = you really want something included - use the yearly summary page that LaNet= te gave out at the meeting.=20 A short note from the President. I agree a note from the President is a gr= eat idea. Should be included. =20 Names and e-mail addresses of our board members. Again, I think maybe a co= uple times a year that this should be done but not every month. Joyce alrea= dy has this on the newsletter - she just needs to add the e-mail addresses.= =20 Date of next board meeting. Agree Yes Date of next membership meeting. (Not every board meeting has to be a membe= rship meeting). Agree Yes A recognition area to thank members for their recent volunteer efforts. Ag= ree Again Joyce needs to be given this information in a timely manner becau= se if she is expected to know who to thank someone could get missed. Again = - we need to set up a deadline (given by Joyce) of when she needs any newsl= etter information. Maybe she sends out a reminder to let us know the deadli= ne is coming up? I'd like our businesses to be able to post their new seasonal hours, partic= ularlystores and restaurants. I think they should be able to post seasona= l hours but I do not think that it needs to be in every Newsletter. Again t= he businesses need to get Joyce the information and if they change anything= also get that information to Jocye. This could be done just for the winter= months. I think it could get crazy to try and include every member's hours= in a newsletter every month. Is this info on the Web site? Anyone could ch= eck that during the summer. =20 A feature story each month on at least two current businesses. I think tha= t this is a good idea. Who is going to be responsible for picking who is f= eatured and what information is featured? Joyce is only one person. The boa= rd either needs to decide who to include, or just go down the list alphabet= ically. Could they write up their own or is Joyce okay with doing this? For= some businesses, this could be a hard thing to accomplish.=20 A feature story for each new member. I think this is a great idea. I beli= eve the person that is responsible for getting the new member should be do= ing the feature story. Joyce is only one person working 16 hours per week.= Great idea - again we need to decide logistics - who does the writing.=20 The fireworks committee has a series of fund raising activities planned. W= e need tofeature them every month. I agree that every event that is being = planned should be featured in the Newsletter. Again, Joyce has to be provid= ed with the information in a timely manner to get this done. These should b= e included just like an other upcoming event.=20 We need to note that we are doing a membership drive to get as many new me= mbersnow so they may be included in the visitor's guide. A membership dri= ve should be included in the Newsletter. The deadline for this is coming up= - doesn't Joyce need all the info by the end of this month? =20 At this time, I'll ask that our secretary review all content for accuracy b= efore sendingit to our membership. I think we decided that everything shou= ld be forwarded to the entire board and if we do not respond it means we ag= ree. I agree with this but we need to make sure we respond by the deadline = if we have feedback. Joyce should not have to follow up with us. The more e= yes on things the better. However, I think we need to trust Joyce when ther= e is a tight deadline.=20 I realize your current format requires you to create the newsletter at hom= e. For thetime being, I have no problem with you creating it using Word or= another programthat is currently available on the Chamber computer. I kno= w it won't beas nice looking or include pictures, but I feel the content is= more important at this time. We do not have proper equipment at the Chamb= er Office. I really believe that we need to budget in new equipment and pro= grams so that all of the work of the director can be done at the chamber of= fice. I agree but what is the problem with Joyce working on things from hom= e?=20 We need to focus on using the monthly newsletter as a means of getting time= ly andhelpful information to the general membership.As for the timing of th= e newsletter, the secretary should have the unapproved minutesto you within= a week of our monthly meetings. The treasurers report should be presenteda= s a short one page document at our monthly board meeting which you will put= in thenewsletter. I have enough reports to do as it is. They are very d= etailed. I do not have a one page report. If Stacey wants to come up with = this from LaNette's report, that is fine. See the comments above. =20 The rest of the information should be easy enough to keep updated. My lette= r this month will let them know to contact the chamber office with seasonal= hours of operation and let them know you'll be featuring a couple business= es each month. I'll have it to you by Monday. On a seperate note, all ad = monies and forms for the Car Show should be going to thecommittee chair. T= he chair should record his/her list and then submit the checks to thetreasu= rer when the ad sales deadline has been reached. It is then the chair's re= sponsibilityto forward that information to his/her sub committees for furth= er action. I know you've beenhelping out, but this is the procedure that s= hould be followed. I don't agree with this. Keri is not accessible and it = does not make sense to wait to deposit money when we have it ready to go. T= he advertising subcommittee can report to Keri where we are but this is add= ing in unncecessary work. The advertising subcommittee reports where we are= at just like the rest of the subcommittees.=20 =20 When bills need to be paid, itwill be the chair's responsibilty to present = them to the board for approval of payment. We needto follow this procedure= with each event so nothing falls through the cracks. I know you'rewilling= to help where ever needed if the chair asks for it. I thought we passed t= he budgets for events so that the chair did not have to bring the bills for= approval each month. Things will become late if they need board approval f= or everything. I have the budgets so if something comes in way higher than= what it on the budget I will not pay it until I address the board. We real= ly need to clarify this issue - everyone needs to know how we are supposed = to function when it comes to paying bills for events. =20 Lastly, I'd like the secretary to get the chamber mail and dispurse it. T= his is no offense to you,but there is information that comes to the chamber= that should be viewed by a board memberfirst, not by a member, employee or= contractor. The system is currently backwards. It isalso our secretary's= responsibility to discuss correspondence received at our board meetings. = Now that I have spoke to you, it makes sense that the secretary gets the ma= il. We just need to make sure we take this off the list of duties for the = director. I understand from our discussion, Rene, why you want this to happ= en. I agree we need to change the by-laws. We've come to depend on you as = director to perform functions that board members shouldbe doing. I'd like = to correct that, if possible. I also want the secretary to review anymater= ial that may be going to print on behalf of the chamber. You've been doing= a great jobin that area, but a board member needs to put an approval on an= y content that representsthe chamber. At this time, I want that approval t= o come from the secretary. Again - I think it needs to be the entire board = reviewing info. However, we do need to trust Joyce. She is the best thing t= o happen to this Chamber and I don't want to put limits on her ability to d= o her job. There are exciting times coming to Port Austin. We have a year= to get the chamberin line with these changes, performing as a well oiled m= achine and ready to move intothe new Welcome Center when completed. While = these changes may be difficult for you andthe board, I'm confident you can = implement them and help our chamber move forward.=20 =20 My comments are my opinions. I am not saying that I am correct about everyt= hing. If you or any of the other board members can explain to make me chang= e my mind I am more than willing to listen. Sometimes when someone else ex= plains the reasoning behind what they would like to change it can make mor= e sense. Thanks=20 We need to make sure that we reassure Joyce that we trust her to do her job= . Some of the comments and the way they were presented have caused her to q= uestion that. I know we talked about better ways to communicate this, Rene,= but I think we all need to be careful that this doesn't become a contentio= us board. I was there when the Chamber was run like a dictatorship and ther= e was not a sense of cooperation or teamwork. It wasn't fun. I know we can = get be a great team as we go forward. Rene, I think you need to talk to the= board about your goal of where you want us to be in the future.=20 I'll have my letter for the newsletter to you by Monday. Rene=20 Suspicious message? There=92s an alert for that. Get your Hotmail=AE accoun= t now.=20 Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. Get your Hotmail= =AE account.=20 _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_spee= d_122008 --_b685ff16-33f9-48c6-9df9-bbe6e86756fa_ Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Patty, Thanks for taking the time AND for putting your comments in red!&nbs= p; If each board
member does the same, it would certainly help.  We can discuss everyon= e's thoughts
once we hear from all the board members.  I know Darcie will be back s= hortly to be
able to comment as well. =3B Rene



From: mpfinan@centurytel.net
To: LWiese@ibcp.com; nichols78@msn.com; ric= ou@centurytel.net; acct.ability@yahoo.com; sschmidt73@hotmail.com; dfinan@c= enturytel.net
Subject: Re: Monthly Newsletter & a few other thingsDate: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:56:26 -0500


Here are my comments - I put t= hem in red.
 =3B
Patty
----- Original Message -----
To: Rene Nichols ; Michel & Ilze Ricou, The Po= rt Austin Motel ; Patty and Mike Finan ; acct.ability@yahoo.com ; <= A title=3Dsschmidt73@hotmail.com href=3D"mailto:sschmidt73@hotmail.com">Ste= phen Schmidt ; Darci Finan
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 9:26= AM
Subject: RE: Monthly Newsletter &= ; a few other things

Rene,
I will forward.
thanks
 =3B
LaNette R Wiese
Assistant Branch Manager
Kinde
Independent Bank=
989-874-= 4500
Fax 989-874-5107
Privacy Statement= :
This message may contain co= nfidential information that is protected under state and/or federal law.&nb= sp; If you received this message in error, please notify the sender by fax = or email and delete this message.  If you properly received this messa= ge, you may use its contents only in strict accordance with our instruction= s and privacy policy.
If any person make= s a false or misleading representation to obtain customer information, that= person may have committed a federal crime, and we may report that person t= o the proper authorities.
 =3B

From: Rene Nichols [mailto:nichols78@msn.com] Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 5:10 PM
To: Wiese, LaN= ette
Subject: RE: Monthly Newsletter & a few other things
=
Good comments & thanks for taking time to do this......it wo= uld probably be good for each of us to share our comments and any new ideas= with the whole board.....might lead to more good things.....I didn't want = to forward your comments without asking first....Would you mind forwar= ding them to the rest of
the board?
 
Talk to you soon,
&n= bsp;
Rene



Subject: RE: Monthly Newsletter & a few other things
Date: Thu, = 11 Dec 2008 13:03:45 -0500
From: LWiese@ibcp.com
To: nichols78@msn.co= m


 
 
= LaNette R Wiese
Assistant Branch Manager
Kinde =
Independent B= ank
989-874-4500
Fax 989-874-5107
Privacy Statement:<= /SPAN>
This message may contain confidentia= l information that is protected under state and/or federal law.  If yo= u received this message in error, please notify the sender by fax or email = and delete this message.  If you properly received this message, you m= ay use its contents only in strict accordance with our instructions and pri= vacy policy.
If any person makes a false or misleading representation to= obtain customer information, that person may have committed a federal crim= e, and we may report that person to the proper authorities.
 =3B

From: Rene Nichols [mailto:nichols78@msn.com] Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 4:00 AM
To: Chamber of C= ommerce; Acct.Abililty/Stacey Viers; Port Austin State Bank; Port Austin Mo= tel/Ricou, Michel; Captain Morgans; Huron City Museums; Wiese, LaNette
<= B>Cc: Nichols, Rene
Subject: Monthly Newsletter & a few o= ther things

Hi Joyce,
 
For our next and future newsletters, I'd like t= o see the following content:
 
Copy of unapproved minutes for me= mbers to review. (as an attachment)<= FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff> .  Rene I don't believe that w= e should be sending out unapproved minutes.  I think it is up to the b= oard to approve the minutes to make sure the information is correct.  = It is like something going to print that might have errors. I believe = that the approved minutes should be emailed to the members as soon as they = are approved. I'm with LaNette on this - maybe w= e could put a summary of what happened, if you really want them to know. Bu= t the minutes should only go out after having been approved. Maybe this wil= l encourage more to come to meetings?

List of current members that have paid 2009 dues and a reminder th= at per our
by-laws, dues are due Sept 1.   I believe that = maybe a couple times a year we should send out a current list of members.&n= bsp; I disagree with stating who has paid dues and who has not. Reminders to individual members about late dues are appropr= iate, but not to the entire membership community. I would resent this, if I= was having a hard time coming up with my dues. Send out a members list via= e-mail, but don't include it every month.

A brief note to the membership updating the status of the Visitor'= s Guide.  For
example, how many members have taken out and paid for= an ad to date.   I think it would be nice to have some informatio= n on the Visitors Guide in the Newsletter.  It is good communicat= ion to the members.  Maybe they might have some suggestions. Again, I = do not think we want to point out who paid and who hasn't paid or even= those that have taken out an ad because to some members that don= 't take ads I do not want them to feel like they are any less important tha= n those that do take out ads. An update on the s= tatus of the guide is a great idea and maybe a number (out of total members= hip) who has taken an ad out - example 40/60 members. But don't list by nam= e. You can see who took out an ad when you get the guide.

A list of upcoming chamber events, name of the chair person and th= eir phone number.  I agree with this completely, but chairs need to mak= e sure to get Joyce this information in a timely manner. I would add e-mail to the contact information. =

A report from each Chair with an update on their event.  = I agree with this also, but the chairs need to make  to get Joyce the = information in a timely manner. They cannot wait for every board meeting an= d than expect Joyce to get everything done for the Newsletter in time. We would need set deadlines for chairs to get info t= o Joyce so she can get the newsletter out. If she doesn't receive any infor= mation, it is up to her to include what she wants in the newsletter. I don'= t think Joyce should have to hound chairs to get information. If they don't= get the details to her, they can't complain that their event wasn't covere= d.

A monthly report from the Treasurer.  Monies received, detail= of expenses paid
for the previous month and account balances.  = ;The Newsletter is not a balance sheet.  I do not think this= information is appropriate for the Newsletter.  I have plenty of repo= rts that I do each month so that there is never a  question of what wa= s spent where.  I do not have a problem with Joyce forwarding the= se reports to all of the members. I do not have a one page report. I think we should leave this up to the members - let the= m know they are available. If they want a copy of the financials, they can = be e-mailed. Joyce can set up a distribution list of those that want financ= ials sent. If you really want something included - use the yearly summary p= age that LaNette gave out at the meeting.
=

A short note from the President.  I agree a note from the Pres= ident is a great idea. Should be included.
 
Names and e-mail address= es of our board members.  Again, I think maybe a couple time= s a year that this should be done but not every month. Joyce already has this on the newsletter - she just needs to = add the e-mail addresses.

Date of next board meeting.  Agree Yes

Date of next membership meeting. (Not every board meeting has= to be a membership meeting).  Agree Yes

A recognition area to thank members for their recent v= olunteer efforts.  Agree Again Joyce needs to be given this inform= ation in a timely manner because if she is expected to know who to thank so= meone could get missed. Again - we need to set up a d= eadline (given by Joyce) of when she needs any newsletter information. Mayb= e she sends out a reminder to let us know the deadline is coming = up?

I'd like our businesses to be able to post their new seasonal hour= s, particularly
stores and restaurants.   I think they sho= uld be able to post seasonal hours but I do not think that it needs to be i= n every Newsletter. Again the businesses need to get Joyce the information = and if they change anything also get that information to Jocye. This could be done just for the winter months. I think it could = get crazy to try and include every member's hours in a newsletter every mon= th. Is this info on the Web site? Anyone could check that during the s= ummer.  

A feature story each month on at least two current businesses. = ; I think that this is a good idea.  Who is going to be responsible fo= r picking who is featured and what information is featured? Joyce is o= nly one person. The board either needs to decide who = to include, or just go down the list alphabetically. Could they write = up their own or is Joyce okay with doing this? For some businesses, this co= uld be a hard thing to accomplish.
=

A feature story for each new member.  I think this is a great = idea.  I believe the person that is responsible for getting the n= ew member should  be doing the feature story.  Joyce is only one = person working 16 hours per week. Great idea - again = we need to decide logistics - who does the writing.

The firewor= ks committee has a series of fund raising activities planned.  We need= to
feature them every month.  I agree that every event that is= being planned should be featured in the Newsletter. Again, Joyce has to be= provided with the information in a timely manner to get this done. These should be included just like an other upcoming event. =
 We need to note th= at we are doing a membership drive to get as many new members
now so the= y may be included in the visitor's guide.  A  membership drive should be included in= the Newsletter. The deadline for this is coming= up - doesn't Joyce need all the info by the end of this month?=  &= nbsp;

At this time, I'll ask that our secretary review all content for a= ccuracy before sending
it to our membership.  I think we decided tha= t everything should be forwarded to the entire board and if we do not = respond it means we agree. I agree with thi= s but we need to make sure we respond by the deadline if we have feedb= ack. Joyce should not have to follow up with us. The more eyes on things th= e better. However, I think we need to trust Joyce when there is a= tight deadline. 
 
I realize your= current format requires you to create the newsletter at home.  For th= e
time being, I have no problem with you creating it using Word or anoth= er program
that is currently available on the Chamber computer.  I = know it won't be
as nice looking or include pictures, but I feel the con= tent is more important at this time.=   We do not have proper equipm= ent at the Chamber Office. I really believe that we need to budget in = new equipment and programs so that all of the work of the director can be d= one at the chamber office. I agree but what is t= he problem with Joyce working on things from home?

We need to focus on using the monthly newsletter as a means of get= ting timely and
helpful information to the general membership.
As for= the timing of the newsletter, the secretary should have the unapprove= d minutes
to you within a week of our monthly meetings. The treasur= ers report should be presented
as a short one page document at our month= ly board meeting which you will put in the
newsletter.   I= have enough reports to do as it is.  They are very detailed. I do not= have a one page report.  If = Stacey wants to come up with this from LaNette's report, that is fine. = ;See the comments above.
 =3B
The rest of the information should be easy enough to keep updated.&nbs= p;
My letter this month will let them know to contact the chamber office= with seasonal hours of operation and let them know you'll be featurin= g a couple businesses each month.  I'll have it to you by Monday. = ;
 
On a seperate note, all ad monies and forms for the Car= Show should be going to the
committee chair.  The chair should rec= ord his/her list and then submit the checks to the
treasurer when t= he ad sales deadline has been reached.  It is then the chair's respons= ibility
to forward that information to his/her sub committees for furthe= r action.  I know you've been
helping out, but this is the procedur= e that should be followed.  I don't agree with t= his. Keri is not accessible and it does not make sense to wait to deposit m= oney when we have it ready to go. The advertising subcommittee can report t= o Keri where we are but this is adding in unncecessary work. The advertisin= g subcommittee reports where we are at just like the rest of the subcommitt= ees.
 =3B
When bills need to be paid, it
will be the chair's responsibilty to= present them to the board for approval of payment.  We need
t= o follow this procedure with each event so nothing falls through the cracks= .  I know you're
willing to help where ever needed if the chair ask= s for it.  I thought we passed the budgets for events so that the = chair did not have to bring the bills for approval each month. Things&= nbsp;will become late if they need board approval for everything.  I h= ave the budgets so if something comes in way higher than what it on th= e budget I will not pay it until I address the board. We really need to clarify this issue - everyone needs to kn= ow how we are supposed to function when it comes to paying bills for events= .
 
 
Lastly, I'd li= ke the secretary to get the chamber mail and dispurse it.  This is no = offense to you,
but there is information that comes to the chamber that = should be viewed by a board member
first, not by a member, employee or c= ontractor.  The system is currently backwards.  It is
also our= secretary's responsibility to discuss correspondence received at our board= meetings.  Now that I have spoke to you, it makes sense that the secre= tary gets the mail.  We just need to make sure we take this off t= he list of duties for the director. I understand= from our discussion, Rene, why you want this to happen. I agree = we need to change the by-laws.
 
We've com= e to depend on you as director to perform functions that board members shou= ld
be doing.  I'd like to correct that, if possible.  I also w= ant the secretary to review any
material that may be going to print on b= ehalf of the chamber.  You've been doing a great job
in that a= rea, but a board member needs to put an approval on any content that repres= ents
the chamber.  At this time, I want that approval to come = from the secretary. Again - I think it needs to be th= e entire board reviewing info. However, we do need to trust Joyce. She is t= he best thing to happen to this Chamber and I don't want to put limits= on her ability to do her job.
 
There are exciting time= s coming to Port Austin.  We have a year to get the chamber
in line= with these changes, performing as a well oiled machine and ready to move i= nto
the new Welcome Center when completed.  While these changes may= be difficult for you and
the board, I'm confident you can implement the= m and help our chamber move forward.
 
My comments are my opinions. I am not saying that I am correct about ev= erything. If you or any of the other board members can explain to make me c= hange my mind I am more than willing to listen.  Sometimes when s= omeone else explains the reasoning behind  what they would like to cha= nge it can make more sense.
Thanks 
=
We need to ma= ke sure that we reassure Joyce that we trust her to do her job. Some of the=  comments and the way they were presented have caused her to ques= tion that. I know we talked about better ways to communicate= this, Rene, but I think we all need to be careful that this doesn't become= a contentious board. I was there when the Chamber was run like a dict= atorship and there was not a sense of cooperation or teamwork. It wasn't fu= n. I know we can get be a great team as we go forward. Rene, I th= ink you need to talk to the board about your goal of where you want us to b= e in the future.
 
I'll have my letter for the newsletter to you by Monday.
=  
Rene
 


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