The August 2009 meeting of the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce board was called into session at 6:38 p.m. in the PrecisionFlow Conference Room.

It was noted that at the July members meeting, with Mery Rosado (newly signed up photographer for publicity for members meetings) absent from the meeting, Bob Cranston nicely arranged to have a number of photos taken by the guests present from Reis Insurance.

There was a discussion about the idea of having a kiosk on the corner of Main Street and Market Street (Reis Insurance parking lot) that would include regularly updated information about what's happening in Saugerties.  Mike Campbell indicated that the Mayor was in favor of this conceptually, but that he wanted to see a plan before agreeing to it, to ensure it was appropriate from a traffic visibility perspective, etc.  Regarding the kiosk, 3 follow-on actions were kicked off:

• Beth was going to check on the size of the paper that can be printed on the Town's printer and/or plotter, to get an idea of the overall size of the kiosk.
• Once this is generally understook, current/former/prospective Chamber members (respectively) Alex Kveton, Gus Pederson and Ze'ev Willy Neuman will be approached, to ask them for bids and proposals related to this work.
  

Beth gave an update on Hors'n Around Saugerties.  The board voted unanimously to give 25% of any incoming money that originates from the legal payments for a broken, stolen or otherwise messed-around-with horse.

Regarding the idea of better signs letting travellers coming off the Thruway know which way to go to visit our outstanding Village shops/restaurants, Beth reported that Cindy Saporito and Jerry Schackne are arranging to get the Council of Churches sign moved from in front of the Chamber booth near McDonalds.

On the topic of locations for upcoming Chamber members meetings:

• Mery Rosado has arranged for the Dutch Ale House to host the August 27th meeting.
• The Exchange Hotel's back room, which was targeted for September, will be moved to October 29th, at the request of Donna and Tony Buono.  This meeting will include a talk by the artists (Jean Campbell - mural, and possibly Jacquie Roland (paintings) who have decorated the room.
• Peggy Schwartz will continue to try to get Total Tennis signed up, now targetting that for September.  If that doesn't work out, the back-up plan will be the Renwick-Clifton House (thanks, Miriam!).
• Mark Smith and Miriam Adams will work on the November "Not-for-Profits" themed meeting,, to take place at the Kiersted House.
• Kevin Brady and Mike will continue to pursue Lazy Swan membership as well as their siging up to host the December members meeting.

We brainstormed about ideas for speakers for upcoming meetings.  Ideas included:

• Miriam volunteered to check into whether David Lundquist, CEO of Benedictine/Kingston Hospital would be willing to speak at our September 24th members meeting.  (Since the board meeting, Miriam has followed up with an email saying that David has agreed.)
• A Wine and Chocolate themed gathering, where there might be 2 booths at opposite ends of whatever hall we are in.  Each booth has a representative from a wine shop and a chocolate shop, extolling the virtues of wine and chocolate, both together and separately.  The membership includes 3 of the 4 needed participants (Town & Country Liquors, Partition Street Wine Shop, Krauses Candy) and there are indications that Lucky Chocolates is willing to joing.  The thought was that this would be a good meeting to hold in January (leading nicely into Valentines Day).
• Other ideas that came up during the meeting were Ward Todd (UC Chamber President), Holistic Care, and a Graphic Designer. 
  
• Soon after the board meeting, an additional idea of having one or more members who can provide tax tips, speak at an upcoming meeting (before next April).
• Mike agreed to check with Linda Overbaugh (Catskill Chamber) to see if she would be interested in speaking at one of our members meetings.

There was a discussion about a proposal from the Lifespring organization, whereby Lifespring members (possibly requested through the Chamber) would receive discounts from Saugerties area restaurants.  The board felt like this was a good idea, but that Lifespring could approach the restaurants directly.  This has been communicated back to them.

The general agenda for the August members meeting was roughed out as:

• Member intros
• Finance (Bob)
• Hors'n Around Saugerties update (Beth/Mark)
• Fuel / insurance plan (Kevin)
• Discussion regarding discounts among Saugerties Chamber members, a card to identify Saugerties Chamber members and a new logo (Mike/Mark)
• Garlic Festival Sign-ups (Mike)
• Closing - info/questions from members

Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.