January 2024 General Membership Meeting Minutes
In attendance: Jackie Perrydore, Mike Walker, Sharon Hassett, Joe Bartley, Elaine Salter, Don Nicholson, Jerry Thorne, Amy Smith (Mary Kay Rep), Elaine Fleming, Natalie Thurmond, Sue Bellows, Elizabeth Freeman (Elmwood Blessing Box), Brandi Overholt, Mike Lawrence & Randy Walker, Nicole are watching live on FB
Call to order 9:04 am
Welcome new members and guests.
Approval of December minutes - Mike Walker 1st, Sue Bellows 2nd All in favor - approved
Treasurer's report
Starting $7115.29
Income $100
Exp $100.08
Ending $7115.21
Questions, comments? Please let Joe know if you would like to see the books at any time.
Treasures report filed
President's report - Thank you to the outgoing and new incoming board. We as board members have come together to make some positive progress. Claudia - thank you so much for being the chair of the vendor show at MITP and thank her for wanting to continue as chair.
Jackie, Mike, Joe, Elaine, Joe, Sharon 3 year, Kim Dold, Lisa Clark. Lisa has been the co-chair of Auto’s for Autism for many years.
Ongoing -proposed budget for 2024 was discussed. Some extra expenses were needed at last year's MITP, so this year, expenses should be less.
MITP - Dates June 20, July 18, August 15
Chairs - Wendy & Mike for sponsors, Bizbee Chair - Claudia & Lisa, Food Trucks/Bands - Elaine
June American Ages, July Smith Factor, August Sinjon Smith. Hogz BBQ is confirmed, and we will search out a couple more.
Proposed projects for this year -
Business to Business expo at the Radcliff center. Looking at possibly April / May. Commercial Realtors, Business taxes, Business banking, POS systems, Payroll, Website designs, SBA, City, County, State reps, economic director, building dept - people that can work directly with businesses. Any member can participate at no cost that fit that diagram. Once we’ve offered it to all GCBA members, we will reach out to our surrounding cities. This is geared for people looking to either open a business and need help in what is needed, or people who have a business and might need contacts. Please contact Joe Bartley if you would like to participate.
Please let anyone on the GCBA board if you’re not getting your emails from us - check your spam folders, etc.
Don asserted that most businesses prefer a mailed invoice, Jerry Thorn prefers emails, so our current system of emailing 2 and following up with a mailed invoice should be catching all members.
Goal is to have 2 evening meetings per year. Our first one this year is March 7 from 6-8 at the Radcliff center. We invited Dylan Wegela to speak about what is going on with our state. 6-6:30 will be meet/greet, 6:30 - 7:30 for him to speak.
Membership drive - The board has decided to try a new approach and mail a welcome letter to every business in GC, along with an application to join. The bizbee bags worked ok, but it didn’t bring in a lot of new members. We hope a mass mailer may bring in more members. You do not need to be a GC business to join - we invite all our surrounding communities business to join us.
Bizbee / Welcome bags - Jackie has been trying to get with the city manager and see if they are willing to hand out our bag to anyone coming in to apply for a business license as a welcome packet. We will let everyone know if that works out.
You do not need to own a brick & mortar business in GC to be a member, you do not need to be a GC resident, anyone who wants to join as a volunteer - you are welcome to join. We encourage all our members to come to our events to show your face and make yourself known to the community. Most of our events are free to members.
Member spotlight / Introduction
Sue Bellows introduced the president of the Plymouth/canton AAUW promoting their children's play Cinderella. The cast members are all the women of the AAUW, and the play is geared for children. The proceeds go to scholarships for women.
Brandi Overholt Public Service Credit Union. They are partnering with the city of GC by allowing you to pay your water bill or tax bills in person at the credit union. Late water bills are fine, but tax bills must be current.
Natalie - Ambassador for shaklee. She said they have a skin care that is all botanical based - no artificial ingredients.
Don - Market Place just hit its 10th year in Westland and 8th year in Garden City. GC readership is at about 10k per month. Events - Drive in movie E.T. August 7 at S.T.E.P. It includes a car show. All American Wayne Rd cruise is in June, Hines Drive Cruise is Aug 25 - the theme is Christmas in August. Tables / Vendors, 34 food vendors. About ½ million people participate or attend.
Jerry Thorn - Party Animal Travel is currently looking for a full time travel agent and a part time associate. His company works with St Jude’s and is holding a Valentine’s day dance to support St Judes brain cancer research. They have a vacation package to watch spring training in Florida.
Joe Bartley - has moved his office to 30900 Ford Road, Suite G, just east of Merriman on the north side. They are having a re-launch / ribbon cutting on Monday from 2-4pm. Food and beverages will be provided.
A good source to promote your business, Kerry Partin does a podcast on Thursday evenings and has an open invitation to any business in GC that would like to come on his show and promote your business. Garden City Community Chat on Facebook.
Elizabeth Freeman - Elmwood Blessing Box founders. In April they are opening a mobile food pantry for people who are housebound. They just submitted their 501c3 paperwork to be officially recognized as a charitable organization.
Amy Smith - Mary Kay representative. Mary Kay products are paraben free. She offers skin care classes and wedding makeup packages. .
Adjourn 10:05 am.
