- Financial update: $1,0376.78
- Old business
- Parade
- Mike: Christmas parade update, the mayor called to congratulate/thank the chamber on the success of the parade. Firetrucks from Kosh, Thayer, and Mammoth joined
- Trena: the parade was extremely successful, and ran smoothly, thanks to all who helped and made it such a success. Thanks to Jeremy for the wonderful plaques he made.
- Need to brainstorm on how to get more floats involved.
- December 7, 2024, is next parade.
- New Business
- Mike: Welcome back David Parker, recently hired as the new Welcome Center Manager
- Bluebird Day at the Park in March
- Gene: (West Plains works with small businesses), has three workshops upcoming, some small loans are available to Mammoth Spring, AR, offers gap financing, and other services
- Dan: going to back up the reunion 1 week, the week after the 4th of July, the 16th. We might get Ferris wheel. Carnival will begin on 16 20th confusion with conflicting carnivals in Ashflat, hoping to have a full set of rides
- Sara/Rick: Outdoor Survival Course Saturday, March 23, different events and booths to learn different skills, free for any kids, 40 max, fliers coming soon. Limited to 11- to 15-year-olds, will each receive a compass, fire starter, survival blanket, and more. Teaching water purification, foraging, fire starting, and more. Funded through a grant. If it goes well it is designed to take over “Fish Camp” and registrants will be charged a fee to cover the cost of materials.
- Trena: October 26 is Spooktacular, Homecoming Friday before – potential to host in the school if rainy, food trucks can line up outside
- Jenny: school – LEARNS Act – students beginning this year must begin collecting or charting assisted community service hours – now they cannot graduate without 75 hours of service. Start collecting dates/contacts so the school can partner and get students’ hours. 9-12 graders.
- Banquet Thayer is in charge this year, generally at school, Thayer is still working on details. The school works on the teacher/school employee of the year award, chamber will send out nominees for citizen, community service, president award, and others. Plaques will be made before the banquet. The banquet should be before spring, hopefully in February
- Membership dues (Trena and Katie) try to send out by/in February. One set fee, not different levels. Working on window stickers (Katie to talk to Tish)
- Spring Break 3rd week of March (unless there are makeup days)
Eclipse April 6, Thayer/MS eclipse event Saturday at Thayer HS as they do for the 4th of July, it will have vendors, maybe a mini car show, food vendors, fireworks, and a day event. All schools will be out on Monday eclipse day. Thayer got a 10k grant and is matching it to fund the Eclipse event. MOARK logo will have t-shirts and glasses for sale. Taking the cost of eclipse glasses and offering
- them to different businesses to sell to recoup the Chamber’s cost. – the intent is to drive traffic into businesses. Thayer will have their own logo b/c it can’t have Arkansas on it. Thayer’s Rodeo Arena City will have campers. Will be bussing people to and from the event. Will have another meeting on Eclipse open to everyone. Eclipse is 8th
- April
- The Rabies Clinic is scheduled for the weekend after the eclipse. Schools can add it to their calendar to help advertise. Mike will head up to the rabies clinic. Need to get chair people for events to help run events. It’s best to start as early as possible. Alexis will be there for the clinic, and Simmon’s community room will be open. The clinic operates from 9a-12p. Chamber usually receives $1,000 – $1,400 check donation from Dr. Langley.
- Citywide yard sale, citywide cleanup
- Ribbon cutting today at Southern Magnolia, Sharon’s granddaughter Madison decided she wanted to do this and took over the flower shop
- Motion to approve December Meeting Minutes: Dan 1st Alexis 2nd approved
- Next meeting at Riverbend, 2/8/2024. Trena will check that they’re available
- Motion to adjourn meeting Mike 1st Jeremy 2nd
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