The February meeting was held at the Eureka College Cerf Center with 21 people in attendance. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. The January minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report:
Eldon LiaBraaten said the balance was $6651.64. He said the several new members (Lone Wolf Construction, Bloomington Hearing Aid Center) had sent in their dues.
Committee Reports:
Reagan Fest: Jim Fyke said that the Reagan Fest committee (Jim, Kat Arnold, Laura Siscoe, and Donna Sweeney) had met recently. Heidi Bowman has agreed to chair the Taste of Eureka again this year. The Reagan Fest committee plans to have a much stronger Reagan aspect to the Fest this year. Ideas include asking local restaurants to name one of their menu items after the former president. The committee will be asking that EBA members volunteer their time and ideas, and the committee will report to the group on progress regularly.
Ambassador Committee: Rick Robinson said the committee had compiled a list of members who had not yet renewed their membership for this year. The committee plans to contact the businesses and see if there is a reason. The committee also plans to have a meeting soon.
Brighten Our Business: Heidi Bowman shared that Vada Schertz is unable to chair the event this year. If anyone is interested in chairing, please contact Heidi or Eldon. Marge Ulrich said she is concerned that the flowers do not get watered over the weekends in the summer months. When plants are delivered this year, the EBA plans to mention the importance of watering. Lisa Reinmann suggested contacting groups looking for community service hours. Kat Arnold said she would check with the students.
City:
Jim Meares said the city is planning a city-wide garage sale on May 17. Maps with the garage sale locations will be available. There is a $5 fee to be listed on the map, and proceeds go toward the Sesquicentennial fund. A tug-o-war contest is planned for the 4th of July, along with a variety of children’s inflatable equipment. The city has hired the resource officer for 2 more years. They got a $20,000 grant from IDOT for sidewalk repair. Eureka Avenue will be closed for the hospital expansion.
Old Business:
Eldon LiaBraaten shared that the EBA now has an e-mail address: eba@mtco.com. Eldon will check the e-mail and pass it along to the correct person. At the last meeting an EBA phone number was suggested, and at the officers’ meeting they decided an e-mail address would be easier to maintain.
Sesquicentennial: Jim Fyke said he is chairing the history committee. They are putting together a historical book in which pages will be for sale to businesses, community organizations, and individuals. They are also looking for historical photos. Laura Siscoe said the Sesquicentennial is planned for August 2009. The fundraising committee is still compiling recipes for the cookbook. They need all recipes by March 3. Lisa Reinmann said other fundraising ideas include turtle race, cookie sales, and a new car raffle. Laura Siscoe invited all to attend the next meeting on Tuesday, February 26, at 7 pm in the Woodford County Annex.
Eureka Conference on Economic Development: Kat Arnold shared that Eureka College planned to host this conference on Friday, May 9, from 11-12. The college would like the EBA to help with planning the event. Dave Arnold will come to next month’s EBA meeting to further discuss the conference.
New Business:
Eureka Community Guide: Heidi Bowman said that the Woodford County Journal is putting together the third annual Eureka Community Guide. She encouraged everyone to let the Journal know if they have information they would like included in the guide. The last two years the EBA has purchased the inside back page for $500. This year the Journal is able to offer the page to the EBA for $375. Rick Robinson made a motion that the EBA purchase the inside back page, and Jim Fyke seconded it. The motion passed.
Eureka Business Society: Eureka College Professor Harry Fisher and students Natalie Wetterauer and Alex Pounds spoke about the business society at the college. It is a student organization comprised mainly of business and accounting majors. In the past month, the group presented marketing ideas to the Buy Locally committee. Jim Fyke shared that the college students’ presentation had been very informative and he felt that their fresh perspectives could give the EBA some guidance. The EBS would like further opportunities to work with the EBA and the Eureka business community. They meet every other Thursday night and they welcome business owners to attend. Contact the EBS president at kinnis@eureka.edu. Kat Arnold said she could serve as a liaison between the EBA and the EBS. Rick Robinson said that he had had trouble getting advertising in the Eureka College newspaper, the Pegasus, and Kat Arnold said they had a new ad sales representative for the paper.
Suggestions for New Members to Contact:
Dana Wiegand said people should contact Rick Robinson with new member ideas.
Brief Business Update:
Laura Siscoe of the Eureka Public Library said the library will have a SMART (Seniors Managing Area Resources Together) information workshop on February 26, from 9-12, at Maple Lawn’s Memorial Hall. The topic will be volunteer and career opportunities for seniors. The library has also applied for a grant to help with starting and upgrading businesses, and they were pleased with the letters of recommendation written on the library’s behalf.
Pat Reinkensmeyer of the Communities of Maple Lawn said they will be hosting a First Sunday Brunch at Maple Lawn Memorial Hall every month expect for March and December, the months Sodexho hosts a First Sunday Brunch at the Eureka College Cerf Center. The next Maple Lawn brunch will be April 6, from 11:30-2. Call 467-2337 and ask for Jill to make reservations.
Eureka “Buy Locally” Discussion:
Kat Arnold shared that the group had hired at Eureka College intern, Joe Arnold, to help figure out the business community’s needs and write human interest stories about businesses. Joe will be contacting businesses with three questions: What would you like the EBA to do for you? What would you hope this internship could help accomplish? What is one thing you would like everyone to know about your business?
Dana Wiegand stated that he was no longer with Goodfield State Bank. He accepted a job with Farm Credit Services in Ottawa. Nancy Scott of the Eureka Public Library had said she would be the president. Kat Arnold made a motion that Nancy Scott be the 2008 EBA president, and Dawn Maloney seconded it. The motion passed. Laura Siscoe voiced the sentiments of the EBA when she said Ottawa’s gain would be Eureka’s loss. The EBA thanks Dana for his service and wishes him the best of luck in the future!
