The August meeting was at the Eureka College Cerf Center with 18 people in attendance. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. The July minutes were approved. Treasurer Eldon LiaBraaten said the account balance is $5140.98 and provided a report for the last two months. He said there had been 6 new members in the last 6 weeks.
Committee Reports:
Buy Local: Kat Arnold and Jim Fyke said there are two applicants for the EBA Eureka College internship this fall.
Eureka Reagan Fest: Karen Fyke said they needed volunteers to help sell tickets at the Fest.
Taste of Eureka: Heidi Bowman said more businesses have signed up to participate. She encouraged everyone to buy tickets and come out and enjoy the Taste.
EBA Special Projects: Nancy Scott said Rhonda Wetzler had been hired as the EBA Special Projects Coordinator. Rhonda will provide a familiar face to businesses and complete assignments. She has been working on the gift check program, and is going to look at increasing membership next.
City: Jim Meares said there will be a series of meetings on the proposed pool. The City is looking for public input.
Sesquicentennial Update: Laura Siscoe said the cookbook sales are going very well. They have sold 500 and have 500 more ordered. The crocks are on display at the City Hall. The new car raffle plans for a Cobalt or Focus are being finalized. The group is going to approach the civic and church groups about sponsoring one event to help raise funds. Dawn Maloney said the group will be in the Morton Pumpkin Parade on September 13, and they would like volunteers. The float will feature former Pumpkin queens, and the float itself will be used in future parades. Jim Fyke suggested that a master calendar be created for Eureka and other communities and wondered if such a calendar could be a future project.
Old Business:
EBA Gift Certificates: Nancy Scott reported that the program is going well. 52 members are currently participating. It was suggested that Rhonda write a follow-up letter to businesses, and Nancy said she would pass that idea along.
New Business:
Holiday Promotions: Heidi Bowman said that Vada Schertz if no longer able to chair Christmas Memories but she will be willing to help the new chairperson. Eldon LiaBraaten opened up the discussion about what direction EBA should go with holiday activities. The general consensus was that the EBA should continue to bring Santa to town, and a committee will be formed.
2009 Dues: Nancy Scott said that the officers had been discussed raising the 2009 dues to $60 with the gift check program as an added benefit of membership. Jim Fyke made the motion to raise the dues to $60, and Kat Arnold seconded it. The motion passed.
Eureka College Business Fair: Nancy Scott said the Eureka College Business Fair will be Wednesday, August 27, from 11-1. The EBA will have postcards advertising the gift check program that students can fill out with their parents’ addresses.
Brief Business Update:
Kat Arnold said that the Pegasus, the Eureka College newspaper, has a new advertising contact. Julie Stroebel can be reached at jstroebel@eureka.edu.
