Members Meeting – Aug 2016

Tuesday August 16, 2016

Malta Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting

Westside Restaurant

1. Call to order- Dina Meneely
2. Member Round Robin

• FSB – getting ready for homecoming parade on Sept 16
• PCN – good turnout at Crazy Days garage sale
• RSA – community celebration Sept 17 at Milk River Pavilion. All encouraged to attend, free will donation BBQ, music by Trial by Fire, recognition of 100+yr families and businesses, email Perri for details or questions
• Veseth – back to school time
• IB – focusing on back to school time
• Art Spot – Great attendance at Fair booth and fundraiser drawing. Upcoming programs at Dodson, Saco and Whitewater school.

III. Committee and Administrative Reports

• Merchants

• Business After Hours – August 20 Westside, Sept Art’s, Oct Avon/Alison’s Pantry
• Crazy Days – went well, considering a committee to plan next year’s, need to consider event insurance for any street closure

• Sports
  • Homecoming Sept 16
• Membership
  • Online Renewal Option – July/August Renewals Out Via Email, Reminders out Hardcopy
  • Membership Drive – 100 previous or non-members out hard copy
• Tourism and Marketing
  • Dina creating marketing plan for 2016/2017 – board approval
  • PCLifestyle – Crazy Days Selfie Spot tags successful, may do article in August for Selfie Spots
  • Border Sign – Grant approved from Missouri River Country for 50% of quote
  • Historic Walking Tour Brochure  - board approved
  • Encourage all residents to utilize Yelp/Trip Advisor to post positive feedback about businesses, and businesses to keep any eye on these websites to promote their business to travelers.
• Member Education and Investment
  • Survey out in August for what would like to see in fall community education courses
  • Completing several new additions to online course catalog
• Technology
  • Technology Roundup – Sept 22  @ Malta Business Center
    • Sponsorship still available!  $25 for an ad in the program and digital advertising on website and at event.

1. Old Business

• Hands Only CPR – go online or contact PCH to schedule training

1. New Business/Discussions

• HiLine Arts Trail Community Planning Discussion
  • Rosie Goldich, Project Coordinator, Opportunity Link - presenter
    • Goldich came to Opportunity Link as an AmeriCorps VISTA in January 2015. She worked on strengthening the regional food system and network, including performing a food security assessment and grant writing. In February 2016, she became our Project Coordinator, working on outreach, grant writing, and project development. Rosie has previous experience in non-profit development and grant writing while working at Habitat for Humanity in Massachusetts and Shanghai, China. She earned a B.A. in Economics from Clark University in 2014.
  • Opportunity Link, in partnership with Art Spot Arts Education Center, recently received a National Endowment for the Arts grant to fund a Hi-Line Arts Trail, stretching across the Hi-Line from Glacier County to Phillips County.
  • The trail will highlight art installations and events which reflect the local culture and history of North Central Montana. To lead Tourists and Residents through the region, a mobile application highlighting Art Galleries, Museums, Artist Studios and Current Art Installations will be developed to increase tourism and map specific assets throughout the region.
    • In Malta one idea is a mural on Art’s Furniture building, with some design work by Todd Mandeville
  • Meetings will be hosted along the Hi-Line region to discuss this project with interested community members and start the planning process for new art installations and mapping current arts resources.
  • WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?
    • Bring forward information on collections, artists or craftspersons to Art Spot to be included on the App
      • The App will be an inventory of all artisans and collections across the hi-line, where travelers can look it up and see what is available in their area
    • If you are interested in participating on the organizing committee, please contact the Art Spot
    • December 4 – Art Fair at City Hall
      • Quick draw with local artists
      • Gift for holidays
      • Juried show – you can include your favorite pieces to be displayed

Your own work, or that which you own.