SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GENERAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 16, 2006

The luncheon meeting was held at the Springfield Township Administration Building.

Lunch was served and the meeting was called to order at 12:00 P.M. by president Rhys Reynolds. Ms. Reynolds asked all members present to introduce themselves and state what business they represented or owned. There were 9 members present.

Treasurer’s Report:

President Reynolds gave the following report:

September balance $2,229.83

Income .71 *

Expenses $365.00 **

Current balance $1,865.64

* interest accumulated

**donation to St. Vivian School science lab and Wall Street Journal for Finneytown High School library.

Former treasurer Jeff McKanna explained that he stepped down from the office of treasurer for business reasons.

Township Update:

Melanie McNulty gave the following Springfield Township:

• Plans were approved for a new Walgreens to be built at the corner of Winton and Galbraith Roads.
• Plans were approved for a new Wal-Mart to be built on Hamilton Avenue at Meredith Drive.
• The old Township fire and administration building at 8375 Winton Road was purchased by New-Plan Realty (owners of Brentwood Plaza) and is currently being torn down. No decision on what will take its place.
• The Road Levy on the November ballot failed, however, the Board of Trustees has asked for a re-count. The levy failed by 207 votes.
• The Springfield Township Vision Committee completed its report and the plan was presented to the public at an open house on Wednesday, November 15^th.

President’s Report:

Rhys Reynolds gave a report on the Springfield Township Vision Plan, how it relates to the business community and what it means for the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Reynolds served on the Vision Committee:

• Township identity is difficult because the area is so spread out. There are parts of 8 school districts within the Township’s borders.
• The Township has no real core area.
• No large corporate businesses within the Township
• The business community has no real identity.
• People’s perception of Springfield Township is that it is a mom and pop community. If it stays that way, the township will die. It must have business growth to move forward and thrive.
• Springfield Township must look at a way to revitalize the business community so people will want to come here to do business and or locate their business.

Thoughts on the Springfield Township Chamber of Commerce:

• Most businesses in the Township are small, making it difficult for owners or managers to attend Chamber of Commerce meetings.
• The STCC has lost board members because they cannot get away from their business to attend meetings or assist with other activities.
• The Chamber has no physical presence: no office and no building identity.

What direction will the Chamber of Commerce take?

• 1 – The Chamber could operate until the end of 2006, then let it go dormant to see if others step up to take leadership and continue the organization.
• 2 – Have smaller, spin off groups that would meet in their own business community. The main, larger group would operate in the Winton Road corridor area. All smaller groups would be members of the larger organization, but would only come together for occasional special meetings.

Discussion took place about the direction of the Chamber. A question was asked about the mission of the STCC. Ms. Reynolds listed the four components of the mission statement: To promote ourselves, to advocate, to network and to build community.

Beth Hiltz suggested having businesses sponsor events in which the whole Springfield Township community could get involved.

Janet Rue raised a question concerning the continuation of small business health benefits from SOCA should the STCC go dormant. Rhys assured members that they could join a neighboring Chamber of Commerce and remain with SOCA. Benefits will not end until a decision is made on the direction of the STCC.

Thea Teich suggested sending out an email to let members know that the STCC will be forced to dissolve unless some new leadership steps forward. Perhaps someone will do so and change the direction of the Chamber or change its format to better match the businesses needs. Ms. Teich also volunteered to be the new treasurer.

Next step for the STCC:

• 1 – President Reynolds will write a direct letter to explain the problems the STCC has faced and to ask for volunteers to step forward to lead the group.
• 2 – Thom Schneider suggested that members physically go to businesses on the Winton Road corridor and speak to the managers or owners. Give them an informational pamphlet about the Chamber of Commerce, write down their name and other information. Ask if they have any questions for the Springfield Township Board of Trustees and tell them that the Chamber of Commerce will communicate their concerns or questions to the Trustees.

Before the meeting was adjourned, Melanie McNulty nominated Thea Teich to become the new Treasurer. The motion was seconded. A vote was taken and passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 P.M.

Melanie McNulty, Recording Secretary