SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

GENERAL MEETING Ð JANUARY 8, 2004

 

The 11:30 luncheon meeting was held at Sunrise Assisted Living in Finneytown.  There were 13 people in attendance.

 

The meeting was called to order at by President Deborah Reynolds at 12:05 p.m.  Ms. Reynolds introduced all newly elected Board members and Trustees:

President Ð Deborah Reynolds

Vice President Ð Andy Boettcher

Treasurer Ð Bob Will

Recording Secretary Ð Melanie McNulty

Trustee Ð Leo Broerman

Trustee Ð Nancy Phillips

Trustee Ð Karen Burton

 

All attendees then introduced themselves and stated what business they represented.

 

Deborah urged members to continue to patronize other Business Association members and those in other areas listed in the RCP Directory.

 

TreasurerÕs Report Ð Bob Will gave the following report:

Balance as of last general meeting - $2,759.70

Income                                            -      366.76

Expenses                                         -      390.78

Current Balance                                $2,735.68

 

Committee reports:

á      Communications Ð STBA is still in need of a person to take the Communications position.  Duties include, but may not be limited to, preparing the newsletter for print, as well as post cards announcing upcoming meetings or events.

á      Programs Ð Nancy Phillips had no report.  Nancy is responsible for scheduling guest speakers or other interesting programs for the organization.

á      Membership Ð Karen Burton is the membership chair.  Bob Will reported that dues renewal notices will be mailed out with RCP information to save on postage.  President Reynolds hopes the mailer will generate interest in taking out an ad in the RCP Directory.  The mailer should go out the first week of February.

 

Township Update:

á      Melanie McNulty reported that a press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 at noon in the Administration BuildingÕs Allen Paul Room to announce plans for the Cheap Beds and Furniture property at Brentwood Plaza.

á      The Police Department is moving into their expanded building and the Fire Station/Administration Building is progressing on time.

á      Bob Trenkamp reported that his new building is complete and his business has moved in.  They are currently looking for tenants.

á      President Reynolds reported that she met with Elizabeth Nicoles from New Plan Realty about the Brentwood Shopping Center.  New Plan hopes to have 100% occupancy by March.  Pay Less Shoes will move into the Plaza and their freestanding store will be demolished.  GameWorks has recently moved into a vacant part of the Plaza.

á      The Fish Factory Restaurant has left its location at North Bend and Daly Roads.

á      Laura Kinney said her Curves location by ServatiiÕs should open on Monday, January 12 if the certificate of occupancy is approved by Hamilton County.  She currently has 66 members and is conducting business at the Grove Hall.

 

Old Business:

 

á      The STBA Board received two requests for financial assistance: 1.) Three cheerleaders from Finneytown High School must raise money to attend a conference in Hawaii.  STBA is donating a ÒSpirit BasketÓ to give them to be raffled off.  2.) The 8th grade class at Finneytown Jr. High is taking a class trip to Washington D.C.  They have requested help for scholarships to aid good students who cannot afford the trip.  STBA is donating $100.

á      An ongoing donation to Finneytown High School is a $165 subscription to the Wall Street Journal.

á      STBA has earmarked $500 a year for donations to community groups or schools that meet the organizationÕs criteria for giving.

 

New Business:

á      Regional Commerce Partnership (RCP) Directory Ð Members in the Springfield Township Business Association automatically get listed in the directory.  Businesses may also place ads starting at $150 for business card size to $800 for a full page.  New or changed ads from last year are $25 more than the above prices.

á      President Reynolds spoke at length about the direction of the Business Association.  She would like to see members receive more benefits for their participation.  Currently, there are 55 members.  Active members total about 15%.

á      She feels the STBA could offer more if it were a Chamber of Commerce and also feels the groupÕs focus should be on becoming a Chamber.  There are many advantages to becoming a Chamber from the national to the local level. 

á      The paperwork is a huge stumbling block.  Bob Will will contact Brad King about helping the organization with this.  Mr. King was instrumental with setting up the original documentation for becoming a Business Association.

á      Paul Berning suggested the group Scholle and Scholle may be able to help also.

á      Bob Will agrees there are advantages to becoming a Chamber of Commerce: 1.) educational opportunities 2.) benefits from access to group programs such as health and dental insurance and workers comp, to name a few.

á      STBA is trying to increase membership by holding lunch meetings.

 

Speaker:

á      Ms. Reynolds apologized for the absence of the guest speaker.  She was home ill.

á      Deborah then invited DeShawne Jackson, new branch manager at the Provident Bank on Winton Road, to say a few words.  DeShawne said the branch has a new staff and is working to improve security.  He looks forward to working with the STBA.

 

Announcements:

á      The next general meeting is at 11:30 at the Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA.

 

The meeting was adjourned by President Reynolds at 12:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Melanie McNulty, Recording Secretary