Chamber Minutes September 19, 2012 

· Jon Warms gave a report on the upcoming Tenafly Council meeting and some of the important topics to be discussed at the 10/23 meeting.

·  Pat gave the treasurer’s report: $5,516.12 in the chamber’s account—all bills paid.

·  Pat gave the membership report @ 42 current members.

·  Prorated membership was reviewed again confirming that new members joining during the course of the chamber’s fiscal year will be prorated by quarter. The prorated membership is only applicable to new members, not renewals of membership.

·  BID report was given by Bob. BID is approving the by laws at their Wed., Sept. 20th meeting.

·  Update of the street fair was given by Bob. The town is requesting payment for police overtime pay for the extra security. Jon Warms is checking with the Mayor and council on the change in policy. There are 50 to 60 vendors expected to participate.  The chamber is expecting to get money back from Daryl Walker from the vendor fees.

·  Carol reported on the success of the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce reusable shopping bags. They were a big success and very well received by the new residents and the Mayor. The Chamber Bucks were appreciated by the attendees as well.

·  $350 in chamber bucks was given to the new teachers at the luncheon given by the Rotary Club.

·  The Town Wide Community Sale was discussed. Christine will report back at the next chamber meeting on the progress of the plans for the event. The last weekend in April or May is being considered.

·  Halloween event was discussed. There will be trick-or-treating in the downtown area.

·   A Halloween Art contest will be promoted in the Suburbanite using the last of the free space the chamber earned. The ad will include space for the children’s artwork. Chamber members will be contacted to volunteer as drop off points for the artwork. The artwork will be displayed in participating store windows and parents and residents will be encouraged to choose their favorite. The will be a prize  for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age category. Chamber bucks will be used as prizes.

·  The Kid’s Night Out is being planned for Spring 2013 on a Friday night. Some of the activities mentioned were Drawing, Make your own pizza and sports contests.

Meeting was adjourned at 8pm.

Attendees:  Pat Fedele, Marlyn Friedberg, Christine Evron, Jon Warms, Bob Kutik, JoAnn Carr, Richard Moller.

Chamber Minutes March 7th, 2012

 ·       Beth Lippmann, the Executive Director of the Tenafly Business Improvement District, was the guest speaker. Beth gave a brief history of the origins of  BID ‘s explaining they were created in  the late ‘80’s as a way to help downtowns compete with malls. The Tenafly BID’s marketing program was discussed including the April Taste of Tenafly marketing campaign. Beth also discussed why the internet and lack of credit is discouraging furniture, gift shops and clothing boutiques (stores with inventory)  from opening.

·       The Tenafly BID was established 1 ½ years ago. They have created an online directory, plan to create signage, and implement marketing programs. Marketing programs include help for Tenafly business owners on how to use the internet and Facebook to market their businesses. The BID meetings are the 3rd Monday of every month at the Tenafly Borough Hall and 6:30 pm; Tenafly Chamber Members are welcome to attend.

·       Membership report, 5 paid members as of March 7th.

·       Treasurer’s report, $6,528.94 currently in chamber account

·       Promotions Committee report: A list of the promotions for the year were included in the membership mailing. The first of the promotions, Tenafly loyalty program, was explained by Bob. Shoppers can stop at designated stores with their March receipts from purchase made at any Tenafly businesses and get back 10% of the total of their March purchases in up to $50 in Chamber bucks to be spent in the month of April in chamber stores only.

·       April plant-give-a-way. Chamber will purchase 200 plants to be distributed to participainting chamber stores to use as gifts to their customers during Friday and Saturday on Passover/Easter weekend—April 6 & 7.

·       A June raffle is being organized—a pair of Yankee tickets will be raffled.

·       Glow necklaces will be distributed at the Tenafly Fireworks again this year.

·       An October street fair, Person of the Year are being planned.

·       Christine Evron suggested a Chocolate Expo or possibly “Where’s Waldo”.

·       The chamber plans to take the Mayor and Council up on their offer to allow the Tenafly Chamber to hold sidewalk sales once a month from May through September.

·       Bob requested permission to hire Daryl Walker to promote the October chamber street fair. Permission was granted.

·       Minutes from the February chamber meeting were approved.

·       Light rail survey sent out but not enough chamber members answered; no letter from the chamber was generated.

New Business:

·       A presentation planned for the April 4th general meeting. The presentation will be on developing a group health insurance plan for Tenafly Chamber members as well as including area chambers.

·       A networking event is being planned for end of May or beginning of June. More details to come.

Meeting adjourned at 8pm.

Attendees:  Bob Kutik, Christine Evron, Jon Warms, JoAnn Carr, Gerry Migliore, Pat Fedele, Khalid Mansoor, Marlyn Friedberg, Maria Binenbaum, Peter Quinn, Pat Lamson, Meryl Fell, Marc Maeri, Beth Lippman, Richard Moller, Jennifer Kleinbaum.

Minutes General Meeting, February 1, 2012

• Christine Evron finalized the chamber membership sticker for 2012 and has added a QR (Quick Read) Code to the sticker; when scanned on a smart phone, will bring viewers to the chamber’s website. When scanned, the QR code can also bring viewers to a special promotional page.

 Election results:

Bob Kutik (Womrath’s Book Store) was nominated by Gerry Migliore and has been elected by acclamation.

Carol Schulter (Kaplen JCC on the Palisades) was re-elected as 2nd Vice President and is listed as Vice President until a 1st Vice President is nominated.

Pat Fedele (Alma Bank) was elected as Treasurer.JoAnn Carr (Suburbanite Newspaper) re-elected as Secretary.

Christine Evron, (Touchstone Computer Systems, Inc.) 2-year term remaining

Bill Kapito (Wine Ventures) 1-year term remaining

Marlyn Friedberg (Friedberg Properties), 2-year term remaining

Cathy McCauley (Cooktique) 2-year term remaining

Gerry Migliore, (CVS Pharmacy) Past President 

Scott Porter (Fischer Porter Thomas & Reinfeld Attorneys Law),1-year term remaining

Khalid Mansoor (Healthway Natural Foods)1-year term remaining

o        In the past the Mayor and Council have included $2,000 in the budget to subsidize Tenafly Chamber events. JoAnn will write a letter to be sent to the mayor and council requesting these funds for 2012.

• Al Cappellini suggested a survey of the Tenafly Chamber membership be taken to ask their stand on the light rail. Christine will put together a survey on the chamber’s website. An e-mail will be sent out to all members asking them to participate in the survey. The results of the survey will be reviewed and based on the responses the Tenafly Chamber will submit a collective response to the DEIF.
• The BID Executive Director, Beth Lippmann, will address the Tenafly Chamber at the next general meeting on March 7th.

Old Business:

• Status of the chamber’s tax filing. Gerry will follow up with accountant and get the tax filing wrapped up.
• $200 check was delivered to the Tenafly High School as a contribution to the Tenafly Music Scholarship fund.
• Mayor Peter Rustin attending the meeting and spoke about the light rail. Also reminded members about the outdated map the Clinton Inn has been distributing. to guests. Christine Evron is updating the map of the business district for the Welcome Committee and the Chamber.

Goals and Objectives for 2012

• As the new president of the chamber, Bob Kutik listed the following goals and objectives for 2012: Increase membership, use the website for more visibility, use Suburbanite for more PR. Get information on town’s message board and utilize the town quarterly newsletter.
• Plan to use the mayor and council’s suggestion to hold a monthly sidewalk sale during the warmer weather. Need to solicit businesses to get them to participate.
• More co-sponsored events.
• An Events and Promotions committee was formed, the following members volunteered for the committee: Cathy McCauley will chair, Maria, Al, Bob and JoAnn. Meet and put together a proposed schedule by the March general meeting. Look into buying an e-mail list to use for announcing events and promotions.
• A Membership Committee was formed, the following members volunteered for the committee: Christine is chairing, Despina, Pat F., Bob, Gerry and Joann. To meet and get out membership mailing before March meeting.
• A Networking Committee was formed, the following members volunteered for the committee: Bob is chairing, Christine and JoAnn
• Minutes from the January meeting were approved.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:02.

Attendees:  Milap Raikundalia, BrainStorm Tutoring; Maria Binembaum, Brain Storm Tutoring; Christine Evron, Touchstone; Cathy McCauley, Cooktique; Al Cappellini, Cooktique; Gerry Migliore, CVS; Pasquale Fedele, Alma Bank; Despina Kolokithas, Alma Bank; Jon Warms, Borough of Tenafly; Carol Schulter, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades; JoAnn Carr, Suburbanite Newspaper.