GV Chamber Notes

Garden Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Minutes  January 26, 2012
Submitted by Diane Caughlin


~Ken and Betty Rodgers presented clips of their Viet Nam documentary, Bravo! , for consideration to be shown at the planned Troop Appreciation event to be held during the first few months of 2012. The Board was favorably disposed to including Bravo! in the planned event.
~ Diane presented An Emergency Planning Guide from the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. Members need to become familiar with it and provide recommendations for applying planning guidelines to the community. After a short discussion, it was decided that the Chamber’s alternate meeting place will be the Garden Valley Market during a power disruption or weather event.
~ Diane Carlson and Mike Tomlin have put together a marketing letter targeted for groups interested in family or class reunions, car rallies, etc. Motion was passed to authorize $100 for mailing expenses.
~ Diane noted SWITA marketing literature and administrative records are being corrected to show the GV Chamber and all related Job Creation and Retention Council organizations as being separate, stand-alone entities.
~ It was noted that the dinner items for this Chamber meeting were more extensive, to accommodate the visiting Garden Valley Contractors Association members. $80 will be provided as compensation for the caterer. 
~ Diane noted that 2012 Chamber members will be receiving their annual invoice during February, and payment must be received by the end of March. John noted that SWITA has asked the Chamber whether there will be a “Gold Rush” theme for any Chamber events during 2012, since Boise County is planning to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold in the Boise Basin. Diane asked that all members forward their ideas to her for membership consideration. There was general agreement that it might be a good idea to flavor the 4th of July celebration with some sort of “Gold Rush” theme. Diane adjourned the Board meeting at 6 pm and transitioned to the general member meeting.


GV Chamber of Commerce
Members Meeting Notes of January 26, 2012


Diane Caughlin, President, Presiding
Julie Leslie, Vice President
John Jauregui, Secretary
Vicky Burford, Treasurer
Diane Carlson, Member at Large


Old Business:

~ Diane reminded everyone that the Friday morning marketing brainstorming meetings are producing some great ideas for action and invited all to join us at 9am at Wild Bill’s to generate ideas for making people outside of GV more aware of the vacation opportunities in the area. We’re working on extending invitations to groups to use our restaurants, lodging accomodations, etc.
~ Re Opportunities, do people know where we are, do they know where to turn--we need signage. Lynne did a lot of work on the signage, good ideas. Get people to turn toward GV, then Crouch, give people an idea of virtual hotel, lodges, and motels.
Point of SWITA grant is 500 beds in virtual hotel. Georgiana’s weaving retreat brings in 1-2 dozen weavers--people stayed for three days. John checked marketing opportunities at the airport. There are many displays available for businesses, communities and organizations to market their products and services. Graphic Board in Concourse B supports videos of places and things to see in Idaho.
~ SWITA supports newspaper inserts in large cities in the West, talking about what’s available in Southwest Idaho. Other opportunities, advertise on buses in cities not too far from here--SLC, Portland, Seattle--to raise people’s awareness of our Valley. AAA tour book suggested.
~ Phil Palmiotto (representing Fire Dept.): There was a drawing for the Weatherby rifle donated by Haztec drilling, 300 tickets sold. Proceeds will go to the high school scholarship and burnout fund. Winner is Irving Park from College Place, Washington.


New Business:


~ We have sent “Our Troops: Thinking of You from Garden Valley” 40 boxes of goodies, and we have sent 43 boxes of clothing for children for the chaplain to distribute. We’re not finished; please drop off your gifts for either, any time!


Member Updates:


~ Marlene Robison, Evergreen Insurance: Property insurance, dental and vision, funeral home prepayment must go into insurance coverage. Benefit in Chamber membership: you can offer your services to Chamber, e.g., Garden Mt. B&B is offering 20% off if associated with Chamber. There is a list of others offering discounts (on website).
~ Garden Valley Radio: Rex LeFevre, Rich Smith, Tim Benedict, Terry Lloyd, and lots of volunteers are involved. The Big News is they just got authorization to be a 5013c organization, so they are now eligible for grants and donations. Rich Smith is still pursuing an FCC license; the anticipation window will open in next 3-6 months. Rich is ready to launch. Tim Benedict put together a website with streaming through Garden Valley Radio.com. They've done some broadcast testing from a 7 watt transmitter and small antenna from the airfield, to Banks, to the edge of Boise National Forest. We can go up to 100 watts with FCC license. It will help with emergency planning for the community and businesses. 98.3 - 98.5. Selling ads? The station will be able to list sponsor businesses. They will donate ads with appropriate sponsorship.
~ Kim Bosse, City of Crouch: She took advantage of Groupon with Idaho Xports—good advertising for individual businesses.
~ Toni Palmiotto - Young Life: Youth group meets at the outreach center at 7 pm, on Wednesday night. They mentor kids and work toward attending camp. If you have extra work, they are available.
~ Phil Palmiotto: Construction specializing in log and timber construction and log furniture.
~ Steve Semmels, Craig Creek Rental: Tools large and small and equipment rental starting in spring. He does construction on side only. He has been here since ’93 and also does irrigation pumps, etc. He also houses Roland’s Body Shop; good at paint matching.
~ Vandye Forester has been in business fifty years doing advertising, public relations, and communications. He was an award winning corporate speech-writer champion in '83.
~ Carl Severance: Severance Sand and Gravel Inc. is located near the school. Lynn has been here since childhood; started Lynn backhoe in ’83, out in 2006, now into gravel full time; also ready-mix concrete. Excellent mix design! Haul to you or pick it up.
~ Jerry McClain, electrical contractor: New construction, commercial and residential. 
~ Sandy McClain, McClain's Bookkeeping: Small accounting firm for small businesses. Daughter does taxes.
~ Bill Hadzor: Wild Bill's Coffee and Bistro. Serves breakfast 7 am every morning and great lunches. Bill also does Electrical Construction to keep Jerry honest! 
~ Lynne McKibbin: Dahlia's Flower Shop: Valentine’s Day coming up. Early orders get discounts!
~ Jackie Gaynor has been here since 2009. She works broadcast captioning for live broadcasts, including KTVB Cares and the Boise holiday parade last year. She’s a former court reporter.
~ Mark Stetson: Three Forks Custom Woodworks, all kinds of construction.
~ Rex LeFevre, Radio Station KXGV 98.5: Admits to having the ugliest building in town. They want to put a false front on building; working on grant. Also turning Crouch into 'Hollywood of Garden Valley', promoting movie and TV production of private producers.
~ Rick Fobes has been an electrical contractor six years in the area and is hoping to bump up business.
~ Thelma Davis owns and operates Starlight Mountain Theatre. They have lost their lease on the building for the theater in Boise. They are now working on permits with the city, for a new lease. Their new shows include Fiddler on the Roof, Calamity Jane, Cinderella, Joseph’s Technicolor Dream Coat. They get 15-25,000 people through summer. Season tickets are now available. They will continue dinners from Sizzler.
~ Diane Carlson: Sun Country Salon is doing cans for cuts for food bank. Bring in up to 5 cans of food and get $1 off per can up to 5.
~ Vicky Burford, Outfitters Trading Post, the animal feed store next to car wash: She provides feed for all types of animals. She also makes and sells leather purses, belts and horse tack.
~ John Jauregui: Business consulting with individuals, organizations, businesses who want to move forward in a specific direction, i.e., mergers, and be successful with the process and more competitive. Also will offer seminars in spring, discounted for Chamber Members.
~ Deb Fondren: They have provided plumbing services since 1998. Business is poor this winter--they need to figure how they can all stay here.
~ Dick Polley: Remodels homes and installs windows. He’s also a musician, guitar and western vocals.
~ Scott Leslie, Castle Mountain Homes, does a little bit of everything. Mingle with one another, network, talk and help one another out with unique service (Paint Booth) etc. Says contractors need to overcome the stigma about 'Garden Valley time'. "We all need to get to know subcontractors we’re working with, to work better with one another and figure out how to market ourselves better."
~ Steve Pederson: Remodels, new construction, decks, home repairs. He’s trying to overcome Garden Valley time/Longhorn contractor’s stigma.
~ Christy Jauregui, Friends of the Library: Spring offerings--Feb. 25th, Dave Lachiando, with Basque music, history, serving basque food. The library is hosting an author presentation by Robin Lee Hatcher, “Hearts of Gold”, on March 5th. March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day fundraising party.
~ Spring Fling will be April 28th.
~ GV Properties: Cookbooks are still available, $10 each--recipes of food served at meetings. Proceeds go to Christmas Kids. These cookbooks make great, inexpensive gifts.
~ Scott Leslie, Castle Mt. Homes, challenges everyone to bring someone with them to next meeting ~