The BABA meeting was at Merchants Bank on January 10 at 8 AM. The meeting was called to order by President Bebe Kinnett. Minutes were approved. It was suggested by Bebe that the meetings be alternated between The Beacon office and Merchants Bank. Discussion followed and it was decided that the BABA Facebook page & web site would have the most up to date location for the next meeting. The group is looking ideas for some evening meetings in 2014.
Treasurer Dan Cross reported that the account had no activity and the balance was the same as last month.
Membership Chair Kate Karaus reported that there are new BP owners, Bob and Pat Patel. There will be a renewal campaign in April since memberships are due in May. Discussion about pro-rating memberships or if a company joins by January 1 they would have membership until May the following year.
Golf Chair Greg Gronwell is very excited about the Golf outing in May. Merchants Bank is the Title Sponsor and The Beacon is a Gold Sponsor. This year is expected to be bigger and better than ever. Co-Chair Pat Sullivan is the gift committee person and he will store gifts/donations for door prizes until the outing date. The outing is May 19 at Hidden Valley Golf Club. Joni Helton suggested a save the date be put on BABA Facebook. They will be getting bids in January for printing the flyers which cost about $200 last year. It was decided to keep the same style brochures. There will be a spot on Eagle 99.3 for the outing. Pat Sullivan suggested the YES HOUSE as a possible charity but it was decided to keep the charities locally in the Bright area. It also was suggested that the charities to benefit from the golf outing stay the same as last year; ND Food Pantry, Bright Fire and EMS and Hands and Feet.
Greg and Pat encouraged everyone to think of foursomes even though it is hard to think about golf in this wintery weather.
Harrison Chamber Breakfast is February 13 from 7:30 to 9:30 AM at the VFW on Lawrenceburg Rd. It is the major kickoff for building membership. This infant organization already has 60 members.
The speaker in February is Jim Helms, Chancellor at Ivy Tech College of Indiana. There was an idea for Chip Perfect to speak. Locations for evening meetings were the Fire Department, ND Library and 99.3.
There was discussion about a handout to give to new businesses and non-members to list the benefits of joining the Bright Area Business Association. There seems to be a core group, but not growing in attendance at the monthly meetings. It’s a concern that the organization stay focused on promoting business and commerce in the Bright area and not become a charitable organization or just a networking group.
Phil Kuhn from North Dearborn Library gave a short seminar about LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking website, LinkedIn. It was very interesting and Phil gave many suggestions on how to establish your LinkedIn profile and how the networking develops through connections.
Those in attendance were: Bebe Kinnett, Absolute Web Designs; Greg Gronwell, ACN Communications; Dale Lutz, Cornerstone Realty and Lutz Auction Service; Dan Cross, Dan Cross CPA; Pat Sullivan, Hidden Valley Golf Club; tom Hooper, Hooper Termite & Pest Control; Joni Helton, Mary Kay cosmetics, Debby Stutz, Merchants Bank & Trust, Celeste Calvitto, The Beacon; Kate Karaus, T-Systems Electric; Les Finn, Waddell & Reed, Lori Enright, WSCH 99.3.
Submitted by:
Debby Stutz, Merchants Bank & Trust,