July 13Convention and Visitors Bureau, 7:00 a.m., CVB Office
July 14SummerFest meeting, noon, C &C Loft & Lounge
July 21SummerFest meeting, noon, Eagles
July 20Chamber Board of Trustees Meeting, Noon, Eagles Lodge
July 28SummerFest meeting, noon, C & C Loft and Lounge
Don’t Forget!!
Shop Chamber Members First!!
KILL NAMED CHAMBER DIRECTOR
Kelly Kill was named the Executive Director of the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce this week by the Chamber’s Board of Trustees.Kill has been serving as the interim director since February. "We are very impressed with Kelly's enthusiasm and her ability to get things done, and most importantly her focus on the members and creating more value for Chamber members," said Matt Berry, board president. "For example, she is leading the effort to develop our website, which will benefit all members and the community as a whole. And she has enhanced other value-added benefit programs for members."
Kill has worked for the Chamber as Office Manager since 1998, stepping into the interim position as Nick Van Schoyck retired at the end of January.She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ohio University, has worked for several Ohio newspapers in varying capacities, and at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve the board and the members of the Chamber,” said Kill.“I have enjoyed working with the members and boards of trustees over the past years and will continue to work in their behalf and for the betterment of St. Marys in the future.I would also like to thank the board for their confidence in me and for all of their support.”
OUR NEW WEBSITE
You will notice that our website address has changed to www.stmarysohio.orgPlease check out the new site and in particular, your information. There ishistorical background on how St. Marys first became inhabited by settlers and when it was first incorporated as a city.A lot of interesting historical facts that you may not be aware of.
You will notice that our website address has changed to www.stmarysohio.orgPlease check out the new site and in particular, your information. There ishistorical background on how St. Marys first became inhabited by settlers and when it was first incorporated as a city.A lot of interesting historical facts that you may not be aware of.
You will notice that our website address has changed to www.stmarysohio.orgPlease check out the new site and in particular, your information. There ishistorical background on how St. Marys first became inhabited by settlers and when it was first incorporated as a city.A lot of interesting historical facts that you may not be aware of.
There is a section that lists all of the upcoming events that are being sponsored by the Chamber and a calendar of events for SummerFest.You will also notice a flash ad at the top of the page that you will see our members’ names flash at you.You can click on the name and you will go to their storefront page.All of our member businesses are included in this list and will appear over 20,000 times yearly.Something special for each of our members. Our Board of Directors is listed as well as all of our Chamber member businesses. Check out the area links with listing of their website. It is an easily maneuverable site with loads of informationuseful for us as a community and to help bring in additional tourists.
We hope you are as pleased with our results as we are.
BOARD MINUTES
Matt Berry called the meeting to order and welcomed Deb Zwez as a new Board Member.
Kill noted there are four new members this month:Midnet Media, Canalside Book Store, OhioArmy National Guard, and Brian Morris Communications.
Kill reported that she is searching for an appropriate location over Spring Street to hang a Summerfest banner that will be high enough to allow truck clearance. She went to Buckland and attended their Belt Sander Drag Races which will be a crowd pleaser. Kathy Sampson, Kelly Kill and Dianna Fast will go inspect the Parade Float and assess needed repairs.
Ken Baker asked when the new web site would be in operation, what the website address would be, and how we plan to announce to the community that it is in operation.Kill answered that the web site will be announced in The Evening Leader and linked with other sites. She also stated that the new web site would be monitored with counter to indicate the number of visitors. The new website address will be www.stmarysohio.org.
Following an executive session, the board voted to hire Kelly Kill as the Executive Director and move Dianna Fast, administrative assistant, to a full time position until the end of August.
Dean Moeller continued the meeting by asking the current Website Committe to serve as the Promotion Committee to monitor the revenues generated from the web site advertising. All revenue will be used first for the website expenses and any remaning revenue would be used on the recommedation of the Promotion Committee.
Kill reported that she is gearing up for SummerFest articles to newspapers and wrapping up loose ends with weekly meetings with the SummerFest Committee. They have purchased a hay wagon to store and transport stages and necessary equipment for the SummerFest activities. Baker suggested we provide a sign up sheet for volunteers for different actives. Kill agreed.
Sampson discussed the Triathlon and possible Dillinger Days which will include Vintage Boat Show and merchant displays. She suggested using the gazebo as the central location. She also discussed using the vault in the basement of Kellermeyer’s as an attraction.She has received positive response from merchants and active community leaders. There is also a possibility that there could be a appropriate era show at the St. Marys Theater.
John Wale suggested that the money collected for the Depot Project, since it will not be moved and renovated, can be used for other purposes. Gorby said that $10,000 was needed to complete either moving or disposing of the property. Several suggestions were made for the remainder of the donations. Sampson stated that the depot should be offered up to interested parties first
AUGLAIZE COUNTY
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The three Auglaize County Chambers of Commerce have pooled their efforts and talents todevelop a countywide leadership program.The program is officially known as the Auglaize County VALU Program.The acronym VALU stands for Visioning Auglaize Leadership and Unity.The class members come together on the third Thursday of each month from September thru June to learn about topics such as City and County Government; Agriculture; Communications and Media; Health Care and Human Services; Criminal Justice and Safety Forces; Education; History and Tourism; and Industry, Economic Development, and Chambers of Commerce.Each class session begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.Most of the time is spent out within the county visiting facilities and talking individuals who perform these varied occupations.Each class is limited to no more than fifteen individuals.Our hope is that the information which each class member receives will be instrumental in helping them to perform their own job better and also encourage them to get involved and to assume leadership positions of their own in the many different public service and civic organizations which make Auglaize County such a great place to live and work.
To date we have had two classes complete the program.The reaction from the class members has been extremely positive.Our next class is forming at the present time.If you would like to enroll in the program or if you would like to receive more information, contact our Chamber office.
NEW MEMBERS
Brian Morris Communications
Owners: Brian Morris
516 Normandy Dr., St. Marys, Ohio 45885
419-300-9016
OFFERING:Copywriting for websites, brochures, advertisements, etc.
Canalside Book Shop
Owners: Cherie Lyn
115 W. Spring St., St. Marys, Ohio 45885
419-300-BOOK
OFFERING:used books and new, rare and out-of-print books, as well.Special orders and search service also offered.
Midnet Media
Owners: Darren Caywood and Mike Wilson
15 Jackson St., Minster, Ohio 45865
419-628-1340
OFFERING:Web design and web development, multi-media, e-marketing, corporate identity, search engines and more.
Ohio Army National Guard
MSG DONALD J. HENLINE
109-113 E. South St., St. Marys, Ohio 45885
1-800-GO-GUARD
OFFERING:Serving our Country and our Community.
Dreamland Presley Museum
Elvis Aaron Presley Jr.
3965 Celina Road
St. Marys , Ohio 45885
419-394-9999
St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce
Board of Trustees
Scott Bailey, St. Marys ChryslerLinda Vogel, People’s Bank
Bryan Thompson, Goodyear Tire & RubberJohn Wale, Bank One
Brad Bartlett, Bartlett’s Drive-ThruDeb Zwez, The Evening Leader
Matt Berry, Midwest Electric, Inc.
Tim Bigham, Mercer Savings BankPermanent Board Positions
Bill Blumhorst, CapabilitiesCity Safety & Service Director, Tom Hitchcock
Randy Bosler, TSC CommunicationsCity Industrial Development Director, Todd Fleagle
Doug Burch, Villa Nova Drive ThruSt. Marys City Schools Superintendent, Ken Baker
Mike Gerdeman, St. Marys Trucking
Ron Gorby, S & W Motel & SuitesOfficers
Jim Heistan, Larry Schaaf Auto SalesMatt Berry, President
Dick Hudson, Hudson JewelersDean Moeller, Vice President
Anna Katterhenry, Laco Laundry & Dry CleaningLinda Vogel, Treasurer
Dean Moeller, Moeller & Co., CPA LTD
Frank C. Murray, Acme Metal & Manufacturing Co.Staff
Kimberli Rompilla, Spectacular AdventuresKelly Kill, Director
