Report distributed with meeting agenda.

Board members divided the expired members and agreed to call each to encourage renewal.

1. Membership

Steve noted that we have no new members so far for this month. However, he was contacted out of the blue by an individual that plans to join this month. Sherwyn also is expected to join.

2. Member Benefits

No report.

3. Communications

We still need a Web Master. The site is looking better. The home page looks nice. I got the past newsletters posted, and I added a "Get Involved" page. Our membership application is linked on the "Join Us" page. Next up is to get the "News" and "About Us" pages done.

The Board approved by email a vote to use PayPal as its merchant account provider for online credit card payments. The charges are 2.90% + $0.30 per transaction. There is no monthly fee unless we add the "virtual terminal" service. Sunny will make the decision whether we need that service.

We will leave the existing TermNet service in place through this month or until we're sure that the PayPal service works for us. Steve will check with Jeanne on the TermNet contract.

Sunny set up our PayPal service, and I have integrated links into our Web site pages and email reminders. Either Sunny or I will test it in the next few days.

Claudia pointed out the we need to make clear that if one pays online and doesn't show for the event, one is not entitled to a refund.

4. Luncheon

The Aug luncheon featured Chris Oddo from the Don Cox Company. We had 14 total attendees, none of whom were guests (except the speaker).

The Sep luncheon features Randy Sanders from the Austin Ice Bats. We had 14 total attendees, two of whom were guests.

The Oct luncheon speaker is the City of Austin. This is a high profile speaker, and we need to spread the word to improve attendance. Steve encouraged everyone to email AND call people to encourage attendance at this luncheon. He will create the reminder notice this week and send it to the Board.

5. Networking

Janice has the Ice Bats Social organized. She has two sponsors and is looking for 2 more. Steve also encouraged phone calls to sell the 40 tickets for this event.

John reported that we have moved NN to North-by-Northwest. He is working on a partnership with them that would give us additional benefits, such as free appetizers. He also is planning to contact Balcones Country Club about hosting NN.

6. Vision

I have created an ad hoc committee called the Vision Committee. Its purpose is to develop a program to implement the new "external" or community vision for the Chamber: Dedicated to creating the next group of great, young entrepreneurs. The committee members are Chuck Lipscomb, Carol Roberson, Archie Alexander, Chris Oddo, Claudia Machell, and me. The committee had its first meeting on 9/26, and it will meet again this week. The committee will complete its work this year.

7. Nominations

We're a little late setting up the Nominations Committee. The Executive Committee will create the committee this week and will ask it to report at the Nov Board Meeting. I will create a letter inviting members to nominate themselves and send it next week. These Board member's terms are expiring: Sid Lundy, Jeanne Stahl, John May, and Kent Karolik. All are available for re-election.

We will elect 2008 Board officers at the Nov meeting.

1. Accept Jon Massengale's resignation.

1. Motion to establish policy for the use of the Chamber mailing list

Motion: The Chamber will make announcements for other organizations under the following conditions:


• The organization that the announcement will benefit is a 501c(3) non-profit organization supporting a positive community outreach.
• The Chamber member making the request for the announcement belongs to the organization.
• The announcement will be included as part of a regular Chamber communication. The Chamber will not create a special communication for the organization's announcement.
• The Chamber member making the request will provide the content for the announcement.

Kent proposed an amendment to the motion to clarify our intent to offer this benefit to members who belong to other organizations that perform community outreach.

Amendment: Kent; Second: Sunny; Vote: 6-0
Motion: Steve; Second: Janice: Vote: 6-0

2. The Vision Thing

Reported in committee reports.

3. Motion to sanction Chamber Social event at Austin Ice Bats

Motion: The Board sanctions a Chamber Social event at an Austin Ice Bats game on Fri, 10/26 starting at 6:00. Janice Campbell will be event coordinator. The event will cost $15 and include game ticket, drink ticket, and finger foods. A maximum of 40 tickets will be available for the event creating a maximum exposure for the Chamber of $400. We will seek sponsors to cover the Chamber's exposure.

Motion: Steve; Second; John; Vote: 6-0

4. Motion to appropriate funds for Ice Bats Social deposit

Motion: The Board appropriates $127 as a refundable deposit payable to Janice Campbell to reserve our place for the Ice Bats Social on 10/26. The deposit will be repaid by ticket sales.

Motion: Steve; Second; John; Vote: 6-0

5. Motion to approve benefits for sponsor of Chamber Social

The Board approves any combination of the following benefits for sponsors of Chamber Social events, but the event coordinator is not limited to offering these benefits:


• Logo/name prominently displayed on advertisements and reminders for the event;
• Logo/name prominently displayed on Web site reservation page for the event;
• Logo/name displayed on tickets for event;
• Permission to hand out marketing materials at event;
• Oral recognition at events and/or at other Chamber events; and
• Recognition at event on banner or poster.

Janice raised concerns about limiting the benefits. She suggested that the benefits offered should be the responsibility of the event organizer. Others concurred. Steve pointed out that the organizer would have to get the approval of the Board before offering sponsor benefits and that the intent of the motion was to create a set of pre-approved benefits that the event organizer could, but wouldn't have to offer. An amendment was offered that clarified the intent of the motion.

Amendment: Steve; Second: Claudia; Vote: 6-0
Motion: Steve; Second: Claudia; Vote: 6-0

6. Motion to change the luncheon price for those who pay at the door

The Board moves that the at the door price for luncheons be the same as the guest price starting 3/1/08 and that no-shows will not be refunded.

Motion: Claudia; Second: Janice; Vote: 6-0

7. Holiday Party

Claudia and Janice were appointed as event organizers.