Business meeting/election of officers

Chamber member businesses are invited to participate in a business meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, at 9 a.m. at the Chamber office, 25 W. New England Ave., at which the Chamber board of trustees will answer questions and vote on candidates for election to the board in 2015, as well as some updates/revisions to the bylaws of the organization that are part of the board’s strategic planning process. The board is seeking approval of new board candidates and bylaws amendments by year-end to facilitate strategic planning and budgeting for the next few years.
Commonly this meeting occurs as part of the Chamber’s annual meeting luncheon in February; however, the bylaw allow for the business meeting to be held at any announced meeting.  With the earlier election, the trustees are eager to move forward in their planning for the new year, including the entire leadership team of elected representatives from Chamber businesses.
The 30-minute meeting will be held in the Chamber conference room; coffee and water will be available.
As allowed by the current bylaws of the Chamber, Business Members of the Chamber have one vote in the election of board candidates and officers, amendments of the bylaws or similar matters. The voting may occur at the Chamber’s annual meeting in February or at any announced special meeting such as this one on Jan. 5. A quorum of those present determines the outcome of a voice vote.

To be considered …

Proposed for re-election to a three-year term to the board of trustees: Mike Henwood, RevLocal

Confirming the one-year re-election of the board chair to enable him to complete his designated term as chair: Craig Bringman, Bringman Legal Co. LPA

Proposed for new three-year terms: Dr. Steve Schnulo, Albright & Schnulo ODs; Chris Apfelstadt, Murray Associates; and Africa Thomas, Wesley Glen

(The board chair may, upon re-election, appoint up to three additional Chamber members for a one-year term (these candidates then are eligible for consideration for election to a three-year term at the conclusion of that term). The chair’s appointees will be announced immediately after his re-election.

All elected representatives will be introduced at the board’s annual meeting in February.

Proposed executive committee slate (one-year terms):
Chair: Craig Bringman, Bringman Legal Co. LPA
Chair-elect: Bill Owens, Owens Construction
Treasurer: Paul Cynkar, Battelle for Kids
Vice-chair, Events: Michael Maurer, the Boling & Maurer Group
Vice-chair, Member Development: Mike Henwood, RevLocal

Bylaws updates:

As part of its annual review and strategic planning process, the executive committee of the board is recommending some revisions and updates to Chamber bylaws language to reflect current best practices, policies and strategies consistent with chambers operating nationally and statewide.

Executive committee and board members will consider these on Jan. 5 and invite representatives of the general membership to ask questions and participate in a vote at the business meeting held that morning. Commonly, this business is transacted at the February annual meeting, but the trustees are holding the earlier meeting to enable their strategic planning for 2015. A majority vote of members in attendance will enable adoption of proposed updates.

Proposed changes include updates in staff titles, methods of communication (e.g., email); an expansion of the board composition from exactly 12 trustees to a minimum of 12 and maximum of 16; the addition of two key roles to executive committee, representing the two revenue sources of the chamber, non-dues and dues revenue (Events & Member Development); clarification of board term limits for general and officer positions; and a revision to the process for approving subsequent bylaw amendments and officer elections, with authority shifting to the board of trustees in its regular oversight, from the general membership attending a special event.