GBACC

Attending:  Ellis Burruss, Ben Mourad, Jerry Knight, David Swope, and Cheryl Wathen, Guest:  Katherine Iacovelli   Absent: Gayle Shaw, Bill Sims
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm.   

Minutes
The minutes from the last meeting were approved as posted on the web.
 

Treasurer’s Report
David Swope gave the GBACC income and expenses in the treasurer’s report.  A complete treasurer's report is available by request to the Treasurer.  David advised the 2009 Personal Property Tax Form has not been sent in to IRS.  The board is not clear on GBACC tax information.  Ellis made a motion that GBACC hire CPA Jim George to update the board on MD and federal taxes.  Ben will make the arrangement with Mr. George.
 

Membership:
Ben Mourad and Cheryl Wathen, co-chairs of the Membership Committee, led the board in a discussion on how to keep members and how to get new members.  It was suggested members be invited in small groups to join some of the board for lunch or coffee at a local establishment to discuss their views on GBACC.  Some non-members and members who have left GBACC would also be invited to attend.  Ben and Cheryl will discuss this at the next Membership Committee Meeting. 

Costco Warehouse is having a Business Expo on Saturday, May 16, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.  Saturday is Costco’s busiest day with more than 200 members coming in every half hour.  Member will be invited to display their advertising literature and GBACC will display a brochure with the membership list, map, the buy local and GBACC logo and the reasons to join GBACC.  Jerry will work on getting the info for the brochure.  A motion was made and passed for GBACC to participate in the Business Expo.   

A motion was made and passed for GBACC to develop an advertising campaign aimed at small and home-based businesses. The campaign will advertise in the Citizen and do a mailing. Cheryl will make a list of non-GBACC businesses in a ten-mile radius of Brunswick for the mailing. 

Trade Show:   The board approved the start of monthly meetings for the 2010 Trade Show Committee.  The first meeting will be on Monday, May 11th, 6:30 pm at the Green Country Inn.  Meetings will follow on the second Monday of each month.
 

Events:
The board discussed a proposal for a GBACC Member tent at Brunswick Railroad Days.  Railroad Days will be on October 3 & 4, 2009 in the Historic District of Brunswick.  Plans will be made to have a reception on Friday, October 2 during Main Street First Friday Night on the Town and on Saturday and Sunday have member’s literature displayed in the tent.  It was suggested a unique give away and/or special entertainment be at the tent to make it a destination area. 

The May 21st Business Card Exchange will be at Gallery in the Woods. The June 18th BCE is at Georges Mill Farm B&B and the July BCE will be at the Farmers Market in Brunswick, date to be determined.
 

Organization:
It was voted on and passed, the GBACC Board meeting will be 6:30 pm, the third Tuesday of the month at Green Country Inn.
 

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm