Yorktown Chamber of Commerce

Monthly Chamber Meeting

May 17, 2016

Mellott Family Center

 

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME: Al Baker, Barbara Baker, Sarah McCord, Carolyn “Buffy” Grieves, Kallie Sulanke, Chris Day, Doug Baim, Leslie Baim, Melissa Bucur, Patti Decker, David Riggs, Ed Armantrout, Niccole Mansker, Mary Ann Stroeh, Brendon Comp, Rick Yencer, Starr Manning, Juli Metzger, John Metzger, Pete Olson, Jennifer Bailey, Dianna Guinn, Maureen Walby, Steve Perry, Andrea Thornburg

 

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you know where the national cemeteries are located in Indiana? Marion, Evansville, Indianapolis. Ed Armantrout discussed the Memorial Day practice of placing flags on the graves at these locations. He invited chamber members to participate in this activity as an impressive beginning to the Memorial Day holiday.

 

BREAKFAST SPONSOR:  Edward Jones Investments – Chris Day – Information was provided about services offered with focus on individual investors. Day stressed the importance of goals in investment planning as well as planning for the stages of life. Planning is designed around the client’s best interest and individual needs.

 

SECRETARY REPORT:       Approved as submitted.

 

TREASURER REPORT:      Approved as submitted.

 

STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING:             Tentatively scheduled for June 9 with place to be announced.

 

TOWN REPORT: Pete Olson stated that construction update included June 1 startup for roundabout and trail with projects expected to be completed within 60 days from closure. The splash pad will open this week with water testing completed. The Arts Council will host a movie night fundraiser on June 10 at Morrows Meadow. Four for the Fourth update – Beginning with race, and including kayak race, cardboard boat race, duck race, yoga in the park, pie baking contest, Reminisce Band, Fire Works, Paper Lantern Event. Council meeting on Monday, May 23.

 

PROGRAM: Juli Metzger, a former newspaper publisher, and current professor of journalism at Ball State University, presented information about businesses and organizations telling their stories through digital media. Metzger presented seven news values to consider when providing information or stories that will showcase an organization: Impact – Decide what will be the impact of the story you tell on those who read it; Timeliness – Provide information that is current as many find news worthy information through social media; Proximity – Is the story or news happening close to your organization or business?; Prominence – Tell your story so that others will know who you are and what your business provides; Novelty – Is your story unique or unusual? What are you doing that is different and something no one knows about? ; Conflict – Do people wonder what’s going on with your business or organization? How does it create competition? ; Emotion – Does   your story make people happy, sad and does this help create continuing customers? Metzger also stressed the importance of sharing photos, and video on social media but also encouraged print media as a means of storytelling. Metzger indicated the importance of keeping information up-to-date and further discussed the use of Google Plus or Facebook Insights to understand demographics in order to reach specific audiences.

 

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Edward Jones Investments to host Coffee Club, the last Thursday of each month, 8 a.m., Osborn’s Country Kitchen, discussing current events, the economy and investing; Kids in the Meadow, summer ministry beginning first Monday in June, 5:45- 8 p.m., food, games, crafts and Bible stories, families welcome; Education Summit (Indiana Summit for Economic Development) June 7, Horizon Convention Center; Yorktown Manor hosting event August 11, opening of memory care unit at the facility in Yorktown.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

NEXT MEETING:                                June 21, 2016 – BRING A GUEST!