Yorktown Chamber of Commerce

Monthly Chamber Meeting

November 17, 2015

Mellott Family Center

 

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME: Barb Baker, Al Baker, Andrea Thornburg, Marty Ballard, Bonita Ramirez, Sarah McCord, Carolyn “Buffy” Grieves, Marcy Minton, Leslie Baim, Maureen Walby, Maggie Walker, David Riggs, Ed Armantrout, Niccole Mansker, Rick Yencer, Mary Ann Stroeh, Starr Manning, Keith Gary, Michelle Deaton, Steve Wickliffe, Dan McDonald, Steve Perry.

 

SECRETARY REPORT:       Approved as presented.

 

TREASURER REPORT:      Approved as presented.

 

LUMINARY REPORT:       Will be meeting November 19, 6:30 p.m. to prepare jugs. Will also have short business meeting. Luminary Event to be held December 12 at Yorktown Middle School Gymnasium, 12 – 7 p.m. Vendors may set up at 10 a.m. on December 12. Snowball fight to be at 3:30 p.m. D. J. will play Christmas music for the entire event with Swim Boosters to have fish fry approximately 4-7 p.m. Cost to be announced.

 

AWARDS LUNCHEON REPORT:  Awards nominations due November 17. Luncheon reservations date extended to December 11, 2015.  Luncheon will be held December 15 at Mellott Family Center, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cost is $15.00. Please contact Ed Armantrout with reservation information.

 

TOWN REPORT:  Roundabouts scheduled to bid soon with construction to begin in the spring. New trails currently being constructed with continuing work being done on downtown project and have hired a consultant to assist with downtown project.  A public meeting will be held in January. Town Council meeting to be held Monday, November 23rd.

 

PROGRAM: Katherine G. McKnight, Senior Stakeholder Relationship Tax Consultant, Internal Revenue Service, presented information on identity theft and scams. With more than twenty-four years’ service with the IRS as a tax specialist, McKnight serves on several tax coalitions and has served with IRS tax assistance. McKnight stated that scammers and identity thieves are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics by making their calls look official. She provided information about a gentleman who had been targeted with such a scam when he received a telephone call stating that he owed the IRS $10,000 and was told there was a warrant for his arrest. The gentleman stopped by the local Sheriff’s department and found that no warrant had been issued and that the call was a scam. McKnight stated that $5 -7 million is paid annually to scammers and their tactics are becoming more aggressive.

 

She further indicated that identity theft is huge issue and referenced the issue that occurred recently with the Ball State information breach that resulted in numerous cases of identity theft. Many did not know they had been victimized until they filed their income tax forms. The IRS has begun to issue Personal Identification Numbers (PINS) that can be included with social security numbers which will verify identity. PIN numbers can be obtained by accessing the IRS website www.irs.gov.

 

McKnight provided brochures and business cards with information about accessing information from the website and further stated that any allegation of scamming or identity theft should be reported to either the IRS or the Office of the Attorney General. Victims can obtain copies of falsified tax returns by making a request through the IRS website, as well.  McKnight concluded the presentation by encouraging consumers to take advantage of the state’s “Do Not Call” list as further protection against scammers.

 

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Community Foundation thanked the Chamber for participation in Thirty Days of Community and sharing information on the Chamber’s Facebooks page. The Foundation’s presentation will be available on their website through the end of December, 2015. The Fire and Ice Run, sponsored by the Yorktown Fire Department, will be part of the Luminary Festival with proceeds assisting several local causes. For more information visit the Yorktown Fire Department website. There are still monthly sponsorships available for Chamber businesses which will offset the cost of the meal. Morrison Woods Health Campus is having a Festival of Trees with trees being auctioned and proceeds going to the Boys/Girls Club. Luncheon for the Yorktown town employees was successful with many thanks for their hard work in the community. Kudos were given to those who participated in 100 Men Who Cook.

 

TIP OF THE MONTH:  Pete Olson presented tip on how posture affects behavior. He noted that posture presents many non-verbal cues and that body language is a very powerful indicator of feelings. Olson stated that taking time to practice more intentional body languages (hands on hips, hands in the air) often provide that boost of confidence that presents a more powerful you.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

NEXT MEETING: December 15, 2015 – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.