03/17 - Board Meeting Minutes - January 9, 2008

I. Call to order
Bob Honkala called to order the regular meeting of the Somonauk Business Organization at 7:08 A.M. on January 9, 2008 at the Country Kitchen Restaurant.

II. Roll call
Bob Honkala conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: President Bob Honkala (Bud’s Citgo), Vice President Yong Shim (Miller’s Foods), Director Ken Poris (Ken Poris, P.C., Attorney at Law), Director Pam Aloisio (Design Color Studio), Director Stacy Shim (Miller’s Foods), Eric Honkala (Dekalb Street Floral), Debby Honkala (Dekalb Street Floral), Cori Mander (Citizen’s First National Bank), Bob Guehler (Lake Realty), Amber Fay (Acorn Cabinetry), Adam Arriaga (Country Kitchen).

III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
Cori Mander motioned to approve the minutes from the last meeting as presented. Seconded by Bob Guehler. Motion carried.

IV. Treasurer’s Report
Ken Poris has taken over reigns as Business Organization Treasurer and is preparing a treasurers report for February.

V. Open issues
a) 2007 Holiday Festival Gift Certificates were collected and checks will be mailed to the businesses that presented them at the meeting. Bob Honkala stated that if any business still has gift certificates that need to be paid to please return them to Yong Shim at Miller’s Foods.
b) There are 27 remaining Holiday Ornaments left from the ornament sales. Dekalb Street Floral and Citizens First National Bank will continue to sell the remaining ornaments. Bob Honkala has listed an ornament on EBAY. Sales overall went very well and the ornaments were sold for an overall profit.
c) Bob Honkala encouraged businesses to make sure that they had a No Smoking sign posted on their front door to comply with the new smoking ban so that the local police didn’t have to worry about enforcement. Ken Poris stated that in conversation with people, it seems as if smoke free environments have helped local businesses.

Roll Call Addition:
Craig Johnson (Somonauk Insurance) enters the meeting at 7:20am.

VI. New business
a) Bob Honkala reported that annual dues are currently being collected. He also mentioned that upwards of 40 new businesses were sent invitations to become members of the organization. Much discussion was held.
b) Discussion was held about purchasing 2008 membership stickers to replace the current plaques that each member now has. Bob Honkala was concerned that if new members joined that the plaques would get expensive. Ken Poris would like to see the organization keep the plaques for another year. Debby Honkala agreed to research the cost differential and will report her findings at the February monthly meeting for a board vote.
c) Much conversation was held about chartering a trip to a Chicago Bulls game. Adam Arriaga reported that the Greyhound buses were anywhere from $580-$700 per 5 hours. The buses would hold 55 people. After more discussion was held, it was decided that the trip would be planned for a Chicago Cubs or White Sox game instead of the Bulls. The trip will be planned for the month of May. A baseball charter trip committee was formed. Chairman Adam Arriaga, Craig Johnson, and Amber Fay.
d) A late Summer or early Fall event was discussed. Eric Honkala reported about a “Retro on Roscoe” event that he attended in Chicago. This will be an outdoor, warm weather event. A committee was formed. Chairman Eric Honkala, Debby Honkala, Bob Guehler, and Pam Aloisio.
e) Bob Honkala presented a newsletter from a small business association in Pound Ridge, New York. The newsletter is sent out to residents twice per year. Discussion was held and a committee was formed to start a Somonauk Business Organization newsletter, which will feature local advertising, local stories, local information, and much more. The committee contains Chairman Bob Honkala, Ken Poris, Stacy Shim, and Cori Mander.
f) Bob Honkala brought up the idea for possibly hosting an evening meeting starting at 7:00pm. The idea was considered but declined because the members didn’t like the idea of switching meeting times around. The idea will be revisited at a later date.

VII. Adjournment
Ken Poris made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Yong Shim. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:57 A.M.


Minutes submitted by: Bob Honkala Minutes approved:
Next Regular Board Meeting: Wednesday February 6, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. located at the Country Kitchen Restaurant.