MEETING LOCATION: Brickyard Bistro, LLC – 61 S. Tulpehocken Street, Pine Grove
DATE: 13 December 2021
ATTENDEES: Ken Dubbs – President
Craig Werner – Vice President
Linda Decker – Treasurer
Deb Thompson – Secretary – NOT PRESENT
Wesley Gehman Angie Williams Glenda Welkom Jerry Newswanger
Jennifer Modesto Nick Modesto Suzanne Dubbs Renee Buchanan
SUMMARY: The purpose of this meeting was to discuss reorganization and vision/mission/purpose for the PGABCA.
Discussion(s) and/or Action Items are outlined as follows:
Meeting brought to order by Ken Dubbs @ 19:00; sign-in sheet made available to all.
Introductions were made by all in attendance. Deb Thompson was not present but had organized and sent out an email with respect to today’s meeting date/time. Ken Dubbs needs to verify with Deb that she will accept the Secretary position.
Future meetings won’t have/provide introductions unless a new attendee/group is present.
Ken Dubbs opened discussion about reviewing and updating the By-Laws. Copies of the existing By-Laws were distributed to all. Mark-ups to be discussed/presented at the next meeting.
Linda Decker provided updated Fulton Bank account balances from 11/01/2021 thru 11/30/2021. Checking Account beginning/ending balance of $4,295.27 with Disaster Relief Fund account beginning/ending balance #3,290.53. There was no activity or disbursements to either account.
Discussion was had by all regarding dues for the organization. Keep it at $50/year v. $25/year v. free?? Nothing conclusive as of this meeting – table for further discussion??
New attendee Glenda Welkom inquiry with respect to what the membership would do for her business (Sweet G’s Bakery)… or any business for that matter… discussion by all; feedback from Renee Buchanan of Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce plus repeat attendee, Jennifer Modesto, explaining her take on what the membership would do for her business/interest(s). Further discussion among all w.r.t. mission/focus for the group & how we can outreach to business & community organizations. What do we want the PGABCA group to do & accomplish? Goal(s)?
Renee Buchanan (rep from Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce) presented and discussed the Chamber’s recent “Let’s Keep the Cheer Here” Passport – needed to be a Chamber member in order to receive “invite” to be included for participation with this holiday event. Pine Grove’s Werner Lumber participated.
Discussion by all regarding PGABCA to work towards application to create Non-Profit status (501c3). All agreed that, yes, we should work setting this up.
Glenda Welkom reported that the recent small business Christmas Stroll, which she helped to organize/create was much fun, lots of interest from vendors, churches, food trucks, etc. – greatly appreciated by many patrons.
Jennifer & Nick Modesto reported that 14-May 2022 is date set for “Scouting For Deals” event to be held at PG Canal area – same location as the annual Autumn Stroll. This will be the second annual holding for this event.
This led into discussion of PGABCA involvement potential(s) for future “traditional events” v. “new events.”
Nick Modesto suggested a new idea – PGABCA to set-up/create a “Gala” event?? Discussion by all with location suggestions – Sch. Country Club, HH&L, Walk-in Art Center, Sweet Arrow Lake Park – further planning & discussions needed (This is just an example of a new idea which was discussed by all).
Wesley Gehman provided updated on website design & potential info to be included; maybe a community calendar on our website – one that could facilitate coordination for community/civic events, fundraisers, etc. Wesley is offering his professional services for free to the PGABCA, however will not eventually, most likely, be able to manage new input/updates for the site as the group (hopefully!) continues to grow.
Games-of-Chance license/permit briefly discussed by all.
Further discussion by all regarding setting up non-profit status. Angie Williams has experience with this due to her involvement with the Collective Arts League – EIN, address for association – Ken Dubbs to approach permission to use PG Borough Hall address in addition to setting up a PO Box, need to update signature card(s) for Fulton Bank accounts since there will be costs associated with setting up PO Box, & possibly other necessary expenses with getting Non-Profit/501c3 set up.
It was discussed and agreed by all that the updated Fulton Bank signature card(s) shall include the President (Ken Dubbs), VP (Craig Werner), and Treasurer (Linda Decker). Linda Decker stated that she would take-on this responsibility – and with Ken & Craig stopping by her office to sign as well when the signature card is ready.
Agenda for next meeting is to get info for Wes Gehman to include in the website’s “Community Calendar,” and brainstorm for new events which the PGABCA could spearhead/create.
Ken Dubbs is planning on reaching out to PG Borough Council President (Tom Fickinger) & attending the next PG Borough Council meeting 13-Jan 2022 – need to get onto the Agenda.
In closing, the meeting concluded at approx. 20:00 hours, and the next PGABCA meeting is scheduled for Monday, 17-Jan 2022 @ 18:00 at the Brickyard Bistro.
Meeting Minutes by
Ken Dubbs
Pres. – PGABCA