Bremen Area Chamber of Commerce
Minutes of the February 27, 2025 meeting
Accessible text version of the official minutes. The text is reproduced verbatim from the signed record; only page footers and layout artifacts have been removed. The original PDF is also available.
Attendance
Those attending: Krista Ankrom, Nathan and Nakia Bailor, Samantha Bett, Jay Boyd, Marilyn Boyd, Lydia Coakley, Deputy Marie Foster, David Foltz, Toni Harper, Sue Henwood, Laura Kennedy, Rich Lines, Dee Mowry, Sue Schmitz, Ken Shofter, Linda Ward, Heather Yontz, and Will Roberts and Noreen Randal of SOCA.
Program
President Rich Lines called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Linda Ward offered an invocation, and the ladies of BCMC served lunch. Will Roberts, the relationship manager for Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance, SOCA, began his talk with a history of the alliance. Formed in 1993, it partnered with chambers throughout Ohio to provide employers with health care coverage for employees. SOCA is now directly tied to 132 chambers and offers its own plan through Anthem Health Care. Chamber members can access programs, not just in health care, but in HR, legal and I.D. protection, energy management, 401K’s, payroll, and workers’ comp group ratings, all at reduced costs compared to the open market. The local chamber receives some funds for its community programs but also benefits from member retention and data sharing and future projections from the alliance.
Business meeting
Due to the early departure of the secretary, secretary pro tem Marilyn Boyd submitted the following:
Under old business, minutes of the January meeting were approved as published on a motion by Dave Foltz, seconded by Heather Yontz. Treasurer Sue Henwood reported the following account balances:
| checking: | $ 3 746.65 |
|---|---|
| money market: | 7 937.06 |
| CD | 13 038.93 |
| CD | 14 429.43 |
| CD | 5 380.67 |
She also reminded members that March 1 is the deadline for 2025 dues. The state has still not responded to our claim for unclaimed funds.
Marilyn Boyd moved to receive the report; it was seconded by Dee Mowry and carried.
The executive board approved offering the two churches with plaques on the welcome board sign at the routes 37 and 664 intersection a reduced price of $200 per year, as they are non-profits. Dave Foltz reported that the Towne Crier ads proposed for a different chamber business each month, 3 x 6 column inches with color and photo options, would run $150 each. They would be awarded on a first come/first served basis, once per year. Dave made a motion to proceed with this project, seconded by Toni Harper and carried. Dave will be the contact person for the ads.
Announcements
There being no new business, announcements were made of the following events:
- FairHope “Celebrate Life Event,” May 1, will benefit the memorial fund; Silent auction donations can be submitted through April 1.
- Annual Steak Supper on March 8 at the Bremen Community Methodist Church
- The March meeting of the Chamber will be at the Rushcreek Pub and Grub.
Adjournment
President Rich Lines adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmitz, secretary and Marilyn Boyd, secretary pro tem