MEETING: Friday December 30, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer
WELCOME GUESTS: Jim Jacobs introduced his wife Kristen and his daughter Mallory. Ward Davis brought his son Colby. Darren Wicks introduced todays program presenter Lori Webb.
Vice President Darren Wicks was in charge of todays meeting substituting for President Curtis Mitchell.
FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: Scott Potucek, last minute substitute for the regular sergeant, and Steve Conard started their tour of duty by educating the members on healthy living by dealing with stress. Being that the dialog was not raising any money Rita Joy was fined for tardiness. Upon launching This Day in History the sergeants accelerated their cash flow with trivia questions that stumped innocent members. Duke Wiggins was fined for losing his name badge, while the sergeant read famous headlines and news stories for 2011. Eventually their tour of duty came to an end when they rang the bell.
PAID ANNOUNCEMENT: Rita Joy said that Clifford Miller is in hospice care and she offered to take memos and notes from Ambucs members who know Mr. Miller and deliver them to him.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Darren Wicks provided an update on last weeks meeting in which $720 was raised and given a needy family. Darren expected that maybe $200 would be donated. He congratulated the members on their amazing generosity and how the lady communicated her gratitude.
PROGRAM: Darren Wicks introduced Lori Web of the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce. She has recently been appointed to the position of membership recruitment and retention. Her career experience includes advertising sales in Wichita and Salina. In her program today she highlighted various functions of the Chamber and the benefits it brings to the community. The Chamber strives to bring economic development to Hutchinson and retain existing businesses. Citing the fact that businesses need two things, employees and customers, the work of the Chamber is to focus on those two qualities. In discussing the benefits for Chamber members she stressed three points. 1. Legislative influence to benefit the community, e.g. roads and highway projects such as making K61 four lanes between McPherson and Hutchinson. 2. Networking opportunities for members such as the Chamber after hours. 3. Advertising and Marketing possibilities through the web site and the Action Pak. Currently the Chamber web site is producing a 49% increase in visits this year over last.
50/50 DRAWING: Colby Davis won the 50/50 pot of $18.
NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Julie Bockenstedt could have won $5, but she was not present at todays meeting.
NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: You will win $10 if you can answer this question: Who were the sergeants for last weeks meeting.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: Program Manager Darren Wicks announced that the programs for January will focus on the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce. Speakers from the Chamber will be Dave Kerr, Rick Mitchell, and new Director Monty Montgomery.