January 13, 2015
RABA January Meeting Minutes
The RABA meeting was called to order by Cory Hixon.
A special announcement was made to RABA. Rita Headington, now Rita Parker, was married at
Richwood Church of Christ earlier that morning to Fred Parker.
December’s meeting minutes were looked over and Tim Suiter made a motion to approve them, Rita
Parker 2nd. Motion passed.
Treasurer report was looked over; there is $2923.58 in the checking and $2608.92 in the savings. Rita
Monroe made a motion to approve the report, Heather Queen 2nd. Motion passed.
Old Business: Cory Hixon discussed the events that RABA has typically chosen to do in the past seasons:
Spring Event: Spring Basket
Summer Event: Dash for Deal cards
Fall: Customer Appreciation Day
Winter: Parade, Pie Giveaway and more
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RABA had discussions on whether there should be a single or multiple events per season in
2015. That idea was tabled for further discussion. Discussions focused for the Spring Basket
Giveaway since Spring is coming up quickly. Rita Parker suggested that the local businesses and
customers really enjoy this event. She felt that it really does bring in people to the businesses.
Gabby Hastings motioned to keep the Spring Basket Giveaway event, Rita Parker 2nd. RABA will
discuss this event more at February’s meeting to begin the process.
Uptown banner planning continues. Tai Wills will share more information as the process moves
forward.
o Heather Queen suggested using some of the money in RABA checking/savings to pay for
half of the cost of the uptown banners.
Farmer’s Market: Union County Health Department is hosting this event. It will be held at the
Richwood Library in the parking lot. The grant has been approved. Grant money is used for
advertisement of the monthly event, permits, etc. Tina Knotts with the Chamber of Commerce
offered assistance in printing posters to help advertise for more exposure. RABA hopes to have
a booth present during the Farmer’s Market. RABA will be inviting the UCHD to February’s
meeting to provide more information about the Farmer’s Market.
Gabby Hastings really liked the idea of a business scavenger hunt. She has participated in one at
her last job and felt it was a huge success.
Sponsor sign-up sheet is full for 2015 Thank you!
New Business:
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2015 Fundraising: Cory Hixon discussed several new ideas for involvement and fundraising ideas
for 2015. RABA decided to focus on Spring related events for this month and bring up other
ideas as the year moves forward.
o A more detailed discussion on having a Bike Ride Fundraiser was discussed by Cory
Hixon. There were mixed feeling on whether Richwood residents would want to
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participate in a bike ride along with the typical 5K walk that happens in the summer.
Discussions will continue during later meetings.
2015 Goals: Tai Wills passed around the RABA Mission Statement to all present members to
read over to see if any statement needed updating.
o Gabby Hastings suggested purchasing RABA Logo Decals for local area businesses who
are RABA members. Gabby feels it would spark interest and show their support. She
also suggested adding links to RABA Facebook page to take you to various local
businesses. Gabby feels that providing yearly plagues to local businesses that show
extraordinary RABA support would also be a great idea.
o Cory Hixon discussed the potential of designing a RABA website, using GoDaddy.com to
help spread the word about RABA. Cory feels it would cost as little as $4.95 for a simple
website that includes tabs for businesses, special events, upcoming activities.
 Tina Knotts with the Union County Chamber offered to set up a RABA link on the
Chamber’s website at no additional cost. Cory suggested that RABA may
participate in both ideas.
 Jeremy Sons with eGreen Computers also offered assistance to this topic. He
will be coming back next meeting with more information and prices.
 Tim Suiter suggested to sell sponsorships on the website.
 RABA will discuss this topic at next month’s meeting.
Thank you to Heather Queen with Royal Inspections and Tim Suiter with First Energy for sponsoring
the meeting.
Round Table:
Dave Vollrath, Union County Foundation: Dave stated that some funds tend to be harder to find
recipients for the funding. The Coleman Camp Experience Fund (for physical/mental disabilities) and the
Yoder Fund (hospice/medical related projects for Marion/Union counties) both still have funding to give.
Please refer any individuals that you may know who could benefit from these funds.
Shari Marsh, United Way: The campaign comes closer to an end, it is looking more and more positive
that United Way will hit their $1 million goal this year! Billiards for Books fundraiser is on March 14th at
Cue Stick Cafe. This fundraiser supports the Dolly Parton Imaginary Library program.
Audrey Deihl, Richwood Library (Children’s Library): Winter Storytimes are here! Toddler Time meets
on Fridays at 10am. Preschool Hour meets on Fridays at 11am. Saturday Club meets on the 3rd Saturday
of each month at 11am in the library’s meeting room. Lego Club meets on the 4th Tuesday of each
month at 4pm. February 3rd is the Teen Chat & Chew. This is a flexible book club. The library provides
free food and discussions for the teen to talk about the book they are reading. Drop in e-Book
Workshop will be held on January 15th from 11am-6pm. This is designed to help how individuals how to
use their new tablets, Kindles, etc. If these times don’t work for you, just call the Adult Service
Representative and she will meet with you at your convenience.
Gabby Hastings, Richwood Civic Center: Their Bell Program was a huge success. Community members
purchased Christmas gifts and distributed them to the residents. Their goal for next year is to extend
this opportunity to the community. Gabby is trying to find ways to increase membership at the Civic
Center. They are looking for new incentives for members. Jeremy with eGreen Computers will be giving
them five hours of free computer service hours in return for a free ad. Gabby is currently working on a
Directory, Senior Service Grant (has been submitted) and their United Way grant.
Heather Queen, Royal Inspections: Royal Inspections complete Home Inspections and Preservations.
Those can be from eviction to the bank selling the home (and everything in between), including mowing
grass, plowing, etc. If you are in need of one of these services, please make sure to find someone that is
going to take their time and have pride in their work. That is what Royal Inspections do proudly.
Tina Knotts, Union County Chamber of Commerce: Upcoming event include the Business Impact
Breakfast on Thursday, January 22nd at URE from 8:00am-9:00am and the Member Benefits Breakfast on
Friday, February 6th at Der Dutchman from 7:30am-9:00am. Tina also dispersed the Chamber’s Calendar
of Events.
Rita Monroe, Parrott’s: December was a very busy month for Parrott’s. Things have begun to slow back
down. February is Filter month so make sure to stop in for your filter needs. Farmers begin planting
soon. Parrott’s also has batteries for cars, lawn mowers, etc. They are holding a winter special, 10% off
all John Deere parts with free delivery.
Jeremy Sons- eGreen Computers: Recycling is extremely important because technology changes quickly.
eGreen is capable of destructing all parts correctly on site. They use everything they can and then the
recycling is done respectively. April is Earth Day month at eGreen Computers. They will be running a
special. Each customer may recycle up to three qualifying items and will receive a ticket for each item.
Last year they raffled off an iPad 4, not sure yet of the actual prize this year. More details to come.
eGreen Computers has good inventory right now on laptops/desktops, data protection and backup
services. Their security is HIPPA compliant.
Rita Parker- Community Representative: Plotner’s Hardware has your home decorating needs and
have recently added a gift shop. It is a really nice addition to what they already have in their store, stop
in and check it out. Both the girls and boys basketball teams are going well at the school right now.
Tim Suiter- First Energy: Shout out to the Buckeyes! GO BUCKS! Tim thanked Heather Queen for
preparing the food for today’s meeting. First Energy still has STEM grants, school grant projects. In
early September, First Energy will email superintendents to see if any teachers would be willing to apply
for their classroom projects. Some projects include rockets, engineering and energy saving projects.
First Energy is also looking for Lineman/Electric Industry referrals. This is an opportunity to send an
individual to a two-year school to teach them everything they need to know. The next class will begin
on January 31st. If you experience a power outage, you can follow their twitter feed or visit their
website online to check restoration times.
Tai Wills- Richwood Bank: Buzz Year in Review Update: There are currently 76 merchants on Buzz
Points. With these Buzz Points, customers are able to purchase gift cards. There are 1704 customers
participating. 12.7 million Buzz Points have been earned. 3 million points have already been cashed in.
There were 118 redemptions of points just in December. Richwood Bank has participated in 87
community events in 2014. Richwood Bank will be participating in the Chocolate Walk in Uptown
Delaware on February 6th from 6-9pm. It is $20 to participate. With the contribution, you will receive 20
different chocolate gifts from 20 different businesses.
Cory Hixon-Edward Jones: His Marion apartment has been rented. He also recently purchased a
foreclosure property in Radnor, OH and is hoping to relist it this Spring. He also has 16 more rentals in
Marion, OH. In regards to Edward Jones, he has created 28 new accounts in December and 16 already in
January.
Nikki James- Big Brothers Big Sisters: Nikki handed out Save the Date postcards for the upcoming 17th
Annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraising event. Nikki asked if everyone could help spread the word. BBBS
has also received a grant from The Ohio Criminal Justice Services that will help fund 38 more matches in
Union County. If anyone knows of someone who would like to become a Mentor, please let Nikki know.
Tina Knotts added that the Chamber’s Annual Dinner Meeting will be held on Friday, April 17th. The time
is yet to be determined.
Tim Suiter made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Tai Wills 2nd, motion passed.