SIREN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD MEETING
August 4, 2015, 4:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Present: Chris Moeller, executive director; Cheryl Wheeler, Sam’s Motors; Joan O’Fallon, Polk-Burnett Electric Co-op;
Bill Johnston, Siren Auction; Tammy Twedt-Close, Bremer Bank.
Absent: Ev Nyberg, The Lodge; Matt Golke, Siren Post Office; Jamie Morales, Community Bank; Kim Campion, Anytime
Fitness; Jake Mangelsen, Tesora/Chattering Squirrel/Acorn Pantry.
Secretary's Reports: No quorum; approval of July 7 board meeting minutes tabled until next month.
Treasurer’s Report: No quorum; approval of treasurer’s report tabled until next month.
Old Business
1. 2015 Siren Open Golf Scramble, July 27. Moeller reported the following:
a. The event met goals with 18 teams, 72 golfers and 33 hole sponsors.
b. Preliminary income is $9,755, expenses are $4,389 and net profit is $5,366.
c. One non-chamber business entered a team and will receive 50 percent off 2015-16 membership.
d. Kris Peterson offered a Tavern League idea where free Chamber membership could be offered to
businesses that lead events that generate at least $2,000 in profit for the Chamber. No quorum
present; the board will consider at next meeting.
e. The 2016 Siren Open will be Monday, July 25.
2. Summerfest, July 30-August 2
a. Moeller reported that the weekend was successful, drawing many people to town. One local
business estimated that there were “More people in town than during the 4th of July weekend!”
b. Twedt-Close attended the 2015 Miss Siren Pageant and reported that it was well attended and well
done. The new Miss Siren is Abby Kosloski; she will represent Siren well. Appreciation was expressed
to Georgia Cederburg, pageant coordinator. The board hopes she will continue again next year.
c. Johnston reported that the flea market had the biggest turnout ever with 17 vendors.
d. Twedt-Close said the car show had 35 entries; Sean and Marci from The Other Guys Bike Shop
coordinated this event on Main Street. Chamber bucks were awarded this year vs. plaques.
e. O’Fallon reported that Music in the Park had high attendance with music by the Porch Dogs and
refreshments from the Siren Fire Department.
f. O’Fallon and Twedt-Close attended the Lion’s BBQ and noted good food and a good turnout.
3. Taste of Siren, September 24
a. Wheeler reported that she and Sara Cremin met with Tesora and Adventures about this year’s
event.
b. The Farmer’s Market expressed an interest in having a table at the event.
4. Harvestfest & Homecoming, September 24-26: Moeller reported that plans are underway.
a. The Moose Lodge offered to host the car show, formerly at Yourchuck’s, but it appears this may be
taken over by the Danbury Casino.
b. Northwest Passage is hosting a Taste of the Trail event on Saturday that same weekend.
c. O’Fallon noted that there has been transition in school leadership and she will contact homecoming
coordinators, Jason Hinze and Wayne Koball, about the combined weekend event.
5. Wedding Fair, January 31: Moeller reported that invitations have been sent to businesses. Making
Memories and More expressed an interest in having a table this year.
6. Siren Supercell Race Series: Moeller reported that the final race in the series was at the Air Show in July.
Individual race organizers have asked if Moeller and the Chamber will assist again with the 2016 race series.
The board and Moeller questioned if the series met the Chamber’s goal of increasing Siren tourism and if the
Chamber gets a positive return on investment for Moeller’s time and effort. Moeller reported that the series
was more work than anticipated, especially in this first year; some revenue may have been generated for
the Chamber if series runners were not typically Freedom Five racers. The board will consider our
commitment for 2016 at the next meeting, as there is no quorum to vote this month.
7. Siren LED Sign
a. Moeller reported that she had trouble uploading content to the sign July 20-28; the sign vendor
made a site visit and fixed the remote antenna at no charge.
b. Moeller also noted that the sign continues to be down more than acceptable. She is working with
Maurer Power to diagnose and reduce downtime.
c. O’Fallon asked if content guidelines have been updated and shared with the school, as Dave Alden
promised sign donors at the dedication. Moeller reported that general guidelines are complete, but
detailed guidelines that address font size, run time and other graphic requirements are still being
compiled.
8. Siren Website: Moeller reported that the new site is scheduled to launch in mid-August.
New Business
1. Chamber Membership Survey:
a. Moeller reported that the survey link was e-mailed to primarily current members August 1. Nonmembers and prior members still need to be reached.
b. O’Fallon reported that 14 surveys had been completed to date.
c. O’Fallon distributed paper surveys and asked Chamber board members to distribute to members
and non-members who don’t have access to e-mail.
d. The deadline to submit surveys is August 21. Moeller will e-mail a reminder as we get closer to the
deadline.
e. Survey results will be shared in September. The board will use feedback for future planning and
improvements.
2. 2015-2016 Membership:
a. Moeller reported that membership renewals will be distributed next week.
3. New Member Welcome: Moeller reported that Lilac Village Bed and Breakfast joined the Chamber. A ribbon
cutting and welcome photo are scheduled for August 6.
4. Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet, September 15
a. Moeller reported that this year’s annual dinner will be at Lakeview Event Center. Pour House will
provide catering. Twedt-Close will talk with Pour House about the menu.
b. Moeller reported that Burnett County Tourism Coalition will provide our guest presentation and the
event will have more of a dinner v. meeting feel. Awards will be presented to Citizen of the Year,
Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.