SIREN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERSHIP MEETING
March 17, 2015
MINUTES
Introductions were made at this first Chamber ‘evening’ meeting and social for 2015, which was held at The Wood Shed.
Secretary's Reports: The February 17th Membership Meeting Minutes were unavailable at meeting time for approval.
Treasurer’s Report: The 2014-15 YTD Fiscal Year Reports were accepted.
Guest Speaker: Scott Johnson, Siren School Superintendent, was our Guest Speaker.
Mr. Johnson shared information regarding the upcoming Siren School Referendum. From the 2014 referendum which was
not passed, it was learned that it’s best to get more information out in the hands of the voters. At the Siren School, there is
a 100% response by the educators to pursue this 2015 referendum. Mr. Johnson presented a handout containing the facts
and rationale for the proposal; this information will be shared via email with the Chamber membership and also posted on
the Siren website.
Old Business
1. Open Board Position: Jake Mangelsen, owner – Tesora/Northwoods Crossing Event Center, Chattering
Squirrel Coffee Café, & Acorn Pantry – was welcomed by the Membership to the Chamber Board of
Directors. Jake will be fulfilling Emily Gall’s term until September, 2016.
2. Events:
a. St. Patrick’s Day: The 5th Annual Shamwalk/run 5k registered 190 entrants! The 37th Annual Parade
had a good turnout. The new ‘Dirty Snowman’ and ‘Lucky Lilac’ activities created a lot of
excitement, with the Lucky Lilac being found in about an hour and, unfortunately, no teams for the
snowman competition due to the warm weather. Thanks to Matt Golke & Travis Cormell for all the
planning & execution – plus Thanks to Pinewood & Polk-Burnett for prizes! 2016 Ideas include
having two scavenger hunts to extend the hunting throughout the day.
b. New 2015 Siren Supercell was launched at the St. Pat’s Shamwalk with 34 registrants.
c. Taste of Siren received six non-profit partner letter responses, any of which would be an excellent
2015 partner; the Committee will be meeting shortly to select this year’s partner.
d. Harvestfest will be partnering with Siren School’s Homecoming this year: ‘Harvestfest &
Homecoming’.
3. Music in the Park: With all bands scheduled, the focus is now on finalizing the non-profit partners for
refreshments. Sponsors are being sought for each week’s concert; the cost is still just $25 per concert ($30
for the Porch Dogs).
4. NEW Siren Sign update:
a. Current funding is at 62% of the $30,000 project goal. A Polk-Burnett Operation Round Up Grant
has been submitted with review on April 1st by their committee. Also on April 1st is a Burnett County
Development Association (BCDA) meeting where a project update and formal request for funding
support will be made. A follow-up meeting with the Siren Lions is scheduled for March 23rd.
b. Tickets continue to be on sale for the Chamber 50:50 raffle fundraiser. Cost is $10 per ticket with
sales of only 400 tickets; the $2,000 winner will be selected at the first Music in the Park concert on
June 4th. All Chamber members are requested to please help sell our tickets.
c. The secondary project involving Siren School banners & brackets installation on State Road 35 has
been completed by the Village Public Works crew.
New Business
1. Siren Website: The current Siren website software will not be supported in the future. Direction for new
formatting/software or new provider is now required. Options will be prepared and presented at the next
Chamber Board meeting.
2. Tourism:
a. 2015 WIGCOT: Evy Nyberg, The Lodge at Crooked Lake, will be attending the March 15th-17th
conference as our Siren representative.
b. 2015 Wisconsin State Sporting Clays Championship: The Chamber has been requested to support
this state event being held August 5th-9th at Coyland Creek. Two different options are being
investigated with a sponsorship decision scheduled at the April Chamber Board meeting. This is a
prestigious event for Siren and should be recognized at our annual Chamber membership meeting in
September.
c. 2016 AWSC Show & VIP Ride: Siren’s event bid has been moved up from 2017 to 2016. The event
dates selected are February 14th & 15th at The Lodge at Crooked Lake – SAVE THE DATE!
d. Burnett County Tourism Coalition (BCTC) Gala: BCTC will be holding their first gala fundraiser on
Saturday, March 28th, at the St. Croix Casino in Danbury. All business owners are encouraged to
attend. The event will include dinner and presentations on tourism by Drew Nussbaum, Wisconsin
Department of Tourism Regional Representative, and on organizational progress by BCTC Board
Members. Funds raised will be used to staff a position to maintain the new county tourism website,
BurnettCountyFun.com, and market county tourism to key audiences.
Meeting closed at approximately 6 pm.