DATE: December 12, 2023
START TIME: Meeting 11:30 a.m.
LOCATION: Westminster Village, 5801 W Bethel Ave, Muncie, IN 47304

Agenda:
11:30-Doors open/Drinks served
11:45 Call to order/Pledge of Allegiance

Introduction: Question of the Month-Kristi Ingram: Do you make a New Year’s Resolution? If you do, what is it?

Attendees: Kyla Bartle, Dave Bartle, Kat Blankenbaker, Stacey Brewer, Brenda Brumfield, Brendon Comp, Katadyn Connerley, Chris Day, Catherine Day, James Dalton, Tyler Ewing, Erin Ailstock, Keith Gary and guest, Ryan Gernand, Kelsey Gernand, Mark Goodpaster, Carolyn Grieves, Michael Grieves, Molly Harty, Greg Hinshaw, Maura Hoff, Kelli Huth, Kristi Ingram, Don Johnson and guest, Brianne Kelly, Carol Kosisko, Sarah McCord, Brenda Olson, Gustave Pippin, Mike Stevenson, Teena Stevenson, Sarah Stevenson, Mary Ann Stroeh, Steve Stroeh, Michelle Tinch, Jared Turner and guest, Maureen Walby, David Whitehair, Allen Neft, Scott Jordan, Bonnie Allen, Erin Hurley, Chase Bruton and guest from the town of Yorktown.

Chamber Business:
Presentation of last month’s minutes: Erin Ailstock
Treasurer Report: Kristi Ingram-Ending Balance for November was $43,417.36 (detailed report attached). Motion by Sarah McCord, 2nd by Scott Jordan.
VOTE for new Treasurer Tony Coston, Swift and Assoc CPA’s. Motion made by Carolyn Grieves, 2nd by Kristi Ingram.
2024 Ambassador Chair: Katadyn Connerly, Membership Chair: Dr. Brianne Kelly

LUNCH BUFFET OPEN

Presentation of Awards:

Spirit of Small Business: The Spirit of Small Business Award is given to a business operated in Yorktown that has been active in the community.
Coffee Cravings has been very busy since it opened just over a year ago serving over 50,000 customers! They make on purpose collaborative efforts like teaming up with Happy Accidents for Coffee and Canvas nights, and participating in our town’s first annual Shop Hop! They have worked with F-45, Recovery Cafe, Compass Church, YFD and supported our local schools as well as Ball State University. The Stevenson family are long time Yorktown community members and are on a mission to continue to create meaningful relationships that inspire a healthy community! Coffee Cravings chose to donate to Reach Yorktown Ministry. Their mission is to serve the residents of Mt. Pleasant Township in Christian love through supportive and caring partnerships in the areas of hunger, education, medication assistance, and other personal needs. Please visit their website to learn more about them: https://reachyorktown.com/

Outstanding Contribution to Education: The Outstanding Contribution to Education Award is given to an educator in the Yorktown Community School system who has exhibited excellence in the classroom.
Yorktown High School is lucky to have such a dynamic teacher, role model, and coach like Mr. Jared Turner. This accomplished AP Psychology and Social Studies teacher has high expectations for his students and student-athletes and coupled with the foundation of respect and trust he instills in them, they rise. As a 9th grade mentor teacher he helps to develop an atmosphere of support and respect for our incoming freshmen as they transition to high school and helps grow the leadership skills of the upperclassmen within the program. As a Cross Country and Track coach, the countless titles and trophies pale in comparison to the strong moral character, commitment, and family experience he creates. Jared is very well deserving of this recognition. Jared Turner chose to donate to INCourage a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every dollar donated will go towards local families fighting childhood cancer as well as childhood cancer research. Please visit their website to learn more about them: https://www.incouragekids.com/

Excellence in Public Service: The Excellence in Public Service Award is given to a town employee who has displayed exemplary service to the community.
Don Johnson has been a loyal public servant with the Town for 16 years. He is a class 3 sewage treatment operator. Don’s efforts behind the scenes at the Town’s wastewater plant have not gone unnoticed. He is a constant figure of positive energy to all those he is around. Whenever the town has a mechanical issue that requires some ingenuity, they call Don, as he is the resident tinkerer. The administration has started referring to Don as “the mad scientist”. Don serves as the main operator of the Civic Green Splash Pad, which brings so much fun and happiness to the children of our community. The Town could not be more proud of Don and his continual service and dedication. We should all be grateful and consider ourselves fortunate to have such a humble, friendly, and hardworking man in a vital position on our Town staff. Don Johnson chose to donate to the Academy of Model Aeronautics. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the hobby of model aviation and encouraging the development of young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Please visit their website to learn more about them: https://amafoundation.modelaircraft.org/

Community Impact: The Community Impact Award is given to an individual or business that has created jobs, made a positive environmental impact, improved the quality of living for the community and/or made visual improvements.
The Frozen Boulder Yorktown jumped into action making a huge difference in our town. They hired local students and in just a short amount of time, they have served over 20,000 customers. They were the spark behind the inaugural Shop Hop for Small Business Saturday. The Frozen Boulder supports the Yorktown athletics program including sponsoring the float for this past homecoming parade. They also introduced Foster Child Christmas to our town. They have jumped in and continue to make a difference in many sweet ways. The Frozen Boulder chose to donate 1/2 their award to The Yorktown Public Library, whose mission is to provide access to and maintain a variety of current materials and services to meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of the community. The other 1/2 goes to @Muncie ARF. The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) mission is to promote our promise of love for all animals through education, medical care, prevention and placement. You can learn more about them at their websites: https://yorktownlib.org/ and https://www.munciearf.com/

Lifetime Achievement: The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a person who has shown outstanding dedication, service, and commitment to the community as well as the chamber.
Ed Armantrout was the recipient of this award. He was not available to attend. Ed chose to donate their award to A Better Way. A Better Way provides domestic violence and sexual assault services to Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Union, and Wayne Counties. You can learn more about them at their website: https://abetterwaymuncie.org/our-services/

Lunch and Learns: Brendon Comp
Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Pizza King in Yorktown
Cost to attend: Free for members, $15 for non-members.

Civic Green Report: Kat B
The 2024 dates are all on the calendar. Sponsorships are open for the 2024 Concert Series.

Member Announcements:
James Dalton-he wanted to remind everyone to check all of their smoke detectors!

Maura Hoff-she wanted to remind everyone about the performance of White Christmas that is going on at the Muncie Civic Theatre.

Holiday thoughts/tips: Mark Goodpaster

Next Meeting: “State of the Town” with Chase Bruton, January 16, 2024 at Town Hall located at 9312 W Smith St, Yorktown. The doors open at 7:45 a.m. and the meeting starts at 8:00 a.m.