DATE: November19, 2024
START TIME: Meeting 8:00 AM
LOCATION: Whitinger & Comp
1100 W White River Blvd Muncie 47303

Agenda:

7:45 a.m.-8:00 a.m.: Doors open/Coffee served

8:00 a.m.: Call to order/Pledge of Allegiance

Introduction: Marissa Earls (Member Chair)-We had 23 people in attendance

Question of the month: How long have you been a Yorktown Chamber member?

Breakfast Bonus: Breakfast Sponsor (3 minutes) – Nanci Sears Perri with The Yorktown Farm & Artisan Market: The Yorktown Farm & Artisan Market was founded in 2008 by Ron and Susan Orebaugh. Nanci became the Market Manager in 2021 as a volunteer. She had 4 other volunteers to make the Farm & Artisan Market happen. For the 2024 market season, they averaged 55-60 vendors, 78 total vendors with the Young Entrepreneurs. Thank you to the Yorktown Chamber for sponsoring the Young Entrepreneurs. The market has weekly entertainment, kids’ activities, and food trucks. There were 18 weeks for the market this year, down from 20 the previous year due to 2 weeks being canceled because of rain. They currently have 108 vendors on their roster. Over 1200 people were attending the market this season. They have been voted for 4 years in a row the top market in Indiana and have been noticed at the state level. The Yorktown Farm & Artisan Market accepts food stamps, and the market will match the food stamp total for the customers, this program is called the Double Up program. There was a 1200% increase in people using the Double Up program. The Yorktown Farm & Artisan Market is a 501c3 which allows them to apply for grants. The community loves and supports the market! Question: How much does it cost to have a booth at the market? Answer: $200 for a full season. They do have ½ season vendor option, and a 1 time a month option but that might be phased out.

Presentation of last month’s Minutes: Erin Ailstock – approved as submitted.

Treasurer Report: Tony Coston- Tony wasn’t present, but Kat stated there was money in the bank. Reed Levitz with Northwest Bank has agreed to head up our audit.

School Report: Dr. Greg Hinshaw-Yorktown girls’ volleyball team was the state runner-up champs, and the cheerleading team made a state final appearance. Construction remains on schedule and is under budget. Rusty, the Maintenance Director for the school is retiring after 35 years. The position will be posted and they will begin their search to find someone to fill the position.

Town Report: Chase Bruton/Erin Hurley – No town report.

Program: TJ Bush presents: “EOY Tax Tips”-TJ is in his 17th year doing this and he is taking on new clients. TJ gave us some ways to look at tax tips before the end of the year. If you are a small family-owned business, you can employ your child and deduct their wages as a business expense which in turn reduces your taxable profit. If you are 70½ or older, you may now make a one-time election for a qualified charitable distribution (without being taxed) from your IRA to fund a life-income gift. If you are 70 ½ years or younger, you can donate to a charity from your stock market and not have to pay taxes. TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act)-if you bunch your contributions together and only donate every 2 years, you can itemize it on your taxes. Indiana residents can claim a 20% state income tax credit on up to $7,500 in annual contributions to an Indiana529 Savings Plan, for a maximum credit of $1,500. If your child doesn’t plan to go to college, you can change the beneficiary on the account or roll it over to a Roth IRA for a child. Tax laws are set to expire on January 1st, 2026 if they don’t get extended. If you have questions on tax tips or what might change in 2026, contact your tax person or you can reach out to TJ for help!

President Report: Kat B – Mark Goodpaster Presents 2025 Board of Directors-Kat Blankenbaker as President, Mark Goodpaster as Vice President, and Erin Ailstock as Secretary. Motion-Mark Goodpaster, 2nd Katadyn Connerley, and Keith Gary. Ed Armantrout Presents Proposed Bylaws that included the changes that were sent out to the membership. Motion-Scott Jordan, 2nd Carolyn Grieves

Shafer Leadership News: Ted Ward – On 11/20 at the Innovation Connector, they are having a Coffee Talk from 8-9:30 a.m. The topic is strategic planning. Check the calendar on Shafer Leadership’s website and take advantage of the programs that they offer the members! Shafer Leadership keeps a database of individuals who would like to serve on local boards, if you need help finding individuals to sit on your board of directors, reach out to Ted and he will help out!

Annual Awards Lunch: Tyler Ewing-Tyler wasn’t present but Kat let everyone know that they must register for the Annual Luncheon and the cost is $25 to attend. The annual Luncheon is on Tuesday, December 10th, from 11:30 to 1:30.

Ambassador news: Katadyn Connerley-Shop Hop will be on Saturday, November 30th to help support shop small business Saturday! This will be organized by Kayla Bartle and Erin Hill. You can stop in at Frozen Boulder to pick up a card and have it marked by the local Yorktown businesses. When completed, you can enter your card to win prizes. Thank you to Four Day Ray and Smith Street Studios for hosting the last after-hours and donating the food. Katadyn will be posting the dates for the 2025 after-hours. They are currently looking for member locations to host member luncheons in 2025. If you are interested, please reach out to Katadyn!

Tip of the day: Mark Goodpaster-Shopping tips due to Black Friday being next week. 1) Do your research on what stores are offering and make a game plan. 2) Sign up to receive business emails to find out what promotions they are having. 3) If you are online shopping, save billing info for faster checkout. 4) Compare prices for items that you are looking for, you can also use Google to help price shop. 5) Take advantage of extended return policies. 6) Use advanced search features to your advantage. 7) Skip the crowds in stores and do it online. 8) Look for doorbuster deals. 9) Sign up for free loyalty programs to get perks. 10) Look for gift card deals on Amazon!

Member Announcements: Ed Armantrout-Kiwanis is selling Abbotts Caramels, they are $15 a box. Also, the Kiwanis are gearing up for tax season. They do taxes for free for low to moderate-income household. He is looking for businesses that would want to donate anything to give to the families they serve. Katadyn Connerley-She has taken a new position at Minnetrista so if you would like to visit or need anything, let her know.

Adjournment: Promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Next Meeting: Tue DEC 10th -2nd Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.!

Westminster Village 5801 W Bethel Ave, Muncie, IN 47304