DATE: September 17, 2024
START TIME: Meeting 8:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Spangler Farms
8081 W CR 200 S, Yorktown, IN 47396

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 (Membership Chair)-We had 20 people in attendance.
Question of the Month: What is your dream vacation destination?

Hot Spot: Breakfast Sponsor (3 minutes)-Baize Financial: Eric Baize, the owner of Baize Financial has been in the community for 25 years. At Baize Financial Concepts, we help clients first identify their values and priorities and then implement appropriate financial strategies to help achieve them. We seek to simplify each of their needs by managing their money, and allowing them to devote time to their business, their endeavors, and most importantly, their family. Our method begins with listening to their goals, their dreams, their aspirations, and their challenges. We put our client’s best interest first, taking our time to truly understand them as a person and their perspective, while giving them confidence, ensuring that they are working with people they can trust. At Baize Financial Concepts, we assist in the following areas: investments, financial planning, and insurance.

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

Treasurer Report: Tony Coston – In August, the chamber received $631, and expenses were $6800. August ending balance: $50,725. Tony is cleaning up the report and will be sending out detailed reports.

School Report: Dr. Greg Hinshaw-Dr. Hinshaw reported on the threats that schools have been receiving and stated that most of them are coming from online gaming conversations. Yorktown has 4 academy trained SRO on duty and more depending on the need. Yorktown encourages the students to let the school know if they hear of any threats being made regardless if they feel that it isn’t true. The school traffic has improved. They have started opening the doors 10 minutes early at Pleasant View and it has helped. Count day is October 1st and Yorktown’s enrollment continues to grow. Resident enrollment continues to grow and is up about 20 students over the last year. Construction is on schedule. Yorktown Athletic teams are doing well, Yorktown beat Delta 28-14 in football. The cross country team won county and the volleyball team continues to do well.

Town Report: Chase Bruton/Erin Hurley-Town Council Meeting Highlights: September 21 is the Yorktown Homecoming Parade and Concert, September 30th the town will be closing the splash pad for the year, and October 19th will be Community Clean-up Day. Put all items out by the curb to be picked up. If you have hazardous waste or anything that needs to be shredded, you can take it to the Field Operation building from 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Broadway & 600 got paved, and the remaining portion of 600 will get paved next year along with Isanogel, 500, and Nebo. Striping of the roads will take place soon. The town has applied for a Community Crossing Grant to get the state to help pay for the paving of the roads. When the state is involved you have to make sure everything such as ramps are ADA compliant. Erin wanted to remind everyone about the Fire & Ice 5k that the Yorktown Fire Department will be hosting as a fundraiser on December 14th. They have sponsorship opportunities available.

Program: Chad & Kim Spangler: Spangler Farms- Chad’s parents, Tim and Carol, had been running the farm since 1973 as a grain and hog farm and in the late 1990’s they switched to a grain and produce farm and retired in 2012. Chad and Kim took over the farm in 2012 when Chad’s parents retired. Chad was raised on the farm and is a Yorktown and Ball State grad with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Kim is a native of Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Penn State University and Ball State. They moved back to Yorktown from Pennsylvania in 2012 to continue the next generation of Spangler Farms. They are entering their 13th year of grain and produce farming. The gardens and market space have continued to grow in size every year. They farm 800 acres of grain and 40 acres of veggies. High tunnels have been added to extend the growing season of several popular crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. The high tunnels allows them to start planting in April. Additional sheds have been added to accommodate the sales side of the market. Come fall the entire market area is filled with their pumpkin crop along with mums, that they grow themselves. A sunflower patch, craft shed, hayrides, and you-pick pumpkin patch are some of the newest additions to the market experience at Spangler Farms Market. Spangler Farms is involved in the Farm Crawl with 4-5 other local farms. At the Yorktown location, they have 3 full-time farm hands along with 15 helpers. They donate produce to a lot of local events that take place in the community. Chad and Kim continue to plan to grow their farm over the next several years.

Lunch and Learns: Brendon Comp- The next lunch and learn will be on Wednesday, October 30th with Tisha Gierhart, Subject: Top 3 favorite tools for having hard conversations, Pizza King in Yorktown. Registration will be available soon online.

Shafer Leadership News: Ted Ward – if you go to: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/0978c4d3/BysOkO02q02AU2OVcCEbCg?u=https://www.shaferleadership.com/yorktown-chamber/ you will see all of the opportunities that the Yorktown Chamber members can participate in. If you are interested in attending an event, click on the event, fill out the information and you are registered for that event. When it asks if you are a leadership member, put yes because you are through the Yorktown Chamber. One of their signature programs is scheduled for October 29th from 1-5 p.m., Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams. This program is not free to members.

Ambassador news: Kat filled in for Katadyn Connerley: The Chamber is seeking more ambassadors and ambassador plus. The Ambassador Plus team has more time to help. The Ambassadors are asked to make 2 phone calls every month to members and attend 4 meetings a year. The committee is currently looking for 10 additional people to be ambassadors. The chamber’s next After Hours will be held at REACH Yorktown on September 26th from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Civic Green Report: Kat B-Homecoming kickoff parade & celebration will be on September 21st, starting at 3:00 p.m.
Member Announcements: No member announcements

Adjournment: Promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 15th at the Yorktown Library located at 8920 W Adaline St, Yorktown