The annual meeting of the BBPA was held on Thursday, January 26th, 2012, the  President, being in the chair and the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer being present. Pat Fuller, Laura Fazzolari and Carol Anders were also present. Previous minutes were officially approved.

Motion made to have everyone review the previous meeting’s minutes on the BBPA website before we meet every month, in order to be more efficient. Motion made by Chair and unanimously accepted.

Pat Fuller was elected as Treasurer for 2012 with a majority vote, of 3 to 2.

The offices of President, Vice-President and Secretary only had one nomination each, resulting in the nominees occupying these offices as follows:

• President – Julia Bender
• Vice President – Carol Drajem
• Secretary – Nicole James

Standing Committee Members were confirmed as follows:

• Finance Committee:
• Pat Fuller
• Nicole James
• Events Committee
• Carol Drajem
• Dina Potter
• Laura Fazzolari
• Carol Anders
• Networking Committee
• Julia Bender
• Carol Drajem
• Education Committee
• Carol Drajem
• Pat Fuller
• Advertising Committee
• Nicole James
• Julia Bender

Events Committee Goals for 2012 were discussed:

• Motion was made to develop a list of events occurring in the surrounding area as a reference for planning and passed.  Carol Drajem volunteered to research and present a list at the next regular meeting.
• Motion was made to research the possibility of having a colonial war re-enactment event, this motion was amended to research the possibility of holding this event in conjunction with the Historic Society at the Babcock House on Lake Road and was passed.  Carol Anders volunteered to research these possibilities with re-enactment actors and the Historic Society and report at the next regular meeting.

Networking Committee Goals for 2012 were discussed:

• Motion was made to set up a table at the Farmer’s Market in the Village this year in order to promote the BBPA and recruit new members, this motion was amended to include researching the cost of obtaining a banner, pop up tent with vinyl graphics and table for use at the farmer’s market and other events and was passed.  Carol Drajem will present a quote for the banner and pop up tent graphics at the next regular meeting.
• The President asked that all members  speak with other members and business owners about the Official BBPA website and facebook page and encourage them to check there for updates and upcoming events.

Education Committee Goals for 2012 were discussed:

• Motion was made to hold at least one educational event open to the general public and sponsored by the BBPA per quarter.
• Motion was made to have Julia Bender provide a Web Presence seminar focused on low-cost and no-cost (social media) web advertising in order to drive business.
• Motion is made to have educational events included in the Adult Education program at BCS.
• Motion was made for members to develop a list of educational events they think would assist local businesses succeed in the current market.

Advertising Committee Goals for 2012 were discussed:

• The BBPA Brochure
• Motion was made to include only Association members in the brochure, this motion was amended to send a letter to all local business owners giving them the opportunity to join before the brochure is printed and passed.
• Motion was made to allow members to purchase display ads and or coupon space in the brochure and passed.
• Julia Bender volunteered to get pricing on printing costs.
• Motion was made that current members should develop a list of local business owners to solicit for membership in order to help ensure all business have an opportunity to join and passed.

New Business:

• Motion was made to join the Medina-Middleport Business Association Speed Marketing Event on March 7th at Lyn Oakes, this motion was amended to ask them to consider us for the next Speed Marketing Event as the time frame was too short.
• Many members present were interested in attending anyway and asked Pat Fuller to obtain details so we do so.

Next Business meeting is February 16th, 2012, at Village Hall at 7:15p.m.

All meetings will be held on the third Thursday of the month at 7:15pm at Barker Village Hall.

Meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.

Nicole James, Secretary

Nicole James appointed teller.

Nomination results: President-Julia, Vice-President-Carol D., Secretary-Nicole, Treasurer-Dina, & Pat.

Reccomendation for committees: Finance-Nicole, Events-Carol A., Networking-Carol D., Education-Pat, Advertising-Pat.

Motion made by Secretary to spotlight one business at each meeting and accepted.

wine trail committee recieved grant monies to redo their brochures and signage and the barker village would like to have the wine trail come directly down Quaker Rd.

Agenda for next meeting: Voting for office of treasurer, discuss direction of brochures and standing committees, also guest speakers.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

Nicole James, Secretary

All meetings will be held on the third Thursday of the month at 7:15pm at Barker Village Hall.

Search for Barker Business & Professional Association on Facebook and “Like” our page to connect with the BBPA even when you can’t attend meetings.

Catch up on current events, read meeting minutes and our bylaws.  Share your ideas concerning Barker area business and BBPA programs.

Let us know your ideas for discussion at our meetings.  And connect with other local business owners and professionals.

Receive invitations to our meetings and look over the agenda for the next meeting before you attend.

If you have a Facebook business page, let us know so we can utilize the power of social media to cross promote your business.

Next month’s meeting will be held at the Barker Village Hall on December 15th at 7:15 p.m..

Officer Nominations

The December meeting will focus on nominations for officers to serve in 2012 and help us to make BBPA a driving force in promoting, education, connecting and serving local businesses and the community as a whole.

We are in need of persons to serve as officers and committee members in the coming year.  Our Secretary, Nicole James and our Treasurer, Dina Potter have served us well for 3 years now and have earned a break.

Nominations for members to fill these positions can be made via the ballot provided in the newsletter mailed to members, email ( infp@barkerbiz.com ) or in person at the December meeting.

Elections for the following positions will be held at our Annual Meeting to be held on January 19th, 2012.

President – The President prepares the agenda for meetings and serves as chair for each of them.  In addition, the President appoints members to standing committees at the beginning of his or her term, as well as to temporary committees when necessary.  The President also serves on the Networking Committee.

Vice President – The Vice President serves as chair at all meetings not attended by the President.  The Vice President also serves on the Events and Education Committees.

Secretary – The Secretary keeps the meeting minutes and maintains all reports and documentation for the Association.  The Secretary also sends out the call to meeting for all regular, quarterly, annual and special meetings, while maintaining correspondence within and without the Association.

Treasurer – The Treasurer keeps the Association’s Membership roll, collects dues and other revenues and disperses funds under the direction of the membership.  In addition, the Treasurer serves on the Finance Committee and submits quarterly reports of the Association’s financial activities.

Committee Recommendations

Once our new officers have been elected, it will be the President’s responsibility to appoint members to our five standing committees.  Following are explanations of the purpose of these committees, so that you may decide if you or a member you know, should serve on one or more of them:

Finance Committee – Prepares a budget for the year and is voted on by the membership in December.  In addition, this committee may be called upon throughout the year to assist Association projects by providing funding information, applying for grants etc.

Events Committee – This committee will research, develop and propose community events to be sponsored by the Association.  They will also serve as organizers for these events.

Networking Committee – The Networking Committee will research, develop and propose networking opportunities among members and develop cooperative relationships with organizations of similar purpose in the Eastern Niagara County Region.

Education Committee – This committee will research, develop and propose educational opportunities for the members of the Association.

Advertising & Promotions Committee – This committee will research, develop and propose methods of advertising and promoting the association and its members through various media.

Committee recommendations can also be made via the form included with the newsletter, emailed ( info@barkerbiz.com ) or in person at the December meeting.

Motion made by Treasurer that new meeting start times will be at 7:15pm. The motion was adopted.

Motion made by chair to forward energy audit email to all members that came in from correspondence. The motion was accepted.

Motion made by chair to send out nominations by mail and email and for members to check out the official Facebook page for the association. The motion was accepted.

Motion made by chair to accept all current memberships will expire in January 2013 and that will then be our membership renewal month. The motion was adopted.

Motion made by Treasurer to set up small refreshments for the next meeting. The motion was accepted.

Agenda for next meeting:

Opening at 7:15 December 15^th

Adoption of Agenda

Nominations Voting

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Nicole James, Secretary

All meetings will be held on the third Thursday of the month at 7:15pm at Barker Village Hall.