Attendees: Al Stevens and guest Sharon Nichols, Cheryl Hill, Tonia Cooper, Pat Green, Steve Woods, Derald Glover (partial), and Gary Perkins.



Absent: Steve Clinkenbeard, Jack Armstrong, Mark Young, Carol Corley, and Jerry Long.



Meeting was called to order at 11:35, by board president, Tonia Cooper. The first order of business, was introduction by Al Stevens of OG&E; to our special guest, Sharon Nichols, business services and outreach coordinator for the Eastern Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board. Sharon lives in Fort Gibson and works out of the Muskogee office of the Workforce Investment Board. Al invited her so she could get a feel for what is going on in our community.

We then covered a review of the chamber financials. As we approach the end of our fiscal year, total funds are somewhat depleted as compared to the rest of the year. We currently have total assets in the bank of $7,614, as compared to $6,611 last year. These funds will grow as we go through the membership renewal period, beginning in September.

Historic 5K Run sponsorships are running above last year, and continue to come in. Additionally, entry numbers are way up from all previous years, which will benefit the chamber. Since the run is one week later this year than last year, total income and expense figures will not be reported until the next board meeting. There was no additional discussion regarding the financials. Pat Green made a motion to accept the records as presented, and Al Stevens seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

We then briefly discussed the result of the town meeting this past Monday, in which the allowance of alcoholic beverages at town events was stopped without discussion, to the delight of the over 100 citizens in attendance at the meeting. The chamber supports the Town’s position whole-heartedly. Gary then covered the upcoming 13th Annual Historic fort Gibson 5K Run and One Mile Fun Run, happening August 29. Gary reported that we currently have over 300 runners signed up for the event, which breaks all previous records. Our thanks to the Cherokee Nation’s Wings Organization, for their support and participation. They have over 280 runners signed up.

The Annual Chamber Banquet is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the school cafeteria. In the weeks to come, the board will be working on the silent auction and announcing the guest speaker and entertainment planned. We will also unveil our Christmas ornament for 2009 at the banquet. Based on the results of last year’s inaugural ornament and subsequent sales, we are excited about this years unveiling.

The chamber is additionally excited about being involved in a new event, scheduled for October 30-31. It will be called “Smokin’ the Fort … BBQ and Music Festival”. It will feature a barbecue competition by licensed participants, under the direction of the Kansas City Barbecue Society. It will have various food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, kiddie games, and will feature great bluegrass bands all day Saturday.

Plans are to have homemade “sooner” races, Halloween costume contest and much more. The event will kick off after the football game on Friday evening, in downtown Fort Gibson, with music, fun and dance, as we introduce the barbecue participants and continue on Saturday with a day-long furry of activities and music for the entire family. Plans are to be finished in time for the youngsters to get on with their regular trick-or-treating activities.

As mentioned earlier, chamber membership renewals will begin mailing in late September and continue into early October. We are enthusiastic about the swell in chamber membership that we have enjoyed over the past few months.

Finally, an update on the Neighborhood Pride program was presented. This week’s winner is the home of John and Joyce Burdine, 108 N. Scott. Joyce was out working in her yard, when Liz McMahan (Fort Gibson Times) and I drove up to tell her about winning the award. We felt like the “Prize Patrol” as we saw the excitement in Joyce’s eyes on the news. She and John have worked hard to improve the yard, and still have plans for much more, she explained. We didn’t see it, but she said the back yard is even more impressive than the front. You could tell it was a labor of love for her. Again, congratulations to John and Joyce, for being this week’s winner. The Neighborhood Pride program will conclude for the summer after next week. Thanks to the Old Fort Women’s Club, for their help in picking the winners.