August Board Meeting Minutes
Cassopolis/Vandalia Area Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Minutes
Wednesday, August 19th, 2026
Council on Aging
Board Members’ Present: Billie Hires, Darren Williamson, Jeff Nelson, Eugene Wagner, Ted Gogol, Tracy Mast, Julie Hartman, Melinda Stockwell, Breanne Lee and Dianna McGrew
Board Members Absent: Laurel Ward, Tracy Mast & Julie Hartman
Member(s)Present & Guests: Cory Buskaska, YMCA & Kait Bullock, Kaitbullock.art
Call to Order at 12:10 p.m., by President Hires
Roll Call: noted above
Public Comments:
Cory Buskaska, YMCA; updated us on their Swim Program. They have almost reached their goal of $200,000.
Minutes: June’s minutes. Motion by Eugene and supported by Darren to approve June 17th, 2026, minutes as presented. Motion carried.
Treasurers Report: Reports were emailed and Bree gave a summary of those reports. Moved by Eugene and supported by Ted to accept the Financial Reports received; and to place them on file. Motion carried.
Old Business;
Golf Outing: Will have breakdown of expenses & profit for the September meeting since Tracy is not present.
New Business:
‘Business After Hours’ being hosted by Dowagiac Chamber, Wednesday, August 26th at Lindy’s, 5:30 to 7 p.m. We will provide a ‘Door Prize’, to be purchased from one of our business members. Moved by Melinda and supported by Dianna to set a $50 limit for the gift basket.
‘Christmas in Cassopolis’; Saturday, December 5th. Discussion on partnering with the Main Street Committee again this year or do our own thing? Majority would like to go back to having our own event on Thursday evening, December 3rd. We will discuss this further at our September meeting.
Discussion on having a ‘Chamber Ambassador Committee’ and what we perceive they would do. Welcome visitors, visit with members/businesses throughout the year, reach out to businesses that are not members. Also, discussed having a Planner to organize events and seek out speakers for our meetings. Everyone give these possibilities some thought.
New Member(s): none
Board Comments:
Billie shared the new ‘Chamber Shirts’ will cost from $18 to $22, with the new chamber logo. Everyone needs to give her their shirt size.
Ted handed out ‘FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE’ from the Village of Cassopolis, that the village is commitment to responsible economic development; concerning the additional enhanced environmental controls concerning the application of Fibrosan to the ‘Smart Park’. Any comments and/or concerns can be sent to Emilie LaGrow, Village Manager.
Dianna informed the group that the Cass County Historical Society is having its First Annual Antiques Auction Fundraiser, Saturday, October 24th at the Cass County Fair Grounds in the Gregarek Building. Door will open at 10 and the auction will start at 11 a.m. The Society maintains the Newton House, the Pioneer Log Cabin and the Red Brick School House. If you would like to donate items, please get ahold of me.
President Hires adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m.
Dianna K. McGrew, Sec’y
Next Meeting; Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, at Cass County Council on Aging, Noon
***Meeting Minutes subject to Board approval in September***
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