Board Meeting Minutes

Updated: Jan 31

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Location: Council on Aging - Cassopolis

Board Members’ Present: Billie Hires, Darren Williamson, Melinda Stockwell, Jeff Nelson, Ted Gogol, Eugene Wagner, Breanne Lee, and Dianna McGrew

Board Members Absent: Tracy Mast, Sheryl DeLuca, Laurel Ward, Julie Hartman

Member(s)Present & Guests: Jeniffer Gilliam, MEC

Call to Order at 12:08 p.m., by President Hires

Roll Call; noted above.

Public Comments: None

Minutes: December’s minutes. Motion by Eugene and supported by Ted to approve, with the correction of Chamber After Hours in January, not February. Motion carried.
Treasurers Report Breanne emailed to the board with Account Transactions, Trial Balance sheet, Profit & Loss Statement and Balance Sheet. Moved by Eugen and supported by Dianna to accept & approve as received and place on file the Treasurer’s reports as emailed. Motion carried.

Old Business:

After Hours get together at Cassopolis Brewery later today from 4-7 p.m.
Discussion continued with the question of what Individual Membership is and what Business Membership is.
Melinda informed the Chamber that the cost to host a table at the upcoming Career Fair in March at SMC.

New Business:

Tracy Mast reached out to Billie regarding the 2026 Golf Outing. The date is set for June 19th at Four Lakes. The Chamber will again have a dual sponsorship for Senor Tumbler’s and Silver Golf Sponsor’s. There will be some cost adjustments this year, we will discuss those at our next meeting when Tracy can be present.
E M Consulting has been in contact with Billie regarding developing a Chamber Directory. There would be no cost to the Chamber; the cost is from members who purchase ads in the directory. The directory would be in digital and hard copies. Discussion. The Chamber likes what Dowagiac Chamber puts out yearly. Chamber will investigate more on Dowagiac’s magazine and Billie will ask E M Consulting for samples of their directory.
Discussed Cassopolis High School Senior Tumblers for 2026 Graduates. Moved by Eugene and supported by Melinda to provide Project Graduation with Tumblers again this year. Motion carried.
Discussed the Chamber doing a monthly article featuring a Chamber Member/Business on our website with the presentation of a flower arrangement from Donna at Village Floral. Looking for a member to take on this project and maybe do it quarterly, not monthly.
The VFW is doing a fundraiser February 6th at 6 p.m., $15 entry fee; to purchase a furnace for their building. They are seeking sponsors for a round. Also, they would like items donated for a silent auction. Moved by Dianna and supported by Darren to purchase a round. Motion carried.

New Member(s): Cassopolis Kickstart to Careers

Chairperson Hires adjourned the meeting at 1:08 p.m.

Dianna K. McGrew, Sec’y

Next Meeting; Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at Council on Aging, Noon

*Minutes are subject to board approval

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