February Board Meeting Minutes

Cassopolis/Vandalia Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Minutes

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Council on Aging - Cassopolis

Board Members’ Present: Billie Hires, Jeff Nelson, Ted Gogol, Eugene Wagner, Tracy Mast, Laurel Ward, Julie Hartman and Dianna McGrew 

Board Members Absent: Darren Williamson, Melinda Stockwell, Sheryl DeLuca and Breanne Lee Laurel Ward, Julie Hartman  

Member(s)Present & Guests: Kait Bullock; Elizabeth (Lizzy)Curran, Hydro; Jim Ward, Brylee Jones & Kenyen Kennedy, Robo Rangers

Call to Order at 12:04 p.m., by President Hires

Roll Call; noted above.

Public Comments: Robo Rangers gave a presentation with a short video.  They develop a yearly business plan for their needed budget of $30,000. They send out support letters to businesses. They have received $22,000 as of today. 

Motion by Ted and supported by Tracy to support Robo Rangers again this year with $500, this is the same amount previously donated to them.  Motion carried.

Lizzy from Hydro presented a check of $500 to the Chamber. A group picture was taken and we thank Hydro very much for supporting us. 

Minutes: December’s minutes. Motion by Eugene and supported by Tracy to approve the January 21^st minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Treasurers Report: Breanne emailed to the board with Account Transactions, Trial Balance sheet, Profit & Loss Statement and Balance Sheet. Motion by Tracy and supported by Eugene 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 was handled after our January meeting from 4-7 p.m.  The cost was $410.91, cash bar.  However, we forgot to include the gratuity, so another check was written to them to take care of this oversight.

Kait will post the Chamber Minutes on the website. Motion by Eugene and supported by Dianna.

Chamber Directory was discussed. Anyone that would like to meet with Billie and the person who does the Dowagiac’s magazine, on 

March 10^th at 9:30 a.m., any board member is welcome.  Outcome will be presented at our March meeting.

A Reminder regarding the SMC Career Fair; the Chamber has been given a table. We are allowing Mike Vite, owner of the Taste Twirl and presently building a Pizza Place next door, to use our table to recruit employees. The upcoming Career Fair is March 18^th, in the Zollar Building.  Since that is the date of our Regular Meeting, we will meet there at Noon.

New Business: 

Tracy Mast update on the golf outing, along with a sheet on suggested ‘swag ideas’ was present and discussed. The date is set for June 19^th at Four Lakes. Tracy has adjusted the fees. She has 8 or 9 teams already signed up.  All information will be posted on the Chamber’s web page.  Raffle items are also needed.

Motion by Jeff and supported by Eugene to set a budget of $8,000 for the Annul Golf Outing.  Motion carried.  

Discussed Cassopolis High School Senior Tumblers for 2026 Graduates.  

New Member(s): None

Chairperson Hires adjourned the meeting at 1:09 p.m.

Dianna K. McGrew, Sec’y

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

***Meeting Minutes subject to Board approval on March 18th***