June Board Meeting Minutes

Cassopolis/Vandalia Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Minutes

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Council on Aging 

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

Board Members Absent: Darren Williamson & Breanne Lee 

Member(s)Present & Guests: Brian MacGregor. Edwards Jones; & Jeniffer Gilliam, MEC 

Call to Order at 12:07 p.m., by President Hires

Roll Call; noted above

Public Comments: 

Ted Gogol shared that he joined the Dowagiac Chamber and has received a ‘Welcome Letter’ and sticker.

Ted Gogol informed that he has purchased and is renovating the property that is in Dowagiac, is the reason for joining their chamber. Its new name is ‘Hickory Hills Lodge & Resort’. Looking forward to having a dual Grand Opening & Chamber event there.  Since he is church affiliated and works with other churches; his plans are to have the facilities open to youth groups one day a month from September to May.

Melinda Stockwell gave an invitation to run/walk in the SMC Steve’s Run on July 17^th at 6 p.m. it’s a 5K starting and ending in downtown Dowagiac, cost is $330.

Minutes: May’s minutes. Motion by Eugene and supported by Tracey to approve May 20, 2026, minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Treasurers Report Tabled. 

New Business:

Chris Cole, JC Advertising will be doing our new polo shirts with the new Logo. President Hires took sizes for all wanting a new shirt.

Old Business:

Golf Outing: Tracy gave an update on the Golf Outing for this Friday, June 19^th.  There are 18 teams; 23 Sponsors.  Wagner’s Restaurant, which is on site, will open at 8 a.m. and sever a taco bar lunch at 1 p.m.  All ‘swag’ bags are put together and turned out well with a lot of contributions for bag items.  Volunteers should be at the golf course by 8 a.m.  The Cassopolis High School’s Golf Club will have a hole on the course and for $20 a member of the teams can have them either drive or put for them.  All proceeds will be keep by the golf term for the high school program. 

New Member(s): none

Jeff Nelson brought up the old discussion about having an Ambassador’s Committee.  Will discuss this further at our next meeting, which is in August.

Melinda Stockwell offered to create a ‘Welcome’ letter for us to send to new members. Also, discussed a chamber sticker. We used to have a yearly chamber sticker we sent out to members.

President Hires adjoured the meeting at 12:40 p.m.

Dianna K. McGrew, Sec’y

Next Meeting; Wednesday, August 19th, 2026, at Cass County Council on Aging, Noon

***Meeting Minutes subject to Board approval in June***