March Board Meeting Minutes

Cassopolis/Vandalia Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Minutes

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

SMC Zollar Bldg - Dowagiac

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

Board Members Absent: Laurel Ward, Melinda Stockwell, Sheryl DeLuca and Breanne Lee 

Member(s)Present & Guests: Kait Bullock; Brian MacGregor. Edwards Jones; Jill Vihtelic, Jill Haboush & Corey VanBuskiek, YMCA Outreach Swim Program – Cass County.

Call to Order at 12:10 p.m., by President Hires

Roll Call; noted above.  Billie informed the Board that she received a letter from Sheryl DeLuca, that she was moving out of the area; we will remove her from the Board.

Public Comments: 

Video presentation by the YMCA Outreach Swim Program for Cass County. For the past 13 years, the program has given every Sam Adas Elementary 4^th grader a life=changing opportunity to learn to swim. This program is conducted in Diamond Lake and in a local pool, guided by caring instructors from the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. 

In partnership with Sam Adams Elementary, the YMCA of Greater Michiana and the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation; they are launching a Capital Campaign to establish a $200,000 Endowment Fund.  This program will ensure the Swim Program becomes a permanent part of the school curriculum, accessible to every 4^th grader in Cassopolis for generations to come.  $30,000 has already been secured and a $20,000 matching challenge is underway. Every dollar donated before the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $20,000. They are asking the Chamber to consider a donation.

Billie asks if they will consider becoming members of the Chamber, then we can add their information to our website so our members can consider donating to their program. They felt they could join our Chamber.

Billie extended thanks to SMC for providing us with a room to meet in during Career Fair today, they also provided a SMC Tumbler who attended our meeting.

Minutes: February’s minutes. Motion by Eugene and supported by Ted to approve February 18, 2026, 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 Eugene and supported by Darren to accept & approve as received and place on file the treasurer’s reports as emailed.  Motion carried. 

Old Business:

Tracy updated on the Annual Golf Outgoing. The outgoing is further along this year, at this time.  There are 14 confirmed teams. We are still in need of ‘Swag’ & ‘Raffle’ items. 

Tracy invited YMCA Greater Michiana to participate at a hole with a table & game for donations to the Swim Program.  

Jeff gave an update on the Senor Tumblers. We still need sponsor at $200.  There is a discount for ‘Sponsorships’ if sponsors also participate in the Annual Golf Outing, details are on the Chamber website.

New Business: 

Annual Meeting, Election of Officers and appointments to the Chamber Board.  Billie Hires; Julie Hartman; Tracy Mast; Jeffory Nelson; Breanne Lee and Dianna McGrew, have terms through April 2027.  Eugene Wagner; Darren Williamson; Laurel Ward; Ted Gogol and Melinda Stockwell are the current nominees for the board for the 2026 – 2028 term.

Decided to have O’Neal’s provide lunch at a cost of $200, we will need to purchase drinks, plastic ware, plates, napkins, etc.  Moved by Jeff and supported by Ted to set a budget of $300 for the Annual Meeting meal.  Motion carried.

Letters will be emailed to the Chamber membership announcing the meeting and asking if there are any other nominees. 

Billie, Jeff & Ted meant with Eileen Crouse, who does the Greater Dowagaic Chamber’s Directory/Member Guide.  They recommend that we use Eileen to develop a Directory/Member Guide for our Chamber.  Discussion followed.  Cost for this project are by members that take out adds, there is no cost to the Chamber.  If not enough advertisements are taken out and venture is not profitable for Ms Crouse & the Chamber, it will cost us $200.  Moved by Jeff and supported by Eugene to advise Ms. Crouse we are interested in going forward with this project.  Motion carried.  Our Directory/Member Guide project date spring 2027.

New Member(s): Kyle Lott, Farm Bureau Insurance, Dowagiac

Chairperson Hires adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m.

Dianna K. McGrew, Sec’y

Next Meeting; Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, at Cass County Council on Aging, Noon

***Meeting Minutes subject to Board approval on April 15th***