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New Chamber Leaders Take Charge
By Dean Gray, August 19, 2008
Desert Hot Springs, CA - “We've got some tough times ahead,” said Board President
Eric Pontius as the new formed Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce met to
review by-laws and other changes at the Chamber.
Among the challenges is how to deal with the loss of the Visitor Center contract, a
contract won by Cabot’s Museum foundation. The visitor center provided the
Chamber with $50,000 annual revenue.
On the by-law changes, the Chamber tightened up membership definitions, relaxing
a by-law requirement that the Chamber employ a full time general manager,
changing the language in the by-laws from shall to may.
Despite the loss of the visitor center contract, the Chamber sits in a comfortable
financial position with more than $30,000 in the bank. It is not clear if the changed by-
law language means it will continue to employ a general manager of if that will be
part of belt tightening measures.
Carol Farm, the existing general manager, is paid $2,882.40 per month.
Also considered as a cut back is the Chamber’s long standing sponsorship of the
Desert Hot Springs Christmas Parade. While not formally shedding its sponsorship
of this event, the board is considering it. Putting on the parade has cost the Chamber
money each year.
Membership requirements were also specified at today’s meeting, more clearly
defining the two classes of membership, voting and non-voting. The board re-
articulated its commitment to business, specifically defining “Voting” memberships
as restricted to people actually engaged in commerce in the city.
Previously, any member could vote, even those only paying a reduced “Non-Voting”
individual membership fee of $50. Regular member ship fees for “Voting Members”
are $150. The fee amounts will remain the same but there was discussion of raising
the amount for personal non-voting members.
“For as long as I've been on the board we never had eighteen board members,” said
president Eric Pontius. That too was changed. A smaller number of directors was
approved. Currently the board has 11 members.
To save on the costs, the Chamber will forgo a formal installation event for new
members.
The board considered options to change the name of the Leadership Breakfast back
to the Mayor's Breakfast. The name of “Networking Breakfast” was considered as it
promotes the ideas of business, but ultimately the Board decided on changing the
name to The Chamber Breakfast.
This the board felt would keep the Chamber out of city politics, a charge it suffered
when it changed the name of the Mayor’s Breakfast to the leadership lunch because
it did not like controversial Mayor Alex Bias.
The meeting was punctuated with several references articulating the needs of
businesses in the city.
On the award of the visitor’s center contract, Michael O’Keefe, who is director of
Cabot’s and also a member of the Chamber boards said, “I want to make it clear that
its nothing personal. Last year I invited Carol and the Chamber up to the museum to
consider locating there. I know it did not look like much then but everyone can see
what we have made of it.”
“We've got some great things planned at Cabot's, including a cafe and a theater
where we can hold events. Now that I'm on the chamber board I realize just how
difficult it is here and I'm here to help,” he said.
The board also approved the expense of $487.50 to cover the costs of hiring an
attorney for a consultation resulting from a lawsuit presented to the board by former
president Veta Gillis regarding labor issues with Farm. It was the opinion of the
attorney that there was no justification for action.
“We have a lot of talent out there,” said Pontius, “We need people to plug in. Our
standing committees need volunteers.” The events & speakers committee needs
help putting together a speaker's bureau for chamber events and working with the
city to put on the Christmas parade. Members interested in serving can contact the
chamber offices
By Dean Gray, August 19, 2008
Desert Hot Springs, CA - “We've got some tough times ahead,” said Board President
Eric Pontius as the new formed Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce met to
review by-laws and other changes at the Chamber.
Among the challenges is how to deal with the loss of the Visitor Center contract, a
contract won by Cabot’s Museum foundation. The visitor center provided the
Chamber with $50,000 annual revenue.
On the by-law changes, the Chamber tightened up membership definitions, relaxing
a by-law requirement that the Chamber employ a full time general manager,
changing the language in the by-laws from shall to may.
Despite the loss of the visitor center contract, the Chamber sits in a comfortable
financial position with more than $30,000 in the bank. It is not clear if the changed by-
law language means it will continue to employ a general manager of if that will be
part of belt tightening measures.
Carol Farm, the existing general manager, is paid $2,882.40 per month.
Also considered as a cut back is the Chamber’s long standing sponsorship of the
Desert Hot Springs Christmas Parade. While not formally shedding its sponsorship
of this event, the board is considering it. Putting on the parade has cost the Chamber
money each year.
Membership requirements were also specified at today’s meeting, more clearly
defining the two classes of membership, voting and non-voting. The board re-
articulated its commitment to business, specifically defining “Voting” memberships
as restricted to people actually engaged in commerce in the city.
Previously, any member could vote, even those only paying a reduced “Non-Voting”
individual membership fee of $50. Regular member ship fees for “Voting Members”
are $150. The fee amounts will remain the same but there was discussion of raising
the amount for personal non-voting members.
“For as long as I've been on the board we never had eighteen board members,” said
president Eric Pontius. That too was changed. A smaller number of directors was
approved. Currently the board has 11 members.
To save on the costs, the Chamber will forgo a formal installation event for new
members.
The board considered options to change the name of the Leadership Breakfast back
to the Mayor's Breakfast. The name of “Networking Breakfast” was considered as it
promotes the ideas of business, but ultimately the Board decided on changing the
name to The Chamber Breakfast.
This the board felt would keep the Chamber out of city politics, a charge it suffered
when it changed the name of the Mayor’s Breakfast to the leadership lunch because
it did not like controversial Mayor Alex Bias.
The meeting was punctuated with several references articulating the needs of
businesses in the city.
On the award of the visitor’s center contract, Michael O’Keefe, who is director of
Cabot’s and also a member of the Chamber boards said, “I want to make it clear that
its nothing personal. Last year I invited Carol and the Chamber up to the museum to
consider locating there. I know it did not look like much then but everyone can see
what we have made of it.”
“We've got some great things planned at Cabot's, including a cafe and a theater
where we can hold events. Now that I'm on the chamber board I realize just how
difficult it is here and I'm here to help,” he said.
The board also approved the expense of $487.50 to cover the costs of hiring an
attorney for a consultation resulting from a lawsuit presented to the board by former
president Veta Gillis regarding labor issues with Farm. It was the opinion of the
attorney that there was no justification for action.
“We have a lot of talent out there,” said Pontius, “We need people to plug in. Our
standing committees need volunteers.” The events & speakers committee needs
help putting together a speaker's bureau for chamber events and working with the
city to put on the Christmas parade. Members interested in serving can contact the
chamber offices
Carol Farm, DHS
Chamber of Commerce
General Manager
Chamber of Commerce
General Manager
The future of the Chamber of
Commerce continuing to occupy
this city building is up for
consideration. The city has no
contract with the chamber and
office space for city staff is in short
supply. Currently the mayor and
the four city council members
share one office on a rotating
basis.
Commerce continuing to occupy
this city building is up for
consideration. The city has no
contract with the chamber and
office space for city staff is in short
supply. Currently the mayor and
the four city council members
share one office on a rotating
basis.