Tuesday 3 July 2007.
Austinmer Bowling Club.

Attendees
Scott Smith (Northern Illawarra Online), Lynda Starkey (Stark Event Management), Pauline Smith (Otford Pantry), Barbara Allen (Piccadilly Travel), Kaylene Prendergast (Illawarra Credit Union), Quentin Field (Interphase Security and Electrical), Dick Salm (Austinmer Bowling Club), Rosemary Goldman (Sur La Mer B&B), Greg Watts (Helensburgh Post Office), Jo-Anne Fahey (Getem Entertainment), John and Robyn Venn (John Venn Pty Ltd), Scott Wilson (Horizon Credit Union), Barry and Colleen Brennan (Barry Ahern Electrical), Carol van der Water (Watergum Grove B&B), Warwick Reader (Profit Growth Systems), Leila Visser (Tudor Lodge B&B), Greg Soster (Tourism Wollongong), Ceri Bartlett (Emerald Business Services), Nikki Schafer (Scand International Pty Ltd), Julie Humphries (LJ Hooker – Helensburgh).

Guests
Tracey and Matt Baker (Central 2515 @ Thirroul), Megan Baker (Commonwealth Bank – Thirroul).

Apologies
Peter Bate (Peter’s Art Group), Robert Haywood (LJ Hooker – Helensburgh), Cheryl (Pass ‘n Pause B&B), Scott and Jill (Fireworks Café), Ida Lewis (Indulgent Gift Boxes), Gail and Mike Brennan (Party On), Neil and Leslie Craddock (Neil Craddock Optometrist), John and Francis Vander (Articles Fine Art Gallery), Steve Melchior and Shelley Daniew (Just Cruisin’).

Meeting opened: 7:00pm.

Chairperson, Pauline Smith, welcomed members, followed by quick member self-introductions.

Launch of “NICC Chamber Blast” by Lynda Starkey. This is NICC’s new email-based communication, marketing and member promotion initiative designed to further increase value to our membership. Will be issued monthly and distributed to all members, including by hardcopy to those members without email. Content includes (i) highlighting member businesses as an addition to their meeting presentations, (ii) highlighting new members, (iii) upcoming events, (iv) marketing tips from Warwick Reader, (v) participation in cross-promotional activities, and (vi) schedule of NICC/IACC seminars and workshops. “Chamber Blast” can be forwarded (has a “send to a friend” link) and distribution can be measured. Excellent initiative and well received.

Membership Report
was due by end June. Renewal fee now $95. Over 50 members already renewed, but follow-up will occur over the next few weeks by Mike Brennan with those who have not renewed. Approximately 150 invitations to join NICC mailed to random businesses throughout our region in June, resulting in five applications and additional interest. Guest this evening as a result of the invitations.

Treasurer’s Report
Illawarra Credit Union account now open and operational as our general operating account. Fixed Term still with Horizon. All balances positive. Quentin Field still pursuing receipt for recent payment out of the S2 Thirroul Advertising sub-account. Moving all member details to MYOB software – Quentin will be requesting an update of member details over the next month or so to complete databases.

Secretary Report
Main outgoing mail was the new membership invitations and the usual General Meeting invitations. Significant incoming mail was member renewals – details passed to Membership Officer and monies banked. Treasurer will issue receipts as soon as possible.

Webmaster report
Webmasteradvised of changes to the NICC website to accommodate the “Chamber Blast” and to highlight member presentations from the General Meeting. Feedback on the NICC website always encouraged.

Presentations by (i) Sur La Mer Boutique B&B and (ii) L J Hooker Helensburgh. Continue to be well received!!

Festival of Flight Ball update
Friday 9th November 2007 at Panorama with the theme “Up, Up and Away – a Beach Party”. Tickets available from August. Room for up to 200 people. Must let Barbara Allen know of attendance. Sponsorships available to literally anyone, not exclusive to membership, either (i) Ball sponsorship at $200 to get company logo on posters and flyers that will be distributed from Helensburgh to Wollongong (approx 200 window display posters and 500 flyers) and complimentary table sponsorship at the Ball and (ii) Table sponsorship at $50. Bookings being accepted now!

Chairperson advised the meeting of the resignation of Mr Darryl Bromley as President due to personal reasons. Meeting thanked Darryl for his leadership, stewardship and excellent representation of NICC to the public. We wish him well and hope that he may return to NICC in the future. Executive will consider our response to the resignation at the Executive Meeting, Thursday 12 July.

General Business.

Technology to enable internal advertising for members at the Austinmer Bowling Club is now installed. Members need to submit content (image and text) either ABC or Quentin Field – image / photograph / logo on a flash drive, with text on paper, to facilitate uploading onto the ABC system.

Meeting closed 8:40pm

Next Meeting – Tues 7 August, Austinmer Bowling Club, 6:30pm start.