Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce (“NICC”)
Minutes of General Meeting.
Tuesday 7 October 2008.
Headlands Hotel, Austinmer.

Attendees:

Lynda Starkey (Stark Event Management), Pauline Smith (Otford Pantry), Barbara Allen (Piccadilly Travel), Leslie Craddock (Thirroul Optometry), Quentin Field (Interphase Security and Electrical), Carol Van Der Water (Watergum Grove), Ian Pepper (Property Penguin), Ron and Mary Macmaster (Sharkey’s Beach B&B), and Andrew Sheath (Jim’s Bookkeeping Thirroul), Scott Smith ( NIO), Shaz Harison-Shaw (Pure Wipes), Curt Warren (Warren Windsports), Rosemary Goldman (Sur La Mer B & B), Leila Visser ( Tudor Lodge B&B), Warwick Reader (Profit Growth Systems), Barry & Sarah Neill (Pianose Fine Foods), Ceri Bartlett (Emeralds Business Services), Geoff Pybus (Wagon Wheels)

New attendees:

Pauline Denney & Roy Wilson - PD Art Gallery / Roy Jewellery
Noel Bottrell (Bulli & N.I Rotary)
Naina Mistry (IMB, Thirroul)
Andrew Hedley (Bevans Thirroul)
Jennifer (Skin & Body Workshop, Thirroul)
Therese & T Dennis (The Right Altitude)

Apologies:

Greg Watts (Helensburgh Post Office)

Meeting opened: 7.15pm

Chairperson, Pauline Smith, announced the new Executive Team, as follows:
President – Pauline Smith
Vice-President – John Radnidge
Treasurer – Quentin Field
Secretary – Ian Pepper
Minute Secretary – TBA
Webmaster – Scott Smith
Media Liaison – Lynda Starkey
Meetings Officer – Barbara Allen
Membership Officer – Greg Watts

Presentation

by Scott Smith and Quentin Field about the “Benefits to Business of using FaceBook as a promotional and interactive tool which can be used in the feedback process for our members’ businesses. It rapidly grew from being a social networking forum to becoming useful to small businesses as an alternative means to network and increase their customer base. Can also help NICC to facilitate ongoing feedback with it’s members, particularly where some members are not able to always attend meetings. It can encourage greater discussion/debate through the use of an online forum both directly and indirectly as well as being a great public reference for non-members. It can also facilitate more creative/social aspects to the Chamber by building commonality between members and their clients. Excellent icebreaker and marketing referral tool. Will also help the Chamber’s membership drive and presence and activities in the area.

Media Report.

Focussing on promotion of the Annual Ball on Friday 7 November, Event Calendar for Oct/Nov with local business advertising to appear in Advertiser or Mercury. Members encouraged to participate in the advertising campaign surrounding the 1 or 2 page spread of the calendar of events.

Webmaster Report – Scott mentioned that the NICC site has undergone a bit of a facelift and is now a lot easier to navigate. There are now two formats – alphabet and category. Scott has also incorporated a link on the site which allows people to register non-urgent complaints to Police online at your own convenience. Members are encouraged to log every incident to help solicit/maintain local police presence and prevent the Corrimal police station closing.

Treasurer’s Report

A cheque for $110 from Headlands was received and has been banked. Nothing from Nest, Scarlett's, etc; [Anything more to add?]

Membership Report

Membership currently stands at 73, with 9 new members in the past month or so [TBC].

Member presentation

none.

General Business:

Chamber seeking member feedback about streamlining our focus into a few key areas
Topic of Proactive Policing was raised to identify hot spots and hence the link Scott has made available on the NICC website.
There is a “Grafitti Line” at council which should be used by all members
A new noticeboard has been made available on the nights of the meeting for members to put up their business cards.
Emailed feedback from Scand International was that the NICC networking is working for her.  She is assisting  Elite and Purewipes importing from China and Vietnam and  working closely with both to open up new avenues to move/promote their products around the globe (UK/Europe)
Scarborough Public School Reunion – 28th Oct
Golf Day – 3 man ambrose event raising money for Cancer Council – 28th Oct
Rotary Club – Employee/employers recognition excellence awards. Nominations now being taken.

Meeting closed 8:50pm

Next Meeting

General Meeting, Tues 7 November 2008.
Headland’s Hotel, Austinmer; 6:30pm for 7:00pm meeting start.