Marketing Minutes


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MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: March 25, 2010

Attending: Doug Hughes, Moira Underwood, Ron Skow, Sherman Merchant, Bill La Monte

The following was discussed at the Marketing Committee meeting:

Bill discussed it not being too late to sign up new business members. He cautioned that we have to be attentive to Moira’s cut-off dates for the bulletins. We’re not going to try and delay publication for a late arriving business membership.
Moira advised that we had 63 business members as of the meeting. She also stated she had sent out invoices to those 4 businesses that requested them so they could continue their membership.
David suggested a ‘business web counter’ so we can tell perspective business members just how many hits our business web site is receiving. Doug reported that this is already part of the reworking of the LGA web site.
We discussed means for attracting new household memberships and it was decided that what we are currently doing about everything possible.
Home Show: Doug asked Bill to see if we could get out of the RR Home Show commitment since it conflicted with the W.C. Forums. Bill contacted Home Show coordinators and was able to secure a refund of our site reservation.
NOTE: Bill sent an email to all Directors and Executive Committee informing them of the LGA withdrawal from the Home Show and for all to support the upcoming candidate forums.
Lake Clean-Up Day: We discussed this item and Bill advised we did not have enough time to coordinate all the things needed for a full-scale 5 June (suggested date)‘Clean-Up Day’(Smith Mountain Lake has a very successful clean-up day program and they start planning 8 months in advance and have almost 1,000 volunteers). We are going forward with a scaled down version of this effort ANDDD the LGA is looking for people to come on board to work this initiative.
We need someone to:
  Head up getting volunteers
  Solicit sponsors/donations
  Coordinate with Marinas/Boat Launches to use as a trash collection drop-off
  Distribute trash bags
  Publicize the event
  Coordinate with W.C. to get prisoners detailed to clean-up
  Eaton Ferry Bridge that day.
David had asked about LGA participation in 4th of July Fireworks and Parade of Lights. The 4th of July is still up in the air because we have not received any info on the event. As for the Parade of Lights Boat Parade, if this is to happen it looks like the LGA will have to host it and be responsible for all aspects of the event. ANYONE WANT TO BE CHAIRPERSON???
Bill is looking at getting a business card holder display rack to be used for all LGA attended events. This will be just one more means of promoting our businesses. Moira asked that it be travel/set-up friendly.
Giveaway Items: Doug had asked Bill to look into what promotional items were available for various LGA attended events. Bill reported on Drink Koozies, Wooden Nickels, Key Chains, Floatable Key Chains and Water Bottles. Prices ranged from $300-$500. No decisions were made on the purchase of any item even though a Key Chain with Light and Whistle (almost $500 for 300) drew some interest.
Bill encouraged all to be on the look-out for new businesses opening and if you see one, try and recruit them or let a Marketing person know. He also encourages everyone to talk to new faces at LGA meetings. We signed up 2 new businesses and one household at the March meeting just by being “friendly” to a new face.
There will be coffee and pastry at the Annual Meeting.

The next planned Marketing Meeting is Thursday, 15 April.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill La

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: February 18, 2010

Attending: Doug Hughes, Moira Underwood, David Duxbury, Ron Skow, Sherman Merchant, Tony Moran, Bill La Monte

The following was discussed at the Marketing Committee meeting:

Moira gave an update on the current number of businesses. To date there are 56 paid business members. There are 13 businesses that have not renewed for 2010 and only five of them have not been contacted. All will be contacted by February 28th. Of the 10 contacted, all but one said they have sent in their renewal check, or will soon do so.
One thing that Bill found during his contact with the businesses was that some were expecting an ‘Invoice’ for 2010 so they could pay their renewal fee. We had not had an invoice for this event so Bill & Moira created a business invoice and it was reviewed by all of the Marketing Committee. As per the recommendation of the committee, this new invoice will be attached to the standard business renewal request letter.
David suggested a ‘business web counter’ so we can tell perspective business members just how many hits our business web site is receiving. Doug reported that this is already part of the reworking of the LGA web site.
Bill emphasized the need to continue to solicit business membership and to keep an eye open for new businesses to approach for membership. Doug emphasized the value of what the businesses are receiving for the price they are paying for annual business card exposure through the LGA.
Bill discussed the April 17/18 Home Show in Roanoke Rapids and that the LGA will have a booth there. The LGA will provide information on the LGA, Watershed Protection, Lake Environment and other items pertinent to the Lake Gaston area.
Bill stated that the LGA business sign-up to business contact rate was 83% and that was exceptional.
There was discussion in regards to an ‘Annual LGA Project’. As previously reported, the ‘Lake Clean-Up Day’ is the favored project. It was suggested that we look at an early June date for this project to give us time to get things organized. We are still looking at possibly hosting the ‘Holiday Boat Parade’ in the fall.
There was discussion concerning the call list for non-renewed (so far) general membership and Bill asked the Warren County Directors to complete their call lists by the end of the month with all W.C. results being sent to him. Doug said the call lists for other counties was going well.
In an effort to increase meeting attendance, there will be coffee and pastry at the March 3rd meeting. This will be advertised in the press and by email to all LGA members.

Bill asked that the 18 March meeting be changed to 25 March since he will be out of town the week of the 18th. This was approved by the committee.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill La Monte
Chairman

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: January 22, 2010

Attending: David Duxbury, Tony Moran, Sherman Merchant, Bill La Monte and Executive Director Moira Underwood

The following was discussed at the Marketing Committee meeting:

Three new businesses joined the LGA in January 2010.
Keep being a force in recruiting new general and business members. Even though we are almost into February it is important for everyone to continue to recruit throughout the year.
Non renewed businesses. A list of businesses was distributed and committee members were asked to take a couple of businesses on the list and visit them to try and encourage them to renew for 2010. Visitations will start after February 1st and the results provided to me by the 15th.
Committee members were asked to keep an eye out for new businesses and to either visit or mail a business membership package to them.
Committee members were asked to mail out a business application (at least two a month) to a non-member businesses, and to provide a list of those mail-outs to me as they occur.
We are still looking for an LGA Annual Project. One good suggestion today was to hold a “Lake Clean-Up Day” in April or May. Trash bags and a drop off point for trash to be provided by the LGA. There would be a free hot dogs and drinks cook-out after the clean-up.
Committee members were asked to look at 2010 events that would warrant LGA sponsorship/participation.
We need to promote the Annual Meeting in June and get more members attending. One thing I am looking at is having a cook-out after the meeting with free hot dogs, chips and drinks.
There will be free coffee and pastry at the March meeting.
Remember this year there is only one meeting in June. The regular and annual meetings have been combined.
Moira stated there are several business that are members at the “General” level (no business card ad or not mentioned in the business members part of the bulletin.) She suggested a call/visit effort to get these businesses the opportunity to upgrade to business level. We will pursue this initiative.
Ron reported that 3% of our 2009 businesses responded to our survey.
Sherman will provide an updated list of businesses contacted. Committee members were encouraged to notify Sherman of any recent contacts. I will work with Sherman on this list.

The next scheduled Marketing meeting will be Thursday 18 February

THANKS…to everyone who helps the LGA grow!!!THANKS…to everyone who helps the LGA grow!!!

Bill La Monte
Chairman

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: December 2009 - No Meeting Held

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: November 19, 2009

Attending: Doug Hughes, David Duxbury, Moira Underwood, Joyce Lindenmuth, Ron Skow, Tony Moran, Sherman Merchant and bill La Monte

The following was discussed at the Marketing Committee meeting:

Update on Business Memberships: Moira provided documentation that showed 58 business members (2009 & 2010). Renewal letters have gone out to the 44 2009 members. Committee members were asked to re-visit ‘hot prospects’ they had previously talked to, but had not signed.

Business Members/Contacts: Sherman provided documentation that showed a tracking system for all business members signed and all businesses contacted. He will provide electronic documentation to all committee members in the very near future.

Need for an Annual LGA Project: This was discussed briefly and the committee was asked to come up with some ideas for a 2010 and beyond project. This project is open to anyone’s ideas.

Real Estate Office Contacts: Bill has initiated a mail in project to try and get Real Estate Offices/Realtors to join as business members. Our newest Realtor member is Linda Hedgepeth.

Christmas Toy Drive: The LGA is holding a one day toy drive the day of the December meeting. Toy collection boxes will be placed at the church for anyone to drop off a toy or monetary donation. Moira will put a PSA article in the local papers for next week and she will send an email to all LGA members. Toys/money collected by the LGA will be given to the John 3-16 Society and possibly others depending on how successful our drive is.

Our newspaper PSA will ask all citizens to help the needy in the area by contributing to any organization they know of that is holding a toy drive.

Littleton Christmas Parade: Marketing is looking at putting a vehicle in the parade, December 5th. Any ideas are welcomed.

Inputs from Membership on What Marketing can do to Help Their committee: David reported he was quite happy with all the advertising/sponsoring Marketing has been doing to try and increase membership. He applauded Moira for her outstanding effort in developing/managing the tax letter mail-outs that have generated many new members.

Moira reported that membership is just a few short of the 1,500 mark. She stated she had contacted each of the five counties in an effort to get current tax lists (for 2008/2009). Warren County gave her a list of 200 (after Moira screening) new property owners. The other four counties stated there was no way to break-out new property owners in their tax list.

December Directors Meeting: Marketing will provide coffee and pastry at this meeting in an effort to increase meeting attendance. Moira has announced this in the upcoming Bulletin.

The next Marketing Meeting will be Thursday, December 17th.

David Duxbury, Member of the Marketing Team

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: October 15, 2009

Attending: Moira Underwood, Sherman Merchant, Tony Moran, Ron Skow, and I

Items discussed were:

...Sherman and Bill LaMonte are finalizing a Protocol for Business recruiters to use to insure hit all the benefits of Business Membership.

…Marketing now has 51 businesses. Yea, Sherman, Moira, Tony, and Bill. Sherman has 2-3 more potentials and Tony Has a “check in the mail.”

…Tony and Sherman are possibles, to help with the Chili Cook-off October 31st, at the LG Chamber of Commerce. Already have Bill and Bunny, Laura, and David. All LGA members are welcome to help. Cooking 8:00 a. m. to noon, and serving noon ‘til. Drop by for a moment and VOTE, if you can’t stay long.

…Roanoke Rapids cancelled their Festival.

...We plan to be in the Parade of Lights, and need decorators and a crew; and, oh yes, a confirmed Pontoon Boat.

...We need to keep in touch with the Chamber of Commerce, on planning the event. There is talk of a 10-mile Roanoke Rapids to Weldon kayak race, and a Poker Run?

...The business renewal letters were sent to C-Line for prep and mailing.

David Duxbury, Member of the Marketing Team

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: September 17, 2009

Attending: David Duxbury, Tony Moran, Ron Skow and Moira Underwood

Items discussed were:

...Moira showed the team the Sponsor ad that she had formatted for Bill LaMonte and the team agreed with the final layout. Action: Bill, please acknowledge agreement.

…New business renewal letter was discussed and Moira made further changes. She removed the words "Plus another 250 copies (note: referred to Bulletin) to retail locations around the lake. Moira questioned the number and if it was done on a regular basis. The wording implied we delivered 250 Bulletins to businesses around the lake each time Bulletins were published. If we intend to do this, it needs to be in existence when these renewal letters go out. Or, if it is a future plan, the phrase I deleted, needs to stay out until we have the process in place - I'll also would have to have another 250 printed each time. Action: Bill please get back to me on the 250 blurb, and I also need all of you to take one last look at the renewal notice and confirm or otherwise that it is ready to go. The October Marketing mtg will occur after the renewal mailing.

…Moira will put together a spread sheet to show each team member's Business Member (BM) prospects. Please take a look and keep each other posted as you add to your propect list, and/or sell a membership. Moira will try and keep a consolidate list. Action: Please send me prospects that are not on attachment.

…Tony handed in a new Business Membership for Edward Jones.

Next Marketing meeting will be Thursday, October 15 at 8:30 a.m. at EFG&G

Moira J.Underwood

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: August 21, 2009

Attending: Moira Underwood, Joyce Lindenmuth, Tony Moran, Ron Skow, Bill La Monte

I want to thank Joyce Lindenmuth for joining us at today’s meeting and hope she makes Marketing one of her committee choices.

Items discussed were:

…Finalizing the new Business Renewal Letter: Inputs were made by each person in attendance. Moira will take those inputs and put together a single-page renewal letter for all committee members to review and approve.

…Upcoming Sponsorships: The LGA ad is in the Littleton/Lake Gaston Festival brochure. There will be an ad in the Lions Club Fish Fry. Other festivals/area events will be looked at for possible sponsorship/LGA attendance.

…Business Member Sign-Ups: Each committee member was given two business application packages (Business Letter, Application, copy of current Bulletin and each will soon receive a copy of a Business Member Certificate). Each committee member is to send an e mail to me and each committee member stating which businesses they have visited and who they have signed up. This will eliminate duplicate visits to a potential/new member. Each committee member was given a list of the 44 current businesses we have on board. These 44 will be contacted through our renewal letter process.

…LGA Sponsor Ad: Was provided to each attendee so they could see the standard sponsor ad the LGA will use for most sponsorships.

…We discussed the recently completed sponsorship of the LGCofC Golf Tournament and how well the LGA was represented. Several membership/business brochures/packages were handed-out along with about 50 LGA floating key-chains. Thanks goes to John C., David, Moira and Ron S. for their help in manning the LGA table on the 5th hole. Thanks to Suzie Deschenes for helping me do the setup at the 5th hole.

…Finally we discussed the upcoming Littleton Festival and the need to have some sort of attraction/draw for our tent. I advised I had sent an e mail to all committee chairs asking them if they wanted to provide some sort of information display in our tent. Awaiting responses. I also stated a need for people to signup to man the booth. Responders are to contact me or David.

The next meeting will be September 17^th.

Bill La Monte

Marketing Director

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING: July 16, 2009

Attending: President Doug, Vice-President Linda, Executive Director Moira, David Duxbury, Ron Skow, Tony Moran and Bill La Monte

…We finalized a standard LGA sponsorship ad that we will use for most events the LGA decides to sponsor.

…We finalized a new Business Renewal Letter that we will send to all our current businesses sometime in late September/early October. Moira will put together all the committee inputs and send it out to committee members for final review and approval.

…We will make an effort to get more Real Estate offices on board as business members. This will start in September. Linda reported that the reason we’re not having much success with the Realtor Guest Membership is because only 59 properties have been sold around the lake so far this year and many were to repeat/or multi-property owners from the lake area, or out of the area.

…We will start the 2010 Business sign-ups around late August to early September. Our goal is a total Business membership of 90 to 100. After 2010 we will need to look at a different way to accommodate our Business members because with over 100 businesses we will overload the web page and have too large a bulletin. We need a way to keep our businesses visible in our media because that is our main selling point with them. Any ideas?????

…We will attend/sponsor more events throughout the year in order to put the LGA in the public eye as much as possible. Upcoming events for the LGA are the O’Sail Crossing, LGCofC Golf Tournament (we’re sponsoring a golf hole and entering a team in the event), Littleton Festival, Lake Gaston Lions Club October Fish Fry and whatever interesting event comes down the pike.

…All Committees were tasked with creating/keeping a “To-Do” list of open items within their committees. Right now, Marketing doesn’t have a ‘to-do’ list because we are current with all our initiatives.

…The next meeting will be on August 20^th.

Bill La Monte

Marketing Director

Marketing Meeting: June 16, 2009

Attending were: John Cataldo, Doug Hughes, Moira Underwood, David Duxbury, Tony Moran, Sherman Merchant & Bill La Monte

The following was discussed:

…Developing a renewal letter for businesses. Moira & Sherman will take first stab at this. This will be distributed no-later-than 15 October.

…We will keep the current Business Letter and Business Application with a couple of minor tweaks.

…Being a sponsor for the recently completed LGCofC Battle of BBQ

…Sponsor ad and participation in the LGCofC Golf Tournament August 12th, A sponsor ad for the Lions Club Fish Fry July 4^th, The Crossing August 8^th, Littleton/Lake Gaston Festival September 4^th& 5^th (sponsor ad and information tent) and others as we become aware of them. We will also be placing an ad in Lake Life for the Fall/Winter distribution.

NOTE: The LGA plans on having a golf team in the CofC Tournament. Anyone Executives/Directors interested in playing (LGA is paying).

In conjunction with the above, we are developing a new LGA ad that we will use in various events. A sample was provided to the committee and Moira will fine tune it.

…What businesses we can attempt to bring into the LGA in 2010. We have 44 for 2009 and I’m planning on at least doubling that in 2010. We will start recruiting no-later-than 15 September. Do you know a business we/you can recruit???

In conjunction with the above, we looked at the Business Web Page and the bi-monthly Bulletin and are they getting too big. There is plenty of space on the web site and we have several pages of space on the bulletin before printing and postage prices would have to go up. The plan is to keep the business setup the same for 2010 and re-look the issue for possible revision of practices in 2011 and beyond.

…How can we get more committee members in Marketing & Membership. C’mon and join the party directors, its lots of fun and you get to make the LGA grow and you might even get a pay raise J

…The LGA was asked to participate in the road cleanup program. This requires policing (picking up trash) about a mile of road (south of the bridge) about once a month. We have decided to not get involved with this at the present time. If anyone out there thinks they want the LGA to take on this project, please advise with willingness to do trash pickup.

…The 2010 Marketing Plan will be ready and put into action no-later-than September 1^st!

Bill La Monte

Marketing Director

Marketing Committee Minutes: 21 May 2009

Marketing met today and we had a tremendous turn-out. There was David, Ron Skow and me. Some had e mail’d to say they wouldn’t be there.

We discussed the following:

We now have 43 Business Members. This has proven to be a great project for getting businesses associated with the LGA.

The 20^th Anniversary Picnic did not draw near the attendance I had hoped for. I spent a total of $432.00 LGA $’s on this project.

We looked at what businesses in the five county area we could try and bring into the fold for next year. A viable entity would be the various real estate offices. We do have a couple now, but many more could be added.

We are also looking at attending more of the CoC Business After Hours functions starting with the LGCoC Friday night.

Business renewal letter: This will be needed because of the good number of members we have in this category. It will be finalized before, and distributed to all our current business members on November 1^st.

Reenergizing the business signup program will begin on 15 September.

We will continue to sponsor various events in the five county area. Next one is the LGCoC Battle of BBQ this weekend. Then O’Sail, then the LGCoC Golf Tournament, and as always, the Littleton Festival and other events as we become aware of them.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 18 June at 8:30, but may be changed as I am scheduled to be out of town that week.

Bill La Monte

Marketing

Marketing Committee Minutes: 16 April 2009
(combined meeting with Membership Committee)

Attendees: Moira Underwood, Linda Hedgepeth, Sherman Merchant, John Cataldo, Bill La Monte, and I

We only had 127 members who did not renew, these members received their April/May 2009 Bulletin but as of April 1, their member services were dropped. If they do renew at a later date, services will be resumed.

We will add a seventh step to our retention process. At the same time we send out the 2010 renewals, we will send a “We miss you letter” to the remaining, 2009 non-renewals.

The marketing team earned a huge Thanks. They signed up 14 new businesses in the last month. Thirty plus, total.

The Realtor gift membership is very slow this year; surprise, surprise Sales are waaay Down. Thanks to Linda for leading the Realtor Gift recruiting.

Join your LGA neighbors at the 20^th Anniversary picnic, May 16^th, at the Lake Gaston Baptist Church. BBQ and Slaw and a Drink for $2.00.

The Team will stock the Brochure racks in April. If you know of a good business for us to contact to place brochures at their business, let us know. (252) 586-6577.

Marketing Committee Minutes: 19 March 2009

LGA Members Present: John Cataldo, Moira Underwood, Bill La Monte

Business Presentations:

John, Moira & Bill presented the LGG&G with a Business Member plaque. They were quite appreciative and thankful.

Moira was presenting BB&T with heir Business Member plaque today.

Bill presented The Lake Gaston Baptist Church their Business Member plaque and they were also quite appreciative and thankful.

Bill will present a Business Member plaque to Frank A. Buccailia & Sons (Masonry Contractors) next Tuesday.

Agenda Items:

…Moderate success of Business member program. We’ll continue to grow this membership source, but emphasis will be on getting an earlier start for 2010. We didn’t start this program until January and will start pushing for 2010 Business sign-ups around 1 Nov.

…Start trying to sign up Real Estate offices as Business Partners.

…Looking for places to legally place LGA signs in each of the five counties. Signs presently placed in Warren and Northampton Counties. If anyone knows of a place to place a sign, please advise or ask for a sign so you can place it.

…We are planning on participating in the Warrenton Spring Festival on 25 April. Will be looking for volunteer help.

…The LGA 20^th Anniversary Picnic will be May 16^th from 11AM to 2 PM at the Lake Gaston Baptist Church. Charge will be $2.00 per person.

…Bumper Stickers: Moira stated that she was running out of bumper stickers that she gives to each new member/member renewal. It costs $440.00 for 1,000 stickers. Between the three of us we could only remember seeing these stickers on 5 or 6 vehicles. We decided to defer ordering any new stickers for now.

...David had made several suggestions for the meeting. Some that were discussed were:

…Attend 2 or more county festivals/events per county per year. This is only possible if we get the volunteers to work the festivals. Our track record is not great in this area. We had to cancel attendance at the Halifax Festival because we could not get the volunteers. We are going to TRY and do at least one festival per county and see if we get the volunteer help. At last years Chili Cook Off, Boat Parade, and Information Tent, I worked 7AM to 7PM supporting all 3 venues. My wife worked all day at the chili table (along with David) and then came back for the boat parade (10+ hours).

…More Flea Market attendance. I go to the River Road flea market several times a year and every time I go I take a ‘Join the LGA’ bulletin board with me along with current bulletins and brochures.

…Partner with other associations: This is being looked at as a possibility. I checked with the Chamber of Commerce today and asked if there was anything the LGA could do to help. They said they may seek our help in running the Memorial Weekend Battle of the BBQ. I think David or Joee could tell us how we could help the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Other members need to check with other associations to see how we could partner with them.

…Participate in more local events (IE Chili Cook Off, Golf Tournaments, annual events). I checked with the Chamber of Commerce today and expressed an LGA interest in sponsoring a hole in their August Golf tournament. The CoC will get back to me with that one. AGAIN; other members need to get involved here.

I am including David’s comments to the Marketing Committee so all of Directors can review his comments and possibly comment on anything I have covered/not covered. More of this will be points of discussion at the Executive Plus meeting next Wednesday.

Bill La Monte

Marketing Director

Marketing Committee Minutes: February 19, 2009

Marketing met at the EFG&G Grill at 8:30: Attending was David Duxbury, Moira Underwood, Tony Moran and Bill La Monte

Tony started the meeting by presenting Moira with a new paid membership.

…A new Business Member category will be added to the web page.

…Moira is going to coordinate with Patrick Dempsey to see if it is practical for the LGA to have data entry capability to the web site. Right now, only the web site manager has access.

…The Business Letter and Business Application are both playing a part in trying to get new business memberships signed up. The standard information brochure membership application page is not to be used for business memberships.

…Moira questioned the use of color (Bronze, Silver, Gold) identification for business members that sign up for more than the stated $50.00. All Business members will be identified in the Business section of the Bulletin. Those, like Dominion Power, who pay extra money so they can be identified in the color category will be recognized in both the Supporting and Business portion of the Bulletin (EX Dominion is a Business & Gold member).

…There was no updated information on the Realtor free membership to a new property owner program. David is going to coordinate this for an update. We have had two new members submitted by this means.

…The new LGA Brochure is on the street and David is going to see about getting Membership to distribute some brochures to various businesses in the area.

…The LGA Picnic is set for 16 May at the Lake Gaston Baptist Church (where we have our monthly meetings) from 11Am to 2PM. There will be free food and drinks for all LGA members who attend.

…LGA Road Signs. Marketing has purchased 15, 16 inch, road signs to be placed around the lake. The intent to use billboards became cost prohibitive and would only allow for one billboard to be rented per year. The road signs will be available for placement around the 15^th of March. The plan is to place up to 10 and use the remaining five as spares.

…Marketing is looking at the Warrenton Spring Marketplace festival as its first ‘get the LGA out and visible’ event to attend for 2009. The date is 25 April from 10AM to 3PM. Volunteer sheets will be distributed at the March and April meetings.

The next Marketing Meeting will be Thursday, March 19^th.

Bill La Monte

Marketing Director

Marketing Committee Minutes: January 15, 2009

The following items were discussed at the meeting:

Business Letter and Business Application: Both items are new and have been finalized. They both are written for businesses only. Thanks to Moira and Sherman for all the help on these items.

Realtor Courtesy Membership Letters: Have been distributed, but to this date there has been no LGA applications submitted. We will continue to do follow-ups with Real Estate Companies. Thanks to Linda for her help on this item.

LGA Billboards: I talked to one sign company in Littleton. They wanted $900 a year on a 2 year mandatory contract for a billboard placement. There was also a $100 sign painting fee. We will continue to look for other options.

Business Level Application: The $50 a year business membership is effective. There is no lifetime fee consideration.

Upcoming Events: Its getting to that time when Marketing has to start considering an event attendance. I am looking at something in March being our first for the year. There will be at least 1 event per quarter (hopefully 1 per month) the LGA will attend.

Spring Cookout: Still going forward (looking for a date and location) with this event which will be free to all LGA members.

Retreat Goals: Those assigned to Membership and Marketing have been completed and submitted to John for review.

The next Marketing Meeting will be Thursday February 19^th at 0845.

Bill La Monte

Marketing Chair Person

Joint Marketing & Membership Committee Minutes: December 18, 2008

Attendees: John Cataldo, Moira Underwood, David Duxbury, Bill Lindenmuth, Laura Kolb, Tony Moran, Sherman Merchant, Bill La Monte

This was a joint meeting of Membership and Marketing so that we could finalize our Retreat Goals.

Prior to the retreat goals we covered:

Tax Letter Sign-Ups: Moira and David reported that there were over 120 new members from the tax letters and this more than covered the money spent on creating and mailing the letters.

Business Letter: The newly created Business Letter was finalized and we will start contacting business’s right after the start of the year. The letter to get business’s to upgrade from General membership was also finalized.

20^th Anniversary Cookout; Plans going forward for a free membership cookout with updated information to be provided at next meeting.

LGA Bulletin Boards: Moira suggested we check with Jimmy Clark Signs to see about getting sign placement locations in the area.

Realtor Free Membership to New Property Owners: David reported that Linda had told him she was going to start making realtor contacts before the end of the year. This is a good program and is a real good means of contacting new property owners in the area. All the real estate agent needs to do is fill out a simple, one page form that gives a new property owner free LGA membership for that calendar year.

The next Marketing Meeting will be on 15 January at 8:30AM at the Eaton Ferry Gas and Grill. See you there!!

David Duxbury & Bill La Monte

Marketing Committee Minutes: 20 November 2008

Attendees: John Cataldo, Moira Underwood, Sherman Merchant, Bill La Monte, and guest Tony Moran

AGENDA

1.   Boat Parade: Everything is set for the chili cook-off (David Duxbury & help), LGA information booth (Bill La Monte & help) and boat parade (Jack Saunders & help). We’ll be decorating Jack’s boat Friday Afternoon. David will start cooking about 8AM (judging is at noon).

2.    Revised LGA Brochure/Membership Application: This was discussed and some changes made. Moira has someone who is interested in designing and possibly producing the new brochure and we’re going to let her have a stab at it. All proposed revisions must be to me by December 20^th.

3.    Realtor New Owner Guest Membership Initiative: Still going forward with Linda’s help. Hope to have all real estate offices contacted by January 31^st.

4.   Business Letter: Is finalized and the proposed business application is in design phase.

5.   20^th Anniversary Cook-Out: The committee agreed an LGA cook-out (hot dogs/burgers, drinks) in the Spring would be a good thing. I’ll be looking into a location (preferably a fire department) and costs. It is proposed to be free to LGA members. I will send the treasurer a revised budget to reflect this previously unplanned event.

6.    Fairs/Festivals: The LGA will participate in selected events during 2009. These will be designed for exposure and spaced so as to not over work our volunteers.

7.   Retreat Goals: We discussed some of my inputs to ‘GOAL 1’ which is a combined Membership/Marketing project. It was suggested we have a combined Membership/Marketing committee meeting to finalize our inputs. I will coordinate with David.

8.   Member Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet: We will continue to circulate this form at each monthly meeting.

9.    LGA Brochure Distribution Sites: I will be checking Moira’s list to see if we still have a spot for placing brochures and will be looking at circulating the new brochures (with your help) when developed.

10. New Meeting Time: It was suggested we start the Marketing Meetings at 08:30 and this was approved.

11. Thanks to Tony for his attendance and inputs!!!

12.Next Meeting: Will be Thursday, December 18^th at 08:30. Hope to see you there.

Bill La Monte

Marketing Chairperson

Marketing Committee Minutes: Oct 16 2008

Members Present: John Cataldo, David Duxbury, Sherman Merchant, Bill La Monte

Making the LGA More Visible: This involves our presence at as many activities around the 5 counties as possible. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our presence at the Halifax Days due to an insufficient number of healthy volunteers. Our next effort will be the Parade of Lights NOVEMBER 22nd.

Parade of Lights/Chili Cook-Off: We are hoping to have an LGA boat in the parade. We also discussed the LGA participating in the Chili Cook-off. Does anyone have, or know of someone who has any expertise in this area?? We don't need a winning entry, our emphasis is on exposure, winning a medal would be great for whomever our cooks are.

Billboards: We decided that a couple of strategically placed billboards would give us everyday visibility. We are working on a design and what info to put on the billboard. Anyone have any ideas/inputs?

Volunteer Sign-up Sheet: We also decided on having a volunteer sign up sheet that will be distributed at each monthly meeting and posted on the web page. This may encourage more non-director participation. The sign-up sheet is ready to go and will be available at the November meeting. Thanks for the help from David and Sherman.

Getting Business's to Join the LGA: We are going forward with this initiative. Business membership will be a minimum of $50 per year with NO lifetime membership available. We are going to generate a Business Application (any ideas) and start hitting the streets. Anyone who wants to do this now, use a regular membership form, collect the minimum $50 and get a business card from them so we can put it in our newsletter. Once Bill Lindenmuth gets Pay Pal going we can have people who join on the internet pay using Pay Pal.

Realtor Sign-up of New Property Owners: We're going to try this one more time over the next couple of months.

20th Anniversary Cook-Out; Even though we are a few months late on this, we should look at having a cook-out, open to anyone, with free hot dogs and drinks sometime this Spring.

Next Meeting: November 20th.

Bill La Monte

Budget: Have to have it completed by the end of October.