Union Tourism Association
Member Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2009

Meeting called to order 6:00 pm by Matthew Blegen-Melendez.

Members Present: Henry Biernacki, Sharon Ferguson, Pam Hanson, Gary Hanson, Ned Kjeldguard, Bonnie Pitts, Doug Proudlock, Marina Sheetz, Suzi Strugar, Dick Taylor, David Wagner, Jolene Black, Matthew Melendez-Blegen, Eric Blegen, Linda Helms, Howard Leggett, Simone Dickinson, Lorrie Landram, Frank Kenny, Sarah Delgado, Alann Krivor, James John Bell, J Cookson, Mike Oblizalo, Jerry Eckenrode, Frank Benaventa, Art Conrad, Roni Lane, George Sharp

Election of Steering Committee Members
*The election of steering committee officers were put forward to the membership as follows:
Co-Chairs: Matthew Melendez-Blegen, Anna’s Bay Center for Music; Bonnie Pitts, The Bend on Hood Canal
Vice Chair: Linda Paladin Helms, Pebble Beach Cottage
Secretary: Jolene Black, Harmony Hill Retreat Center
Treasurer: Jubilee Whitman, Alderbrook Properties
Motion was made by Dick Taylor and seconded by Art Conrad to approve the officers as put forth. Motion carried unanimously.
Election of Committee Chairs
*The election of the committee chairs were put forth to the membership as follows:
Marketing Committee: James John Bell, smartMeme Studios
Events Committee: Simone Dickinson, Salon and Lorrie Landram, Hood Canal Vacation Rentals
Safety & Infrastructure Committee: Ned Kjeldgaard, Robin Hood Village
Discussion was had on the nomination of James John Bell as marketing committee chair. James discussed his experience in marketing and knowledge of Union through work done and living in the community.
Motion was made by Matthew Melendez Blegen to approve the Committee Chairs as submitted. Motion was carried unanimously.

Steering Committee Report
*Jolene Black discussed her meeting with Frank Kenny, North Mason Chamber, about the creation of the creation of bi-laws for the organization
*Discussion was had by the membership on whether the organization should be membership driven or board driven and the difference between the two.
*It was agreed that there needs to be the creation of an ad-hoc committee to put together the bi-laws and membership tiers to present to the entire organization at the next meeting.
*An ad-hoc bi-law committee for the creation of the bi-laws and membership guidelines has been created and will include the following members: Alan Krivor, Skokomish Farms; Dave Wagner, Hood Canal Adventures; Eric Blegen, Harmony Hill Retreat Center; Art Conrad, Changing Tides; Doug Proudlock, Alderbrook Golf

Safety & Infrastructure
*Gary Hanson, Cameo Boutique, reported about the meeting he attended regarding the creation of an events ordinance being put forth by the Mason County commissioners. He said the majority of the events that occur will be affected and some new requirements would be scale drawing of parking, sanitation requirements and the hiring of an off-duty police officer to handle traffic and other disturbances. This ordinance will be back on the docket for discussion on April 28th at 6pm.
*There was a request that each business give input about their displeasure with this ordinance and the committee will be writing a letter from the entire group to the commissioners as well. Jerry Eckenrode suggested that groups include statements about the economic impact these events have for the county in their letters.
*Ned Kjeldgaard has started looking into where signage can be placed and the moving of the welcome to Union signs. There needs to be a decision on where Union starts and end.
*Suggestions for signage were the use of Banner trucks in the meantime and that temporary signs be created and used while the bridge is closed. The committee will complete their work on where permanent signs can go. Frank Kenny is going to look into it and see if the rotary can allow us to use some of their land for signage.

Events Committee
*The events committee had decided that there were too many events planned and they would like to make sure that we focus on holding good quality events
*There was discussion about how the community needs to take advantage of the canal traffic due to the bridge closure
*Everyone needs to send their events to Lorrie Landram (lorrie at hoodcanalvacationrentals dot com)or Simone Dickinson (simonestanley at msn dot com) to be added to the events calendar
*There will be an event on April 29th be put on by Alderbrook Golf Club that the group is invited to
*May 2nd Alderbrook Properties has invited the businesses out to promote themselves to potential property buyers.
*May 12th Harmony Hill and Anna’s Bay are hosting a Shelton-Mason and North Mason Chamber After-hours which everyone is invited to as well.

Marketing Committee
*There was agreement about a map being needed to locate the local businesses that will include an insert of events which can be easily updated and inserted. Matthew will be posting drafts for everyone to look at on the blog early the week of the 13th
*The marketing committee is soliciting ideas from the membership about initiatives to get people to stop at Union during the bridge traffic
*Pam Hanson, Cameo Boutique, thought that we should have a tour of businesses and Howard Leggett said that he would be willing to give a history of Union discussion at the McReavy House. The committee will be putting together a date for this event.
*Everyone is invited to come to the next Marketing Committee Meeting at the Alderbrook Annex on April 14th from 2-4.

Miscellaneous Business
*Alann Krivor, Skokomish Farms, brought forth some numbers and statistics about how the cutting of the County Sherriff’s budget could affect crime in Mason County.

Motion was made by Matthew Melendez-Blegen to adjourn the meeting. Motion was carried unanimously.

Next Membership Meeting: April 22, 2009 at the Alderbrook Clubhouse 9am-11am

Minutes Union Tourism Association meeting respectfully submitted by Jolene Black

This and any other attachments will be posted at www.visitunion.blogspot.com