Submitted, Rita Larson, secretary

Starbuck Chamber of Commerce

In attendance at last week’s Starbuck Chamber Board meeting  were five members of the board (perhaps we’re the five with no life) plus four esteemed visitors (which we would title any of you who visit), and four of our current board were missing. (The ones with a life!) Seriously, we’d love you to consider being on this board, and we fully acknowledge that people have lots of commitments.  We allow for absences, of course, but fun is always had and rousing conversations each month.  Wouldn’t you like to add your insights/opinions?

A short business meeting was held to approve of the agenda, last month’s minutes and the treasurer’s report.  All voted upon and approved.

In Old Business we recapped Night to Unite and although not our event, we had a booth there. We discussed once again that we need signage telling folks who we are.  It’s the obvious and easy problems that we don’t get to, right?

It was confirmed that we have rented a space for the float in the Starbuck Lumberyard Storage facility.  The float is being stored elsewhere right now, and we’re grateful for this couple’s generosity, but we’ve held a spot in town for when that gifting time is done.

In New Business we had updates from the Miss Minnewaska Royalty and the Starbuck Dragon Boat committee. Lori Vaadeland and Kristie Taffe reported that funds were needed for additional decorations and costumes for the royalty at the upcoming Anoka parade.  Also requested was the cost for professional photos having just been taken of the royalty by “Forget Me Not” photo studio in Starbuck.  The board approved these costs.

The Dragon Boat committee announced a fund-raising event for the upcoming 2024 race.  Next year’s race will be special as it’s the 15th anniversary for this exciting waterfront race!  They’ve planned an enticing and creative party to be held four times.  The first one is on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., where there will be a “Rock and Roll Bingo Game” held at the Starbuck VFW!  Unlike the letter/number balls drawn in normal bingo, the clues will be songs from the past.  It should be a rousing great time, and the cost for your cards is only $15/4 games.  This will be the first of four similar Bingo nights, next dates to be announced soon.  See the flyer in the Starbuck Facebook page, or What’s Happening in Pope County Facebook site.  

This fundraising plan brought the need for the chamber to renew our gambling permit, which we voted upon and agreed to do.

Also discussed in New Business was the fact that one of our director’s terms will be up this January and our need to replace them, plus the need for more volunteers.  We discussed whether we need written job descriptions of each director’s position to provide to potential candidates. This is normally expected and the professional thing to do.  Discussion centered around wondering if the listing of expectations would scare people off.  No formal decision was made about how to write these and use them.  We’ll keep “noodling” on it.  (as my husband calls his working out a conundrum with carpentry) 

 We will be awarding “First Dollar Certificates” in the next few weeks as we are proudly and happily welcoming four new businesses and catching up with two we haven’t matched timing with in the past.

We voted to extend our CD at Cyrus’ Hometown Bank.  Fortunate timing for us as they are offering an amazing interest rate right now.  

Lastly, we started discussing the upcoming Annual Meeting to be held on January 27, 2024.  Awards will be given but this will be a secret until the dinner.  (If you are a person who wants to be “in on” secrets, join our board and be the first to know!)  Yes, shameless advertising.  We’re excited to share more about these amazing award-winning neighbors next February!

The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.