Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce wraps up past year, welcomes new directors at February meeting

The Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual dinner meeting Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Lincoln Library.

The evening began with a regular business meeting, accompanied by an informal pot luck dinner, that saw the four present LVCC directors discuss recent chamber events and updates before reconvening to seat two of the three new directors elected to the board.

A look back at last month's Skijor Lincoln topped the agenda, with Chamber President Laurie Richards saying they'd received a lot of positive feedback on the event.

The viability of this year's event was cause for concern due to the lack of snow throughout December and the first part of January, but efforts by locals to move snow from piles throughout Lincoln brought in enough to build the track at the Cyr pasture at the corner of Highway 200 and Beaver Creek road. The track was completed as heavy snow returned to the valley in time for the race.

"The weather cooperated, kind of," said Richards. "We had our volunteers who came out of the woodwork and did amazing. All the snow that was hauled in, all the flaggers... there are so many."

Despite the success of the event, costs associated with hosting it nevertheless saw the Chamber take a loss as they paid for necessities such as snow fencing and radios. At the time of the meeting, not all the income or bills had been received so Treasurer Erin Dey wasn't able to provide a final tally for the event, however she said they do have sponsorship money coming in that is earmarked for next year's event.

Chamber Vice President Susie Gehring suggested getting an early jump on next year's event.

"Maybe in a month or two we should have a meeting that we work on skijoring," she said, adding it would be a good idea to find a way to keep it in people's mind year-round, possibly by asking Cyrs to hang a banner on the fence of the pasture where they held the races.

The Chamber website has been a source of concern in recent months due to a lack of maintenance. Treasurer Erin Dey had updated it in December, but concerns remained over how to best ensure continuous updates going forward.

Richards said Patty Weatherston of the Three Bears Motel learned of grants available for website support and offered to help. When Richards received word that just such a grant had opened, she took Weatherspoon up on her offer.

"She ran with it. She submitted the application yesterday (Feb. 6)," Richards said. "I have high hopes for Lincoln to have help with the website."

Weatherston said they should find out if they were successful around the first part of March.

Turning to local events, the LVCC reviewed the 10 events or promotions it hosts in town every year, five of which fall within a one month span from the end of June through July.

With so many events falling to one organization, there is growing concern that burnout among the directors and volunteers who take on the task of organizing them, in some cases to the detriment of their own businesses, will lead to the loss of events designed to help Lincoln's economy. Last year, the Dynamite Dash fell by the wayside despite its growing popularity, after LVCC's race coordinator Michele Kegel moved out of state.

As a result, the LVCC is considering asking other organizations in town take some of them on, such as the Dynamite Dash, the Redneck Olympics and the Annual Independence Day Parade.

During the meeting the board also approved a request by Frank Malek to have the LVCC join Lincoln's Blackfoot Valley Off Highway Vehicle Association. Gehring suggested the LVCC likewise ask the BVOHVA to join the Chamber of Commerce.

Before closing the meeting and reconvening to seat the new directors, Richards took the opportunity to remember Bill Frisbee' s contributions to the LVCC and the community. Frisbee had served as a director in the past and enjoyed the task of running the July 4th fireworks show. Not long before his death he had agreed to run as a candidate in this year's LVCC director elections.

"We're going to miss him on...everything," Richard said.'

Dey suggested they honor his contributions to the LVCC and the community as part of their commitment to Sculpture in the Wild's three-year donor program. By supporting the sculpture park with $2500 per year for three years, the Chamber will have an inscribed white oak bench placed in the park this summer. Since a decision had not yet been made on an inscription for the bench, The board approved Dey's recommendation that it be dedicated to Bill.

Jill Frisbee, who was taking part in her final meeting as LVCC secretary, thanked them for that consideration.

Upon reconvening a new meeting immediately after the first, Richards invited Greg Smith, of The Montanan Steakhouse and Bob Weatherston of the Three Bears Motel to take their seats on the board. K Lazy 3's Kenny Low, who also earned a spot on the board, missed the meeting due to a prior engagement in Pennsylvania.

The three new members filled seats left open by the expiration of the terms of Jill Frisbee, Erin Dey and Sheri Johnson. Johnson resigned from her seat last fall, but Heidi Agner agreed to fill in for the reminder of her term.

Although Dey's term had ended and she had planned to step down, the unexpected resignation by Christa Horner this month prompted Richards to ask her to stay on to help with the bookkeeping duties. The board members approved a motion to appoint her for another year.

The five directors present agreed to a partial organization of the board, with Richards remaining in the president seat, and Gehring remaining as vice president.

The secretary and treasurer roles were less certain. Dey, who has been treasurer for several years, agreed to remain in that role on the condition that other directors take on the jobs she has handled that were outside the scope of the treasurer position.

Bob Weatheston also expressed an interest in serving as treasurer, and Dey agreed to train him on the necessary bookkeeping duties.

The secretary seat remained unfilled, with the agreement they would discuss appointing someone to the seat at the next meeting scheduled for March 14.