Living Local

Membership Meeting Highlights July 8, 2013

Special thanks to Max Burger for hosting our meetings and to Reminder Publications for helping with advertisements. Chair Joy Leavitt distributed a sheet for attendees to record names of businesses they think may be a good fit for our group. Treasurer Deb Mehle-Connor reported a bank account balance of $1,950. She has paid one bill for the group. As of Friday, membership is at 23. Ms. MehleConnor stated she is still accepting membership checks ($100 per year). Secretary Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman reported the May and June minutes have been approved by the Steering Committee. Ms. Fischer Hoffman mentioned that while it is not common for Boards to distribute minutes to the entire membership, the Steering Committee felt that for now, this would be an acceptable procedure in order to keep those that are unable to attend the membership meetings informed of what is happening with the group. Mr. Jim Moran reported that a Facebook page has been created. The page can be viewed by going to Facebook.com/LivingLocal2. Mr. Moran encouraged eveyone to go to the page and Like it as well as the members listed with the page. By Liking the page you will receive updates including meeting reminders. Mr. Moran also reported that a blog page as been created. The page can be viewed by going to www.Living-Local.net. The page has a lot of build in features such as events page and membership page. The minutes are there also for people to download if they wish. Chair Joy Leavitt reported about 20 businesses participated in the sidewalk sale. The reponse was very good and the community was very responsive. Mr. Jim Moran took photos and will be loading them up onto the Facebook page. Chair Joy Leavitt reminded attendees that our group encompases Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden, and Forest Park. In the future we hope to reach out to Enfield, Somers, and Suffield. Ms. Leavitt requested that attendees pass the word on about our group.

Chair Joy Leavitt reported that Envision and Go Graphics have been retained to work on a logo for Living Local. Both companies did a fantastic job pulling together a logo that encompases all areas of business. The Steering Committee to have final decision by next membership meeting. Chair Joy Leavitt stated that our next focus is restaurant week. Ms. Christina Rinaldi Lalime will chair the committee and rally up the restaurants for a meeting to get things rolling. Suggested timeframe for the event is just after the holidays. Anyone with ideas, please contact Ms. Rinaldi Lalime at rinaldisoflongmeadow@gmail.com. Chair Joy Leavitt discussed AMIBA (American Independent Business Alliance) as possible speaker for fall meeting. All agreed this is a good idea. Claudia (Reflections by Claudia) and Jennifer (Artistic Dance Conservatory) agreed to research pricing of tote bags with Living Local logo on them. Chair Joy Leavitt discussed membership requriements. Criteria as follows: o Business is privately held and not publicly traded o More than 50% of the buisness is held by the owner(s) o The owner(s) reside in Massachusetts o The business is based in Western Massachusetts and has no corporate or national headquarters outside of Massachusetts o The name and look of the business are independently determined by the owner(s) o All decisions about purchasing practices and distribution are made by the owner(s) o All business expenses (rent, marketing, etc.) are paid without assistance from a corporate headquarters o Membership requires a Yes answer to all of the above The group agreed on the critera.

NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING: August 26, 8:00 a.m., Rinaldis Italian Specialties Come see the unveiling of our new logo and listen to a short presentation on how to promote your business using Facebook! Living Local Steering Committee Joy Leavitt, Chair Kiddly Winks Deb Mehle-Connor, Treasurer PeoplesBank Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman, Secretary The Clutter Doctor, Inc. Terry Ditmar, Committee Member Attain Therapy & Fitness Mary Flahive-Dickson, Committee Member Redstone Creamery Christopher Mahoney, Committee Member Christopher K. Mahoney Law Office Jim Moran, Committee Member LongmeadowBiz, LLC Christina Rinaldi Lalime, Committee Member Rinaldis Italian Specialties Nancy Shepard-Holloway, Committee Member Reminder Publications