Nokomis Chamber met November 12

November 20, 2024 28

NOKOMIS — The Greater Nokomis Chamber of Commerce met for its monthly meeting on November 12 at Aumann Auctions.

Minutes for the October meeting were approved via a motion from Becki Stolte.

The treasurer’s report reflects an available balance of $16,506.90, which the increase is due to the sponsorship money received for the MAPPING program. The report also reflects certificate of deposit balances of $43,259.96. The CD accounts are coming due and up for renewal. After some discussion, the Chamber will opt not to reinvest the balance in any CD accounts. Meanwhile, the funds will transfer over to the First National Bank of Nokomis into a money market account until the Newkomis merger involving the Chamber, Downtown Nokomis Association, and the city’s planning commission is official. The report was approved following a motion by Kurt Aumann.

Update on events

An update was provided regarding the October 26 Trunk or Treat event. Despite some technical difficulties regarding the Movie in the Park portion of the event, the overall event appeared to go well.

An update was presented regarding Snowkomis, the vendor event has received a great response to date, filling up available space at The Vault, Pattern Energy, and the city council chambers. Pending approval from the City of Nokomis, additional vendor space may be available inside the former Nokomis Public Library location, which has become available following the expiration of a lease taken out by the Illinois Department of Transportation with the city for the space.

There was further discussion of utilizing a tent outside of Pattern Energy, but nothing was decided at the time. Should one be required, someone would need to stand watch overnight.

The route for the carriage rides has been set, and the prices are set for $5 per person or $25 for a group.

Update on Newkomis consolidation

The Newkomis MAPPING meetings have been receiving a wonderful response, with things moving forward faster than anticipated.

As a result, the bylaws for Newkomis will need to be set up sooner than later, along with the development of divisions within the organization.

A kickoff meeting is planned for sometime after the new year.

The Downtown Nokomis Association has indicated that they would like to wait until sometime after Snowkomis since each group has their separate events going on. After that event, the organization plans to dissolve, giving way to the merger.

The Chamber agreed with the sentiment, stating that they were not willing to wait until March 2025 to dissolve at the annual business meeting. Therefore, the sooner that the merger into Newkomis happens, the quicker that everyone can work under one entity moving forward.

There were no new items of business or items on the agenda for open discussion.

The next meeting will be determined at a later date, but considering the upcoming consolidation, the final meeting will need to be before the planned dissolution date in January.

Those present in the meeting were President Dr. Scott Doerr, Secretary Michele Orsborn, Treasurer Ed Chausse, directors Jo Ann Keele and Kurt Aumann, as well as Tom Spears, Lola Spears, Trever Loafman, Becki Stolte, and Charlie O’Malley. Vice President Talon Burton was absent due to prior commitments.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.