Steering Committee

Minutes – Tuesday, August 17,2010

Present:  Ben, Stephen, Sharon, Cindy, Geoff, Mike, Bryan, Jayne

Held in the Georgian Room,Barrie City Hall, at 8pm

·       JACK:

It was discussed that while we value Jack's contributions to the Crime Prevention Committee, and realize that his motivations are good, he must let the Chair take control of the meetings, and refrain from being overly boisterous. He has been responsible for the loss of two members, when low membership is already a problem.  He must respect people and the environment that he is in, or else he will be banned from attending future meetings.  Low key counseling was considered the best way to deal with this situation, and it was agreed that Bryan and Stephen would speak to him.

·       FUND RAISING:

Ben is looking into the possibility of staging a performance by himself and his choir in Hawkstone, where a part of the donations would be given to the BDNA.

Cindy suggested that we should show a presence downtown at the tree lighting ceremony in December, to tell people and answer questions about the BDNA, and have buckets available for donations.  Then possibly follow up with  Ben and his choir.

We need to plan events that get members actively involved, such as a well advertised fall activity, and a “Get Ready for Spring”event.

·       STEERING COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

Ben made it clear that we are all equals, and that we all have one vote.  We want to make sure all our publications are agreed upon by everyone, so that we appear to be professional, effective and united.

·       WEB SITES:

Ken has changed his domain name from barriedna.com to barriemeansbusiness.com.  Because barriedna.com was too close to our own domain name “barriedna.ca”, there was a danger that the public and members may have gotten them confused.

Our strategy for our web site blog is professionalism.  www.barriemeansbusiness.com is a site where people can go to express themselves and share their individual views and also sign petitions.   A link exchange will be a positive and constructive way to interact with each other.

It was agreed that upon the required renewal of the domain name barriedna.com that the ownership would be transferred to the BDNA.

·       OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED

Questions were raised as to how to get more members involved and come out to meetings.  Mike suggested that since this an election year we could contact the other groups, (East Enders & Allandale) and sponsor a candidates debate and candidate interviews.  People might be motivated through self interest.

Bryan suggested that a letter be forwarded to City Council to declare a moratorium on liquor licences until it can be decided what kind of downtown we want.   

It was indicated by Cindy that Long Term Planning has been less than enthusiastically supported, and since it seems to dovetail into Crime Prevention, (bars, drunks, and rowdiness) in the downtown, combined with the future development of downtown, it was decided that the two divisions should for the next while meet together.

Meeting adjourned at 9pm.