by Kirby Lindsay, posted 5 August 2013
Most people hear the term ‘Chamber of Commerce’ and think ‘stuffy, formal, bureaucracy.’ Well, put the name ‘Fremont’ in front of the term, and see a serious dent put into those tendencies.
At its July meeting, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce (FCC) Board of Directors did get serious – mostly about money matters – but not for long.
Discussion of Power Outages Delayed
Before getting to the meat of the meeting, Chamber Executive Director Jessica Vets announced that a representative from Seattle City Light will be coming to address the Chamber Board (and anyone else in attendance,) at its August 28th meeting.
She did inform them about the distress voiced by many property and/or business owners over recent power outages. According to Vets, Tyson Lin gave her details on the three most recent ‘unexpected’ outages – April 13th (due to lightning,) June 4th (a failed transformer,) and June 22nd (a Mylar balloon hit a power line.) The Board wanted more information on the occurrences, as well as assurances that steps are being taken to avoid them in the future.
Fundraising For Solid Ground
During a discussion of its finances, the Board reviewed a report by Vets on fundraising for Solid Ground. In 2010, the Fremont Chamber volunteered to make a directed effort to raise $75,000 for the non-profit over the next five years, when Solid Ground let the Chamber take over organizing the Fremont Fair.
The fundraising comes from a wide variety of sources, throughout the year, including donations made by individual businesses (like Home Street and Chase Banks,) poster sales at Frame Up Studios, beer gardens at local bars (like LTD,) and donations made by Chamber members at the Solid Ground fundraising luncheon. Also, the Chamber has donated 75% of profits from the Fair. Between May of 2010 and May of 2013, the Chamber has record of donations totalling $51,736.41.
When asked, Vets explained that the Chamber takes credit for many of these donations because, when asked for a recommendation for a beneficiary, she often suggests Solid Ground.
The Board re-committed to raising the remaining $23,736.41 over the next two years. They also tabled a discussion for the future on the continuation of a partnership after that in consideration of the mission shift going on at Solid Ground.
Mid-Year Community Grant Beneficiaries
The Solid Ground report led into a discussion on using some profits from the 2013 Fair to augment the FCC Community Grant Program. The Fremont Chamber distributes small grants to supplement local, non-profit projects twice a year. For the mid-year distribution, the Grants Committee struggled to fund the seven worthy applications from the funded $4000.
In addition, a late application came in for help (funding as well as volunteer effort) on an auction for B.F. Day Elementary School (to be held November 16th.)
The Board considered the list of projects, and the amounts the Committee settled upon for each, and ultimately agreed with the assessment that the Grant Fund needed supplemental funding this go round. The Board voted to increase the Fund, this time only, with an additional $2,500 from the Fair, to give:
- Signal Box Art Project (in partnership with the Fremont Neighborhood Council and Urban ArtWorks,) $2000
- Doric Lodge #92 Fremont MLK Day Of Service event $500
- 11th Annual Moisture Festival $1,000
- Fremont Abbey Arts Center Early Show production $750
- Seattle Police Foundation ‘Picnic At The Precinct’ $500
- Graffiti clean-up by Gene Slagle, community activist and local business owner, $500
- Wallingford Boys & Girls Club Halloween Hoopla $1,000
- B.F. Day Auction $1,000
The Grant Committee also considered potential funding for repaint/repair/maintenance of the Fremont Rocket. The Board discussed several other fundraising sources including donation boxes at the Fremont Sunday Market and on the Rocket, asking area landlords, and hosting fundraisers at local eating/drinking establishments.
Major Events, Again
When not distracted by matters of money, the Fremont Chamber returned to its regularly scheduled discussion of local events.
The Board briefly discussed the need to sit down with the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) Solstice Parade organizers earlier, to discuss potential fundraising options for 2014 and the future. Chamber President Ken Saunderson reported on scheduling quarterly gatherings for the Presidents of the Chamber, the Arts Council and the Neighborhood Council. Also, the FAC August meeting will discuss the naked bicyclists; members of the Solstice Cyclists have agreed to attend.
Ryan Reiter-Hegeman reported that the Fremont Outdoor Movies are having a good year, with about 600 people at each show, although the event is not profitable without a main sponsor. The Fremont Sunday Market continues to grow weekly. This year vendor space has sold out earlier and more often than ever before. For 2014, the Market organizers will consider a number of new initiatives including a night market, the ‘Big Flea’, and scheduled live entertainment.
Vets also reminded the Board that teams need to get registered for the Fremont Universe Wiffle Ball Classic, coming September 7th to the Upper Playfields at B.F. Day. This year, all games will take place in one-day, and money raised will fund new play equipment for the school. To register, go on-line or contact Vets directly at director@fremont.com
To find out more – about the serious or the silly sides of the Chamber – attend the next Board Meeting on August 28th at 8a at History House. FCC meetings are always open-to-the-public and usually included free coffee and pastries – if Raymond Glandon from PCC Fremont can be persuaded…
Before then, the Chamber will also host its annual ‘Ducks & Dogs’ evening of Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Fremont Brewing Company beer, and a magical mystery tour with Ride The Ducks. Tickets cost $25 for Chamber members ($30 for non,) and promise fun for all. Find out more on the Chamber website at Fremont.com
Related Articles
- FCC Highlight Reel: A Fair Re-Cap & Power Outages
- by Kirby Lindsay, July 3, 2013
- Solid Ground Bids Fremont Fair Well
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- The Fremont Outdoor Movies Reaches Its Majority
- by Kirby Lindsay, July 5, 2013
©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.