January 31, 2020 Meeting Notes

Attendance today was 18 of 25, or 72 percent.

Guests today included: 1) Our Speaker, Kelle Marsalis, with the Plano Chamber of Commerce, and 2) 469th District Judge Piper McCraw.

Kelle provided an overview of Chamber activities and direction for the coming year.  She began by providing a history of Chambers of Commerce nationally.  The Plano Chamber was founded in 1946.  Chamber priorities for the coming year are: Advocacy, Education, Innovation, and Collaboration.  Kelle provided a summary of Chamber activities in each of those areas.  With regard to advocacy, legislative priorities include Housing Affordability, Providing Education Opportunities, and Economic Development / Job Growth.  Kelle reviewed some basic demographic statistics that highlight the competitive advantages of the Plano area when it comes to business development.  Kelle also reviewed several of the programs available to Chamber members to aid with Leadership and Business Development.

Announcements

1)  Shep is still asking for a Co-Leader to help him with the "Love Where you Live" Project.  Recall that this program provides for light maintenance and handyman work to homes of families that are not able to do this work on their own accord.  Shep has organized this effort in a way that should make it easy to continue.

2)  Similarly, Lawrence is looking for help with the 4-way Test Speech Contest.  Deadlines and actions are coming up quickly for this club event.  Please let Lawrence know if you can help out.

3)  Ms. Piper McCraw has submitted her application for membership with the club.  The Board has directed the Club Secretary to publish notification of her application in the Club Bulletin for two consecutive weeks.  Those members opposed for any reason to the proposed member should provide written comment (email is acceptable) to the Club President prior to close of business on February 13, 2020.

4)  Roto-Pig came in at $319.60 this morning.  Thank you to all members that contribute (voluntarily or involuntarily) to filling the pig.

5)  Four-Way Speech Contest Dates:

          All-City Competition     March 18      

          Plano Senior High, 6 PM

          Plano Sunrise                 April 3          

          Norma's,  7 AM

          District 5810                  May 2           

          Collin College / Spring Creek, 8:30 AM