At the January meeting, board members of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce discussed 2021 goals and the annual banquet. Pictured, from left, are Emily Shipley, Mindy Scaggs, Tammy Waliczek, Brenda Peterson, Jerry Parsons and Scott Kuhn.

By Nicholette Carlson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Much of the monthly meeting of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce revolved around the annual chamber banquet and goals for 2021.

Susan Stump suggested pushing back the date of the annual chamber banquet in the hopes Kosciusko County’s advisory level will change, allowing the nearly 100 people who typically attend the banquet to meet together. While it is normally the second Monday in March, she suggested changing it to Monday, April 19, so as to not interfere with spring break. A motion to change the date to April 19 was passed.

Continuing to have the silent auction at the banquet was also discussed. After asking the opinion of Jerry Parsons, a physician’s assistant at the Family Medicine clinic in Syracuse, it was decided to hold the silent auction like normal, but each individual will likely be given their own pen at their seat to use. Parsons was then asked if he would do a brief presentation or question-and-answer regarding COVID at the banquet.

Nomination forms for Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year will also be sent out. Nominations will need to be returned to the chamber by March 1.

Goals for 2021 were an agenda item for the first chamber meeting of the new year. Mindy Scaggs, board president, asked everyone to email her a goal for 2021 they would like to work on as a chamber this year. She is currently researching the possibility of a Chamber Cash program, similar to the Kosciusko Cash program with the Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce. Scaggs is hoping to partner with the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce on this project.

Parsons suggested discussing the possibility of a Community Crossings grant with the town council to improve the roads in North Webster.

Member packet brochures have been printed. These packets include helpful information for chamber members. Board members believed these packets should be passed out prior to the banquet so board members will be splitting up the member list in the hopes of being able to drop off these packets in person for most members.

Scott Kuhn is working on gathering contact information for Webster Main Street committee members to plan their first meeting. He also brought up Syracuse’s red canoe project and suggested North Webster do something similar. Kuhn thought perhaps something with mermaids. Scaggs thought that would be a great project for the Main Street committee.

Members of the month were chosen for February, March, April and May. Following the meeting, all available board members went to present the January Member of the Month honor to Ye Olde Tackle Box. Ribbon cuttings for other businesses were also discussed.

There was a brief discussion on the Christmas tree lights for next year’s tree lighting. Chris Trowbridge volunteered to research prices for net lighting to be purchased. Stump also suggested discussing the possibility of getting the tree trimmed and manicured.

The secretary and treasurer reports for December were both passed without changes.

The next chamber meeting will be at noon, Monday, Feb. 8, at the Tippecanoe Township Building, 102 S. Morton St., North Webster.

From left, Elise Guy, Brenda Peterson, Susan Stump, Joe Denton, Mindy Scaggs, Emily Shipley, Karen White.