Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Minutes 01/09/2024

January 2024 Board Meeting Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 - 10:00am

Meeting called to order at 10:03am

Lisa Wisely, President, presiding

Board members present:  Matt Krzyston, Valerie Nichols, Jerry Pellegrino, James Arrufat, Matt Marchese, Julian Peploe, David Rama Sr.

  • Marketing Updates

    • Primary focus has been on the Farmer’s Market

      • 4 signs were ordered which will be placed in four strategic locations on Wednesdays to enhance the awareness of the market’s location during the winter months.  The frames arrived and Lisa will follow up on the statis of the inserts.

  • Events for 2024

    • Mixers

      • Committee formed - Jerry and Matt K.

    • Farmers' Market

      • Review of price structure to vendors, expenses associated, vendor growth, and how it is being facilitated.  All agreed no committee needed as current facilitator does a good job

      • Payment sent out to County Workforce for setting up tents

    • Bridge Run-June 2024

      • Committee formed - Christina, Julian Peploe and Matt M

    • Fair on the Square-July 2024

      • Although this is not a Chamber event, discussion was had on how we can help support the event.  Jerry volunteered to attend meetings

    • Harvest Festival-September 2024

      • Committee formed – Christina and Matt M

    • Holiday Parade-December 2024

      • Committee formed – Christina and Lisa

      • Discussion on ways to entice more participation

  • 1st Quarter Mixer 

    • Details still being finalized but slated to held at Quarter Moon Café in February

  • Star Awards 

    • Quarterly awards honoring outstanding community members in the following categories:  Community Volunteer Star, Community Business Star, Customer Service Star, and newly added Community Event Star

    • Awards to be presented at quarterly mixers

    • Nomination form to be added to our website

  • Budget Discussion

    • Tabled to next month’s meeting

  • Donation/Sponsorship Discussion 2024

    • Discussion on a budget and guidelines for donations

    • Donation request form to be added to our website

    • More details to come once budget discussion is had at next month’s meeting

  • DTC Voice Mail

    • This is no longer needed and will be removed

  • Committees

    • Marketing – Lisa and Julian

    • Events – broken out by event and members listed above

    • Fundraising - TBD

    • Membership – Jerry and Lisa but all will work on recruitment

      • Creation of a postcard and or rack card to be used during the recruitment process

      • Discussion on broadening membership beyond Delaware Academy School district

  • Meeting Minutes Process

      • Minutes will be posted on the chamber’s website

Meeting adjourned at 11am.  Next month’s board meeting will be on Tuesday, February 13th at 10am and membership meeting at 11am.

Cancelled: Chamber Meeting: Tuesday, February 13th at 11am

This Months Chamber Meeting has been cancelled due to snow. See you next month!

The Chamber meets every second Tuesday at 11am at the E-Center which is located at 5 1/2 Main Street. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 13th at 11:00am.

We welcome members to come discuss their ideas for strengthening our business community as well as share information on upcoming events and more.

Farmers’ Market Feature: Black Willow Pond Farm

Photo courtesy of Black Willow Pond Farm

Black Willow Pond Farm is a family-farm located in Cobleskill, NY. Coming from 6 generations of farmers, Black Willow Pond Farm takes pride in farming, particularly the quality of their meats and goods. They abide by strict pasture management and intentional grazing, which provides their livestock with a nutrient rich forage. They offer whole chickens, chicken feet, pork, pork bones, beef, lamb, lamb sausage, lamb pelts and much more. 

Find them year-round at the Delhi Farmers’ Market each Wednesday and learn more on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Stonewall Estate

Photo courtesy of Stonewall Estate

Stonewall Estate is a wedding venue set against the majestic backdrop of the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in Delancey, NY. They offer a timeless blend of natural beauty and modern amenities with an event barn that can accommodate up to 300 guests and a blue stone patio perfect for cocktail receptions. Owned by husband and wife, Melanie and Steve, their dedication goes beyond hosting to curate an experience that will resonate for a lifetime. Learn more about Stonewall Estate on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

Farmers' Market Feature: Berry Brook Farm

Photo courtesy of Berry Brook Farm

Berry Brook Farm is an organic vegetable farm located in Hamden. The farming duo started Berry Brook in Delancey in 2013 and purchased their forever farm in Hamden in 2019. With a love for hard-work and sustainable agriculture, this farm is dedicated to organic farming and distributing their produce to the local community. Berry Brook participates in the 607 CSA, which makes their vegetables accessible to those in the Catskills and beyond. 

Learn more about Berry Brook Farm directly from the source! Find Eleanor, Patrick or a member of their crew at the Farmers Market year round. You can also find them on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Delhi Motor Company

Photo courtesy of Delhi Motor Company

Delhi Motor Company has had its doors open in Delhi, NY, since 1936. Now located on Meredith Street, the business was first located on Main Street and moved to its current location in the 1940s. They offer a variety of services that have kept the community engaged for multiple generations. Visit them for tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotations, wheel alignment, vehicle registration, and more. Find more about them on their website or call (607) 746-2181.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Frank Lumia Real Estate Plus!

Frank Lumia Real Estate Plus specializes in finding outstanding, cutting-edge properties in beautiful upstate New York. They provide exceptional service and a vast selection of properties in Delaware, Otsego, Ulster, Schoharie, Greene, and Chenango Counties. Visit one of their two offices located in Delhi and Margaretville, NY, if you are curious about buying or listing a home. Frank Lumia Real Estate Plus has decades of experience and looks forward to connecting with future buyers or sellers. 

Learn more about Frank Lumia Real Estate Plus on their website and Facebook or give them a call at (607) 746-6029.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Law Office of Nicholas Frandsen

The Law Office of Nicholas Frandsen is a law firm in Delaware County specializing in all aspects of business and corporate law, real estate, wills and trusts, family law and landlord-tenant law. Nicholas Frandsen was born and raised in Bovina, NY, and returned to the area after working at a law firm in New York City. The Law Office of Nicholas Frandsen utilizes the latest technologies to service clients throughout the Catskill Mountains. Learn more and schedule a free consultation on their website.

Farmers' Market Feature: Catskills Pasta Company 

Photo courtesy of Catskills Pasta Company

Catskills Pasta Company makes fresh extruded and handmade pasta in Delhi, NY. They make a variety of pasta styles including, gnocchetti sardi, spaghetti, creste di gallo, and cocoa pappardelle. During the summer months, you will find their pasta for sale at the Farmers’ Market and during the winter, visit EightyMain Kitchen and Bar for handmade pasta to bring home or enjoy pasta warm and fresh from the restaurant. Find more about Catskills Pasta Company on their website and Instagram.

Announcing the New Chamber Membership Platform

We are beginning to use a new platform to manage Chamber Membership. This platform will allow us to track membership, accept membership payments and provide each member with a profile that you can edit at any time. You can add images, update business information, and add events. We will be switching over to the event calendar that is hosted through the same platform on January 1, 2024.  

If you have already signed up as a member we have a profile started for you. This means you can Request a Password on the website. If this isn’t the case, please email us at hello@visitdelhiny.org.

Below learn how to Sign-In to your account and how to Add New Events. If questions arise, please email us at hello@visitdelhiny.org.

SIGN-IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT 
-Go to visitdelhiny.com

-Click on OUR MEMBERS on the top navigation bar (If using a smartphone, find the navigation drop down menu on the top right) 

-Click on MEMBER LOG IN

-Notice a request for your email address and password. If you do not have a password set up, click REQUEST PASSWORD.

-Check your email and follow the steps for password setup.

-Return to the MEMBER LOG IN page and access your account. 

ADD AN EVENT
Members have the ability to add their own events to the Event Calendar. There are two ways to add new events. 

Option One: 

-First begin by signing into your account

-Once signed in, you will see your Membership Area with multiple gray tabs: “About,” “Profile,” “Additional,” and “Events.” Click on EVENTS.

-On this tab you will see a “Click here” option. That link will bring you to the Add New Event form. Fill out the form with as much detail as possible and add catchy, beautiful images to draw attention. There is not an option for recurring events. You will need to enter your event multiple times for recurring dates.

Option Two: 

-First begin by signing into your account

-Once signed in, click on the EVENTS tab at the top of the visitidelhiny.com website navigation. 

-Above the list of events you will click the gray “Add New Event” button.

-Fill out the form with as much detail as possible and add catchy, beautiful images to draw attention. There is not an option for recurring events. You will need to enter your event multiple times for recurring dates.

You will also start to receive automatic emails from the platform when membership is set to renew. You can choose to pay for one year and/or set up automatic renewal. 

We are excited to introduce this new platform in hopes of having the most up to date information about all the members and additional tools to promote the business community and area. 

If you have any questions, please contact hello@visitdelhiny.org.

New Events Calendar

In January, we will implement a new Events Calendar on the VisitDelhiNY.com website. The new event calendar works hand-in-hand with the new membership platform, and we hope this creates a seamless experience for all members.

Chamber Members can add events by signing in to their account and filling out the Add New Events form. Non-members must email hello@visitdelhiny.org with the Event Title, Start & End Date & Time, Event Description, Event Location & Address, Event link, and Images. Once we receive the email, we will add it to the Event Calendar.

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions at hello@visitdelhiny.org

Farmers’ Market Feature: Maria’s Upstate Kitchen

Maria’s Upstate Kitchen at Alder Pond Farm in Andes, NY, regularly vends at the Delhi Farmers’ Market. They specialize in baked goods made with King Arthur’s Flour, pasture raised eggs and no preservatives. You’ll find a variety of tempting items such as cranberry orange scones, cinnamon rolls, almond cake, chocolate bread, and baguettes. They also offer multiple spice blends and other goodies. 

Try some of their baked goods at the Delhi Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm at the Delhi American Legion.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Catskill Food Company 

Catskill Food Company was founded on the principle that quality counts and that really great food shouldn’t be a luxury for the few. Catskill Food Company makes everything in small batches, using the finest ingredients. They make 30 different sausage varieties, bacon, ham, smoked trout, bbq, and even a few skincare products. You can find their items at Good Cheap Food in Delhi and around the area at other stores and farm stands. 

Find more on their website and Facebook.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Stone & Sawyer  

Stone & Sawyer makes handcrafted stoneware ceramic table lamps with love at their workshop in Delhi, NY. They are passionate about quality and good design and strive for perfection in each lamp they make. Their collection has an almost infinite range of customization possibilities, and they continue to add new designs. The Stone & Sawyer Studio is set up for small- and large-scale production of everything from basic lamp styles to custom design-builds for special projects. 

Learn more about them on their website and Instagram.

Ushering in Winter: Delhi Ice Rink is Assembled for the Season!

The Delhi Ice Rink is up for the season! Thanks to the many helping hands who assembled the rink including Dave Kryston and his NECA students, Kappa Sigma Epsilon and Amy Randal. Their collaborative effort brought the ice rink to life at 2 Sheldon Drive across the street from the Delaware Academy Middle School.

The Delhi Ice Skating Rink operates with the dedication of volunteers and is open to the community when ice conditions permit. Rink conditions and news will be posted on News Around Delhi and What’s Up Delhi with updates available on Ice Skating Delhi NY if volunteers take up the charge to keep the facebook page current. 

Complimentary skates are available in various sizes in the shed by the rink and bathrooms will be available whenever the volunteers are around to unlock them (usually on Saturdays & Sundays). On weekends, when ice conditions are good, there is often a bonfire and hot chocolate available to those at the rink! 

Drive by the rink anytime if you are curious about the conditions and make sure to get some skating in this winter season!

Photo courtesy of Rick Ackerly

Farmers’ Market Feature: Roxbury Arts Group

Photo courtesy of Roxbury Arts Group

Roxbury Arts Group offers high quality performances and programming at three different venues in Delaware County. They offer an array of workshops year-round for people of all ages, incorporating many different styles of art. Each year Roxbury Arts Group administers the Delaware County Arts Grant Program that provides funding to non-profit organizations and artists within the county for special projects and programs. The application for the grant program is currently open for 2024 projects.

Roxbury Arts Group often has a table at the Delhi Farmers’ Market. Pay them a visit to discuss programming you may like to be part of or for more information about the Arts Grant Program. Find more information about Roxbury Arts Group on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Cardio Club 

Photo courtesy of The Cardio and Delhi Dance Studio

The Cardio Club and Delhi Dance Studio is a fitness center, gym, and dance studio located on Elm Street in Delhi. The gym offers 24/7 access to members, state of the art equipment, fitness classes, small group training, supportive staff and dance classes for children, teens, and adults. The Cardio Club and Delhi Dance Studio is roughly 6000 square feet with two fitness studios, locker rooms with showers, a kid zone and other features. They also offer personal training so you can reach your goals with support and direction. 

Find more information about The Cardio Club and Delhi Dance Studio by visiting their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of The Cardio Club and Delhi Dance Studio

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