Fireworks store profitable for chamber

The Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce recently reviewed their bylaws and made a variety of housekeeping changes. Mostly the language was cleared up, removing confusion or unnecessary verbiage. However, they did make a significant change to their calendar of terms and this was passed after a vote. 

Prior to this change, the calendar for the fiscal year and the start/end dates of the terms of the members of the board were at different times. The fiscal year is July 1 to June 30, but the terms of the office members were from November 1 to October 31. The Chamber members decided it would be simpler to make the terms for office members to be the same as the fiscal year and to push the election to spring. This change also extended existing elected members to have their terms end next summer.

The changes to the bylaws must be made through a total of three readings where board members have the opportunity to make additions or changes until the languages are agreed upon at the third and final reading.

In old business, Chamber president Meri Ann Rush discussed the fireworks stand. Rush said, “it was fun having a different duty, so to speak.” She reported that the Chamber made a profit of $10,910.75 and that they hope to do it again next year. Rush said that everyone put in a lot of hours and worked long days. She said, “The three weeks went by fast. It was fun. It was a fundraiser where we didn’t rely on Chamber members to fund.” There was $4,500+ collected in sales tax.

 Rush reported that with the Pageant Parade there were 23 floats. The number of floats was down compared to even non-election years and there was not as big a crowd as before. However, Rush was optimistic and said, “We had it and it was nice.” She committed that Ryan Brothers got the longest float where they brought out the whole fleet and the crew had fun with it.

In new business Rush said that the next “Meet the Candidates” forum will be September 28. They will check with the school if their location will be acceptable or not. Someone mentioned that weather might be an issue if the event needs to be held outdoors.

Regarding the Thermopolis Chamber Foundation, they are moving forward with its creation. They expect to have non-profit status by December 1. This will allow them to start looking at grants next spring. In order to help the Foundation get started, the Chamber voted to make a loan to the Foundation for start-up fees and that this money will be reimbursed later. The chamber members voted and passed this decision. 

Rush also announced that she received Jen Fisher’s resignation from the Chamber. In her letter, Fisher said that purchasing another business is not allowing her enough time to devote to her duties with the Chamber. 

Fisher’s resignation now leaves a vacancy with the Chamber, and new nominees will need to be appointed. The term for this new position will be two years. The Chamber will extend an offer to some individuals to attend the next board meeting.

In previous years the Chamber did some nominations for the Governor’s Art Award. Rush is looking for new nominations. She said, “If somebody knows of or would like us to nominate somebody, it can be an individual or an organization that brings the arts to the community of the state, that’s what they look for.”

The Wyoming Business Council opened up relief funding to non-profits and the Chamber applied because of their 501c6 status. According to their application they quality for $7,362. 

Rush reported some financial information that from February 2019 until July 2019 they brought in approximately $13,000 less compared to the same months in 2020. 

Regarding the Chamber After Hours, the Chamber is still trying to assess when to restart these meetings and where. The COVID health regulations and the orders of social distancing still play a factor in public gatherings and added they do not know when the regulations will be lifted.