- This event has passed.
MRV Chamber Board of Trustees Meeting
October 20 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Tuesday October 20th – 4 to 5:30 pm at the MRV Welcome Center
Agenda
- Board President Comments
- Approve July 15, 2026 board meeting minutes
Election of Board Officers for 2027 – see appendix below - Financial Report – see the final pages of the Management & Membership Report
- Management & Membership Report
- Old Business
Surveying Report Update – see appendix below
- New Business
Downtown Designation Status Update
Suggestion Protolcal – see appendix below
APPENDIX
Surveying Report Update
I wanted to share an update on our survey initiative. I have developed an overall surveying strategy to establish an ongoing feedback process that will help the board and membership guide the Chamber’s future. The strategy proposes three types of surveys:
- Chamber membership DRAFT survey: A recurring survey of current members and non-members to assess the Chamber’s value, programs, services, and priorities. Please review and comment.
- Business wellbeing survey: A survey focused on the health and needs of our local business community, coordinated with the timing of the MRV Planning District’s Community Wellbeing Survey. Franni Hoag fromn teh MRVPD and I will be meeting with the Vermont Chamber’s Kevin Chu to coordinate our local efforts with the state chamber’s.
- Focused surveys: Brief surveys addressing specific questions or emerging issues as needed.
Our first priority is the Chamber membership survey. The draft includes separate paths for members and non-members, with questions for former members about why they left. The goal is to gather candid feedback through neutral questions and establish a baseline we can track over time.
Board Officers and Open Seats
Board Officers
Sean Kramer – Chair, – 1824 House Inn
_________ – Vice-Chair, Executive Committee –
Ed Read – Treasurer; Executive Committee – Mad River Distillers
_________ – Secretary; Executive Committee –
Board Members
- John Bleh – Sugarbush
- Sean Kramer – Chair, – 1824 House Inn
- Mimi Buttenheim – Mad River Distillers
- Ed Read – Mad River Property Management
- Sam Rosenberg – The Local
- Matt Lillard – Mad River Glen
- Roger Nishi – -Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom
- Aron Shea – Shea Property Services
- Brian Wray – Inklings Children’s Books
- Jean Wry – Hyde Away
- _________ OPEN SEAT – Anna Nasset Seat
- _________ OPEN SEAT – Rob Perry Seat
Have an Idea for the Chamber?
We’re always interested in ideas that could strengthen our business community and the Mad River Valley. Before the Chamber decides whether and how to become involved, we’d like to better understand the idea, its potential impact, and what would be required to make it successful.
Please answer the following questions. This is intended as a starting point for discussion and does not imply a commitment by the Chamber to undertake or fund the idea.
1. What is your idea?
Please provide a brief description of what you are proposing.
2. What problem, need, or opportunity does this idea address?
What prompted the idea, and why do you believe it is needed?
3. Who would benefit from this idea?
For example: Chamber members, specific types of businesses, employees, residents, visitors, or the broader Mad River Valley community.
4. How does this idea support the Chamber’s mission or benefit the local business community?
Please describe the connection as you see it.
5. What role do you envision the Chamber playing?
For example: leading the initiative, partnering with another organization, promoting it, providing staff support, providing funding, connecting participants, or simply endorsing the effort.
6. Who else should be involved?
Are there businesses, community organizations, municipalities, nonprofits, or individuals that would be natural partners? Have you already spoken with any of them?
7. What resources would be needed to make this happen?
Consider funding, staff or volunteer time, facilities, marketing, technology, permits, outside expertise, or other resources.
8. Who would take responsibility for moving the idea forward?
Would you be willing to lead or actively participate in developing and implementing the idea? If so, what role would you be willing to take?
9. How would we know if the idea was successful?
What outcome or measurable result would indicate that the initiative was worthwhile?
10. Is this intended to be a one-time project or an ongoing Chamber initiative?
If ongoing, how do you envision it being financially and operationally sustainable over time?
Anything Else?
Please share any additional information, examples from other communities, estimated costs, potential funding sources, timelines, or other details that would help us understand your proposal.
Thank you for bringing your idea forward.
The Chamber will use this information to determine whether the proposal aligns with its mission and priorities, whether the Chamber is the appropriate organization to be involved, and what level of involvement—if any—may make sense.
