Forsyth Chamber of Commerce Meeting

5/8/2025  Joseph Cafe, 12:00 p.m.

Meeting was called to order by President BreeAnn Purkett at 12:03. In Attendance were BreeAnn, Angela Campbell, Dennis Kopitzke, Michelle Camara and Lori Paris.

TREASURER: BreeAnn gave the Treasurer’s report. Lynde has written a $4,000 check for the shed to be placed next to MacConnell Park. The Chamber is currently waiting on notice of this year’s insurance premiums. Last year they were around $2,000 but it is very possible premiums will be more this year. Fireworks were discussed for both the Parade of Lights and Mike & Keith’s 4th of July fireworks. Because we are unsure as to how much our insurance will increase at this time a decision was made to fund the Parade of Lights Fireworks at the same amount as last year ($2,000) and to discuss a contribution to Mike & Keith’s fireworks at the next meeting after we have reviewed the Treasurer’s report. A motion was made and seconded to have the Chamber purchase $2,000 worth of fireworks for Parade of Lights through Sky Boss Fireworks. All in attendance voted aye. Final balance in the account is approximately $8,500

OLD BUSINESS:

WEBSITE: BreeAnn continues to develop the website and is nearing completion. Tamara has reviewed the website and suggested some changes. BreeAnn has found a calendar and connected events page platform she is suggesting we utilize on the Chamber page. It is called Tockify. Examples were handed out. Tockify allows people to subscribe so they get updates, it allows individual chamber members to schedule their upcoming events on the public Chamber Calendar, also allows members to upload their own events (including uploading flyers) to the Events page. Total cost would be $8 per month to incorporate Tockify on the Chamber’s new webpage. It was motioned and seconded with all voting to approve to allow BreeAnn to utilize a debit card and seek reimbursement from the Chamber for the Tockify program. Angela is working on a simplified newsletter for the new Chamber website.

MARQUEE BOARD: The Chamber previously provided financial support for the School’s new reader board on Main and 10th. The Chamber discussed with the School their plans for the use of the old marquee board at the end of Main & 9th Ave N. The School gave the marquee board to the Chamber for the Chamber’s use for upcoming Chamber events. FM Creations has picked up the top of the marquee board and is currently placing the new Forsyth logo on the marquee along with signage. The top of the board will be returned and installed by FM Creations this summer.

NEW BUSINESS:

TOTP: All of the Treasures on the Prairie forms have been updated, the website will be updated and launched today so registrations for both garage sales and advertisers can begin. TOTP did once again receive a grant from the MT Department of Commerce for 11k. This grant covers advertising, guidebook creation and one final purchase of yard signs and sandwich board signs. It is anticipated, since the grant has been received twice in two years, we will not likely receive it a third year. For this reason, the registration fees were raised this year to cover the costs of advertising next year should financial support not be received through grants. Garage sale and basic business advertising will be $10 this year with business ads running $40, $75 & $150. It was noted that no hotels advertised in the Guidebook last year and therefore almost no one stayed in Forsyth. Angela is meeting the new hotel owners later today and will talk to them about the event and new membership in the Chamber. TOTP will be August 8-10 this year.

SUMMER NIGHTS ON 9TH: Has been changed to Tuesdays this year from 4-8 P.M. Dates are June 3rd, July 1, August 5th, and September 2nd. BreeAnn is contacting food trucks and lining up music. Court will be playing on August 5th. Musicians are needed for the other three dates.

MEMBERSHIP/BUSINESS DIRECTORY: Membership is at 70 members, 6 are new, 4 are new business owners, 5 members came back. Membership income totaled $5,255 this year. The Business Directory is completed and looks amazing. BreeAnn did the work then incorporated the artwork from the directory into the website.

AFTER HOURS NETWORKING: Style Alley, with new owner Sherry Huckins, hosted the May 5th Business After Hours event. 6 people attended. The next networking event is tentatively scheduled for August 4th.

COMMUNITY CLEAN UP RECAP/CARRIAGE INN: For this year’s community clean up the Chamber partnered with Forever Forsyth Inc and focused their Saturday efforts on the Carriage Inn on the corner of 9th Ave N and Main. The current owner lives out of town and granted permission for the group to paint the awnings and the light surrounds to greatly improve the look of the building. Six people and one child showed up and picked up all the loose concrete, swept the sidewalks, cleaned windows and began painting the awnings. The front of the building was finished on Saturday with plans to continue painting and finish the East side of the building, weather cooperating. The Chamber plans to cover the remaining plywood on the front of the building with another photo through FM Creations and place new covered plywood in the front door with a photo of the actual photographer. Lori and Tom Paris of The Iron Horse brought cold drinks and food to the painting crew and treated them to lunch.

MACCONNELL PARK: BreeAnn proposed sign designs to the group for MacConnell Park. More sign designs will be created. BreeAnn provided the group a drawing of the Hopscotch design that Tia will be painting across the sidewalk for the interior of the park.

ELEMENTARY FLOWER PLANTING: Planting will be happening the week of May 12th. Amy Jones is coordinating with the individual businesses. The Chamber currently has 10 planters that need sponsors to cover flower costs @ $30 per sponsorship. At the time of the meeting five additional sponsors were needed. This year sponsors will receive a plant stake with a flag with their logo on the flag that will be in the planter. Plant stakes with flags will cost $8.99 each for the Chamber to purchase.  

FIREWORKS: Covered during Treasurer Report.

EVENT SUMMER GUIDE & FORSYTH BUSINESS MAP: BreeAnn has put together a first working draft. Angela needs to work on it and finalize it before the end of May so it can be printed and available for Quigley.

WELCOME TO FORSYTH PACKET: BreeAnn has completed a sample of the new Forsyth Welcome packet. Currently it contains a couple coupons, a pen and a small number of items. Chamber businesses are encouraged to get something to BreeAnn for the Welcome Packet right away if they would like anything from their business included. Small gift items, coupons, magnets, welcome letters, anything small in size is encouraged. BreeAnn will begin by only putting a few together. 1-2 dozen items from any interested business would be plenty to start with.

FALL BUSINESS ART WALK: Date has been set for October 7, 2025. Angela to coordinate.

NEW WATER TOWN EAST SIDE TOWN: Dennis has been in contact with FFI and came to Chamber to inquire about interest in putting an actual Logo on the new water tank? Something other than just the name Forsyth. BreeAnn will follow up with Jenn on this item. Dennis needs to know before the  next City Council Meeting on June 9th. There is a question as to what would it cost for a multi colored logo versus just the name.

NEXT MEEETING WILL BE JUNE 12 AT NOON AT DAIRY QUEEN.

Meeting adjourned at 1:05 P.M.

Submitted by Angela Campbell