Diana Needham, chair of the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, was pleased with the outcome of member votes in favor of merging with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Heidi Berden

"We have enough votes," chamber board chair Diana Needham said. Sharon Coppock, chamber office manager told the board that including the two votes made in person at the meeting, there were 77 member votes in favor of the merger and five opposing votes.

"We needed 73," Coppock said.

The board then voted to accept the votes of the members. The motion carried unanimously, with board members Jim Austin, Katina Banko and Patrick Dewey absent.

In a letter to the members of the Kalkaska chamber, Needham had written the following on behalf of the board: Attached to this memorandum is a ballot that will allow for the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce to conclude nearly three years of due diligence and formally merge with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. In accordance with our by-laws, this ballot serves as notice of the board meeting to be held Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. at the chamber building. At that board meeting, votes will be tallied and formal action taken - if approved by more than 50 percent of the members in good standing - to complete the merger steps. The Board of Directors of the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce supports this action and encourages a "yes" vote from chamber members.

Some key points to keep in mind: The Chamber's name will remain the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce; There will continue to be a Board of Directors elected by business members in Kalkaska County; The Chamber building ownership will not transfer to the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce; All Chamber members will automatically become members of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce as part of their membership in the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber, with full member privileges in both chambers; By virtue of the merger, the Kalkaska staff will essentially increase to 14 full and part-time staff providing a multitude of programs, benefits, and services not otherwise available in Kalkaska; Sharon Coppock, office manager of the Chamber, will be retained after the merger; Chamber dues will increase beginning in 2008 to match the Traverse City Area Chamber dues schedule. However, Kalkaska members will be given up to three years to move to the new schedule, which is currently $50 more per year than Kalkaska's minimum dues; This process was initiated by the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce - it was our idea to pursue this course of action - in the best interest of growing business and building community in and around Kalkaska.

Your vote is very important! Without at least one more than 50 percent of the members actually submitting a ballot - one ballot per membercompany - in favor of the Board's action, it cannot proceed. Please mail, fax, or drop your completed ballot by the Chamber. Or, if you would like, you may vote in person at the Board meeting on May 3rd. Thank you. Diana Needham, Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce President

On March 7, the chamber passed the following resolution, outlining details of the merger: RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 804 of the Act (Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act), the Board of Directors recommends that the Chamber be dissolved in order to facilitate the transition of the Chamber's membership to the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce to provide the membership with enhanced member benefits; RESOLVED, FURTHER, that, in accordance with Section 855 of the Act, upon the dissolution of the Chamber, the real property currently owned by the Chamber shall be distributed to an entity to be formed to hold title to such real property and subject to control by the Advisory Board of the Chamber; RESOLVED, FURTHER, that, in accordance with Section 855 of the Act, upon the dissolution of the Chamber, any and all remaining assets of the Chamber, including, but not limited to, its name and membership list, shall be distributed to the Traverse City Area Chamber of commerce, without restrictions, reservations or limitations of any kind; and RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the proposed dissolution of the Chamber and plan of distribution for its assets shall be submitted to the members of the Chamber for approval in accordance with the Act and the Chamber's Bylaws.

Needham read aloud the resolution at the May 3 meeting.

"That's a relief," she said after the unanimous board vote.