March SPBL meeting minutes:
Date: Tuesday March 13th
Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm
Locations: SoPo Planning and Zoning (old Hamlin School)

6:30 Intro/Greeting by President

6:30 Reading of past minutes

6:35 Current Agenda Items:

. Board members: Really hoping to get some Cape Elizabeth business
owners involved. Leslie Grimschield was unanimously elected to the
board.
There are still two seats left.
. Summer signature event: Dani is still in talks with SMCC to host our
signature event. The recommendation of the board would be to hold it
in the summer, possibly August. There is a strong possibility that
this event will not happen this year due to timing; however, it was
suggested that we have a “Save The Date” event for members as a
precursor to what will be happening next year. Suzanne will check in
with the original group of members that volunteered to be on the
Signature Event Committee.
. Welcome Wagon Packets (Jon): Jon proposed putting welcome
packets/baskets together with a sampling of our Buy Local businesses
products/coupons/gift certificates for our Buy Local Realtors to pass
along to their clients when the move into South Portland from out of
town or out of state. Would be a great way to promote our businesses
and give new residents a sampling of what our members and our city has
to offer. Jon & Suzanne will be looking into this further to see what
the membership thinks and who may want to contribute.
. Directory and Launch Party (Jon/Suzanne): Last year Cindy at The
Sentry was our point of contact for the directory and did a great job.
However, it seemed that she was not financially compensated enough. We
are looking to get another quote from the Sentry this year and the ad
prices should be the same as last year. They do owe us 6000 free
directories from last year. Members should be thinking about
submitting their info for the directory soon as info will be coming
out about ads and company info at the end of this month. It was
suggested that neighborhood maps be added to the directories if
possible. Launch party to be at the end of May – possibly hosted by
the Snow Squall again.
. 2nd Tuesdays: The goal is to always have the meetings on the second
Tuesday of each month so everyone knows in advance when the meetings
are each month. Due to holidays or school vacations, sometimes this
does not work out. By keeping with a regular schedule, we hope that
more people will be able to join the meetings. We’d like to keep that
double digit attendance.
. Educational element to first 15 minutes: It was suggested that the
beginning of each meeting be an educational 15 minutes. Possibly one
member each week could teach the rest helpful marketing tips, how to
utilize social media to grow your business, how to use the Buy Local
website, etc.
Suzanne
will have more details next meeting.
. SoPo in 5: Suzanne has recommended that each month we have two
members showcase their business in 5 minutes at each meeting. It could
be a great way for all of us to get to know more businesses within the
local and also promote/pitch/network our businesses. First two are
next month and they are Maryann Malloy of Healthy Body, Fit Mind and
Cynthia Legere of Kiln Formed.
. Website:
o Kick up design and marketing
o Feature 1-2 business a month (from SoPo in 5) o Create YouTube video
and embed in home page Suzanne and Jon have been looking over the
website and realize that it needs some tweaking and updating. They are
hoping that the members will look it over and offer suggestions for
updates. A couple of suggestions from tonight’s meeting were: add the
logo for every company with direct a link to websites, create a back
end for members only, be able to tag or have more key words for SEO
and add a YouTube video of each company featured during SoPo in 5.

7:15 Bring up new agenda items:
It was suggested to Jon that we somehow help/become involved with the
South Portland Land Trust and their effort for an Earth Day event on
April 21st.
It was recommended by a member that we get in touch with the schools
to have them get involved. In previous years they were involved with
beach clean and trail clean ups.

7:30 Conclusion

Next Meeting Tuesday April 10th at SoPo Planning & Zoning Building
(old Hamlin School)

MINUTES
Date: Tuesday April 10, 2012
Time: 6:30
Location: SoPo Planning & Zoning (old Hamlin School)

6:30 Call the meeting to order

6:35 New Items:

· Each member present introduced themselves and what their business
is and how long they have been in business.
· First ever “SoPo In 5”
Cynthia Legere of Kiln Formed Glass
Mary Ann Malloy of Healthy Body Fit Mind
· Minutes review from 3/13/2012 meeting
· SoPo in 5 – Looking for businesses who want to participate in May
for a Facebook, Twitter and web push! Sea Dog is interested.
6:50 Agenda Items:
· Directory:
o Ads need to be in by April 30th
o Ad prices will be the same as they were for the 2011 directory.
o We are looking for a new front cover. Any members who would like
to submit artwork or a photo for the cover, please submit to Suzanne or
Jon by May 11th.
o This year’s book will be a little bit more rugged – for example,
more of a cardstock cover than glossy paper.
o PROOF PARTY: Looking to have a day of proofing. Members could
take shifts at one location and members can swing by and make sure
their ad and/or directory entry is correct. EACH MEMBER IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR PROOFING THEIR OWN INFORMATION. Goal is to have this first proof
available by the beginning of May. Date is TBD
o There are a few businesses that did not pay for their ads last
year. It was discussed that perhaps they should have to pay for those
ads before they can submit new ones for 2012.
o Last year roughly 17-20,000 directories were given out.
· Launch Party:
o Snow Squall is on board to host again this year. Tuesday June
12th from 6-9pm
o It was unanimously voted that we will sell SoPo Buy Local “gear”
(hats, t’s, etc) at this years launch as oppose to raffle baskets like
last year. It was determined that it will make more money for the
local.
o Hoping to have Joe Graphton from New England Local Business Forum
as our keynote speaker.
o Will update Powerpoint for event.
· Press Releases:
o Something that should be happening quarterly to announce new
members, member achievements, SoPo in 5 or events.
o Possibly create a template so it is easy to do each quarter.
o One should be put together for the Launch Party. Suzanne or Jon
will touch base with Liz Darling and Muriel.
· New members and executives:
o Still looking for two more board members. Hoping for some Cape
Elizabeth members or possibly some eatery owners.
· NEBLF (New England Local Business Forum)
o Dani has been going to these meetings on a regular basis and will
be taking Suzanne to her conference on May 4th!
· Treasury Report:
o Our balance is $4828.09 and all insurances and taxes have been
filed and paid. As of this date about a dozen members had renewed their
memberships for 2012.
· News and Resources: (section to be added to website as well)
o These are community events to help the community or to help you
and your business. These are not to self promote but rather to help
inform each other of resources that exist in our community. If you have
events to share, please send them to Suzanne at
suz@girlintheorangecoat.com
§ Millcreek Earth Day Clean Up: More info on our facebook page.
§ Social Media Breakfast Maine: More info on their facebook page.
Great way for businesses to network and learn new ways to promote your
business with social media. Cost is usually under $15 and they serve a
great breakfast. Next breakfast is April 27th.

http://www.socialmediabreakfastmaine.com/

§ Maine Marketing Association Events

https://www.mainemarketingassociation.org/events/

§ Portland Greendrinks: http://portlandgreendrinks.com/
§ Maine Biz events: http://www.mainebiz.biz/events.php

7:30pm For Next Month:
· Meeting Formats – adding educational time
· Quarterly campaigns – more than just during the holidays.
· Signature Event – SMCC has agreed to allow us to use their
facility for our event. It will be next year in August. Save the Date
to be announced soon.
· Website Maintenance – slowly becoming more user friendly.
· Agenda items for next month:
o Who will help deliver directories?
o How can we connect better? Geographically and industry?

Next meeting Tuesday May 8th 6:30pm at South Portland Planning and
Zoning (old Hamlin School)

SAVE THE DATE!
Launch Party Tuesday June 12th 6-9pm @ The Snow Squall