November 2006 Newsletter

ABA Annual Potluck Dinner
Tuesday, December 5, starting 7:00 p.m.
Warren Conference Center, 529 Chestnut Street

Instead of our usual monthly meeting, join the ABA for a night of Fun, Food, Games, and Cash Prizes! This free event is open to ABA members and spouses, as well as to all Ashland business owners, executives, and managers.

Annual Potluck Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5
The Ashland Business Association's annual potluck dinner will be at the Warren Conference Center, 529 Chestnut Street, starting 7 p.m. As event coordinator Dianna Hopper says, "We're celebrating another year of success in achieving our business and community goals. Come party with us!"

• A big thank you to the Warren Center, who is providing a cash bar, dessert and coffee stations, chafing units, tables, chairs, linens, flatware, etc., as well as our location for this year's event.
• Contact Dianna at 508-881-9893 or 508-736-3724 to let her know the type of food item you'll be bringing to the dinner.
• Please also bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry.

Changes to the ABA Bylaws
The following changes were presented at the November 7 meeting and will be voted on during the January meeting. (To see the current Bylaws, go to About ABA on the Web site and scroll down.)

Article VI. Other Committees

[Same] Section A. The President of the Steering Committee shall appoint all the Standing Committee chairpersons.

Section B. Appropriation of funds from the ABA for all existing and possible new committees:

All committees are responsible for submission of basic plan and budget to the Steering Committee at beginning of planning of project/activity. Plan is to be reviewed in a timely fashion and approved so as not to delay startup of project/activity.

Once approved the committee chair is responsible for following submitted plan. Any significant variation of plan needs to be reported to Steering Committee for review and additional approval.

Final reconciled plan/budget should be submitted to the Steering Committee in a timely fashion after action is completed.

Section C. Existing committees: Membership Committee, Rediscover Ashland, Ashland Day

ABA Membership Renewal Discount
As you know, the annual ABA membership fee is $50. The ABA has started a discount program for members who renew for longer than a year at a time. The fee for a 2-year renewal is only $80! For those of you who have renewed since October 1, 2006, you are eligible for this discount if you would like to bump up to a 2-year membership. Be a part of the ABA and network with other businesses in our town. Contact Lisa Giargiari at 508-881-3838.

2006 Summer Reading winners
The winners of the ABA $50 savings bonds were Alex Merloni and Kaityln Arsenault. Congratulations!