After being called to order by Becky Hodges, the Assn. voted to accept the minutes of our June meeting as posted on our website.   Sandra Twitty's treasurer's report for June was also accepted, following a motion and second by Marcia Boggs and Linda Williams respectively.   Our current balance, after no activity in the reported month, is $1,550.40.

The Vision Committee proposed a vision statement they thought summarized what we are about and where we are heading in the future.  Becky read the statement and its ramifications were discussed.  Sandra moved to accept statement as read; Joanne seconded; motion carried.  The new vision statement will now read as follows:

        "The vision of the Heart of Texas Bed and Breakfast Owner's Association is to enhance the success of      every association member by promoting the B & B hospitality business in Central Texas and by creating a forum for members to share information, experiences, and concerns relating to the B & B business."

John Boggs reported on some suggestions the Vision Committee had to streamline our business meetings and ensure that our time spent together more adequately reflected the vision statement.  The following suggestions came out of their efforts, and were guided by how similar Associations handle their need to conduct business and yet have a more open forum for "share[ing] information, experiences, and concerns relating to B&B business."

Under their proposal, the HOTBBOA will continue to meet monthly, but will conduct business meetings only once per quarter, with the exact calendar to be set at a later date (the months January, April, July, and October were suggested).  Meetings where business will not be conducted would be an informal sharing time where the meeting date/time, agenda, and food served would be determined by that month's host/hostess.   We could meet at a restaurant or other location; refreshments could continue to be dessert served at individual B&Bs, or the host/hostess may want to opt for snacks outside or a potluck.  Each month's host/hostess would pick a date and time convenient for them to host event, making it easier for B&B's to participate who have conflicts with the pre-set second-Tuesday meeting night. 

At the August meeting, the Vision Committee will resubmit these suggestions and then ask for a motion that they be adopted.  Since this would require changing our bylaws, the committee was hoping for a large turn-out on 08-09-05 so all members present could vote on the proposed meeting format change.  At that time the Association can look into rewriting the sections of by-laws affected.  Becky said she would look into this beforehand if that would be helpful. 

Becky Hodges gave an update for the Brochure Committee regarding whether the CVB would be able to help us with an updated HOTBBOA group brochure similar to the one they did for us under Rick Allen's tenure.  Her contact at the CVB, Liz Taylor, said they have some projects ahead of ours they need to concentrate on, but that they could "look into it" in the next 2-3 months.  She felt encouraged that at least they didn't categorically say they couldn't help us this time.  Becky will report back at that later date.

Most of the members were absent who had volunteered to ensure our individual B&Bs and HOTBBOA were included on local universities' websites under "Accommodations."  We will await an update from them at our next meeting.  Bruce Dyer, who was assigned Baylor, said many of the contacts he needed to talk to had been changing positions, so he had nothing to report at this time.  Becky volunteered to approach Dutch about ensuring we are at least on Baylor's sport-related websites. 

As it is a standing committee without an assignment for last month, there was no report from the Marketing Committee.

There was no report from the “Recruiting Committee.”  Pam Scobell reminded everyone that the Recruiting Committee, which actually had been called the Associate Membership Committee, was now disbanded.  Their fulfilled assignment was to come up with an application that member B&Bs could use to present to any "associate member" they knew of personally who wanted to be on our website at a rate of $150/year.  John Boggs presented this application at June's meeting.

After a motion and second by John and Bruce, respectively, the meeting was adjourned so everyone could appreciate the hard work Joanne put into the wonderful refreshments.