David Jerome, Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce secretary, is preparing for what could be the first meeting of a new Chamber board or the last meeting of the existing Chamber.
Jerome is the only director not to have announced his resignation. Because the board cannot function with only one director, Jerome has called a meeting of current business and associate Chamber members for 6 p.m. Monday, April 29, at the Idyllwild Water District meeting room to decide the Chamber’s fate.
On the agenda for the meeting are two actions that current members can take. First will be a call for nominees to serve on a new board of directors and a vote by the members present to approve that board. If that action is unsuccessful, attending members would be asked to dissolve the Chamber. Only members whose dues are current can vote. Jerome noted that a two-thirds vote of those attending would be required for dissolution. If the membership votes to dissolve, Jerome said a committee would have to be formed to dispose of assets in accordance with Chamber bylaws, which stipulate that as part of a dissolution process, assets can only go to other nonprofits, charitable, scientific or philanthropic organizations.
Jerome said the dissolution and asset disposal plan would then be filed with the state attorney general and state and federal tax agencies.
“The website with its directory of local businesses could remain up until the [dissolution] process is completed,” Jerome said. “Several member innkeepers have volunteered to answer our phone messages if we keep a voice mail box or call forwarding arrangement.
“Suburban Propane has agreed to continue honoring member discounts until [respective] memberships expire.”