Monett Chamber status remains murky, Board hires legal counsel as filing failures come to light

More details have come out about the Monett Area Chamber of Commerce’s dispute with its executive director, Jasmine Burks, who was placed on administrative leave on March 12. 

The following statement was released by the Chamber board on March 20:

“The Monett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is taking proactive steps to ensure strong governance, accountability, and continued service to members and the community. 

“The Board has initiated a formal review process regarding internal financial and administrative

matters and has retained legal counsel to assist. As part of this process, temporary leadership has

been established to ensure continuity of operations during this process. 

“To maintain stability and allow for a thorough process, the Board has also approved a temporary

delay in executive board appointments. The new appointment will take place at the conclusion of

the review or on June 30th, 2026, whichever occurs first.

“The Board reaffirms that all decisions impacting the organization must be approved by the full

Board of Directors. No individual officer or subset of the board, including the Executive Committee, has authority to act independently on behalf of the Chamber unless expressly authorized by the full Board.

“The Chamber remains focused on its mission to support local businesses and community initiatives. Work is ongoing to address administrative matters with the State of Missouri, and regular operations and events will continue as planned. Please continue to contact the Monett Chamber at 417-235-7919. Please be patient as we utilize volunteer staff to run daily operations and committee chairs to continue events.”

“The Board is committed to transparency and will provide updates as appropriate.

“Sincerely, Monett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors”

Legal counsel

The legal counsel hired by the Chamber is Rooney, McBride, and Smith of Springfield. 

According to the Missouri Secretary of State, the Chamber has had administrative issues with the state since August 2024. The Chamber, as a not-for-profit organization, is expected to file a registration report with the Missouri Secretary of State every two years, listing all its officers, board of directors, and its authorized agent, who would be its executive director. That report was not filed.

Notice was sent that the report was overdue. In a letter dated Dec. 30, 2024, the Chamber received notice from the Secretary of State that its administrative status had been revoked for failure to file its registration report. The revocation letter stated the Chamber “may not carry on any business except that necessary to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs,” as detailed in Missouri Revised Statutes 355.691. 

It is unclear whether contracts approved by the Chamber board or subsequent business transactions have legal standing. 

Burks hiring

Burks was subsequently hired for membership development. She was later named executive director and filed as the Chamber’s authorized representative with the Secretary of State on Aug. 5, 2025. She told The Record she did not know exactly when she learned of the recission order, but felt the Chamber board must have known of the order prior to hiring her. 

Burks reported she took steps to address the situation, but found the Chamber was in arrears for filing its state taxes. She further found the financial records had few entries after Brett Heman left as executive director. Brad Hill, as president, had stepped in to straighten out the Chamber’s business. 

Burks said she was no expert in dealing with QuickBooks and left The CPA Group in Monett to track down the missing records. The Chamber has subsequently filed for an extension on paying its 2025 taxes as well. 

As for the Secretary of State, Burks said she had an appointment scheduled to meet with the Secretary of State’s representative in Springfield the day after she was put on leave. She reported that appointment to the three Chamber board members who came to tell her she was suspended, and who helped pack her office. Burks does not believe anyone attended that meeting. 

Hartman said issues addressed

Current Chamber President Cory Hartman, whose term ends on March 31, was asked about the status of these points prior to issuing the above statement. He indicated those matters were addressed under “internal financial and administrative matters” and “administrative matters with the State of Missouri.”

“We are all volunteers for the organization. We are working very hard at fulfilling our obligations,” Hartman told The Record. 

Chamber personnel

It appears the Chamber presently has no active employees, with Burks suspended and Dennis Myers, hired as office help, quitting last week. The office has been closed. 

Burks has also stated she is unaware of any personal misconduct on her behalf or mishandling of Chamber business while she served as executive director that would have led to her suspension. 

The Secretary of State’s website does not indicate filing of an updated biennial registration report to this day. There is also no indication that the Chamber has updated its official name as the Monett Area Chamber of Commerce, as had been announced by Heman at the Chamber’s annual membership meeting in March 2024.