DOUGLAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

March 16, 2004-minutes

The Administrative Committee meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. on March 16, 2004 at the Watkins Community Museum. Attending were Board officers John Simmons, Patty Johnston, and Bob Piller; Society representatives Phil Humphrey, and Pennie Von Achen, and Director Rebecca Phipps, with Jerry Niebaum, Chair presiding. Also present was Thelma Taylor, President of Friends of Watkins Museum. Lew Phillips was unable to attend.

The minutes of the February 17, 2004 meeting were approved as corrected, the word "President" was replaced with "Chair"

A thank you note has been received from Judy Billings for the funds donated towards the Bleeding Kansas designation. The amount of $700 was donated.

Piller distributed the final financial report summer for 2003. Also profit and loss comparison statements, budget comparisons for the 2004, 2003 and 2002 years, profit and loss budget vs. actual statements, a balance sheet comparison for 2004 and 2003 and a membership income comparison statement. It was noted that the end of the year membership campaign helped very much.

It was agreed to postpone the discussion on estate planning and solicitation until Phillips could be present.

Niebaum had given Phipps a written copy of her evaluation and on February 26, they met to discuss it. Input had been received from the four Board officers and three staff members. It was suggested that objectives or goals to be achieved be added to the next evaluation. Phipps’ next evaluation will be in November to put her on track with the calendar year. Discussion included the relationships between Director, Board Members and staff.

Humphrey recommended that Phipps be given a 5% raise increasing her annual salary to $42,000 with the increase being retroactive to January 2004. Piller seconded the motion. Motion was approved with voice vote.

Phipps had on display several of the paintings donated to the Society by the late Dorothy Rumsey. She asked if the Committee would prefer a gallery presentation or an auction to dispose of the paintings that did not fit the Museum mission. The Committee prefers an auction. A date will be set later.

Items on the agenda for the March 30 Board meeting will include an overall view of Phipps’ evaluation process; a financial report; staff reports from Alison Miller, Dick Martin, and Helen Krische-Dee; reports from the Corporate, Events Planning, and Governance and Policy Committees; and a brief educational program by Phipps.

It was noted that Phipps has tried to contact by telephone the National Park Service coordinators James Hill and Diane Miller, regarding the Underground Railroad Grant. She had left telephone messages, but the phone calls had not been returned. It was suggested that she write to them.

Taylor had no report from the Friends of Watkins as their next meeting will be on Thursday, March 18.

The next Board meeting is March 30. The next Administrative Committee meeting is April 13 and the Board meeting in April will be on the 20^th.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

Patty Johnston

Secretary