DOUGLAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

MAY 18, 2004

The Administrative Committee meeting was called to order at 5:00 on May 18, 2004 at the Watkins Community Museum. Attending were Board officers John Simmonds, Patty Johnston (arriving at 5:10), and Bob Piller; Society representatives Phil Humphrey, Lew Phillips, and Pennie Von Achen, and Director Rebecca Phipps, with Jerry Niebaum, Chair presiding.

The minutes of the April 13, 2004 meeting were approved as corrected. Several name spellings were corrected.

Humphrey had a concern regarding the vulnerability of the Museum’s collection. As an example, he shared a copy of a newspaper clipping about the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City being sued for allegedly the lost of oral interviews tapes. A discussion was held on the status of items at Watkins.

Piller distributed the 2004 year to date financial summary. Copies of the 2005 base budget request for the Douglas County Commissioners were also distributed. Four items had been requested: 1) $16,559, ½ the deficit; 2) $4,100 for ½ the increase in staff; 3) $25,000, Development officer’s salary, and 4) $25,000, renovation of the bathrooms in the ground floor of the museum building. Wienaug suggested that the last two items be dropped from the budget and requested for separately. This will be done. He also said that the Commissioners wanted an eighteen month financial campaign timeline. Dick Martin is working on the timeline which has several components, including 1) developing a donor base and organizing it, 2) implementing the drive, and 3) evaluating the campaign. It was noted that the Commissioners seemed to understand that the goal is to sell the museum to the public.

A list of membership levels of DCHS Board members was distributed.

Niebaum asked the chairs of the Events and General Membership committees to have specific summary reports for the next meeting on May 25. He asked for a general plan report from the Corporate Membership Committee.

Niebaum noted that Phipps was working under a "terms of agreement" instead of a contract. Her vacation time is stated in the job offer of January 23, 2003.

Director’s Report

Phipps reported that the Amelia Earhart event was well attended by approximately 95 people. The gift shop netted the amount of $700 that single evening. There were five memberships and over $60.00 in donations. Will Rogers is to "visit" on July 11. The Viet Nam series has been completed. Phipps will schedule a meeting with the NPS in July.

Niebaum review the agenda for the May 25 Board meeting. It will include reports from committees. He suggested some thoughts be directed towards the annual meeting such as where to have the meeting and election of Board members. Suggestions as to where to have the meeting included the Eldridge House, the Hereford House, the Museum of Natural History and the Dole Center.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Patty Johnston

Secretary