April 25, 2006

The meeting was called to order by President Carmela Sibley at 5:10 PM.

Present were Sibley, Meyers, Van Achen, Waggoner, Springer, Simmons, Kerry, and Rebecca.

Martha of the Clinton Lake Museum addressed the Board about the current affairs of that institution, as we have some of their possessions in storage here. Clinton is having a major fund raiser on June 10, with Dianne Miller speaking about what is known about the underground railroad in this area.

No treasurer's report, but the March minutes were accepted by the Board. No quorum present. Extensive discussion of how to handle annual disbursement from the Mary Richards bequest, which can be more than $25,000 without reducing the Principal. A plan to recognize a national Year of the Museum has passed the House but not the Senate. More likely next year. At the May meeting, attendance of the staff at the Boston meeting of the American Association of Museums will be discussed.

Rebecca, Jim Martin, and Kerry will gather the material for a hoped-for Dolph Simons column on the museum. Discussion about obtaining a credit card machine, AAM being among the cheapest. An additional phone line would be needed in Miss Lizzie's. Our gift shop is run by the museum staff.

Question: should a unit of the Board do a newsletter?

A professional photographer was due before end of April in support of the brochure on Civil War on the Western Front. Still nee quotes from prominent people on what the museum means to them. Idea of obtaining a covered wagon kids' ride is still open. Rebecca met with Bill Fare about auctioning deaccessioned paintings.

We can compete for a People's Bank grant if we arrange for one of us to sit on People's board and have one of their staff sit on ours.

Boeing Wichita credit union opens soon, and Byron will consult them about becoming a corporate member of the museum.

The museum request for County funds was due to go before Craig Weinaug on May 1. This request may be subject to a public hearing.

Rebecca found the Legal Administration conference she attended in Chicago to be very worthwhile and helpful as an information guide to writing policies.

President Sibley reported that Carol Lee Hoagland has regretfully resigned from the Board Secretaryship due to hearing difficulties. William Winkler was appointed Secretary in her place.

A fundraising auction at the Fair Grounds was considered; possibly next year. Potentially we can broadcast information about museum doings on the KLWN program, Class Act. This would be in the form of conversations, and we would need an effective presenter and 15 minutes of material. We are considering using decks of historical picture playing cards for fund raising; they retail at $8 per deck. A good item for non-profits.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM. NEXT BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 23, 5 pm.

Respectfully submitted, William Winkler