May 24, 2005
The meeting of the Douglas County Historical Society Board
was called to order at 5:05 P.M. at the Watkins Community Museum of History. Chairperson John Simmons presided.
Attending were Napoleon Crews, Dennis Dailey, Phil Godwin, Martha Harris, Phil
Humphrey, Ralph King, Jim Martin, Bill Myers, Clenece Hills, Lynn Zollner,
Barbara Waggoner, Pennie von Achen, and Steve Sublett. Museum Director Rebecca
Phipps, Archivist
The minutes of the March 29, 2005 Board meeting were approved as printed (The April meeting was cancelled due to a conflict an important Dole Institute program).
FINANCIAL REPORT
Phipps: Met with county commission on the museum’s budget and as a result, new budget figures were filed and the budget was revised. Membership and gift shop income has increased. Workshop and program income and attendance are down. The budget result for the end of 2005 is projected to be negative (see green sheet report budget report). Museum income is 289% ahead of the income received by this time last year. However, in terms of the budget projection for 2005, museum income is down. On the new budget, Phipps numbers are a little different than Piller’s. Copy of Piller’s report provided. Dailey: we need to think of creative ways to get more revenue. Hills: Believes that adopting an annual membership cycle would work better to alleviate budget fluctuations for that particular item. Myers: concerned about the drop off in personal membership income.
TREASURER
Simmons: need a replacement for Piller.
FUNDRAISING
Simmons: Thanks to Steve Sublett for taking over the position. Sublett: Met with Lew Phillips and is gaining an understanding of how Lew conducted the fundraising. He wants to be able to call on staff for help because he can’t do it all on his own. He plans to seek donations from banks, community funds, and some of the able contacts that he has. We are behind, and we will have to run a little bit to catch up. Starting June 1st he will be talking with groups and individuals for a schedule of when he can best seek funds from them. We need an excellent brochure with a breakdown of what we are doing and the historical society’s needs. He needs a membership list. Crews will work with Hills and Phipps to draft a brochure.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Phipps: Roosters exhibit
went over well. Visitation was up with the needlework display and was down for other
programs and tours. She is busy writing grants and applying for money from
available funding sources. The grants are sought in order to pay for operation
costs. Museum was awarded a “CAP” grant of $4,100. She has applied to City of
Dailey: We may not be paying attention to our audience and its wants. Simmons: The range and variety of the program were good. Hills: We need to have program the allow audience participation, which helps the raise the attendance rate. Phipps: She would like the board to help with the volunteer work, especially if you signed up to do so. The museum can no longer provide snacks at meetings because of health regulations.
ARCHIVES ROOM REPORT
Krische: The CAPS grant assessor will be here in October to survey the collections and write a report. This is an important step in the museum’s accreditation process and in securing other grants. A grant is also being written to apply for Kansas Humanities Council funds. Statistics are down for the month. The archives had 30 research requests and 976 records have been entered into the museum collection. The visitor form comments, regarding the archives area, have all been positive. A photo preservation workshop is planned for June 2, from 6-8 P.M., and the cost is $15.00.
EXHIBITS REPORT
Krische: Attendance doubled at the museum during the Roosters Exhibit. The wedding display has been completed and will be up until August. The Architecture Exhibit will open on September 13. The Entertainment Exhibit will be open on March 7, in the Rice Gallery.
RESEARCH ROOM REPORT
Krische: CAPS grant will be used for archival and storage. The new data entry volunteer has been doing a wonderful job. He is a senior at KU and will be back next year.
Will be doing more on folk architecture.
Researcher scheduling has been going well. Has not had to turn anyone away.
Has been getting more and more items entered
The archive’s feedback form responses have all been positive
Zollner: we need to apply for an archives interne grant. Will be working on HTF grant
CURATOR’S REPORT
Lippincott: Since January of 2005, the museum has accepted 281 objects into its collection. Thus far, 1099 objects have been entered into the Past Perfect system. The Flittering Beauties: Butterfly Quilts from the Rose Collection will open June 14. On Sunday, June 5, the museum is hosting an afternoon tea for the wedding dress display. Will conduct a wedding dress preservation workshop on August 4th. The museum is interested in collecting male and female wedding attire and items related to the 1920’s. On June 15, the museum is hosting a teddy bear tea for children, ages 6 to 12.
EVENT ATTENDANCE OF
BOARD MEMBERS AT MUSEUM EVENTS
Simmons: Board member turnout is low-we need to improve. Von Achen: Attendance has been low – excellent programs are being missed. Looks bad for the board. Dailey: met with CEO’s from other museums and each one had a single annual identifying event. What about a charity auction for the museum. Krische: Would like to hold a Quantrill’s Raid 5 K run. Hills: Would like to hold other local events where donations could be made. Simmons: Timing is an issue, let’s keep suggestions coming in.
OTHER BUSINESS
Board: Need to express gratitude Patsy Atwell, who is retiring. Godwin: Makes a motion to give Atwell an accommodation and an honorary lifetime museum membership. Waggoner 2nd. All were in favor.
Crews will prepare the accommodation and send Atwell a letter of gratitude.
The next Board of
Director’s meeting is Tuesday, June 28, 2005 from 5 – 7 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Napoleon Crews
Secretary