DOUGLAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 22, 2004-Minutes
The meeting of the Douglas County Historical Society Board was called to order at 5:00 p.m. on June 22. Chairman Jerry Niebaum presided. Attending were Phil Godwin (arrived at 5:25), Martha Harris, Stan Hernly, Clenece Hills, Phil Humphrey, Patty Johnston, Ralph King, David Longhurst, Jim Martin, Bob Piller, Pennie Von Achen, Barbara Waggoner, and Director, Rebecca Phipps. Also present were Helen Krische-Dee, archivist; and Alison Miller, curator. Board members Dennis Dailey, Lew Phillips and John Simmons were unable to attend.
The minutes of the May 25 Board meeting were approved as corrected. Craig Weinaug’s name was misspelled.
CORRESPONDENCE
Hernly suggested exploring the idea of expanding the Society’s role to include helping to preserve and program other activities in addition to the Museum. His idea is linked to the Murphy-Bromelsic home in Hobbs Park. Discussion was held. It was agreed to form a task force with Hernly as chairperson to explore this idea further. Barbara Waggoner and Alison Miller volunteered to serve. Other names were suggested from the membership list to ask to serve. The task force’s responsibilities would be "to secure by purchase, lease, license, donation, or otherwise historical spots, sites and places in Douglas County, Kansas, and improve and maintain the same by preservation, reconstruction, repair and maintenance of the existing structures thereon; or by erecting monuments or establishing parks thereon;" which is the 9th purpose of the DCHS listing in the original Charter of 1933.
FINANCIAL
Piller distributed the year-to-date summary of the financial report of the Museum. In addition, there have been the amounts of $2,190 in personal dues and $40.00 in corporation dues received so far in the month of June. It was moved and seconded that this report be accepted. Motion was approved by voice vote. Piller, Hills and Phipps will meet with the county commissioners on Monday, June 28 to answer any questions the commissioners have regarding the 2005 budget submitted. (Piller then left the meeting)
STAFF REPORTS
There have been several new volunteers to work with both the curator and archivist. Exhibits include 150 years of bicycles. Miller is working on a future exhibit – 150 years of fashion accessories and 150 years of winter outerwear. There were three children for the Flag Day fun event. Krische-Dee has sent more books to be rebound and bound. She will soon start working with books that need to go to the conservation lab at KU. A new intern with KU is working on data entry. Exhibit cases from the Anthropology Museum, which has closed, are for sale and Phipps will purchase several for Watkins. The KSHS visited the Museum this past month. Coffee and desserts were served to about 60-70 people. A grant has been received from the Costume Society of America that will help pay expenses for the 150 years of winter outerwear. Several grant applications have been submitted. On November 17, the Museum will be host to the Chamber of Commerce after hour’s event. A dinner for volunteers will be held on July 1. The newsletter issue for July/August will be printed soon. This week Chautauqua events will be held at the Museum. Late Friday afternoon there will be a Temperance Rally reenactment march from the Museum to the Free State Brewery. In August Civil War Days events will be held.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Committee
Humphrey distributed the progress report of the policy committee. They are reviewing a draft of a preliminary personnel policy for WCHM; the next tasks are to revise the Constitution and By-laws for the DCHS and a new set of by-laws for WCHM. Two issues that the Board needs to review are the number of members on the Board and the purposes of the DCHS.
Business Membership
Since Phillips was absent, there was not report.
Nomination Committee
Niebaum asked Harris as Chair to activate this Committee. She asked how many Directors would be replaced in view of the number of members on the Board decision. Discussion was held and it was agreed to put this question before the Society membership at the meeting to be held on July 11 just before the Will Rogers presentation. There were several pros and cons regarding the size of the Board. One pro for a smaller Board of 15 members was that the members would be more actively involved. One pro for the larger Board was the diversity is good and the division of labor especially for fund-raising.
OTHER ITEMS
Member’s Meeting
It was agreed to have more general meetings of members. One meeting will be held on July 11, at 2:30 at which time announcements would be made and the question of the number of members serving on the Board will be presented to the members.
Annual Meeting
It was moved by King that the annual meeting be held at the Dole Institute if it is available. Longhurst seconded the motion. Motion was approved by voice vote. The Kansas Union would cater the dinner. Suggestions for a speaker were a reenactor or Robert Dole since it is close to Veteran’s Day. If Senator Dole can come there would be a military color guard. Niebaum will make contacts.
The next Board meeting is September 28 unless one is called by the Chairman. Meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Johnston
Secretary