Excused absences: Stan Hernly, Phil Humphrey, Bob Pillar, Steve Sublett, Pennie Von Achen
In attendance: Dennis Dailey, Phil Godwin, Bennett Griffin, Martha Harris, Linda Hyler, Jim Martin, Bill Myers, John Simmons, Kerry Lippincott, Rebecca Phipps. Also, a group of students in Rebecca Phipp’s Museum Studies class.
MINUTES
The
meeting was started at
Jerry Niebaum is retiring from his volunteer position of posting the minutes on the web site at the end of the year. We thank him for his service. Roy Squires will take over the web site updating in January.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The Financial Report was presented by Bill Myers in Bob Piller’s absence.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
In
the Director’s Report, Rebecca Phipps reported that visitor numbers were down
although participation in Civil War Days was up by more than 300 people. Civil War Days 2005 went well, and the staff
is now planning the 2006 event. Linda Hyler asked if the date could be changed, but Phipps
reported that it was necessary to keep the date on the anniversary of Quantrill’s raid due to re-enactor’s crowded
schedules. Phipps reported that a grant
of $25,000 was received from the Kansas State Historical Society for a World
War II veterans oral history project (the project is
in cooperation with Lawrence Public Library).
Helen Krische is the project director. 2006 has been declared the Year of the Museum
by the American Association of Museums.
The museum elevator is not working. The elevator overhaul may cost $50,000.
On the night of 13 August, during a thunderstorm, there was a malfunction of the alarm and fire suppression system in the attic. The fire alarms sounded, the tanks of FM 200 fire suppression gas emptied, but the room alarm that is supposed to warn you not to enter the room (due to lack of oxygen) failed to function. Because there was no room alarm, both Phipps and Krische entered the storage area to investigate the alarms, thinking that the area was safe. They discovered that the gas had discharged and the room was dangerously low in oxygen. Fortunately, they were both able to exit the storage area before either lost consciousness. When the FM 200 gas discharged, the force of the gas knocked many objects off of the shelves. Phipps called the Lawrence Fire Department and also called Simmons. The fire department personnel did not permit the staff to re-enter the storage area until the oxygen levels were back to normal. The firefighters reported that there was no indication that a fire had occurred. Phipps contacted the alarm company (Rueschoff), who reported that the system motherboard was blown by the electrical surge. The repairs to the fire alarm system will be about $25,000, but it will cost ca. $40,000 for the FM 200 Gas Replacement. Simmons pointed out that the system does not really protect the museum in case of a fire, only the attic area, and questioned whether the system should be recharged at all. Simmons reported that members of the Administrative Committee wanted the museum’s legal counsel to investigate liability issues, due to the fact that two staff member’s lives were put at risk because of the malfunction of the alarms that were supposed to indicate that the gas had discharged. Simmons was instructed to contact lawyer to inquire about this possibility.
One of the air conditioning units (in the offices and archives) is not working. The cost estimate for repair is about $2,000.
Thelma
Taylor, the volunteer who manages the gift shop, is moving to
Lastly, Phipps reported that the museum had received an archives grant from the Kansas Humanities Council to hire more part-time help in the archives. Two KU Museum Studies Students are working at the museum--Heather Bower is working 20 hours a week (as a paid worker) and Andy Davis is working as a volunteer for class credit.
RESIGNATIONS
Simmons reported that he had received two letters of resignation from board members. An email letter of resignation was sent to Simmons, Bob Piller, Napoleon Crews, and Pennie von Achen by Clenece Hills on 19 August. She stated that she was resigning from the board and wished the board much success as it dealt with the many responsibilities of the Douglas County Historical Society. Simmons replied to Hills and asked her to meet to discuss her resignation, but she declined, stating that she had examined her role on the board and concluded that there were better ways to use her skills. Simmons received an email letter of resignation, sent to the full board, by Napoleon Crews on 22 August. He stated that he was resigning and wished the Douglas County Historical Society Board the best of luck as it meets coming challenges. Simmons asked Napoleon to meet with to discuss his resignation, but did not receive a reply. With the annual member’s meeting coming up in November, it was decided not to attempt to replace these two board members for only two more meetings, but wait and elect new board members to complete their terms.
MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE
With these resignations, someone else has to take on the task of producing the DCHS membership brochures. Following the last board meeting, Simmons received input only from Phipps on the brochure. Simmons and Phipps promised to circulate a draft of the revised brochure text prior to the next board meeting, and to bring several printing estimates to that meeting.
DCHS ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER
The annual DCHS meeting and dinner is set for 08 November from
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
A Nominations Committee is needed to prepare a ballot for the annual board elections. The committee’s responsibilities include compiling a list of the names that members provide, adding other names if appropriate, contacting the individuals to ask them if they are willing to serve as candidates, and providing a small amount of biographical information for each candidate for the ballot. Bill Myers, Martha Harris, Linda Hyler, and Phil Godwin agreed to help, but no one wanted to serve as chair. Nominations must come to the committee in advance of the meeting—no nominations from the floor will be accepted during the meeting. Simmons requested that the nominations committee provide at least two candidates for each position, but some board members felt that only one candidate for each position should be provided. This issue remains to be resolved. There will be five board positions up for election (three members rotating off the board plus two resignations).
CIVIL WAR DAYS FUNDRAISER
Simmons thanked everyone who helped with the water sales at the Civil War Days event, by loaning ice chests and helping with sales, with a special word of thanks to Steve Sublett for taking on the task of organizing the entire event, and handling the purchase and return of the bottled water. Due to the weather, the sales were a bust (we made just $8), but everyone who participated had good time at the event and agreed that the event demonstrated great possibilities for future fund-raising and membership recruitment. Bill Myers suggested that future events include the sale of food and other drinks, along with the water.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Helen
Krische will present a workshop on Museum Collecting
for the Future on 29 September at
The
In conjunction the 2006 Year of the Museum and the 100th
Anniversary of the American Association of Museums, Phipps suggested conducting
a year-long membership drive. She and
Simmons have been discussing several ways to make it a success, including
encouraging visitors to other
FLAG
Phil Godwin raised the issue of replacing the stolen American flag that used to fly on the museum’s flagpole. Linda Hyler brought information provided by Clenece Hills regarding the purchase of a flag through Congressman Moore’s office. Phipps will purchase a flag for the museum. The suggestion was made that various Boy and Girl Scout troops, veteran’s groups, and service organizations be solicited to assist with flag raising and lowering.
SIGN FOR THE BUILDING
Phil Godwin asked about the lack of a sign in the front of the building. The previous sign was removed when the museum’s public hours were changed. It was suggested that a local sign shop might be willing to provide a new sign as an in-kind donation, and that perhaps Steve Sublett would be willing to look into this.
DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT MEETING
Date and time of next board meetings:
Board of Directors, 25 October
Annual
Meeting, 08 November,
Board of Directors, 22 November
Board of Directors, 20 December
ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned at