MINUTES of the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Directors
January 23, 2007
The Board met at the Museum beginning at 5 PM. Present were: President C.
Sibley,W. Winkler (recording), W. Myers, Director R. Phipps, J. Martin, L.
Hyler, P. Von Achen, B. Springer, James Dunn, G. Smith, Matt Richards, Leslie
Miller, Randy Van Schmus, Phyllis Tiffany, B.Waggoner, and R. Piller. Curator
Kerry and Archivist Helen Krische were also present.
Corrections: The Seroptimists gave the Museum the flagpole we use, but we
are in need of flags as the wind wears them out. The January Minutes were
approved.
W. Myers gave an oral and written Treasurer's Report, including year-end financials.
The Society finished in the black only by taking early annual withdrawl of
interest proceeds from the endowment. P. Humphrey generously donated $500
to help cover the cost of the annual meeting and dinner last November. We
received $5,400 from Douglas County. We also received the proceeds from sale
of securities donated by B. Springer. A goal is to achieve the positive income
levels of earlier years in fund raising, corporate and individual memberships.
The Treasurer's report was approved.
Volunteer Consultant Michael Hoeflich needed appointment as development director
on a volunteer basis. This was done. He suggests a spring dinner dance, and
a series of business sponsored luncheons with speakers, for which individual
or series tickets would be sold. These would be coordinated with R. Phipps.
He has more ideas: an appropriate auction using Wes Cohen and free advertising
from Dolph Simons; sell Museum Christmas cards picturing local historical
ephemera; and examine charges for rent of Museum meeting rooms; a flyer advertising
rents will soon be available.
Bennet Griffen has resigned, and Byron Springer has temporarily replaced him,
at the request of the Board, through December 2007.
The executive committee is reviewing the gift shop policies and the Curator
position, and we will vote to approve these.
The archivist and curator submitted written reports. They attended a Douglas
County meeting of the National Park Service National Heritage Area proposal.
Phipps suggested that Judy Billings talk to a Board meeting about the DCHS
role. The roof insurance company inspection of the Museum slate roof likely
will not be completed until spring. It will require closing the small city
park next door. Would this affect a proposed dinner dance?
There was extensive discussion of the possibility of the Museum purchasing
the 1106 Rhode Island Ave property next to three County lots; S. Sublett had
looked into this in 2005. It has a varied history but it seems clear that
such a purchase would not be effective. A proposal to drop this idea passed
with one negative vote.
The only old business was the cancellation of our Jan. 20 retreat due to family
illness of the facilitator. Among new business it was voted to try meeting
the 4th Tuesday in February at 4 PM rather than 5 PM. Phil Godwin suggested
a goal of having an artistic statue of pioneer mother and child in front of
the Museum. Bring this before the upcoming newly elected City Commission.
But would city art mitigate against city funding for Museum needs?
Meeting adjourned at 611 PM.
NOTE: Next meeting of the DCHS Board is Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 4 PM.
William Winkler, Secretary
NOTE: Next Board meeting, Tues., Jan. 23, 5 PM, at the Museum; this follows
the BOARD OF DIRECTORS RETREAT on Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 AM, in the Mallot Room
of the KU main student union. Our facilitator will be Carol Nalbanden.