MINUTES of the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Directors
October 24, 2006
The Board met at the Museum beginning at 5 PM. Present were: B. Springer, C. Sibley (presiding), W. Myers, J. Simmons, W. Winkler (recording), J. Martin, L. Hyler, P. Humphrey, B. Waggoner, P. Von Achen, and R. Piller .
Also present were some KU museum studies students, Director Phipps, H. Krische, and K. Lippincott.
The September minutes were approved with attendance corrections.
Just before the meeting formally opened, Humphrey announced that he was donating $4718 to the Society personally, to cover an expected shortfall before the end of the fiscal year. He also urged the Board individually to take financial responsibility for the fiscal soundness of the Society. Humphrey made a motion that the annual meeting be a dinner at the Eldridge Hotel on or near November 14. The motion was seconded by Springer, and approved unanimously. Sibley will try to arrange a dinner at the Eldridge, with Prof. Mike Hoeflich as speaker, and send out RSVP invitations to the membership.
Humphrey strongly suggested that Board members obtain Society membership lists from Rebecca and then phone members to obtain commitments to the dinner and/or annual meeting. Several Board members planned to do this.
Myers presented an oral and written Treasurer report. To ensure sufficient funds to finish the fiscal year, he requested approval to take early distribution from the Mary Richards endowment fund. This amount will be about $36,000, which is 6% of the balance. The other option is to take out a loan to cover the shortfall, at a rate of 7.25%. Myers consulted with Mike Davies at the bank, who recommended the early withdrawal from the Mary Richards fund. Myers made a motion to take an early withdrawal from the fund to cover the shortfall. Humphrey seconded the motion. In the discussion, Myers stated that the amount withdrawn from the fund is based on the value of the fund, and thus varies slightly from one withdrawal to another. The motion passed unanimously. Myers suggested that 2007 is a financial make or break year for the Society. We do expect $35,000 more from the County and somewhat larger income from the endowment. We need discussion on persuading the City to provide some funding. There was discussion of trying to the get the City of Lawrence to help support the museum.
There was a short discussion concerning whether or not former board members were allowed to discuss the circumstances of the departure of two former museum employees. No one currently serving on the board was clear on what the limitations and restrictions on this matter.
Curator Lippincott obtained grants in September from Target, Walmart, and NCS Pearson for focused projects, and they will be completed by the end of 2006. The various grants will go towards remodeling the playhouse to teach children about life in Victorian era Lawrence (1890-1910). There will be a reading corner with monthly history story hours. A storage cabinet will be purchased for crafts supplies and hands-on materials for the Prairie Gold exhibit relating to the emigration from Boston to Kansas. Hyler inquired about collaboration with public school curriculum, and asked at what grade level Kansas history was taught. Lippincott explained that the educational programming in the museum is not targeted to specific school grades, but rather targeted towards families and the general public.
Director's Report
Phipps reported that a draft of the museum media relations policy was now
ready for board review, and she requested that board members review the draft
for discussion at the next board meeting. The Museum was spotlighted in Chalk
Magazine, in a paragraph on page 46. Twenty-two paintings were selected for
auction at the annual meeting from a donation of artworks made to the museum
for this purpose. The paintings selected were on display during the board
meeting. The paintings will be reviewed by local art experts before the meeting
to establish a base price for the silent auction. Miss Lizzie's Gift shop
is holding an invitation sale-due to legal limitations because of the museum's
non-profit status, the sale cannot be advertised, but postcards could be distributed
to members. The dates for the 2007 Civil War on the Western Frontier are Aug.
9-21. Upcoming new programs include lives of famous Kansans, such as Clyde
Tombaugh, the Watkins family, and Leo Borman. A grant is being written in
conjunction with the local AME church for a Langston Hughes scholar who will
do writer-in-residence programs with the public schools.
New Board Nominees
Phyllis Tiffany, W.R. Banchmouse, lawyer Leslie Miller, James Dunn, and P. Von Achen (her own complete term). Five positions are to be filled at the annual meeting.
At that meeting there will be a yes or no vote on the entire new Constitution. The text of the constitution is online, and copies have been offered by mail to members upon request. There may be concerns about the role of Society vs. Museum and a future Director of the Society position.
Old Business
Although lack of funds precludes deciding on a new outdoor sign this year,
"Signarama" has prepared a preliminary design. The vinyl lettering
on the least expensive sign comes with a five-year guarantee. The proposed
sign design must still be approved by the city. There is also a proposal from
Star Signs.
The production of brochures to use for member recruitment and fundraising are on hold, pending a discussion of the priorities of the new volunteer fund raiser, Prof. Michael Hoeflich. Design and photos are ready.
New Business
The question was raised about whether or not we had a representative to the "Bleeding Kansas" group. Phipps said that normally either she or Lippincott attended the meetings, but due to recent travel for professional meetings, they had not been able to attend all of the Bleeding Kansas meetings.
Respectfully submitted,
William Winkler
Thanks to John Simmons for many useful comments.
NOTE: Next Board meeting, Tues., November 28, 5 PM, at the Museum.