MINUTES of the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Directors
December 19, 2006
The Board met at the Museum beginning at 4 PM. Present were: President C. Sibley,W. Winkler (recording), W. Myers, Director R. Phipps, J. Martin, L. Hyler, P. Humphrey, P. Von Achen, B. Springer, and R. Piller .
A statement of the proceedings of the Annual Meeting, November 14, is in the secretary files of the Museum. In the future, the President stated, approval of each monthly Minutes would be part of the consent agenda.
B. Springer announced that he is resigning from the Board but will continue to assist with long-range planning and financial committees.
W. Myers gave an oral and written Treasurer's report. We have taken an early withdraw from the Mary Richards endowment of 6% of its current value. The sources of income that greatly need increases are corporate and personal membership and fund raising.
Director's Report
Rebecca Phipps passed out reports from the archivist and curator. She gave the Board copies of the media relations and gift shop policies and curator job description, which need Board approval. She showed items suitable for de-accessioning either by destruction or auction.
Among current problems, the environment renders three U.S. flags per year unusable, and their large size makes them expensive to replace. The Seroptimists have given us flags in the past. It seems likely the Kriengs Interiors would give us flags, but would just a recognition plaque satisfy them? The Museum also needs some major carpet replacement and perhaps Kriengs would donate that for appropriate recognition.
Rebecca discussed these needs with Prof. M. Hoeflich, our consultant, who may be able to assist there. He suggested an annual May/June dinner dance with $75 per person tickets, and a cohesive exhibit plan, parts of which could be underwritten by sponsor companies. He also considers getting on Antiques Road Show, monthly Museum early breakfasts with speakers, to tap the commuters, convincing LJ World to give free advertising for the Museum, and a membership class of 100 people who give $100 per year.
We could use an editor for the quarterly newsletter. The agenda for the January 20 retreat is in preparation. Our proposed roofing contractor is negotiating with our insurance company.
New Board Members of the Historical Society
Matt Richards, James Dunn, Randy Van Schmus, Phyllis G. Tiffany, and Lisa Miller were nominated and unanimously elected. Richards replaces Byron Springer.
New Officers of the Historical Society
President: Carmela Sibley
Vice-president: Jim Martin
Treasurer: William Myers
Secretary: William Winkler
Officers nominated were elected unanimously by voice vote.
Matt Richars offered to help the Treasurer and finance committees, and Linda Hyler offered to help the Secretary.
Old Business
The new descriptive brochure is about ready for printing. Hope to give final review at the Board retreat, with Mike Hoeflich also consulting.
New Business
It was noted that the Elizabeth Watkins Will and our Constitution together mean that if the Society was dissolved, the Watkins Building would revert to the nine legatees, but the contents of the building would become Douglas County property.
The Board resolved to hire the local office of JP Morgan Stanley as our stock broker. Byron Springer has generously made a gift of appreciated stocks to the Historical Society.
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
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.