MINUTES of the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Directors
June 27, 2006
The Board met at the Watkins Community Museum beginning at 5 PM. All were present except Lynn Zollner. Director Phipps and curator Lippencott were also present.
The May minutes were approved with the change that John Simmons was not present.
Myers handed out and discussed his Treasurer's Report. The basics: low corporate memberships and successful fund raising are the main problems. Instructions for managing the Richards Trust account were submitted to our bank. A hearing on the Museum funding request for next fiscal year will be held on July 5 at the County Courthouse. Phipps will present it and Board members are urged to be present. Our request is for $135,000, including $5000 for education projects, vs. $120,500 last year.
Phipps gave a detailed monthly report. Two historic dresses were de-accessioned. A detailed colorful brochure on the August 10-21 Civil War Days on the Western Frontier has been printed and distributed.
Waggoner suggested a special tour of the Museum for the Dolph Simon, Jr.s when it is closed to the public. Tuttle suggested seeking specific project funding from the Simon Foundation. Martin expects a significant article about the Society/Museum to be published by the LJ World by September. Von Achen suggested a future display on the business history of Lawrence, which would increase Corporate interest in our work. It was noted that one of the plans for the new library, Fritzel's, would locate a Watkins Museum there and desire to take over this building. Potentially F. would donate a half million dollar endowment. The company has asked for information about the Watkins building.
Phipps obtained a proposal for a new Museum sign to attach to existing posts, from Star Signs. It would cost well over $1000 and of course will need City and History Commission approval. We should obtain at least one more local proposal.
We have a $2000+ grant from patrons of the regiments, and have requested $2,069 from the Kansas Humanities Council.
Monthly Curator and Archives reports were handed out. Note on the latter, that the display on the Hispanic history of Lawrence was on display at the St. John Fiesta and very popular.
The next talk show about the Museum will be with host Clanice Hills on KLWN AM, July 10.
We discussed reducing the number of Board of Directors from 18 to perhaps 15. Many Boards have around nine members. We will study all our By Laws at the July meeting. We discussed establishing the position of part-time membership coordinator-fund raiser. Phipps gave us a memo on what a hire would involve; maybe 15 hr per week? We certainly think this person should be effective in visiting potential Corporate donors.
Nothing new on the People's Bank volunteer proposal.
Hyler offered to have Marcia Riley look at our August 10K run plan to see how it could be structured as a fund raiser. It passes 7 historical markers and the route of Quantrill's raid. We should study how other annual fund raisers in the City are structured. Myers and Smith may be able to gather information on this, with Phil Godwin. Heide Hornaday may have good information on fund raising structures in St. Joseph.
Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
William Winkler, Secretary