MINUTES of the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Directors
July 25, 2006
The Board met at the Watkins Community Museum beginning at 5 PM. Present were: P. Von Achen, B. Piller, President C. Sibley, W. Myers, J. Simmons, W. Winkler, J. Martin, and L. Hyler. Director Phipps, curator Lippencott, and research administrator Krische were also present.
The June minutes were approved with corrections. A quorum was not present at this meeting.
The treasurer's report was not completely reconciled because we receive disks from the Accountant and our computer system has been down. There is concern that the Society will be in financial difficulty by year's end when the first six months of 2006 are compared with those of 2004 and 2005.
We would like to reduce the Board to 15 members from 18. It is thought that attrition will accomplish this.
Director Phipps has estimates on sign replacement from both Star Signs and Signarama. The latter estimate ($432.71) is much lower ($1229) but materials and services included must be evaluated. Then there is City and Historical District approval processes. In other information, $1000 was realized from Miss Lizzie's on Sidewalk Sale day. Notes on the August Civil War on the Western Frontier events are placed on a country music station and KCPT TV. They will be discussed on the KLWN "Class Act" program on August 14. Computer Consulting out of Lenexa have been hired to repair or recommend on new purchase of our Microtek business computers now down. We did not win a People's Bank grant, but got a KHC grant of $2000 for the National Scholars program. Fritzel Construction would like to buy this Museum building and build a new museum building as part of the Eldridge Hotel complex.
OLD BUSINESS-those present reviewed Springer's comments on By-Laws revisions, and Simmons' draft of a letter on proposed revision of our Constitution. We discussed enforcement of the rule that a member is asked to leave the Board after three unexcused absences. Simmons discussed with Dr. Godwin fund-raising policies of Cottonwood, Inc., which has a full-time fund raiser.
NEW BUSINESS-C. Weinaug told the Society that the County Commissioners have set aside $2500 for a professionally led strategic planning day for us, if we can make effective use of this. Weinaug's administrative assistant intern, John Harrenstein, reported to us. Thinking is that we would meet with consultant John Abbandonton early in 2007 for this day. At least one County Commissioner will be present. We will have planning meetings before this. Our new Board members will be on, then, and Harrenstein will assist us.
Problems with the plan to have a box dinner auction during the final Saturday of Civil War…days were discussed. Von Achen noted how much effort Missouri puts into its Civil War travel trail. We need to obtain the published list of all Douglas County history sites.
NEXT MEETING: At Carmela Sibley's, 4101 West 12th St., August 22 at 5 PM. Please take note of and support all the Civil War…events beginning on August 11.
This board meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM
Respectfully submitted,
William Winkler, Secretary