HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-2003White River Valley Historical Society
Board Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2003, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Board Members Present: Marissa Armstrong, Valerie Bellack, Lori Anne Claudon, Mike Hamilton,
Nicole Karwhite, Kathy Lewis, Debbie Maguire, Larry Miller, Ellen Morrison, Gordy Nishimoto, Bill Peloza,
Dick Pickett, J.B. Rupert, Mae Yamada
Board Members Excused: Michelle Marshman, Ann Mehl, Tom McGee, Charles Natsuhara
Staff Present: Kristen Bruhahn, Patricia Cosgrove
I. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
Vice President Debbie Maguire, sitting in for President Natsuhara, called her first meeting to order at
1:30 p.m. Mike Hamilton moved and Dick Pickett seconded that the minutes from the June meeting be
approved. MOTION CARRIED
II. Chair Report
Vice President Maguire reported that Les Gove Park was busy on the Fourth of July and that the
museum had 380 visitors. She thanked all the board volunteers who generously gave their time to help staff the
museum during this event. On July 8th the new Horse Power exhibit opened in the Key Gallery with 35 in
attendance. The Volunteer Picnic was held on July 12th which also served as a nice send off for Tina Brewster
Wray. Marissa Armstrong encouraged board members to attend the picnic. The staff puts a lot of work and
creativity into the event and it gives us an opportunity to thank all the volunteers.
An updated list of committee members was given out. The mailing list was passed around for the board to find
people they knew who could be sent packets to encourage them to become members of the museum. Mae
Yamada and Stan Flewelling, author of Shirakawa, have taped an interview with Paul Nelson that will be
produced and aired on the local radio station soon.
III.
Treasury and Committee Reports
A. Dick Pickett presented his Treasury Report with the bottom line showing a monthly surplus of
$401 and a year-to-date surplus of $8,431. He reports that we are doing extremely well against
the budget for the year with the major impact being the revenues from the Harvest Ball and
Shirakawa. Tom McGee has done a terrific job getting the Harvest Ball sponsor money up
front and Shirakawa book sales are already $3426 over what was budgeted for the year. Bill
Peloza moved and Nicole Karwhite seconded that the Financial Report be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
Dick also reported that the Pac Bell Bond is being refinanced and needs to be reinvested. The
Finance Committee has no finance investment policy and has not met yet to make a recom-
mendation. It needs to be decided if and how we want to invest this money and Dick explained
the options. Bill Peloza moved and Dick Pickett seconded that it be recommended that we
invest the $23,000 from the Pac Bell Bond into Savings Bond Series I for the 5 Year Plan
and that the endowment interest of $3934 waiting to be invested be added to the existing
funds. MOTION CARRIED
Mike Hamilton moved and Dick Pickett seconded that the Finance Committee meet and
come up with a policy for investment. MOTION CARRIED
A Free Wednesday chart was distributed that shows who we have requested a donation from,
board contact, date requested and amount received. The Annual Fund has received $5736 of the
$8000 budgeted. Director Cosgrove said donations are slow but other things are taking away
from it.
Marissa Armstrong and Lorianne Claudon reported that the Harvest Ball Committee had a fun
dinner meeting to finalize plans for advertising, decorating, table captain strategy, ticket sales,
and the raffle. Everyone on the board was asked to donate a bottle of their favorite wine with a
note explaining its significance to be put in a basket that will be raffled off the night of the
Harvest Ball. The next meeting is scheduled for September 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Ann Mehl's and
everyone is encouraged to attend.
Debbie Maguire reported that the new membership brochure is ready to go to the primer. They
hope to increase membership by 15% with the board contest, utility bill stuffer and new infor-
mation brochure.
Architectural designs for the Olson Farm house and barn foundations repairs are in the City of
Auburn permitting process for approval. Mike Hamilton has also applied for a permit to move the
care-takers trailer to another site on the property. Also necessary, is a Certificate of
Appropriateness from the County for work done on the historical site. RSE Construction was
selected to do the modifications to the weaver's shed. Mike Hamilton moved and Bill Peloza
seconded to let Director Cosgrove negotiate with contractors for work to be done at the Olson
Farm.
MOTION CARRIED
Valerie Bellack reported that the tentative date for unveiling the new sculpture of Big John is
Sunday, September 21, at 4:00 p.m. Gilbert King George has been invited to tell the history
and bless the sculpture. Director Cosgrove will create invitations to mail out and also get an
invitation into the Muckleshoot Monthly newspaper. An invitation will be extended to Big
John's family to speak about him during the event. A theme name is being sought for the new
piece.
IV.
Vo
Staff Report
A. The open Curator of Collections position was advertised by the City of Auburn, applicants were
narrowed down and will now go through the first stage of interviews by the staff tomorrow.
Director Cosgrove went to the recent WMA meeting in Spokane and would like to attend every
year. She made great contacts, sat in on some good seminars, sold a lot of Shirakawa books
and got a lot of questions about our museum.
Karen Haas won a trip to Rhode Island and all expenses paid to attend the National Association
of State and Local History Association Meeting, and will attend in September.
C. Our Long Range Plan and Service Objectives were reviewed by Director Cosgrove.
New/Other Business and Adjournment
A. Our August meeting has been cancelled and the September meeting has been rescheduled.
The Hans Torklep Train Event will be held on September 6th and 7th and will be our First
Saturday Family Event for September.
Director Cosgrove was on the cover of the Auburn Reporter along with another great article and
Nicole Karwhite suggested that we start sending our wonderful press coverage to the
Washington State granting agencies and our State Representatives.
Vice President Debbie Maguire adjourned her meeting at 2:40 p.m. Our next meeting will be held on
Wednesday, September l0th at 1:30 p.m. in the MUCKLESHOOT ROOM at the museum.
Respectfully submitted by: Marissa Armstrong
Date: September 2, 2003