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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-2009 White River Valley Historical Society ^ Board Meeting Minutes October ai, zoog, i:3o-3:0o p.m. . Board Members Present: Richard Artura, Ronnie Beyersdorf, Tom Campbell, Gator Chamberlain, Jan Cavanaugh, Mike Gerber, Doug Hedger, Julie Herren, Judy Roland, Mae Yamada Board Members Excused: Jennifer Traufler Staff Present: Patricia Cosgrove, Kristen Bruhahn, Tara McCauley Call to Order and Approval of Minutes I. A. President Beyersdorf called the meeting to order and asked for the approval of the minutes. MOTION CARRIED B. Video of Mary Olson farm tour - Tara McCauley Tara presented a video of an Auburn first grade farm tour. It was a wonderful video depicting the interaction between the students, staff, volunteers, the bounty of the farm and the education and fun provided. II. Chair Report President Beyersdorf A. Review of the Museum Calendar The Halloween Ball is Saturday, October 24, zoog. Auction items are still being accepted but they should be in as soon as possible. Kristi has done an excellent job bringing in Auction items. Thank you Kristi! The Mary Olsen Farm committee will be combining the November and December Meetings. Date: TBD. The Finance Committee meeting of November iz, 20o9 has been canceled. B. Nominations Committee Appointments Board members received information regarding the zoio Board appointments and vacancies. Members were asked to review the information and to provide recommendations for vacant positions. Vice President Mike Gerber will chair the Nominating Committee. C. Museology ioi The staff treated the members to a learning game. The members were required to match descriptions to museum related words such as provenance, catalog, etc. This is part of a continuing effort to educate the board members in Museology. III. Committees A. Halloween Ball Committee Julie Herren Volunteers for decoration set up and take down have been identified. There are 17o attendees. This is down from last year's approximately zoo guests. B. Treasury and Committee Report Treasurer Hedger We are on financial track for this month. The Halloween Ball will be a make or break issue. $22,000 in income is needed to complete the budget. The Finance,Committee discussed selling investments (museum fund is $41,000.). This is recommended by Doug. Funds should be looked at as a sustaining resource in Hard times. It is recommended that we immediately liquidate current . investment fund and put the funds in a safe interest bearing account. This money is needed for backup reserves and will have less risk associated with market fluctuations. It is recommended that we liquidate current investment accounts and put funds in an FDIC insured interest bearing bank account. MOTION APPROVED A draft of the zoio budget was presented to the board for review. A motion was made to accept the draft as recommended by the Finance Committee. MOTION APPROVED Ronnie presented the utility needs of the Mary Olson Farm grant request to a 4Culture review panel. The museum was awarded $50.000. Additionally, $24,9oowas awarded to the farm by King County Waterworks Fund for maintaining the salmon environment. C. Mary Olson Farm Committee Judi Roland Due to permits and wait periods there will not be any activity in the valley until December. The parking lot work is continuing and the fencing for the north meadow is scheduled to go up today. IV. Staff Report Patricia Cosgrove A. Upcoming Budget Cuts The City of Auburn will remove $4,000,000 from the aoio budget and this may include employee cuts. There are 3 museum employees on the city budget and one position frozen. Patricia does not have prior knowledge of potential impacts. One employee is on a contract that will expire soon. , Ronnie will discuss the renewal of this position with Daryl Faber of Auburn Parks and Recreation. B. Free Sundays / Suffer for Beauty Exhibit During the past two months the museum attendance has been good - At least 25 guests per day, due to the wonderful publicity the Suffer for Beauty exhibit attracted. Following a suggestion of the board, we will begin offering free admission on one Sunday of the month. C. Night at the Museum On Saturday October io, 2009 the Education Department held an overnight camp for ao children. The kids watched the movie "Night at the Museum", had a flashlight tour, treasure hunt, and healthy snacks. This was a great idea on Tara's part. There will be another session on November 20,2009. V. Board Member Comments Round Table President Beyersdorf Meeting adjourned Next Board Meeting: November 18, 2009 1:30 to 3 p.m. Muckleshoot Room, White River Valley Museum Respectfully submitted by: Lisa Scarff