HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-2014 MinutesWhite River Valley Historical Society
Board Meeting MINUTES
November 19, 2014, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Muckleshoot Room, White River Valley Museum
I. President Pat Cavanaugh called the meeting to order and asked that the minutes of our
October meeting be reviewed. They were approved as written.
II. Committees
A. Treasurer Jamie Bothell presented the October Financial Statement and reviewed
the drafted 2015 non - profit operating budget. The operating budget was reviewed and accepted
as drafted by the Finance Committee and staff. It has few changes from previous years.
B. Vice President Kim Perry reported for the Nominating Committee. At the end of
this year two seats will be vacated: board member Gerry Honeysett will come to the end of his
second term and Rhonda Larson's new position at the Auburn School District will keep her too
busy to accept a second term. Additionally there is one vacant seat. Following committee
member Michele Oosterink's lead we interviewed local banker and community supporter Ruby
Elwood who has agreed to be nominated and we will be fortunate to have her! She will bring new
connections and a banker's business savy to the board. Two other seats will be open in 2015.
Mayor Backus is working to fill one hopefully with a Muckleshoot Tribal member, and staff are
interviewing several other candidates and will report back at the December meeting.
Nominations for officers to the 2015 board include Kim Perry for President, Mike Weibel for Vice
President, Jamie Bothell as Treasurer and Ronnie Beyersdorf for Secretary.
C. Kim Perry and Rachae) McAlister presented a final report on Halloween Ball 2014.
With the superb help of all board members the October 18 event was filled with revelers; we
made budget, earning a profit of $17,500; and met many new friends. Bravo to Kim for her
dedicated leadership and for all board members who filled tables and brought in sponsors!
III. Staff Report
A. Patricia Cosgrove presented a power point summarizing a two -year initiative to
alter the Museum's methods of external communications and to try and build on drop in
Museum attendance. This project has been undertaken because while all our other programs are
successful, drop in Museum attendance has remained flat for several years. Working with
communications consultant Jennifer Rice we altered open hours, redeveloped all print materials,
created an e- newsletter, completely altered the advertising strategy and are gathering
information information from guests. These surveys tell us that over 70% are first time visitors,
over 60 % are women, most come from outside of the Auburn area. We view this initiative as a
long term process which we will continue for years to come.
B. Cosgrove reported that the caretaker at Olson Farm, Gary Moberly is very happy
with the new John Deere tractor and attachments that were recently purchased with support
from the King Conservation District. They will allow us to take better care of pastures and to
spread the composted manure.
IV. President Cavanaugh invited members to make a comment and then the meeting was
adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Ronnie Beyersdorf, Secretary