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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/2015 - Mintues Board Minutes 2015-08-25final Page 1 of 3 RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES August 25, 2015 , 2005 , 2005 , 2002 Attending: Stefanie McIrvin, Betsy Prather, Alice Stenstrom, Elizabeth P. Stewart, Kim Sweet, Lisa Wivag, and Vinod Waghamare. Absent and excused: Laura Clawson and Vicki Jo Utterstrom. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by President Stefanie McIrvin. The meeting was held at the Renton History Museum, 235 Mill Ave S, Renton. Trustees introduced themselves to the newest trustee, Vinod Waghamare. Artifact of the Month Information Kim Sweet shared earrings she purchased this summer at the Sealaska Museum. The earrings were made of fossilized ivory and abalone; Native Alaskans are permitted to work ivory, because they hunt and use the entire animal. Oral Communications / Public Comments Information Secretary Liz Stewart reminded trustees that the oral communications period would be an opportunity for the Board Development Committee to program guest speakers. Board Communication Information Kim outlined a series of museums she had visited this summer, including the Treadwell Gold Mine site in Juneau, the Fort Missoula Historical Museum, and the Whistler Museum . Alice Stenstrom attended a Smithsonian Affiliates conference in Washington, DC, in June including a VIP Reception for the new innovation exhibit, American Enterprise, at the National Museum of American History. Board Correspondence Liz updated the Board on the progress of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Heritage Area initiative and encouraged them to explore whether other organization s they belong to might support the initiative. The Heritage Area came close to passing in the last legislative session, but two separate bills in the House and Senate could not be rectified. Establishment of the heritage area has the potential to bring more federal funds for preservation into our region. Consent Agenda (Vice President) Action Item Trustees made some minor changes to the Museum Report and the agenda; Liz asked to amend the agenda to add the fence quote under “Discussion/Action Items.”  MOTION: A quorum being present, Lisa Wivag moved to approve the consent agenda, with minor changes; Kim Sweet seconded. Motion passed, none opposed, none abstaining. Board Minutes 2015-08-25final Page 2 of 3 RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES August 25, 2015 , 2005 , 2005 , 2002 Old Business Action Items (1) Board Recruitment: The Board of Trustees still has seven empty positions, and trustees discussed ways to recruit new trustees. Liz said she would be glad to provide support for another recruitment event in October, after the fundraiser. Neighborhood picnics might be another fruitful venue, and we can also recruit at the Farmers Market, although the fundraiser should be the focus of outreach at the Farmers Market. (2) Fall fundraiser: Trustees discussed how to market the event. Stefanie will have a banner made for the Farmers Market booth, and she has asked Gene Sens for an email and/or snail mail list of contacts, which he has agreed to compile. Liz can get him a stack of Save the Date cards for the restaurant. Gene has offered to let trustees market the event on The Red House’s Facebook page, and we’ll market it on the Museum’s page. Liz agreed to develop a checklist for a Memorandum of Agreement about rights and responsibilities in regard to the event, including disposition of ticket proceeds and whether a dessert sale can take place. Trustees discussed raffle baskets; Liz will email authorizing letter, proof of nonprofit tax status, and list of last year’s donors. Betsy Prather is willing to reach out to past donors. Lisa volunteered to make raffle baskets; she will be out of town from September 14 through the 28th, but if trustees bring their raffle items to the Board meeting on the 29th, she will make them into baskets. Betsy will also let trustees know what she has secured by Tues., Sept. 8. We hope to send out invitations with donation envelopes the week of Sept. 21. Vinod asked whether we have considered a Kickstarter or Indie-Go-Go campaign; trustees agreed they’re a good idea, but should wait until we have a specific project to raise funds for. Discussion / Action Items Discussion (1) 2nd quarter financials: In the absence of Treasurer Laura Clawson, Liz Stewart presented the financials, which had been distributed with the Board packet. Liz reminded the trustees that income usually tends to look lackluster in the 2nd quarter, because the bulk of grant income, funds raised, and memberships, as well as the operational draw, tend to come in in the 3rd and 4th quarters. She had just deposited checks for over $70,000 at the beginning of the 3rd quarter.  MOTION: Kim Sweet moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented; Betsy Prather seconded. Motion passed, none opposed, none abstaining. (2) Public Engagement Coordinator: Liz circulated Colleen Lenahan’s resignation letter and outlined the hiring process. Job ads were posted on August 14 and she hoped that a new hire could be on board by early October. Colleen agreed to stay on until Sept. 4, and she offered to Board Minutes 2015-08-25final Page 3 of 3 RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES August 25, 2015 , 2005 , 2005 , 2002 return to help train the new hire; in the meantime her duties have been temporarily redistributed among the other three staff. Liz will need a Board member to help conduct the interviews. (3) Fence quotes: Liz circulated quotes from two fencing companies—Straight Line Fencing and Quality Fencing—for a fence and gate to create greater security at the Historical Society’s offsite storage location. There have been repeated incidents of graffiti, garbage, and other vandalism there, and Liz would like to increase the security of the building, as well as be a better neighbor. She worked with Seattle Tilth’s Just Garden program in July to install a raised garden bed there; installing a fence would be a next step in increasing the security of the location. Trustees asked her to ensure that the estimates were for exactly the same kind of fencing before they proceed. Mission Moment Information Liz reported that the Museum had had its best July ever this summer, with 1618 people served during Renton River Days, at the Historical Society’s festival booth, the Pet Fair, and the Museum itself. In addition, staff offered a “Dog Days of Summer” program about guide dogs, partnered with Seattle Tilth, and hosted three tours. Total attendance and outreach for July was 1900. Liz thanked trustees for their exemplary job during River Days. Kim asked whether we had recruited any new members during River Days, and Liz said she would check. Adjournment Action Item Kim Sweet moved to adjourn; Lisa Wivag seconded. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm. Elizabeth P. Stewart, Secretary Board of Trustees, Renton Historical Society