HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/27/2019 - Minutes r r r r r r RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
RENTON HISTORY August27,2019
MUSEUM
Attending: Doug Brownlow, Laura Clawson, Jessica Kelly, Rhea Kimble, Lynne King, Mike
Lennox, Elizabeth P. Stewart, and Colleen Lenahan.
Absent: Denise Dhakal and Betsy Prather.
Guests: Renteen Emma Austin and Public Engagement Coordinator Kate Dugdale
Call to Order, Intro, Guest Speaker
President Colleen Lenahan called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM. Colleen opened the meeting
with a group question: "What are you looking forward to in the fall?" Attendees shared their
thoughts and discussed.
Elizabeth Stewart introduced Emma Austin from the RenTeen summer internship program.
Emma Austin discussed her "Renton's Rodeo Past" project that was featured in both the
museum and at the Renton Farmer's Market. Emma's discussion included both her reasons for
focusing on this topic and the steps taken to gather materials for the project. A brief Q&A
session followed and the Trustees thanked Emma for her participation and contributions to the
summer programs.
News, Updates, and Public Comments Information
Elizabeth Stewart provided a Museum report.
• Leading the report was the success of the recent direct mail appeal. It has been several
years since the last direct mail appeal. A diverse range of different donors were very
responsive and donated —$3,800.
• Discussed further the continued success and popularity of the Hero's Feast exhibit. The
exhibit has attracted a range of interest from guests of different backgrounds and
generations. Liz intends on attempting to further promote the exhibit as part of Renton
Comic Con, to attract more visitors ahead of the planned exhibit's end in mid-October
2019.
• Discussed current candidates for the open Office Aide position. She hopes to hire
someone by mid-September
Jessica Kelly provided the Q2 2019 Treasurers report, also distributed before the meeting.
Memberships continue to grow, especially in the Benefactor category, and currently the budget
is on track to be met.
Laura Clawson,Jessica Kelly, Doug Brownlow, and Denise Dhakal staffed the Renton Historical
Society booth at the Renton Farmer's Market on August 13, 2019. The "Renton's Rodeo Past"
materials were on hand at the booth and attracted the attention of several Renton Farmer's
Market patrons. Laura did mention that there was a "History Day" sign located in a part of the
market away from the booth and that for future events steps should be taken to ensure such a
sign is closer to the booth.
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RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
RENTON HISTORY August27,2019
MUSEUM
Review and Approval of Minutes Action Item
Colleen reviewed highlights from the June 2019 meeting minutes. Lynne King requested that
her name spelling be corrected in the meeting minutes.
• MOTION: With that correction Jessica Kelly moved to approve the June 2019 meeting
minutes as amended; Lynne King seconded the motion. All approved, none opposed,
none abstaining.
Work session Action Item
(1) Elizabeth Stewart passed around the current committee listings, which were updated
for new Trustee members and to ensure all committees were adequately staffed.
• Cell phone numbers of committee members were shared.
• Request made for committee chairs to check in with committee members at least once
between Trustee meetings to update on status of current projects.
(2) Colleen Lenahan introduced the Trustees to an Asana worksharing platform created to
help committees manage projects and share project materials.
• Jessica proposed trying the platform for three months and then checking in with
Trustees to gauge the level of success and interest in continuing with the Asana
platform. Trustees agreed to try the Asana platform for three months.
(3) Jessica Kelly and Lynne King provided an auction fundraising update, including specific
successful fundraising wins.
• Reminder to Trustees that they will need to purchase their own tickets to attend, bring
two desserts for the dessert auction, and bring a gift basket.
• Jessica went down a list of businesses who were previous fundraising targets and
Trustee members volunteered reaching out to these identified businesses.
(4) Trustees agreed to table the idea of developing a Donor's Club until after the October
2019 fundraising event.
Mission Moment Information
Elizabeth Stewart shared the results of the Museum's Renton River Days activities, including the
latest play in the Renton History Live! series. "Learning American," a one-act play about Pieter
Prins's Renton Naturalization School, was very well-received, with full audiences for each of the
five performances for the first time, for a total of 93 attendees. Other events includes Emma
Austin's mini-exhibit about Rodeo Days, the Kent Valley Artists Group exhibit and docents, and
the "Historian in In" booth.
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RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
RENTON HISTORY August27,2019
MUSEUM
Adjournment
Lynne King moved to adjourn, Mike Lennox seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.
Doug Brownlow, Acting Secretary
Renton Historical Society
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