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RHS Minutes_012621 Page 1 of 3
RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 26, 2021
, 2005
, 2005
, 2002
Attending: Colleen Lenahansen, Laura Clawson, Amy E. Gorton, Jessica Kelly, Lynne King,
Mike Lennox, Elizabeth Stewart, and Staci VanderPol.
Absent: Rhea Kimble
Guest: Daryl Delaurenti, Maryann DiPasquale (prospective trustees)
Call to Order, Intro, Guest Speaker
President Colleen Lenahansen called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM. The meeting was held
remotely due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Staci VanderPol is taking over the role of Secretary.
Trustees introduced themselves to guests Daryl Delaurenti and Maryann DiPasquale.
News, Updates, and Public Comments Information
(1) Operations update:
a. Continue to be closed, everyone is in Phase 1. State restrictions allow small
group tours of 8 or less, but City of Renton buildings remain closed.
b. Success of end of year fundraising appeal – very successful! Stephen and Theresa
Clymer, combined with giving Tuesday fundraiser on FB, we came close to
meeting our fundraising goal. Donations are still coming in. Should have an
update in February.
c. Facilities Division is going to help with 4Culture Building for Equity grant for
north gallery renovation. Grant is due Feb 5.
d. Staff is working on study guides, preparing for early summer exhibition, Facing
the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer.
e. City of Renton Recreation division is tentatively planning to reopen end of March
(hopefully).
f. Goal is to not reopen the museum until we are able to stay open.
g. Colleen has question – donor stewardship, is there anything the Board can do to
help? May be helpful to send thank you notes. Board will divide and conquer.
Review and Approval of Minutes Action Item
Colleen Lenahansen reviewed the minutes for November and December 2020 minutes. Edits:
Colleen’s name spelled incorrectly on November minutes; remove Doug Brownlow’s name on
December. Term “BoT” stands for “Board of Trustees.”
• MOTION: Laura Clawson moved to approve minutes with changes; Lynne King
seconded. Motion passed; none opposed, none abstaining.
Work session Action Item
(1) Meeting schedule and document review: Liz Stewart reminded trustees that the
meeting schedule for 2021 was distributed by email and is also available on Asana. She
RHS Minutes_012621 Page 2 of 3
RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 26, 2021
, 2005
, 2005
, 2002
explained four policy certifications that trustees need to read and sign, as required by
the IRS: Ethics Policy; Whistleblower Protection; Conflict of Interest Disclosure; and
Records Retention Policy. Please direct any questions to Liz or Colleen. Board agreed
that Liz could remove old Board packets from Asana; she has hard copies if they are ever
needed.
(2) New bookkeeper: Jessica Kelly reported progress on replacing our current bookkeeper,
Dixie Parker.
a. Our bookkeeper from 20 years is moving to MT. We need to find a new
bookkeeper and we have a few candidates. Bookkeeper does day-to-day
tasks (reviewing deposits and bank accounts, financial accounting,
Quickbooks, files various paperwork, and makes tax payments). Bookkeeper
works for the Board, not for the Museum.
b. Goal is to find someone familiar with nonprofits and someone who will
hopefully be around for a while.
c. Maryann Di Pasquale and Laura Clawson are interested in interviewing.
Jessica Kelly will coordinate interviews.
d. Liz Stewart will find out whether Dixie is able to provide training to new hire.
(3) Strategic Planning Retreat: Laura Clawson reminded trustees that retreat is scheduled
to be held remotely on Sat., Feb. 20, 9 am to noon. Trustees outlined what we want to
accomplish from the retreat.
a. Review Strategic Plan: Review and create action items we want to focus
on in 2021 and 2022. Look what is also missing. What are we actually able
to do in the pandemic.
b. Update Equity/Inclusion goals into Strategic Plan
c. Colleen will facilitate the retreat.
d. Question from Maryann: Have we started a COVID Collection? Liz: we
have collected photographs and would like to do more, but collection
storage is extremely limited.
(4) SBA Loan: Jessica reported on the status of the Historical Society’s SBA Loans (Paycheck
Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan). We have applied for
forgiveness of the first PPP loan and we qualify for the second round of PPP. Trustees
discussed the pros and cons of applying for a second PPP (as opposed to the Shuttered
Venue Operators Grant, which it later turned out we were ineligible for).
(5) Endowment: Jessica reported that the endowment, managed by Edward Jones, has
reached $4.7M, from its $1.2M start. We are on track to reach our $5M goal soon.
RHS Minutes_012621 Page 3 of 3
RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 26, 2021
, 2005
, 2005
, 2002
Mission Moment Information
(1) Upcoming advocacy opportunities (Liz Stewart)
- Arts & Heritage Week is Feb. 9 -16. You can contact WA state Representatives and
Senators, and thank them for anything they have done for us. You can also discuss WA
States CARES Money supporting arts and heritage organizations.
- Join INSPIRE WA mailing list.
- King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn will be visiting the museum tomorrow and
giving the museum a check for $2000 from the King County One-Time Grant program.
This is the second grant we have received at Councilmember Dunn’s direction.
Wrap-up and Adjournment _____
Laura Clawson moved to adjourn the meeting, Liz Stewart seconded the motion. Meeting
adjourned at 6:55 pm.
Staci VanderPol, Secretary
Renton Historical Society