OCONOMOWOC HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Board Minutes/November 12, 2007

Museum

OHS Members Present: Sue Bickler, Fran Durkin, Barbara Elwood-Goetsch, John Fishleigh, Betty Hancock, Chuck Herro, Shirley Hinds, Barb Hirsch, Duane Hoffmann, Diane Johnson, Ed Johnson, Melissa Krahn, Margie Krauski, Terry Ladwig, Nancy Lins, Bill Marris, Hilton Neal, Kevin Passon, Dorothy St. Thomas, Duane Thorsen, Don Wiemer

Absent Excused: Marjorie Say, Ray Maurer, Craig Pruscha

Absent: Mac Dorn, Bob Ludwig, Ann Zimmerman

Outgoing President Hilton Neal opened the meeting at 4:02 pm.

Secretary’s Report: Don Wiemer moved to accept the minutes of the October 8, 2007 board meeting and John Fishleigh seconded the motion. Motion carried. Hilton acknowledged outgoing secretary Pam Thomas’ exemplary job in the position.

Treasurer’s Report:

Betty Hancock moved to accept the October 2007 financial statement. Terry Ladwig seconded. Motion carried.
Don Wiemer reviewed the proposed 2007-08 Budget. It was explained that some column totals are inaccurate but the body of figures are correct. Committee expenses will henceforth be broken out monthly individually for review. The budget reflects a deficit that will be compensated with transfer of funds from savings and investments to balance it. It was moved by Terry Ladwig and seconded by John Fishleigh to accept the proposed budget. Motion carried.

Giraffe Award Nominees

Hilton Neal acknowledged that current board member Margie Krauski and prior board member Karen Jensen are among the three recipients of this year’s Oconomowoc Giraffe Awards. Board members were encouraged to attend the ceremony on Nov. 15.

Nominating Committee Report

Hilton Neal introduced the newest board members. They are: Sue Bickler, Shirley Hinds, Melissa Krahn and Craig Pruscha (inabsentia).
Nominating Committee Chairperson Terry Ladwig introduced the slate of officers for election: President Don Wiemer

Vice-President Terry Ladwig

Secretary Margie Krauski

Co-Treasurers Hilton Neal and Ed Johnson

Ed Johnson moved and Nancy Lins seconded to accept the slate of officers as presented. Chuck Herro moved, seconded by Ed Johnson, to elect the officers by a single voice ballot. Motions carried. The meeting at this point was turned over to new President Don Wiemer.

Administrator’s Report/Museum Operations:

Visitors: 385 people visited the museum in October due to meetings and Trick or Treat. Included among the visitors were Heritage Questers, a Fourth grade teacher reception, a reception for sister city German visitors and the October Quarterly meeting attendees.
A $25 check from PEO Sisterhood was received as a thank you for building use (Betty Hancock’s sorority).
Volunteers: Lois Luebke volunteered for our first “Greeter” position.
Inquiries: City Hall has requested photos of past mayors. An inquiry of the Dupee Family will be researched by Marci & Pat.
Programs: Chuck Herro presented a program at the October quarterly meeting about Marjorie Ward Baker which was followed by the elk dedication followed.
Correspondence: Weissgerber Gasthaus called to say that for their bus tours they have included the museum as a place to visit when in the area and would like us to reciprocate as appropriate.
Exhibits: Bushes were planted around the elk recently to deter climbing.
Repairs/Maintenance: A men’s room urinal was repaired as was a latch on the west exhibit door.

Miscellaneous: SimplexGrinell performed a complete inspection on our security system. All functioned well except the west door (since fixed) and the exhibit floor ramp door that needs adjusting. Angels Grace used the building on November 5.

Membership:

Barbara Elwood-Goetch reported 185 single memberships; 113/226 couples and one student membership for a total individual membership of 412. Organizations number 14 and free memberships are at 40. Newest members include: Mary Blaska, Richard Kienzle, Gary Kohlenberg, Lois Luebke, Judy Schoenfeld, Tim and Ann Cronin and John and Donna Lillethun.

Artifacts:

Nancy Lins reported that Lou Van Antwerpen donated 4 books about Captain Pabst for us to sell at $40 each. Additional books are available to us as needed with all proceeds ours. She also donated the Pine Lake Yacht Club Centennial 1800-1900,

Local History Committee:

Dorothy St. Thomas reported that Millie Babich gave us the rights to reproduce her history book of Okauchee Lake. The printer’s proof is in Dorothy’s possession.
Fran Durkin is working on a brief history timeline of Oconomowoc to hand out to museum visitors.
Bill Marris is developing a Lantern Tours program for a spring/summer debut. This nighttime event would take place at LaBelle Cemetery with actors bringing historic character to life. It is contingent on the cemetery’s approval. It was moved by Dorothy St. Thomas and seconded by Ed Johnson to proceed with this project.
The Festival of the Arts will include the museum as a bus stop next year. It was moved by Terry Ladwig and seconded by Shirley Hinds to do a Dorothy Smith exhibit in conjunction with the festival. Smith was a renowned local artist. Motion carried.
Hilton Neal is suggesting that a dinner theatre could be held at the museum before Main Street Stage productions.

Education Committee:

Barb Hirsch reported that the Impact School toured the museum with a scavenger hunt theme. On November 20, fourth graders from Meadow View School will be coming.
Off-site presentations are now an option due to new audio-visual equipment. Presentations will be made to the Waukesha County Senior Group and Martin Luther Church.

Exhibit Committee:

Shirley Hinds reported that committee meetings will henceforth be held on the 3^rd Tuesday every month.
They are working on a simple but elegant exterior sign for the corner that complements the elk display. An additional sign will be provided near the entrance for hours of operation and other information.
The Fire Exhibit will be retired next year and replaced with a Victorian Exhibit.
Committee members reviewed all war-related memorabilia in the museum’s collection for a display from the Civil War through the Viet Nam War. It will be displayed in and by the cabinets on the back wall across from the new Oconomowoc Public Library’s children’s room.
The committee will also continue to analyze many other suggested exhibit ideas.

2008 Incentive Plan and Status:

Margie Krauski reported the CD and songbook is completed and ready for delivery to donors.
Hilton Neal is still working on the Annual Campaign fund-raising letter. It will be sent out shortly.

Landscaping Report:

Barberry bushes were planted around the elk recently to deter climbing. Jeff Lins, Mike Krauski and Hilton and Jean Neal were thanked for their assistance with this.

Christmas Parade:

Terry Ladwig reported that the committee has identified the criteria for this year’s Christmas Parade entry by the museum: It must be something uniquely Oconomowoc, historically significant, easy to identify and non-controversial. Marchers will carry the OHS banner and will be followed by skaters and skiers in period attire representing the Olympic skating and ski jumping athletes and competitions tied to Oconomowoc. Sue Bickler, Duane Hoffman and Melissa Krahn will help Terry secure volunteers and artifacts. The parade is December 1 at 3:00 pm. Any members with helpful information or a desire to march should contact Terry.

Old Business:

Duane Hoffman developed certificates of appreciation for Elk Project donors.
Ed Johnson reported that Snyder Insurance can secure personal liability insurance to cover officers and directors for $450 per year. Most present concurred that exposure to liability is minimal. The Executive Committee will review it further and bring it back to the board if warranted.

New Business:

Canadian Pacific Railway has sent a letter requesting $125 rental fee for the train shelter next to the Main Street Depot. The land under the shelter belongs to the railroad but the shelter itself belongs to the museum. The rental fee is for 2007-2112. It was moved by Nancy Lins and seconded by Melissa Krahn to make payment as requested. Motion carried.
The Oconomowoc Area Foundation was recognized for its grant that allowed us to purchase new audio visual equipment for presentations.
It was moved by Betty Hancock and seconded by Fran Durkin to close the museum for the winter months following the Christmas Parade on December 1. Motion carried.

Ed Johnson moved and Chuck Herro seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.

Next meeting will be Monday, December 10, 2007 at 4pm at the Wilkinson Sports Center in Whitman Park.

Respectfully submitted,

Margie Krauski/Secretary