OCONOMOWOC HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Board Minutes/September 11, 2006

Museum

OHS Members Present: Valerie Davis, Chuck Herro, Nancy Lins, John Fishleigh, Pam Thomas, Ed Johnson, Barbara Elwood-Goetsch, Betty Hancock, Ray Maurer, Mary Hart, Tony Thorsen, Ann Zimmerman, Don Wiemer, Ruth Behling, Margie Krauski, Diane Johnson, Duane Hoffmann, Mike Schutz, Doug Stern, Dorothy St. Thomas, Hilton Neal, Bill Marris and Bruce Todl..

President Ed Johnson opened the meeting at 4:06pm.

Secretary’s Reports: John Fishleigh moved to accept the minutes from the August 14, 2006 meeting and Tony Thorsen seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

• The P & L Budget vs. Actual through August 2006 was distributed.

• P & L for August 2006, showed total income of $12,457.19 and expenses of $7,301.53 for a net income of $5,155.52. Checking account YTD is at $3,918.15 and savings YTD is $19,931,25. Certificate of deposit is $60,000 and the Vanguard Index Fund is at $6,858.88
• Margie Krauski moved and Nancy Lins seconded a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried.

Presentation of 2006-2007 Budget:

• Hilton Neal presented the budget that he, Ed Johnson and John Fishleigh had been working on for board approval. They felt that the $19,610 income figure for the annual fund campaign was attainable and was designed to balance the budget. Under gifts the $6,500 amount is dependent on the continued giving by the Roehl Foundation and they felt this amount was reasonable based on previous giving. Hilton provided the board with a written explanation of the remaining figures offered for the budget. They are proposing a total budget income of $42,935/income and $42,935 for expenses. After board discussion Margie Krauski moved and Tony Thorsen seconded a motion to approve the 2006-2007 budget. Motion carried.

Development Committee:

• Doorways of Oconomowoc Poster: Margie Krauski’s committee met before the board meeting and reported everything is on target. They looked at the proofs and made their recommendations for changes. The project will be back on time for October 1^st.
• Plans for the 2006 Annual Fund Appeal: Dorothy St. Thomas will draft letters to be sent to members and donors by mid October.

Museum Operations:

• Visitors: Valerie reported the museum had 103 visitors since the last board meeting. Visitors are winding down now because kids are back in school.
• Building Maintenance: Nancy and Jeff Lins negotiated with Home Depot to underwrite part of the $240 cost (2-$25 gift certificates) for the new energy efficient light bulbs and Greg Hoffman said the city would reimburse the remaining amount; the big screen TV broke again, the part is on order; Swede will work on the balcony next week; water in basement from the heavy rain, but no damage.
• Upcoming: Tricks and Treats at the museum on October 28^th, the city’s Beggar’s Night. Christmas through the years is the theme for the Chamber Christmas Parade and the museum will be open after the parade for visitors.
• Temporary exhibit on quilts from October until Valerie returns. We have six quilts and will ask for more from the community to share. Pending exhibits will need to be at a certain stage by December before she leaves in order to be ready for opening day.
• Grant Writing: Valerie wants to write a small grant for an education program “Traveling Trunk Show”. The program is written but a grant is needed for items to put in the trunk. Fran Durkin would like the Oconomowoc Canning Company murals to be framed and since the artist recently passed away, we would like to look back at his life as an added piece to the murals. Valerie will look at the West Bend Art Museum and the Kohler Foundation for ideas on where to obtain this grant. The Elk Project will need a grant and Valerie needs to go to Save Our Outdoor Sculptures for suggestions on where to get a grant.
• Website: Don took down the Ice Cream Social information. He would like to put the raffle winner in next year. Don’s goal is to add information on Oconomowoc’s six major fires on the website.

Artifacts:

• Duane Hoffmann laid an outline on the front lawn of the museum to show where the elk would stand for board members to okay. Everyone thought it was a great spot. He sent a letter to potential donors and has already collected $1,700 for this project with a goal of $3,000. He also hopes not to use the $1,000 the board voted for this project. To save money Duane and Swede will do a lot of the work. Duane took a sketch to the City Planner, who gave his okay and said no permit was needed. The newspapers will be contacted on “Move Day” for additional PR coverage. The Historical Society appreciates all Duane’s efforts on this project.

Membership:

• Barbara Elwood-Goetsch reported no correspondence this past month regarding membership. We remain at 321 members, 8 organizations, 39 free memberships and 36 delinquent..

Newsletter:

• Newsletter articles need to be in by September 29, 2006.

Docents:

• We are short on docents and had to be closed two days because of this.

Speakers:

• October, 2006: April, 2006: Joe St. Thomas—Oconomowoc School System and/or Town of Oconomowoc.
• January, 2007, Don Wiemer’s postcards.
• April, 2007-Tenative-Chuck Herro on Marjorie Ward Baker

PR:

• Ray Maurer reported the newspapers are supportive of our pictures.

Local History Committee:

• The committee did not meet this summer but did work on the Lavinia Rockwell book. The board felt it should be sold for $10 each and possibly use it for an additional premium for donors. There are four boxes of books, one has been opened and five were given to Mac Dorn from 1^st Bank, our sponsor. The other boxes should be kept sealed until we empty the open box. Those taking books out of the open box should initial and state how many books they took out. Betty will draft a thank you to Mac Dorn and Ed Johnson will add a PS to the letter.
• The committee will work on “Pictures of the Past” for the newspapers. We will also start an Oconomowoc Yacht Club history collection as Harry’s nephew has Yacht Club yearbooks.
• Next meeting will be September 21^st at the museum.

Special Event:

Annual meeting October 28^th

Old Business:

• Nominating Committee: reports 3 openings for the 2006-2007 board of directors. Ed Johnson will be proposed as a regular board member as he will no longer represent the Village of Oconomowoc Lake. Bill Marris, Bruce Todl and Barb Hirsch were also proposed as nominees. Officers for next year are: Pam Thomas as secretary and Hilton Neal and John Fishleigh as treasurers. We need a President and Vice President.

New Business:

• Local Treasures: Articles from Dorothy Smith’s estate would bring new people to the museum. Her students should be notified when this exhibit goes up.
• Christmas at Knollward: Maureen Stapleton just came from a meeting regarding this upcoming event in November. She was wondering how the museum could be involved in this…possibly a horse and buggy or trolley to go between Knollward and the museum? We will need to be thinking how we can tie this event in with the museum before the next meeting.
• Julie Larson did not like the response sent back to her by Ed Johnson and sent back a letter that was not favorable to the society. The next day Ed received an email from her apologizing for her letter.
• Diane Johnson took the City Planner on a tour and he suggested that the city needs a Historic Committee. We will need to follow up on this idea.

John Fishleigh moved and Tony Thorsen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:16pm.

Next Board Meeting: Monday, October 9^th at 4pm at the museum.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Thomas/Secretary