OCONOMOWOC HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD MINUTES

February 11, 2008

Wilkinson Sports Center

 

Board Members Present: Sue Bickler, Barbara Elwood-Goetsch, Betty Hancock, Chuck Herro, Shirley Hinds, Diane Johnson, Barb Hirsch, Ed Johnson, Melissa Krahn, Margie Krauski, Terry Ladwig, Nancy Lins, Kevin Passon, Don Wiemer, Ann Zimmerman

Absent Excused: Fran Durkin, Bill Marris, Hilton Neal

Absent: Mac Dorn, Donald Christiansen, Duane Hoffman, Bob Ludwig, Ray Mauer

Other Attendees: Dorothy St. Thomas, Doug Stern

 

President Don Wiemer called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm.

 

Secretary’s Report: Ed Johnson moved and Terry Ladwig seconded to accept the minutes of the January 14, 2008 board meeting.  Motion carried.  Ed Johnson moved and Nancy Lins seconded to accept the minutes of the January 26, 2008 quarterly membership meeting.  Motion carried. 

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Johnson went through the monthly financial report that was previously emailed to all board members (attached). Starting next month, the “Net Income/Loss” phrase will be changed to “Revenue over Expenses.” He noted that the Society is in excellent fiscal shape.  Ann Zimmerman moved and Sue Bickler seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Motion carried.

 

Administrator’s Report/Museum Operations (Lins):

  • Visitors: 3 plus 57 attendees at the quarterly membership meeting at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital on 1-26-08.
  • Inquiries: none
  • Programs: The Education Committee presented a program to a group at Martin Luther Church (27 attendees).  Wiemer was the featured speaker at the membership meeting held 1-26-08 at the hospital.
  • Correspondence: none
  • Exhibits: Construction of the Past Wars exhibit has begun
  • Repairs: none
  • Miscellaneous: Beverly Designs offered to donate to the Society a percentage of its sales during First Friday Focus, a downtown merchant’s association sales-stimulation event.  A circa 1890 jacket and hat from the museum collection were loaned for the event on 2-1-08.  In addition, photos of early Oconomowoc were also loaned for the display.
  • Volunteers: Exhibit, Local History, Education, Archival and Branding committees met.  Jenny Gallauer and Lois Luebke represented the museum on First Friday Focus at Beverly Designs offering book sales, memberships, etc.

 

Committee Reports:

Executive Committee:  1) Wiemer reported that the Branding Committee is recommending that the Society consider a name change since it is of prime importance that our organization’s name be accurate, consistent and descriptive.  Since the organization has been using several monikers, the group is recommending an across-the-board name change to Oconomowoc Area Historical Society and Museum. The Executive Committee concurs with the recommendation.  It was moved by Chuck Herro and seconded by Shirley Hinds to change the name of the Oconomowoc Historical Society and the Lake Country Museum (or any other names in use) to Oconomowoc Area Historical Society and Museum. Motion approved.  2) Wiemer noted that the Society has been asked to provide electricity for use during this year’s Fourth of July parade to be held on June 28. The route is being redirected to compensate for downtown road construction. The request for power is being granted.  3) He reported that the Collections Policy continues to be developed.

 

Audit: Ladwig reported that Donna Schlender, a local CPA, has volunteered to perform the Society’s annual audit pro bono, however it will not be conducted until the end of tax season. The Audit Committee will begin organizing the documents for the audit. Internal controls were also reviewed by the group and will be shared with the Executive Committee and co-treasurers Hilton Neal and Ed Johnson, and subsequently shared with the full board.

 

Collections:  Lins reported that no new accessions were received in January.  The Collections Policy document is being fine-tuned and is nearly ready. Work by the committee continues on documenting previous acquisitions and database itemization. Our website will eventually be linked to that database (excluding original donors’ names).

 

Education: Barb Hirsch reported that a presentation on the Inn at Pine Terrace and Danforth Lodge was given at Martin Luther Church (28 attendees). Andrew Fitzpatrick will assist the committee by determining the history of the Armour family.  A presentation on the Elk will be given this month to residents at Lake Terrace.  Former board member Karen Jensen has given the committee ideas on how a self-guided museum tour can be done – a committee goal for 2008.

 

Exhibits:  Shirley Hinds reported that the Past Wars exhibits is progressing.

 

Local History:  1) Dorothy St. Thomas shared a preliminary timeline document of Oconomowoc history and received some formatting suggestions from board members.  It will be further refined at their next meeting on February 21.  2) A yacht club exhibit has been bumped to 2009.  3) A Dorothy Smith watercolor display will be exhibited at the museum during Festival Week and the Society will apply to be a Spotlight Group.  We’re already been approved as a bus stop for the Festival of the Arts.

 

Membership:  Barb Elwood-Goetsch reported the following: 148 single memberships, 111 (222) couples memberships, 1 student membership, 14 organization/business/municipality memberships, 40 free memberships and 122 delinquent memberships.  There were 3 new members in January.

 

Nominating Committee: Ladwig reported that two board members have tendered their resignations – Duane Thorsen and Craig Pruscha.  The committee will reconvene to fill the vacancies and asked that names of potential replacements be forwarded to her with the goal to fill vacancies with those whose talents and interests can benefit Society needs (as per the Committee Structure document).

 

Ops and Maintenance (Property): Lins reported on behalf of Neal.  Everyone was asked to keep the museum’s temperature at fifty degrees in the winter months to reduce energy costs.

 

Resource Development:  no report

 

Special Events: Lins and Ladwig are trying to secure interesting speakers for the next 3 quarterly meetings.

 

Old Business: 1) Plans for the Dorothy Smith watercolor exhibit during Festival Week continue.  2) The “keep off” type plaque for the Elk has arrived and will be installed when the weather is warmer.  3) Regarding the Committee Structure document distributed in January, Herro moved and Johnson seconded to accept the document.  Motion carried.  Ladwig asked for board members to fill committee vacancies – the expectation is that all board members serve on at least one committee

 

New Business:  1) Branding: Ladwig requested that names of pro bono graphic designers be forwarded to her for selection consideration.  The Brand Profile will be emailed shortly to all board members for their input with final approval being sought at the March board meeting.  2) The August Ice Cream Social will be held at the Fowler Lake Pavilion on August 10.  The Festival of the Arts is August 16-17, 2008.

 

Adjournment: Johnson moved and Ladwig seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.

 

Next meeting will be Monday, March 10 at 4:00 pm at the Wilkinson Sports Center. Agenda items for March should be submitted to Wiemer.

 

Submitted by Margie Krauski, Secretary