OCONOMOWOC AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM BOARD MINUTES
Board Members Present: Sue Bickler, Mac Dorn, Fran Durkin, Barbara Elwood-Goetsch, Shirley Hinds, Barb Hirsch, Duane Hoffman, Diane Johnson, Ed Johnson, Margie Krauski, Terry Ladwig, Nancy Lins, Bob Ludwig, Lois Luebke, Hilton Neal, Don Wiemer, Ann Zimmerman
Absent Excused: Melissa Krahn, Ray Mauer, Bill Marris
Absent: Betty Hancock, Kevin Passon
Other Attendees: Marjorie Day, Dorothy St. Thomas, Donna Schlender
President Don Wiemer called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
Secretary’s Report: Ed Johnson moved and Nancy Lins seconded to accept the minutes of the July 14, 2008 board meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Hilton Neal reviewed the monthly financial reports that had been emailed previously to the board. Monthly expenditures totaled $4,174.36; revenue was $19,252.29; and revenue exceeded expenses by $15,077.93. Neal explained that the OAHS&M is in good financial shape for the fiscal year. It was noted that expenses and proceeds from the “Night at the Museum” fundraiser will be segregated into a restricted account since those funds are for the new endowment category and must remain segregated. Johnson moved and Duane Hoffman seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.
Audit Report: Donna Schlender from Accounting Services Unlimited addressed the group. She recently completed an audit of the OAHS&M. She also presented her findings at the Executive Committee meeting held prior to this meeting. We were congratulated on the excellent condition of our financial records, including our Form 990; our committee structure; and clear and concise job descriptions – all of which led her to rank the Society #1 among community organizations she has audited. Her only request for clarification dealt with the approval process for invoices but was satisfied by the answers given by the president, administrator and the co-treasurers. She will submit a written report of her audit shortly.
Administrator’s Report/Museum Operations:
Lins pre-distributed a copy of her complete report. In addition, she reminded the board that Scharnell’s Deli will be sponsoring another Deli Dollars Day on August 21, 2008, with 10% of non-catering purchases using special coupons gifted back to us. The board was also advised that a press release announcing yesterday’s raffle winner of the Trek bike, Ellen Hollatz, was being prepared.
Committee Reports:
Executive Committee: 1) Wiemer reported that he has received positive comments about the Night at the Museum fundraiser. 2) There were no community suggestions for a new newsletter name following a request for submissions in the Oconomowoc Enterprise; therefore, the Branding Committee will move forward with its analysis and a forthcoming recommendation. 3) Donna Schlender reported to the Executive Committee on her positive audit of the Society’s financial records. 4) The long-term status of the umbrella stand next to the railroad tracks by the old train station is in question. It is owned by the Society, but the land on which it stands is leased from the railroad. The Exhibit Committee is asked to research options for its care and/or disposition and report back with its recommendations.
Collections: Marjorie Day reported that the Summit Fire Department donated 20 previously loaned items to the Society’s permanent collection. We have also received old Oconomowoc High School black and white band photos and Oconomowoc Middle School photos on a CD. Other recent acquisitions include a ledger from a local farm family from the 1930s, a 1936 city plat map, 14 ladies hats and an antique wedding dress. Nancy Lins reported that summer intern Mai Vang prepared two documents on museum protocols and processes that will serve as outstanding resources. The new intern we’d hoped to bring onboard this fall has had to withdraw her candidacy.
Education: Barb Hirsch reported that her committee is continuing to work on the trunk show for fourth graders focusing on the history of immigration in this area.
Exhibits: Shirley Hinds reported that her committee will meet tomorrow. Two guests are expected: Dr. Jerry Zelm to talk about the history of chiropractic in this area; and Don Eastman regarding the railroad station canopy.
Local History: The committee is on summer hiatus and has nothing to report
Membership: Barb Elwood-Goetsch reported the following: 150 single memberships, 112 (224) couples’ memberships, and 1 student membership for a total of 375 individual memberships. There are also 14 organization/business/municipality memberships, 40 free memberships and 54 delinquent memberships. Postcards have been mailed to delinquent members, encouraging their renewals; and Duane Hoffman continues his calling efforts to past due members to both solicit renewals and cull the list.
Property and Maintenance: Neal reported that the soil on the east side of the museum has been re-graded to redirect water away from the building.
Special Events (Quarterly Meetings): The following schedule for speakers was reported:
October 2008: Oconomowoc History DVD – Kaldhusdal (confirmed)
January 2009: Wiemer (confirmed)
April 2009: Mapleton – “The Busiest Little City in the World” (confirmed)
Old Business:
Branding Committee: Ladwig reported that the new logo is in use and that our new letterhead and envelopes have just arrived. New exterior signage is still being addressed by the committee. A fresh design and name for the newsletter will be completed by the time of the next issue.
Night at the Museum Event: Ladwig thanked everyone who helped make the August 8 endowment fundraiser a success. Proceeds as of this date are: gross $13,020; expenses $2,490; net $10,529. Eighty-six attended. Committee members were recognized. The board thanked Ladwig for undertaking the planning and execution of the event – a Society first.
Art Festival: Dorothy St. Thomas explained that the Dorothy Smith watercolor exhibit located in the museum’s gazebo was orchestrated by Lee Hayden, a non-Society member, and that it took a tremendous amount of work. It was suggested that Hayden be given a written letter of appreciation, a one year Society membership and a “Doorways of Oconomowoc” poster.
Ice Cream Social: Diane Johnson reported that the annual Ice Cream Social was successful even though sales were down this year due to temporary relocation to Fowler Park. Johnson was thanked by the board for another successful event. She intends to retire from the “social” business. A replacement leader for next year’s event is being sought.
Bike Raffle: The annual raffle of a Trek bike in conjunction with the ice cream social netted $606 (tentative). It was suggested that ticket sales next year should begin as early as February – assuming an August raffle drawing.
Newsletter: Lins is working on firming up a replacement newsletter editor. The deadline for the next issue is September 24 and articles should be submitted to her in the interim.
New Business:
The roof from the original City Park gazebo is in outdoor storage at a City maintenance facility. The board has been asked by the City as to what the long-term goal is for its use. The Exhibits Committee was asked to explore options and report back. Hoffman offered to get the structure’s measurements.
Next meeting: The next board meeting will be Monday, September 8 at 4:00 pm at the museum.
Adjournment: Lins moved and Ladwig seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:48 pm.
Submitted by Margie Krauski, Secretary