Friends of the Museum and History Center

Minutes of the Friends of the Museum & History Center Board Meeting

25 May 2011, Museum and History Center

The meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m. by Chairwoman Gerrie Colette.  Others present included board members Carol McNew,  Bob Saulmon,  Ann Zielinski, History Center staff members Sue Cochran and Natalie Bard and guest Barb Galloway.  Absent were: Randy Brady, Geoff  Ormandy, Mary Lou Nelson and Susan Ooten.

 The agenda was presented and accepted.

 The board then viewed a video from Colorado Preservation Inc. of the 2011 State History Honor award to Cara Fisher. Carol will place the video on the Friends website.

 Introduction of those present was done for the benefit of guest Barb Galloway.

 Carol moved, with a second by Ann, to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2011 meeting as presented.  All approved.

 The treasurer’s report for the end of April 2011 was presented.   The total cash assets amount to $11,377.88, with $1,825.96 of that amount in checking, $9,451.92 in savings and $100 in the cash box.  Carol moved, with a second by Bob, to accept the report as presented.  All approved.  A motion was also made by Ann to reduce the amount in the cash box from $100 to $40, with the amount of reduction going back into savings.  All approved.

 Plans for the National Day of the American Cowboy were again discussed.  Carol presented a draft of a postcard which is to be mailed to members of the Cattleman’s Association and to members of the Friends by July 9^th.     Several revisions to the wording on the card were suggested.  A list of downtown restaurants was suggested for Board members to contact to ask for luncheon discounts for those attending the Cowboy Days events.  The contacts are to be made during the week of July 11^th – 15^th.

 Due to Geoff’s absence, no report was made concerning either the Newsletter or the Bylaws revisions.

 Carol reasserted that she will put the Cara Fisher award video on the website.

 Sue Cochran reported that she recently spoke to Jane Carpenter and Jane is pleased that she recently sold 4 more of her large original historic house paintings.

 Sue also reported that 3 candidates for the museum curator position were interviewed and an offer may be made soon to one of those interviewed.  She also reported that the History Center will have a summer intern from CSU-Pueblo and a new volunteer interested in paper conservation.

 The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Museum and History Center.

 The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted by Bob Saulmon. 

Minutes of the Friends of the Museum & History Center Board Meeting

29 June 2011, Museum and History Center

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Chairwoman Gerrie Colette.  Others present included board members Carol McNew, Bob Saulmon, Geoff Ormandy, Ann Zielinski, Mary Lou Nelson, History Center staff member Natalie Bard and guest Barb Galloway.  Absent were: Randy Brady and Susan Ooten.

The agenda was presented and accepted.

 Ann moved, with a second by Mary Lou, to approve the minutes of the May 25, 2011 meeting as presented.  All approved.

 A corrected treasurer’s report for the end of April 2011 was presented, along with the report for the end of May 2011.   The total cash assets amount to $11,387.88, with $1,835.96 of that amount in checking, $9,451.92 in savings and $100 in the cash box.  Bob moved, with a second by Mary Lou, to accept the reports as presented.  All approved.  Ann also reported she is doing a physical audit of the Carpenter Historic Home cards at the various locations to balance that account.

 In reference to the National Day of the American Cowboy, several things were discussed.  Mary Lou mentioned the plans to contact downtown restaurants for discounts for people attending the event and board members were assigned to contact certain restaurants.  Kathy Herrin is still scheduled to present a program at the Museum and History Center at 10:30.  Carol will ask the Like family for champion rodeo items to display at the History Center during the event.  The need for basic security for these items was mentioned.  Carol will mail a postcard announcing the event to members of the Cattleman’s Association and to members of the Friends by July 9^th.     Mary Lou moved, with a second by Geoff, to pay $56 toward the cost of postage for the postcards.  All approved.  Carol will also provide coupons to give to the attendees to take to the restaurants to validate the discounts.  Carol and Mary Lou will take care of publicity for the event.

 Geoff presented the final draft of the revised Bylaws, which includes review comments of several Board members.  Carol moved to accept this 2^nd draft of the Bylaws and Resolution 2011-2, with some date revisions.  All approved.

 Natalie reported that the summer intern at the History Center is Sarah Ashley from Pueblo.

 Board members speak out:  Gerrie expressed appreciation for the History Center staff and for the other Board members.  Geoff mentioned he was one of five on the interview committee for the new Museum curator.  An offer has been made to one of those interviewed, but no name has been released.  Ann asked if there was any orientation training for new board members, or is it just on-the-job training?  Geoff also commented that any reference to ethics in the bylaws is not promoted.  Mary Lou moved, with a second by Ann, to pay a $25 fee to Kathy Herrin for her presentation at the National Day of the American Cowboy.  All approved.  Carol reported that the website is doing well.  Bob announced that he will be going off the Board at the end of December 2011.

 The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Museum and History Center.

 The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted by Bob Saulmon. 

Minutes of the Friends of the Museum & History Center Board Meeting

31 August 2011, Museum and History Center

 The meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m. by Chairwoman Gerrie Colette.  Others present included board members Carol McNew, Bob Saulmon, Geoff Ormandy, Randy Brady, Mary Lou Nelson , Curator Lisa Studts, History Center staff member Natalie Bard.   Absent were Ann Zielinski and Susan Ooton..

 History Center staff member Sue Cochran was present just prior to the start of the meeting and showed the 2 new books on the history of the C.F. & I. that were recently purchased.

 The agenda was presented and accepted.

 The minutes of the July 27, 2011 meeting were approved as presented. 

 No treasurer’s report was presented.

 Carol reported that the website is up and running.  Bob mentioned that he had accessed two versions of the website on the internet, one seemingly outdated.  Carol will check into this. 

 Randy presented a draft of a letter to send to prospective new members and to current members renewing their memberships.  The plan is to use the Friends letterhead format, to send this letter by at least November and to add bullets highlighting benefits of membership.  The letter will also include information about the annual meeting and the nomination ballot order to have just one mailing.  A discussion followed about when the terms of new board members would begin.  We may need a resolution to establish that terms will begin when ballots are counted and accepted.  Geoff moved, with a second by Randy, to hold the next annual meeting on January 25^th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the History Center.  It was suggested that the program at the annual meeting be a presentation by the “Spirits” group.

 Lisa briefly reported on the eagle restoration project.  The application for a $1000 grant from the Greenwood Foundation was not approved.   She will reapply if the grant is still available.  Big Timber Taxidermy has offered a 40% discount to do the restoration.

Lisa also reported that at 10:30 on September 24^th, Doris McCraw will speak at the History Center on the subject of the Karol Smith photos.  Mary Lou moved, with a second by Geoff, that the Friends provide refreshments for the occasion.  All approved. 

 The possibility of a Christmas fundraiser event was discussed.  At a previous meeting, guest Calley Preston suggested having a “Night at the Museum” event and this was discussed.  Costumed characters depicting local museum history would come “alive” during tours around the museum.  This idea will be pursued further. 

 Geoff is still working on a newsletter format and will have the first edition ready for the annual meeting. 

 Carol volunteered to take minutes at the September board meeting, as Bob will be absent for that meeting.

 The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Museum and History Center.

 The meeting was adjourned at 4:03 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted by Bob Saulmon.