CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Jane Callahan. Board members attending were: Phil Henoch, Ed Hruska, Judy Kereakos, Lois Marris, Mike McNeil, Mark Neville, and Harry Swedlund.
Staff Present: Audrey Betcher, Library Director, and Kathy Olson, Administrative Assistant.
MINUTES
Motion by Phil Henoch, seconded by Judy Kereakos, to approve the meeting minutes from October 24, 2007, as submitted. Motion carried.
LIBRARY BOARD AND DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Audrey noted that the Library Board and staff discussed cuts needed to get to the City Administrator's recommended 2008 budget figure. The number one priority is a new position in the Computer Services Division. With the demand to do more with less and to do more electronically, we need to make sure to support that function. The Library's budget meeting with the City Council is next Monday.
The Library received a donation of a holiday tree from the Festival of Trees; the tree is on display in the lobby. The display case is available to be booked for displays on other holidays.
The Board congratulated Audrey on her recent marriage.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advocacy: nothing to report.
Finance: The committee met to review the Endowment Fund and make a recommendation on the disbursement of 2007 proceeds to the Library. The Endowment Fund balance is over $1.5 million.
The committee recommends that 5% of the fund balance, or $78,000, be disbursed to the library in 2008.
Audrey noted that use of the funds needs to fit with the mission of the Foundation. The Library looks at the five funding priorities of the Foundation and fits the allocation into those overall missions.
Motion carried.
Amuzing Race proceeds were approximately $9,900. The committee recommends that the entire proceeds be disbursed to the library to be used for the following items:
It was noted that it is beneficial for fundraising next year to see an immediate impact and let people know how those dollars were used.
Motion carried.
The committee reviewed the proposed budget for 2008 and recommends that up to $25,000 in Endowment Fund proceeds be allocated toward Foundation operating expenses.
Motion carried.
Because of the two large bequests received this year, the Foundation will likely need to have an audit completed in 2008. This might cost up to $10,000. It was recommended that 2-3 bids be solicited.
The committee recommends that up to $10,000 be allocated from Endowment Fund proceeds towards the completion of an audit.
Motion carried.
The Committee reviewed a request to purchase eight lightweight folding tables from the Library Needs Fund. There is currently $2,568.94 in this fund, which was created with Silent Auction proceeds from Wit, Wisdom & Wine and was to be used for library needs that fall outside the normal funding process. The 8 foot banquet tables that the library currently has are very old and very heavy. The Foundation uses these tables for Wit, Wisdom & Wine, donor appreciation, etc. The library uses the tables for functions in the auditorium and other areas of the library and sometimes for off-site events. Cost for eight tables is roughly $1,000.
The Committee recommends the purchase of the tables plus a cart to store and move them.
Motion carried.
Development: Mark reported on National Philanthropy Day. The afternoon session was geared to foundation board members and talked about how board members can represent their organization in a development sense even if they are not comfortable in an asking role. The session had many good tips and ideas.
Special Events: Wit, Wisdom & Wine is set for Saturday, January 12, 2008.
Jane brought in a Minnesota gift basket as an example for the silent auction. We need the support of the Board in coming up with items for the silent auction. She has heard comments from participants that they would prefer items they can consume rather than things.
We tried to get tickets from Northwest Airlines for a raffle, but that fell through. Instead the committee discussed doing a tower of wine raffle. We are asking Board members to donate 1-2 really nice bottles of wine. We will also solicit donations on the invitations.
The invitations are almost ready to go to the printer. Originally the committee had discussed raising the registration fee to $75 per person, but has heard some feedback that this may be too high. The past several years we have had a very diverse mix of attendees and it was felt that raising the cost may discourage some people from attending.
Motion by Mike McNeil, seconded by Judy Kereakos, to leave the registration cost the same as previous years, $50 per person. Motion carried.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The Nominating Committee puts forth the following slate of officers for 2008: Mike McNeil, President; Mark Neville, Vice-President; Harry Swedlund, Treasurer, and Lois Marris, Secretary. Motion carried.
There are several members leaving the Board and they will be asked to recommend names for their replacements If anyone else has recommendations for people to recruit to the Board, please contact Kathy or Audrey.
John Hunziker will be starting as the Communications Manager on December 10th, replacing Carrie Farrow. There were many wonderful candidates, but it was felt that John would be a good fit for the position.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 4:45 p.m. in Meeting Room B at the library.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Shimek Olson
Secretary Pro Tem