CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Lois Marris, with the following members attending: Phil Henoch, Mark Neville, Elizabeth Ritman, Harry Swedlund, Judith Taylor, Debbie Westerland, and Bill Wiktor.
Staff Present: Audrey Betcher, Library Director; John Hunziker, Communications Manager; and Kathy Olson, Operations Manager.
MINUTES
Motion by Bill Wiktor, seconded by Phil Henoch, to approve the meeting minutes from December 2, 2009, as submitted. Motion approved.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Kathy reviewed the 4th Quarter Treasurer's Report. Revenues are down slightly from 2008; major decrease to the Endowment Fund since we no longer receive the $50,000 Mayo match and not as much money was allocated from the Investment Fund.
Main expenditures for the quarter were the distribution to the library of funds for Brainfuse and reimbursement for Kathy's salary/benefits.
Motion by Phil Henoch, seconded by Judith Taylor, to approve the 4th Quarter Treasurer's Report as submitted. Motion approved.
LIBRARY BOARD AND DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Debbie Westerland has been appointed as the new Library Board rep to the Foundation Board.
The Library Board has spent time discussing the RACE exhibit, which the library will host May 17-September 4. Every effort is being made to ensure this is a community event. Other organizations are finding areas where the exhibit intersects their mission; i.e. Diversity Council, School District, the Art Center will have a program where kids go through the exhibit and then create art, Rochester Civic Theatre is doing a production around the exhibit, IMAA will provide translators, etc.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advocacy: no report.
Finance: met today and discussed a number of items.
Currently the library has a number of old, very heavy 8 foot tables that are used for various purposes. The Friends have agreed to pay half the cost of replacing these tables and it is requested that the Foundation pay the remainder. The Foundation does make use of the tables for Wit, Wisdom & Wine, Amuzing Race, etc. The Committee recommends paying half the cost of 12 light-weight 8 foot tables, approximately $870.
Motion by Mark Neville, seconded by Elizabeth Ritman, to approve the purchase of the tables. Motion approved.
The proposed 2010 budget was reviewed by the Board at the December meeting and a number of minor changes were made. The revised 2010 budget is recommended for approval.
Motion by Judith Taylor, seconded by Phil Henoch, to approve the 2010 budget as presented. Motion approved.
Development: the committee has not met, but the major goal for this year will be the development of a strategy for planned giving and developing a plan to raise funds for a new bookmobile.
Special Events: There were 208 paid registrations for Wit, Wisdom & Wine which was slightly less than 2009. Of the registrations, 6 were new and 9 were in the database, but new to Wit, Wisdom & Wine. The raffle was a big success and made almost $2,000. Not all invoices have been received, but we anticipate net income will be almost $24,000, which is about $2,000 more than 2009.
We are trying a new fundraising event: a comedy night at Goonie's Comedy Club, on Wednesday, March 24. The evening will start at 5:30 with social time, followed by a dinner buffet, and comedy program with featured comics Michael Callahan and John Bush. Cost will be $40. We are spreading the word via the library's Facebook page and Twitter. We are also counting on Board members to help spread the word to their friends and co-workers.We need to begin planning for the Amuzing Race. Audrey will need additional help planning the race since she is very busy with the RACE exhibit. We need to look at ways to raise more money, such as teams getting pledges. The committee will be meeting shortly to begin planning.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
The next meeting is Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 4:45 pm.
We are in the process of recruiting new Board members. Five potential candidates have been contacted: Jen Koski, Tracy McCray, Corey Jordan (Think Mutual Bank), Tony Benson (RPU), and Jo Sheldon.
The Executive Committee will be meeting quarterly this year.
Lois stated that her goal for the year is to meet with each Board member to get to know them and understand their strengths so we can use people to their best ability.
Another goal is to investigate the use of Project Management software to manage our events, such as Wit, Wisdom & Wine. The consensus of the Board was to investigate software, such as Microsoft Office Project Management.
If anyone wants to be on a different committee or an additional committee, let Kathy know.
If you have a Facebook page, consider becoming a friend of the library. All programming and events are posted on the library's Facebook page.
Lois thanked Mark for serving as President in 2009 and we look forward to his leadership on the Development Committee.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Wiktor
Secretary