The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Michele Martin. Also attending were Cynthia Daube, Nancy Domaille, Ann Farnell, Ed Haskell, John Hunziker, Frank Iossi, Bill Jonason, Jean Michaels, Dave Nelson, Cecelia Szurszewski, Joanne Swenson, and Dennis Wong.
Absent: Phil Henoch, Paul Horgen, Leigh Johnson, Bob Murphy, and Jeanne Parker.
Also present: Connie Jo Ozinga, Library Director; Audrey Betcher, Assistant Director; and Kathy Olson, Administrative Assistant.
Jean Michaels moved, John Hunziker second to approve the meeting minutes from November 17, 1999. Motion approved.
Connie Jo Ozinga reported that we had recently received a $500 gift from Jeanne Parker and also a $2,000 gift from the Gillette Family Foundation for the book endowment fund.
Letters have been sent to those companies that pledged money for the advertising campaign and have not yet sent their contributions.
17 presentations were held in 1999, and an additional 3 have been scheduled so far in January. We have given presentations to most of the services clubs in town and have received very positive feedback. Our focus for future presentations should probably be to a broader cross-section of the community.
The Board discussed whether to continue with the media campaign. Can we raise additional funds to continue? Has it been effective? There was some thought that if the objective is to keep the Library and Foundation on people's minds, then there is benefit in continuing the campaign. It was also felt that it makes sense to coincide the presentations with media support. This matter will be discussed further at the next meeting.
Joe Gibilisco and John Gisvold have indicated they will not be renewing their terms.
Frank Iossi moved, Dave Nelson second to recommend to the Library Board the appointment of Venna Nayar and Nate Johnson to fill two of the openings on the Foundation Board. Motion approved.
Jean Michaels reported that the Nominating Committee has met and recommends the following slate of officers for the year 2000: Michele Martin, President; Frank Iossi, Vice-President; Cecelia Szurszewski, Treasurer; and Jean Michaels, Secretary.
Jean Michaels moved, Nancy Domaille second to approve the recommended slate of officers. Motion approved.
In reviewing the 1998 mission statement, the Foundation is on track for what they hoped to accomplish.
The Board discussed inviting Tim Burchill, from the Metanoia Group, to a meeting to give feedback on what the Board has accomplished and possible direction for the future. It was also suggested that Peter Pearson from the St. Paul Public Library Foundation be invited to attend a future meeting to also give feedback and direction, or someone from the foundation of a comparable-sized library.
We have acted on several of the recommendations in the feasibility study. One being to continue to raise awareness through smaller fundraising events. This is something we need to focus on in the coming year.
Two separate investment policies have been adopted for the Book A Year Endowment Fund and for General Funds. The General Fund policy states how the funds will be invested and accessed, but does not address how the funds will be spent.
No decision has been made on how we deal with funds not earmarked for a specific purpose. Perhaps a percentage should be designated toward overhead and administrative costs and a percentage designated toward an endowment fund. At this point it is probably preferable that we maintain flexibility rather than specifying a set amount be invested and a set amount given directly to the library.
If anyone is interested in serving on a specific committee or has expertise that would be appropriate for a specific committee, they should contact Michele. The committees and their chairs were: Executive Committee: officers; Investment Committee: Dave Nelson, chair; Fundraiser/Event Committee: Jean Michaels, chair; Communications Committee, Cynthia Daube, chair; and Fundraising/Media: Ann Farnell, chair.
Louis Rukeyser will be here this summer for some type of fundraiser. Cynthia Daube volunteered to help plan it.
Where do Board members see their expertise? Should we have an annual marketing/communications plan? Should the Foundation co-sponsor library programs even if there is no financial involvement? Should we develop a basic brochure to hand out, put in mailings, etc? Should we have merchandise to market? Is one of our roles to be a publicity vehicle for the library? These are all questions that need to be answered in the coming year.
It was the consensus of the Board to continue to meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings can be canceled if there is no business for any given month.
The Board thanked Bill for his work as Board President during the past year.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Michaels
Secretary