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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.06.2022 Museum Board MinutesMinutes of the October 6, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the October 6, 2022 Board Meeting (Approved at the November 3, 2022 Board Meeting.) The October meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Board was held Thursday, October 6, 2022, in the Lecture Room of the Museum. Secretary Drexler called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: Secretary Connie Drexler, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Dana Stolley and Jean Thierman, Alternates Tiara Cavett and Vicky Redlin, and Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis EXCUSED: President Gabe Loiacono, Vice President Becky Matzke, Oshkosh Area School District Board President Barb Herzog ALSO PRESENT: Director Sarah Phillips, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books taking the minutes With President Loiacono absent, Ms. Drexler appointed Ms. Cavett. With Vice President Matzke absent, Ms. Drexler appointed Ms. Redlin. There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the September Board Meeting B. October Bill List MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda with corrections as discussed (Thierman; second Hoffman) CARRIED: Yes (8) Cavett, Davis, Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Redlin, Stolley, Thierman Review of Budget Categories was next on the agenda. Director Phillips handed out a chart of the various Museum budgets. It shows the funding sources for each fund, the order of recommendations and approvals, and notes regarding the budgets. She reviewed the information with details and gave time for the Board to ask questions. Ms. Drexler told the Board of an opportunity to watch conference enrichment sessions online at the Museum. In particular, on Friday, October 14th, 9:00-10:00 a.m. the topic is “Fundraising: Your Board’s Biggest Challenge” and then 10:45-11:45 a.m. “Building and Maintaining a Strong Planned Giving Program.” A TV will be set up in the Lecture Room to watch live at those times. The full conference listing was given to each Board member. Minutes of the October 6, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 Secretary Drexler then requested Director Phillips present the Director’s report. Director Phillips began with a report on the opening event of Manufacturing Victory: The Arsenal of Democracy. The September 30th opening of Manufacturing Victory was a wonderful celebration of the newest traveling exhibit, of our shared history, and of the efforts of Museum staff. The Museum hosted over 70 guests who enjoyed the live music of the Water City Jazz Orchestra, refreshments, and the grand opening of this nationally-touring exhibit. Verbal feedback received during the opening was positive. The exhibit was installed by the staff of the National World War II Museum (NWWIIM) over 3 days. They worked with OPM staff to un-crate exhibit components and find cases for the artifacts from their collections. NWWIIM staff will return in early January 2023 to de-install and repack the exhibit. The local component, curated and installed by OPM staff, tells the local story of the region’s contributions to manufacturing and allied victory during the war. As an update on This is Winnebagoland, Director Phillips reported that Museum and City staff will be continuing the electrical, structural, and final fabrication of exhibit components inside the gallery. Maintenance Technician Matt Reinke finished painting in the gallery and Graphic Designer Daniel Fiser has the work to integrate graphic and fabricated elements well underway. Museum Exhibit Technician Greg Witthun has been working with Curator of Exhibitions Emily Rock to carefully create mounts appropriate for the artifacts, and has already finalized some of the casework. The City Electrician is scheduled to install all of the LSI lighting components in mid-October. Collections staff Emma Eisner has continued the work to clean and stabilize artifacts planned for the exhibit. Collections records are being updated as items are being prepared for the exhibit, maintaining Museum data and photographic records of each accession. Regarding the front cement work at the Museum entrance and the tuck-pointing of the garden wall, Director Phillips reported that the work is close to completion. The contractor Capelle & Dietrich, Inc. has experienced a number of delays, which extended the timeline of the project. Substantial completion of the project is estimated to be October 15, 2022. Director Phillips then expressed that the Museum staff would like to extend its thanks to the Museum Auxiliary for a financial contribution to support Manufacturing Victory. These funds went towards the purchase of Molly, an American Girl doll, and a number of accessories. The doll package will be a prize for an upcoming family program, American Girls: Homefront History with Molly! This event is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 20th. Additionally, Director Phillips expressed gratitude for the annual support for the Museum’s Ancestry subscription, paid for by the Auxiliary. Ancestry.com is a very useful resource for research, because it has so many digitized vital records, primary sources, and local histories consolidated into one website. It also provides an avenue to connect with individuals who might provide additional provenance to collections items, or provide content for exhibitions. Thank you Auxiliary members! Minutes of the October 6, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3 Director Phillips was pleased to report that the Education Coordinator LTE was approved for the remainder of the school year and is currently posted on the City HR website. This position will help facilitate fieldtrips and coordinate education volunteers for school groups. This position is part-time, approx. 25 hours per week for the duration of the 2022-2023 school year. The joint City Council and Oshkosh Area School District meeting is set for October 27, at 5:00 pm at the OASD District Administrative Office located at 215 S. Eagle Street. Director Phillips will present highlights of the Museum’s new educational programming and opportunities. This presentation will highlight the ways the Museum and exhibits are enhancing the social studies curriculum, provide an extension of classroom learning, and emphasize the Museum’s place in interpreting local history as it pertains to curriculum and standards. Director Phillips encouraged OPM Board members to attend this meeting. Noting that their presence will signal support for the growing relationship between the Museum and schools, as well as support for the Museum’s budget enhancement request for a permanent Curator of Education position. Director Phillips asked Superintendent Davis to give his insights on the Education position. Mr. Davis said he looks at the fieldtrips to the Museum as an extension of the classroom. There is opportunity for things to make more sense and to be exciting when they can see firsthand the many artifacts, walk in a long house, hear a Native American say the place names of our region. The hands on learning is always good. There will be 633 third graders coming to the museum, that’s 633 brochures sent home. Crafts to keep in remembrance of a special day at a special place. And it is opportunity for all students from all economic situations to visit the Museum, to experience something their parents may not be able to afford, or just may not think about. Director Phillips thanked Mr. Davis and again encouraged Board members to be at the joint meeting to show their support the Museum. That concluded the Director’s Report. Secretary Drexler requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary Vice President Carolyn Barthel reported The Auxiliary is working on details of the Gala which is set for Friday, November 18. The first Auxiliary meeting of the new season is October 14th. They will be collecting dues, getting sign-ups for the various Gala committees and working on planning the Gala. Ms. Barthel expressed the Auxiliary’s appreciation that Daniel Fiser talked with the printer and was able to get the paper stock donated for the Gala invitations. This will help keep costs down, and they greatly appreciate that! That concluded the Auxiliary report. With no other agenda items, Ms. Drexler asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Thierman; second Davis) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 4:54 p.m.