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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.05.2023 Museum Board MinutesMinutes of the January 5, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the January 5, 20232 Board Meeting (Approved at the February 2, 2023 Board Meeting.) The January meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Board was held Thursday, January 5 2023, in the Lecture Room of the Museum. Vice President Matzke called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: Vice President Becky Matzke, Secretary Connie Drexler, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Dana Stolley and Jean Thierman, Alternate Tiara Cavett, Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis, Oshkosh Area School District Board President Barb Herzog EXCUSED: President Gabe Loiacono, Alternate Vicky Redlin ALSO PRESENT: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, LTE Education Coordinator Amanda Jencik, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books taking the minutes With President Loiacono absent, Vice President Matzke appointed Ms. Cavett. Director Phillips introduced LTE Education Coordinator Amanda Jencik. She has been with the Museum since November 7, 2022. Amanda told the Board a little about her background. She has been in public education as a science teacher for various grades and in various states. Her husband was in the Airforce, so they moved to several states. She is from Illinois and happy to be back in the Midwest. Not many teachers have given her feedback, but those who have, gave positive comments. Ms. Jencik gets feedback from the children of each group and their responses show that their favorite parts of the fieldtrips are varied. Director Phillips noted that Ms. Jencik has added more hands on elements, using items from the carts that were put together a couple years back. Ms. Jencik wanted to provide prizes for the Bingo-style scavenger hunt she put together, so Kate and Daniel designed a fun temporary tattoo of the large beaver that is in People of the Waters. When the introduction was complete, Ms. Jencik excused herself at 4:15 p.m. There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the December 1, 2022 Board Meeting B. January Bill List MOTION: Pull and table Bill List from Consent Agenda until the February meeting. Ms. Books will check on the WI Public Service Bill for 106 Washington Ave., which may not be a Museum expense. (Drexler; second Herzog) [Accounting checked on it and found it was a mistake in recording, it will be corrected to the Library’s expense.] Minutes of the January 5, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 CARRIED: Yes (9) Cavett, Davis, Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Herzog, Matzke, Stolley, Thierman MOTION: Approve Consent Resolution Agenda consisting of Minutes of December 1, 2022 Museum Board Meeting. (Thierman; second Fenrich) CARRIED: Yes (9) Cavett, Davis, Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Herzog, Matzke, Stolley, Thierman After the Consent Agenda vote, Mr. Hoffman expressed that he has been on the Museum Board for nine years now. He has enjoyed his time working on the Board with all the various people. However, he feels it is time to retire from the Board and let others have an opportunity to serve in this capacity. This will be his last meeting. The Board expressed their appreciation for his service and wish him well. Director Phillips then presented a review of the Board Governance Calendar. Purpose: To regularize the presentation and/or discussion of business relevant to the Board. This schedule aligns with general timeframes associated with the City of Oshkosh budget preparation cycles, Board Bylaws, and annual strategic plans. This schedule does not exclude other businesses or topics from being added to Board agendas. Month Subject Notes January Prior Year in Review February Trusts, Endowments, and Interest- Accruing Funds (other than Durow) Update on the status of board-governed funds March Durow Fund Update Update on the status of board-governed funds April Development and Fundraising May Board Elections June Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Review of current projects and CIP proposal for the following year July Education and DEAI August Trusts, Endowments, and Interest- Accruing Funds (All) Update on the status of board-governed funds September Operational Budget (Including Operations, Membership, and Collections Budgets) Review of the proposed Budgets for the following year October Collections Management Review of curatorial-related topics that may inform fee structure, strategic plan, or require other board-level input (such as policy revision) November Fee Structure (for following year) December Strategic Plan (for following year) Next was discussion of potentially having a Board Development Committee. Director Phillips is pleased that the Board is having this discussion and recommends considering the Board’s current strengths and areas of opportunity. Ms. Drexler commented that it is important to start working Minutes of the January 5, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 together to be more visible in the community, such as attending Chamber meetings and other group events. It was noted that having Board members attend Council meetings would be good. This would not be to present information, rather to meet Council members and represent the Museum. The State of the City is Monday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. and will be in person at the convention center. Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region has an annual fundraising event (9/7/23 in 2023). The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation has Donor Appreciation annually in fall and Power of the Purse bi-annually, so again in 2024. The Oshkosh Garden Club does an annual luncheon for scholarship fundraising (Saturday 11/11/23), and Director Phillips was invited to join Tempo Fox Valley which is a Women’s leadership group that meets monthly. The Board was asked to think about more possibilities and to bring ideas to the February meeting. Ms. Stel also introduced the idea to have an “elevator speech” as to the why you like the Museum. A brief phrase that you have ready to share. That concluded the discussion. Vice President Matzke then requested Director Phillips present the Director’s report. Director Phillips began with an overview of 2023, noting that it will be a very busy year for the OPM staff. One primary goal for this year is to refine and recalibrate to ensure the Museum is remaining effective, relevant, and has a broad appeal within the community. She would like to solicit feedback from the community, using Oshkosh Media to help. Dialog with the schools will continue and increase. The Museum’s Mission statement wording may be refined. She wants to align branding with the mission. To accomplish these things, Director Phillips will be working closely with the staff and stakeholders to meet the objectives of the City of Oshkosh Strategic Plan. Ms. Thierman asked about the vision. Director Phillips said the vision is to interpret the home as a historic, special place. This is to emphasis and showcase the home in its own light, highlighting what has existed, to fully tell the story. Ms. Cannizzo stated that in her research she found the only other Tiffany commissioned home that had been open to the public (in Boston), has recently become privately owned. That makes the Sawyer home the only Tiffany commissioned home, in the world, open to the public at this time. The museum is uniquely situated to emphasize these things. In addition, a specific OPM Strategic Plan is being created to benchmark other goals for the Museum over the next 2 years. Director Phillips noted that although the OPM contributes to the general Quality of Life Services and Assets within the Oshkosh Strategic Plan, three objectives are specific to the Museum: 1. Strengthen Museum Exhibitions to More Broadly Represent and Appeal to Educational Entities in the Community 2. Better Utilize Museum Collections for the Public 3. Create Awareness and Participation for the Museum Though Brand Identity, Marketing, and Expanded Programs Minutes of the January 5, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4 To accomplish these goals, staff will be: 1. Soliciting feedback from the community to better understand the current perception versus the desired state of the Museum; 2. Continuing dialog and establishing new relationships with area educational entities; 3. Evaluating and refining the OPM mission and vision statement, establishing institutional values, and aligning branding; 4. Continuing to review and edit policies and procedures for efficiency and reflecting high levels of professional standards; 5. Creating programs, internal goals, and plans based on the vision for the future. In conclusion Director Phillips reported that gallery modifications and facility improvements will also be happening this year. Perhaps the most significant to the public will be the opening of the Museum’s newest long-term exhibit, This is Winnebagoland, and the closure of Memories and Dreams. Staff are creating messaging about the closure of this longstanding exhibition so the public can understand the necessity for renovating the gallery, and the new and exciting exhibits that will be opening. Additionally, Director Phillips reported that staff are working with Split Rock Studios to design a new, flexible gallery for future temporary exhibitions. As staff make these plans, they are also brainstorming names to identify this gallery. She explained ideas and invited Board members to share any potential names. Other capital improvements include loading doors in the renovated gallery, exterior masonry work, upgrading the Museum security camera system, and the design/installation of new exterior signage. That concluded the Director’s Report. Vice President Matzke requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary President Holly Eichman began her report noting that at the January 13th Auxiliary meeting Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo will be the speaker. She is giving a presentation about the Tiffany Studios interiors of the historic Sawyer Home. Ms. Eichman reported she invited Director Phillips, Ms. Cannizzo and Ms. Stel to come to the January meeting to talk to Auxiliary members about the Gala. At the Gala the Auxiliary had a sign noting that this 10th and final Gala was in honor of Katherine “Sis” Martin. Sis had been the one to spearhead the Gala Committee through the years and she passed away since the 2019 Gala. There have since been questions by Auxiliary members whether that really had to be the last Gala, so it will be good to have a conversation about it. That concluded the Auxiliary report. With no other agenda items, Vice President Matzke asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Hoffman; second Fenrich) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.