Sheldon Historical Society board meeting
September 17, 2024
6:30 PM
Agenda:
Secretary, August minutes
Treasurer’s report
Committee reports:
Other business:
The meeting was convened by vice president DiAnne Crane at 6:30 with board members present: Kerri Churchill (treas), Andrew Crane (sec), Lori Derry, Bryan Derry, Harold Smith, Don McFeeters, Kurt Valenta, Peter Kaseoru. Absent: Mr Garrow, Mr Norris. Also present: Ms Mercure
Minutes of the August 20 board meeting were presented. With no additions or corrections on a motion by Mr McFeeters/Ms Derry 2nd, the minutes were accepted unanimously.
Ms Churchill presented the treasurer’s report (qv) and reported that she is unable to use her Quickbooks subscription for Society accounts. A separate subscription will be required: Mr Smith/Mr Derry 2nd moved to research subscription options through TechSoup and establish a Quickbooks program in the Society’s name. Following discussion the motion passed unanimously. Mr Smith discussed the Paypal anomaly, reporting that gifts made through Paypal, via our website, have been transferred to the Society account. Confusion stemmed from the PayPal Giving Fund, which was established with a direct deposit link and no transaction fees, and the Paypal account linked to the web “Donate” button with no direct deposit option and a 4% transaction cost. Mr Crane noted Paypal is willing to link the two donor methods, eliminating the transaction fees. Mr Smith objected, preferring to stay with the current two-pronged Paypal scheme. Mr Derry/Mr Crane 2nd moved to accept the treasurer’s report as presented.
Mr Crane spoke to the building progress noting that the second floor office space is ready for occupancy. He also noted that additional work on the stairway, roof, and/or ramp, not previously included in the grant proposal, may be subsidized by the Bruhn grant. This could include painting the trim, siding the inside wall of the stairway, wiring the stairway for lighting, and perhaps replacing doors on the stairway. All such work will be subject to approval by the grant administrator. Mr Valenta offered the name of a reliable painter. An HVAC assessment scheduled earlier, will take place October 9th.
Ms Mercure reviewed planning for the upcoming Calcutta, which is a sell-out. Personnel will be needed for the Friday morning 9AM set-up.
Mr McFeeters reported the Collection committee has received a 10-drawer map cabinet, donated by Kurt Valenta: this is an important piece of furniture serving an immediate need.
Mr Smith updated the membership roster, noting that membership has slipped since the last enumeration. Many lapsed or deceased members’ names have been removed, bringing the current count below 100, from a high of 176. The importance of regular communication was discussed. Mr Smith addressed the question of internet access at the building, concluding that the upgrade would be too costly, given the limited service providers available in the area. Discussion of the website, development and management, raised concerns that access to password protected functions must be shared so no unforeseen circumstance would lock us out.
Ms Crane reported for the exhibit committee, briefly describing preliminary plans for the 2025 headline exhibit. Conversation touched on early Parade concepts, as 2026 would be the quinquennial old home parade year. This would likely fall very close to the National semiquincentennial celebration’s main event: the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. The imminent meeting of the Franklin/ Grand Isle Historical Societies is an opportunity to begin coordinating with other Societies about their semiquincentennial events.
The Finance committee reiterated a call for budget proposals, in anticipation of our October meeting at which the 2025 budget must be approved.
Mr Crane noted the Education committee is in search of a chair. Mr Valenta volunteered to assume that role, and briefly sketched his concepts for the educational mission of the Society.
In other business, Mr Derry remarked on the “Land of Promise” presentation at the St Albans Museum, noting the enthusiasm with which it was received. Similar programming is needed to build membership and attendance here, he urged, and the Society could make good use of that archival film.
Mr Smith/Mr Derry 2nd moved to adjourn at 7:55pm
Respectfully submitted
Andrew Crane, sec’t’y