Museum of the North Beach

Executive Board

January 13, 2008

 

 

In attendance:  Cathie Bisiack, Lee Marriott, Chuck Austin, Kathy Jacquet, Jim Schmidt, and Kelly Calhoun.

 

The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Calhoun. 

 

Kathy Jaquet gave copies of the Treasurer’s report.   

 

SPECIAL ORDERS

 

Board Positions – Discussion on Nick Henning:  Most of us really want Nick to stay; options to be offered are 1) stay on the Board and attend when possible or 2) go ahead a resign.  Kelly will send a letter to Nick.

 

Carol Davis:  has missed four straight meetings.  She said Sundays are “bad” days for her to attend meetings, so she decided to resign.

 

Kelly will ask Phyllis Shawnessy of Ocean City if she is interested in joining the Executive committee.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Chocolate on the Beach:  Stephanie is absent today, but has sent detailed notes.  Three advertisements were placed and we got a good deal on advertising, 2) The Fort Lewis Ranger – the add will run three times, and 3) the Pacific County Press cost $420.00 but they did ask to join the Museum!

 

Kathy voiced a concern that we may not have enough chocolate.  She suggested that she should make phone calls to the various vendors.

 

Lee has had to submit the budget for $4K for the Chocolate Festival.

 

 

 

 

Barbara Smith has sent letters regarding the budget for the Festival to Ocean Shores, Lake Quinault, and the Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce.  They all agree that this is a great idea for an event.

 

Stephanie wants to get a large poster done.  The problem is the time is takes to get the posters distributed.  It is clear that although this idea was begun as “local”, Lee and Kelly decided to take it “national” by contacting such vendors as Godiva, Hershey, Ghiradelli, Seattle Fudge, etc. 

 

The Depot Project Progress:  Please refer to the notes from Stephan.  Lee suggested getting a copy sent to Kay McAusland  (we are still hoping to hear from “Extreme Make-over” as a possibility)  The “guesstimate” to build is around $500K. 

 

Regarding Grants – Lee and Kelly met with Dann Sears at the Aberdeen Museum about helping us write Grants.  We need someone to fill out a donation request from the BNSF Foundation for possible contributions.   Also, the Washington State Historical Society—we need to get on their “radar” for possible Grants.  It is possible to get the entire project paid for!  They would also like a face-to-face meeting .The Burlington Northern Foundation has sent the paperwork for a Grant; however, none of us know how to properly fill out the form.  Chuck suggested the Dann Sear’s wife Judy may be able to help us write the Grants.

 

Historical Collection Publicity:  Kelly was able to purchase from E-Bay (with a lot of help from Museum members) belonging to Burton Williams in Boise, Idaho.  These Journals document the earliest history of this region.  With only six seconds remaining in the bidding, Kelly bet a maximum bid of $10K and got the entire collection by just a couple of hundred dollars.  Dr. Weatherwax wants to view the Journals.  There are 19 Journals; 15 people representing all the local major newspapers will be meeting in the conference room at the Ocean Crest for two days.

 

The Totem Pole:  It is time to move the Totem Pole!  Kelly spoke with the  County regarding the right of way, but no one has called back. 

The restoration project to restore the Totem Pole has been a huge success!  Chuck reported back that we need a Welder to attach a metal pole to the wooden Totem Pole.  Chuck  would like the Seabrook engineer to make recommendations regarding adding stability; he also wants an engineer’s opinion regarding moving of the Pole, where to dig

 

 

 

The foundation, and how to set the braces before setting the Pole in cement.  Chuck suggested setting the Pole about 20 feet back from the road (the Pole is 21 feet high). 

 

There was much discussion regarding the best place on the Depot property to place the Totem Pole.  Jim mentioned that it would be a better tourist “draw” if the Pole were facing West

at the back of the parking lot.  People would leave their cars and walk straight to the Totem Pole before entering the Depot.  Chuck suggested not having parking behind the Depot; there is room for a lot of parking on the West side of the building.  Lee said that the vision is that anyone coming to the Depot doesn’t drive up and see a bunch of cars parked all around the Depot.  He suggests that parking should be kept in back (the North side).  Jim observed that if the Totem Pole is placed behind the Depot, the Depot will “buffer” the Pole from the wind. 

 

Jim said he may be able to bring in a brush hog” to clean-out the shrubs and blackberry bushes.  Once this stuff is down, we can do the regular maintenance.  Jim also said the DOT has “brush hogs”. 

 

There was also discussion that we need to get elevation readings BEFORE erecting the Totem Pole.  We do need to get the Pole our of storage ASAP, but the Depot won’t be built until 2009.  Chuck suggested keeping the Pole stored covered along side the shop at the High Tide Resort.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

The Museum has broken all former attendance records (refer to hand-out).

Kelly asked if we want to continue the Adopt-a-Highway Program; we unanimously voted to continue the Program.

The upcoming events:  February – the Chocolate on the Beach Festival; March – Beachcomber’s Fun Fair, Avalon Glass Float Show; April – Razor Clam Festival; May – Annual Garage Sale; June – Cape Elizabeth Walking Tour (tentative).

 

Motion made/seconded to adjourn the meeting.

 

Next meeting – Sunday, February 17 at the Ocean Crest at 4:30 p.m.

 

 

Museum of the North Beach

Executive Board

March 9, 2008

 

 

In attendance:  Cathie Bisiack, Lee Marriott, Chuck Austin, Kathy Jacquet, Jim Schmidt, Nick Henning, Phyllis Shaughnessy, Shari Curtright, Kelly Calhoun, and Barbara Smith (guest)

 

The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Calhoun. 

 

Kathy Jaquet gave copies of the Treasurer’s report.   

 

SPECIAL ORDERS

 

The MBTS Board Roster was corrected; some revisions are still necessary. 

 

Kathy Jaquet gave the Treasurer’s Report with some corrections.  She initiated some discussion regarding a failure to establish a Budget for the Chocolate Festival BEFORE the actual Festival.  There are some expenses still outstanding from this year’s event.  Kathy made a motion that an initial Budget of $1,000.00 be set aside now for any expenses that may be incurred.  Kathy also suggested that a committee should be set up ASAP to oversee the finances for “all things “Chocolate Festival”. “  Fortunately for this year, many expenses (Advertising) were reimbursable through Grays Harbor Tourism.  It was also suggested that we ask the Vendors for a “kick-back”.  The Vendor fees will increase next year at least $10.00 more.   

A motion was made and seconded to table the motion on a Budget and Finance committee for the Chocolate Festival.

 

Kathy suggested that we take some time to consider these suggestions and to establish a Chairperson of the Finance Committee.  A Motion was made and seconded to ask Ynette Gibbs to be the Chair of the Finance Committee. 

 

Nick received information from New York State’s Attorney General’s Office giving the Criteria for operating a non-profit Museum.

 

Kelly reported that the Museum had 382 visitors in February 2008.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Kelly gave a brief update on the Chocolate Festival.  The current concern is that only five “Thank You” notes have been sent out; about 50 remain.  Kelly emphasized the importance of sending the Notes out ASAP.

 

The Depot Project:  We need to start writing letters to apply for Grants!

 

It was suggested that Stephan P. should head-up the committee for Museum Grants.  Nick sent for a CD that is most informative in Grant writing.  There is a lot of detail required that Nick does not have (Architectural Plans, Cost and Schedules, break-down of Materials needed, Environmental impact, ADA compliance, etc.).     The Grant Nick is working on is due on May 1, 2008; this Grant is available every other year and can be tracked on line.  Evidently, there is a Grant Manager for Grays Harbor County. 

 

Ron Hopkins completed the application to the Burlington Northern Foundation and did a great job!  Burlington Northern can take up to six months to make a decision.  He suggests waiting until Nick is ready to submit his Grant just to assure consistency between the two Grants.  Judy suggested that we all look at Nick’s Grant to see if there is anything missing.

 

The Beachcomber’s Fun Fair netted $437.80 which is very good for two days.  Eight Volunteers helped out.  This year, there was no charge for booth space.

 

The Museum has paid the Washington State Historical Society renewal.

The WMA offer “Heritage” Grants.  Kelly wants to check the detail on the Grant application.  It appears to be confusing.

 

Marjorie Johnson has suggested getting a picture taken of the Museum’s Charter Members, which would be Kelly, Lee, and Kathy.  Kelly wants ALL the Charter Members, which totals 63 people (in 2001). 

 

The Northern Pacific Convention will be held in Tacoma on July 15-19, and the Museum needs to be involved.  Kelly said he would clarify the amount for the entry fee (it’s either $85.00 per person or $85.00 per group).

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly found a piece of a shipwreck on the beach.  It was retrieved from the beach and won FIRST PLACE at the Beachcomber’s Fun Fair!  A photo appeared in the North Coast News.

Gary Hulet moved the piece at no cost to the Museum.  A Motion was made and seconded to make Gary Hulet and Honorary Member of the Museum.

 

It was discussed that we need Volunteers for the following events:

March 15 – Razor Clam Festival, from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March 16 – Avalon Glass Float Show – NO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.

May (Memorial Day Week-end) Museum’s Annual Garage Sale

The good news is that the Anchor Avenue Antiques and PAWS will take whatever we cannot sell.

 

June – Cape Elizabeth Walking Tour (tentative).  Fred Koontz has volunteered to take us on the tour; the tour must take place on the lowest possible tide.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Kelly asked the question “shall we advertise in the Beach Approach”?

Lee suggested asking for the non-profit rate.  The cost to advertise is $100.00 per ¼ page.  It would be a good place to advertise for our Museum events.

 

A motion was made and seconded to participate in this year’s Flag Day Parade in Ocean Shores.

 

Kelly reported that the Museum will be donating the book “Washington, Then and Now” and a Moclips Float made by the Avalon Glass Works to this year’s Fireman’s Ball.

 

Curator Compensation – everyone was in total agreement that Kelly Calhoun should be compensated as Curator of the Museum.  A Motion was made and seconded that Kelly should be paid for 15 hours per week at the current minimum wage.  We need the Finance Committee to research what the Museum can afford to pay.  Nick suggested $34,600.00, which is the going rate for Museum Curators.  Kelly needs to submit a job description, who he will answer to, etc.  All are in agreement that he needs to be compensated for running the Museum and related events.  Kelly said he will write his job description.

 

 

 

 

Kelly also brought up the fact that the Museum needs its own vehicle.  It would be perfect if someone would donate a vehicle.  We need to research the cost of Liability Insurance, the benefits of Leasing as opposed to Purchasing, etc.  Discussion on this issue will continue.

 

There was a brief presentation by Barb Smith from Grays Harbor Tourism on “Vision 2020” which asked the question “How do you want the Harbor to look in the future”?  (More jobs, better economy, improved infrastructure, arts and culture, safer neighborhoods, etc.)

Barb has offered her expertise to our community whenever we need her.

 

A motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting

 

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 13, 2008 AT THE OCEAN CREST

AT 4:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Additional Resources

Contact Kelly Calhoun, President by email at kelly@moclips.org