City of Jacksonville Heritage Cultural Center Board met Nov. 4.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, the November board meeting was held at the Jacksonville Area Museum building (Old Post Office) with a teleconferencing option available in accordance with the suspension of the requirement of the Illinois Open Meetings Act requiring in person attendance by members of a public body during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by David Blanchette, Chairman. Those present included David Blanchette, Chad Boehlke, John Clancy, Diane Hollendonner, Kyla Hurt, Laura Marks, Greg Olson, James Pisell, and Samantha Sauer. Absent were Jane Breen, Patsy Erickson (Emeritus), Nick Little, Tiffany Warmowski, Brittany Henry (Ex-Officio), and Judy Tighe (Ex-Officio). Steve Varble attended as marketing consultant.
The minutes of the October 7, 2021 board meeting were approved as distributed.
Treasurer James Pisell reported that the checking account balance was $50969.89 at the end of September. Receipts were $9,231.00 and expenses were $2036.13 including monthly bills (George Alarm and garbage pickup), office supplies/printing/postage, and exhibit construction.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Administrative: The nominations for the 2022 slate of officers were presented: Chairman, David Blanchette; Vice-Chairman/Treasurer James Pisell; and Secretary, Diane Hollendonner. Voting will take place at the December board meeting.
The draft copy of a job description for the position of Jacksonville Area Museum Manager was distributed with opportunity for comments from the board. Discussion included the need to have a staff member to make progress towards the museum’s success, the need to log hours based upon work for the museum or the MacMurray Foundation in order to apply for future grants, and the question of handling fundraising projects. It was voted to establish the position of JAM Manager with a vote on the final job description details to be made at the December board meeting after additional changes are made. It is expected that fundraising will be carried out by the JAM Foundation and the MacMurray Foundation in the future, and that Blanchette will continue to handle recruitment of volunteers.
Blanchette will investigate options for snow removal for the parking areas, sidewalks, and front steps.
The MacMurray Foundation would like to rent storage space in the building for miscellaneous items (sports team uniforms, advertising items, commemorative plates, etc.). Jim Pisell pointed out that space will be needed to store the packing crates from the Smithsonian exhibit as well as the display items to be removed from the west exhibit hall. The discussion will be continued at the December board meeting after getting an estimate of how much space the Foundation will need and how much space is available.
The volunteer schedule continues to fill up well. The Postmaster’s Office retains heat so doors should remain open to allow the air to circulate.
Laura Marks and Steve Varble are working on a draft of topics for the Capps exhibit. Greg Olson will serve as chairman of this exhibit. A list of artifacts is needed to further develop the exhibit.
Fundraising: No grants are pending at this time. The Jacksonville Area Children’s Foundation would be a good grant opportunity if a program for children could be developed. Laura and Steve mentioned historical “cut-outs” for photo shots as a fun possibility.
The Jacksonville Area Museum Foundation is still waiting for word from the Illinois Attorney General’s office about the application for incorporation before they can officially operate as a not for-profit. Memberships are still coming in every day. Blanchette brought in a carton of Jacksonville postcards from photographs he had taken that could be sold for $5/set.
Collections: It was voted to accept several new items into the museum’s collection, including a box from the State Hospital by Nick Little, items from Dr. Bone/Passavant Hospital (scale, amputation saw), and a Jacksonville map by Kyla Hurt.
Exhibits: The idea for an Elf on the Shelf holiday promotion will be tabled until next year. It was voted to authorize spending up to $500 to rent a truck and insurance from ABC Moving for Dave and Jim to transport the Voices and Votes exhibit to Jacksonville. It is expected that the exhibit will arrive on November 16, with assembly on November 17, followed by a docent training on November 18. There will be a member preview on November 19 and the exhibit opening address on November 20 by Dr. E. Claire Jerry from the Smithsonian. Hamilton’s is donating space on November 20 for the opening address.
Promotion: Podcasting still needs access to a credit/debit account to set up payments to BuzzSprout, the hosting service. Pisell/Varble will work on this.
Steve Varble said the museum website is progressing and still needs content to be added. Updates for the Voices and Votes exhibit need to be added and information about the grand opening deleted. Facebook historical posts and information about Illinois Stories received good response from the public.
Promotions/advertising for Voices and Votes needs to be set up soon.
OLD BUSINESS: The museum banner in front of the building will be taken down. The sign hasn’t been installed yet. Steve Varble ordered 15 more light fixtures and has prepared some pieces to be returned. There are some outside lights that need turned on but haven’t been able to locate the switch yet.
NEW BUSINESS: Chad Boehlke brought up the need for mailboxes in the office area to provide a place for staff and board messages. A monthly update on the number of visitors is needed for future board meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 2, 5:15 p.m., at the Old Post Office building, 301 E. State Street. Social distancing rules will be observed and call-in option is available upon request.
With no further business or announcements to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
http://cms6.revize.com/revize/jacksonvilleil/city_government/boards_commissions_and_committees/docs/Boards%20Commissions%20Committees/HCC_Minutes/2021/Minutes%2011.04.2021.pdf
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