Executive Board Meeting Present: Jerry Francis, Leon Levine, Alison Graham, Phil Eidelson, Jack Hagner, Joanne Murray, Betty Cannon, Andy Amsterdam, TedGoldsborough, Ross Mitchell, Bruce Reed, Max Buten, Jim Easter, and Bobbie McElroy. Excused Absences: Denise Francis, Dennis Montagna, Anna O'Hora, and Hamill Horne. Jerry Francis called the meeting to order at 7:43 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the January 18, 2007 Board Meeting were unanimously approved. President's Report: Jerry Francis read the Nominating Committee's Report which nominated Joanne Murray to fill a vacancy of Directoron the Board in the Class of 2009. Ted Goldsborough made the motion to accept the committee's recommendation, Alison seconded themotion, and there was unanimous approval. In addition to her duties in the Library, Joanne has volunteered to assist the Society indeveloping program events for the public. Treasurer's Report: Jerry presented the "2006 Financial Review Report" that had been prepared by Philip and Ann Bagley. The Boardunanimously approved this report. Jack Hagner presented the "Statement of Financial Position" as of May 31, 2007. The net worth shows $62,313, which is about a $2,000increase from our January 1, 2007 Report. A motion was made, seconded and there was unanimous approval to accept the Statement ofFinancial Position Report. Jack then presented a proposed "Budget for the Year 2007." It reflects a net profit of approximately $5,000 for the year. A motionwas made, seconded and there was unanimous approval to accept the 2007 Budget Report. Many thanks to Jack for all his hard work. Education: From January thru June of this year, the Society presented 21 lectures and events with approximately 690 people inattendance. We have Ted Goldsborough to thank for the success of this program because he personally participated in 13 of theseevents. Ted reported that in past years, a School District staff member coordinated with the Society and prepared a master schedule with thevarious elementary schools for the bus tours and the intergenerational interviews. This year, no one from the School District wasassigned to take up this scheduling job, so schools were told to coordinate the 2-hour bus tours themselves. Of the 6 schools, 4 didmake arrangements and 2 did not. For the intergenerational interviews, only 2 schools participated. Cynwyd Train Station: Bruce Reed reported on progress of the train station project. An effort is being made to get SEPTA to allow thefunding from the Township of Lower Merion and Montgomery County to flow through the Historical Society. It is anticipated that theTownship and the County will each provide $225,000. Tom Ellis, a Montgomery County Commissioner and SEPTA Board member is taking thelead on the negotiations between SEPTA and the Society. Jerry reported that the hope was to have a lease by today's meeting, but thereremains a few open issues between SEPTA and the Society. It is anticipated that the lease agreement and project proposal will bepresented to the SEPTA Board at their July 27th meeting. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved, to give Jerry and hissub-committee full trust and confidence to get the necessary approvals and move forward on the project. Library and Website: Donations from the public continue to be made that has greatly enhanced our various library collections. Withall these new additions, Phil Eidelson has kept the database up to date. Just in these past few weeks, we've added 45 items into ourbook collection. Our website continues to grow and we are receiving approximately 700 visitors per day. Our 12 month total, from June 2006 thru May2007, had 208,303 visitors. Membership: Second Notices will be mailed in about 2 weeks. Program/325th Anniversary Celebration & Booklet: The 325th year of William Penn's vision will be celebrated over the next severalmonths. The Merion Meeting, the General Wayne Inn and Harriton House will be the center of the festivities. The Township of LowerMerion has authorized a budget of $25,000 to cover the costs of production and distribution of an Anniversary Booklet. The printquantity is 40,000 units and copies with be mailed to every household in Lower Merion and Narberth. Old Business: Nothing to report. New Business: Jerry reported that, over the summer months, the Lower Merion School District will be doing extensive repairs to the sunporch and patio areas of the building. It is estimated that these repairs will cost approximately $71,000 and will involve masonrywork to the patio area and the removal of lead paint from the sun porch windows and the patio railings. This work is much appreciatedby the Historical Society and the Academy Trustees. The following expenditures were discussed and unanimously approved by the Board. Our 2007 Budget should be updated to reflect thesenew expenses.
Next Board Meeting Thursday, September 20, 2007 The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 PM Respectfully Submitted, |