Approved Minutes Quarterly Board of Trustees Meeting Executive Conference Room 2500 West Broad Street. January 26, :00 pm

Transcription

1 Approved Minutes Quarterly Board of Trustees Meeting Executive Conference Room 2500 West Broad Street 3:00 pm Present: David Botkins, Elsa Falls, Richard Groover, Eucharia Jackson, Margaret Lewis, Matt Mansell, Patricia Nicoson, Pamela Thomas Northam, Mary Ellen Pauli Staff: Richard Conti, Chuck English, Nina Johnson, Kinsey Peeler, Saa dia Talbert Other Attendees: A. Cameron O Brion, Assistant Attorney General Brian Ford, President Science Museum of Virginia Foundation Board of Directors Lauren Mathena, President Danville Science Center Foundation Board of Directors Ms. Lewis called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Welcome Ms. Lewis welcomed new board members to the meeting. Elsa Falls Patricia Nicoson Pamela Thomas Northam Approval of Minutes Ms. Lewis called for a motion to approve the minutes. Upon motion made by Mr. Groover and seconded by Mr. Botkins, the October 20, 2016 minutes were unanimously carried. Dashboard Mr. Conti reviewed the Dashboard handout. The Dashboard provides a high level, quantitative review of the Museum s strategic performance.

2 Page 2 of 5 Danville Science Center Ms. Mathena, President, Danville Science Center Foundation Board of Directors, highlighted the following: During st Quarter museum design firm Roto was engaged to develop a design to modernize and transform Danville Science Center s exhibits and facilities. The resulting master plan includes two new permanent exhibits, a dedicated early childhood space, a smaller traveling exhibit gallery, a new multi-purpose space, a creativity lab and outdoor features. During the 2 nd Quarter, the master plan was shared with the Danville City Council and will be presented to the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. Mangum Economics was engaged to conduct an economic impact study. At the start of the 3 rd Quarter, Del. Marshall and Sen. Stanley submitted a budget amendment requesting $250,000 in pre-planning funds. The initial estimate for the full implementation of the Master Plan is $10M making it the largest fundraising endeavor the Danville Science Center has ever embarked upon. Director s Report Mr. Conti highlighted the following: First half of performance has been great. A year ago two-thirds of the building was out of circulation. General Assembly Session priority is Danville Science Center The Dome is being renovated to add seats to the center section. Dewey Gottwald Center completion scheduled for end of March. Spring programming: Washed Ashore traveling exhibition opens March 4 th - Big Dream (film on engineering) opens April 15 davinci Alive biggest exhibition ever done by the Museum public opening May 13 th Parking Deck signing design contract with Glave and Holmes Architects The Forge raising funds for the last major indoor space in the Museum Science Museum of Virginia Foundation Update Mr. Ford highlighted the following: Five new Foundation Board members Staffing changes in the foundation two people left for other positions Membership: December 2016 was the biggest Membership month EVER (surpassing June 2016, which surpassed May 2016) Raising funds for The Forge second floor gallery received a $500,000 challenge grant from the Cabell Foundation STEM Awards February 23 rd Illumination Gala April 8 th Discussed ways to get engaged in the Foundation s funding projects

3 Page 3 of 5 o The Illumination Gala o The Capital Campaign to support The Forge o Annual Fund o The Cabell Foundation challenge Three major ways working with potential donors o Stock giving o People who are over 70 years of age can now give $100,000 a year tax free to a non-profit organization o Beneficiary designation of life insurance policy or IRA Finance Committee Report Ms. Lewis reviewed the fiscal performance for 2 nd Quarter FY17 (period July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016). Ms. Lewis along with the board congratulated Ms. Saa dia Talbert who has been selected by the National Board of Association of Government Accountants for the Slate of National Officers. Ms. Talbert will hold the position of Regional Vice President, Richmond Chapter in On behalf of the Finance Committee, Ms. Lewis put forth the recommendation that the Board of Trustees approve Resolution # transferring funds from the Trustee Discretionary Fund. Upon motion made by Mr. Mansell, the recommendation from the Finance Committee unanimously carried to approve Resolution # Resolution # : Approval to Reduce the Fund Transfer for Website, Dome Promotions, and Speed opening and allocate funds for the opening of Da Vinci Alive along with Interior Refurbishment. Mr. Groover officially complimented the Museum staff for being under budget half way through the year. Education Committee Report Mr. English highlighted the following: During fall 2016 (within the span of less than a month), the Museum trained over 115 educators across the Commonwealth to facilitate STEM programming in private schools, public schools and libraries. Danville Science Center is starting their own Out of School Time program afterschool STEM activities. A full time person was hired who will be working at five different sites. Mr. Conti explained the Museum s collection policy as it relates to the deaccessioning of items. Mr. Conti stated the following four items are proposed items for deaccession. The four items are not within the Science Museum s collecting policy.

4 Page 4 of 5 Item #1: SP1988.3/VAM American Aerolight Eagle Canard, pusher ultralight aircraft Item #2: SMp1987.1/VAM Eipper Quicksilver MX Mono-wing glider Item #3: SMp1988.1/VAM Cirrus 2 Rogolla-wing hand glider Item #4: Street Car #192 Pending board approval, this item will be transferred to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. On behalf of the Education Committee, Mr. Conti put forth the recommendation that the Board of Trustees approve the deaccession of the four items listed. Upon motion made by Ms. Pauli the recommendation from the Education Committee unanimously carried for deaccession. Brand Strategy Mr. Botkins reviewed the Strategic Communications Overview along with Partnerships and Promotions. The new Marketing Director will start on February 10 th. Strategic Planning Mr. Conti reviewed FY-17 Strategic Work Plan: The Museum will develop and implement a dedicated program to attract more low income families. The Museum will refine and enhance its current outcome metrics to better meet the requirements of funders. A formalized process to ensure the scientific accuracy of all of the Museum s content will be developed and implemented. The Museum will explore a potential partnership with the Children s Science Center and develop and implement a Memorandum of Understanding to guide this relationship.

5 Page 5 of 5 The Volunteer program will be revitalized to attract additional talent to deliver a diverse and inclusive guest experience for our new galleries and events. New Board Officers/Committee Chairs/Committee Members New Trustee Board officers o David Botkins, Chair o Glenn Davidson, Vice Chair o Eucharia Jackson, Secretary Ms. Lewis called for a motion to approve the new slate of officers. Upon motion made by Ms. Pauli and seconded by Mr. Mansell, the motion was unanimously carried. New Committee Chairs o Eucharia Jackson, Brand Strategy Committee o Glenn Davidson, Education Committee o Richard Groover, Finance Committee o Matt Mansell, Strategic Planning Committee Ms. Lewis called for a motion to approve the new Committee Chairs. Upon motion made by Mr. Mansell and seconded by Ms. Nicoson, the motion was unanimously carried. Mr. Conti expressed what an honor and privilege it has been to work with someone like Ms. Lewis who has intellect, skills, ability, style and passion. Mr. Conti feels he is a better Director in having had a chance to work with Ms. Lewis. On behalf of the Museum family, a donation was made to a scholarship fund for nurses at John Tyler Community College. Ms. Lewis was also presented with a Science Museum of Virginia pillow. Ms. Lewis thanked everybody. Adjournment With no further business, Ms. Lewis adjourned the meeting at 4:08 p.m. The next meeting will convene April 27, 2017.