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Oakland
Museum Of California Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes
November 30, 2006
JAMES MOORE THEATER
4:00 P. M. – 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Trustees
Dale Block, Matthew Cox, Christopher Curtis, Steven Douglas,
Rich Edwards, Lori Fogarty, Lance Gyorfi, Jacqueline Kane, John
McDonald, Darren Oliver, Marianne Robison, Deborah Roessler,
Katherine Shea, Bruce Westphal, Penelope Wong, and Sheryl Wong.
Trustees
Excused:
John Bowe, Susan Chamberlin, Richard DeAtley,
Anthony Harris, Christopher McLain, Phyllis Pfeiffer, Margaret
Russell, Timothy Silva, and Sandra Wolfe.
Staff
Present:
Ann Dickson, Dorothy Hood, Harvey Jones,
Linda Larkin, Mark Medeiros, Catherine Millar, and Bernadette
Powell.
Volunteers
Present:
Gay Auerbach, Barbara Bream, Sandra Coleman, Susan Schroeder,
and Yvonne McCredie.
Guests
Present:
Linda Crittondon, Daryl Lillie, and John Lillie
1.
CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS – Sheryl Wong
Chair Wong called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m. and introduced
Daryl and John Lillie. As a trustee whose term has ended, Ms.
Lillie was presented a departing gift by Lance Gyorfi who thanked
her for her service and also for being a good ally and counselor
to him and other trustees. Ms. Lillie thanked all trustees
and the Nominating Committee for their assistance in bringing
in new board members. She also suggested that a committee of
retired trustees be formed with one member attending the board
of trustees meetings as a representative of the committee.
Chair Wong thanked both Daryl and John Lillie for all they
have done and gave additional acknowledgment to John Lillie
for his support, advice and counsel.
Chair Wong
introduced Senior Curator of Art Harvey Jones who will retire
at the end of this year after 36 years of service.
Ms. Wong read the following resolution honoring Mr. Jones:
WHEREAS, The Oakland Museum of California is a renowned cultural
institution focusing on the creative development of California
as well as its history and natural environment; and
WHEREAS, The Oakland Museum possesses one of the most important
collections of California Art in the world and presents a dynamic
exhibition program celebrating California artists from the 19th
century through today; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Jones has served the Oakland Museum of California
for 36 years and has been central to the development and stature
of the Museum’s Art Department throughout its history;
and
WHEREAS, as Senior Curator of Art, Harvey Jones organized major
exhibitions, including three exhibitions of Arthur and Lucia Mathews
including the definitive exhibition and publication of their work
currently on view; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Jones has been responsible for major acquisitions
to the collection including Thomas Moran’s “Back of
South Dome from the Trail New Vernal Falls,” Grafton Tyler
Brown’s “Thunder Storm Across San Francisco Bay,” and
Alice B. Chittenden’s “Arranging Chrysanthemums;” and
WHEREAS, Harvey Jones is known as one of the foremost scholars
and curators of California Art, has served this institution with
great devotion, and has represented the Museum to the community
of artists, collectors, volunteers and visitors with true distinction;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Trustees of the Oakland Museum
of California Foundation gratefully acknowledge Harvey Jones for
his years of dedication and service on behalf of the Museum and
the arts in California; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, the Board of Trustees offers its warmest thanks
and lasting friendship to Harvey Jones and extends its best wishes
to him upon his retirement.
Ms. Wong announced the foundation will be making a donation
to the Art Acquisition Fund in honor of Mr. Jones and said others
can also make a contribution if they wish.
Trustee John McDonald announced that Chevron Corporation made
the second installment of $200,000 towards the company’s
$1.0 million pledge to the Capital Campaign and has also contributed
$40,000 towards the Family Explorations fund. Chair Wong thanked
Mr. McDonald for his passion and help in getting this done.
Through the effort of trustee Anthony Harris, OneCalifornia
Bank has contributed $10,000 for the 100 Families exhibition.
Thanks
were also given to Phil Linhares and John Burke who have cultivated
donors recently for contributions toward conservation of art
works. 2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Sheryl Wong
After a quorum was established, a motion was duly made and seconded
(Curtis/Roessler), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the minutes of the October 26, 2006 Annual Board
of Trustees meeting are approved as mailed.
On a motion duly made and seconded (Gyorfi/Oliver), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the minutes of October 26, 2006 Regular Board
of Trustees meeting are approved as mailed.
3. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT – Christopher McLain
In the absence of trustee McLain, trustee Matthew Cox noted that
the audit was completed two months earlier than last year.
Paul O’Grady and Deborah Tadlock, auditors from Armanino
McKenna, were introduced and gave an overview of the 2006
Audit Report. Some of the highlights mentioned were there
was an increase in assets over the prior year due to the
funds raised by the Gala and the Charitable Remainder Trust;
results of the fraud testing showed there was no fraud committed;
just a few auditor adjustments had to be made; and the foundation
received an unqualified statement. On behalf of the Audit
Committee, trustee Cox thanked Mr. O’Grady and Ms.
Tadlock for their work. Trustee Cox said the auditor’s
management letter with recommendations will be ready in the
next two weeks.
Deputy Director
Mark Medeiros dedicated the Audit Report to Daryl and John
Lillie because they set the standard and brought donations
up to a higher level.
On a motion
duly made and seconded (Shea/Gyorfi) the following resolution
was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the 2006 Audit Report for the Oakland Museum
of California Foundation is approved.
4.
CHAIR’S REPORT – Sheryl Wong
Chair Wong noted the dates of the scheduled board and committee meetings for
2007 and also asked that members review the distributed list of committee assignments
for any errors. Each committee chair has been asked to set three or four goals
for the year. This will be an opportunity to step back and refocus on what needs
to be done. Committee chairs have been encouraged to add community members to
committees, and in that regard, several retired board members will work on various
committees.
5. EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Lori Fogarty
Director Fogarty said an update of the renovation of the Art Gallery will
be given at the next board meeting. The museum will host an event for Mayor-elect
Ron Dellums on Thursday, January 11, 2007 with some staff and trustees on hand
to meet and greet guests. On January 12, 2007, there will be a sneak preview
of the 100 Families Oakland: Art and Social Change exhibition with Ron Dellums
in attendance. The 100 Families project is funded by philanthropist Noel Perry.
Mr. Perry was inspired to fund the project after viewing the work of artist Mildred
Howard who created an altar for the 2003 Days of the Dead exhibition honoring
those killed in Oakland the previous year.Trustee Christopher Curtis and Director
of Professional Services Cherie Newell have nursed this project along since
its inception.
Ms. Newell showed a video regarding 100 Families Oakland
that gave an overview of the project and how it connected
to the various Oakland communities. Various
family members came together to work in creating a piece of art as a family.
Sonia Manjon is the director of the project and Mildred Howard is the curator
of the exhibit. The hope is to continue this program and to get additional
funding from other sources.
Chair Wong said the exhibit at the Oakland Airport by
Hung Liu, Going Away, Coming Home, is a great show case
for the airport and a great collaboration
with the
museum. Director of Professional Services Cherie Newell and her staff were
thanked for the outstanding work done on this exhibition. Ms. Wong also
reviewed some
of the media coverage for the Mathews and Hung Liu exhibitions and thanked
the Marketing Department for their efforts.
6.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE – Daryl Lillie
The Corporate Committee has met twice and trustees
were asked to make recommendations for companies that
should be approached for contributions to the Capital
Campaign. The Individual(s) Donor Committee has started
holding salons with the first one being a dinner with
exhibit designer Patrick Gallagher at the museum and
the second was a tour of the Mathews exhibit with Harvey
Jones, followed by dinner hosted in the home of Dale
Block.
Linda Larkin, Associate Director-Capital Campaign, reviewed
the Development Department’s 2006/2007 financial
report. She noted that Chevron sent in their second installment
of $200,000 toward their Capital Campaign pledge of $1
million. The Bechtel Foundation was asked for a $100,000
grant and awarded $200,000.
Ms. Larkin also said former trustee Mel Harrison hosted
a dinner at his home; there are plans to hold other
events at the CCRC; and another dinner with Patrick Gallagher,
of Gallagher Associates, will be held in March 2007.
All trustees were sent a letter from Chair Wong regarding
the Capital Campaign. Included with the letter was
a note card that can be used to thank donors or as a follow
up to people trustees have been courting. 7.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Sandra Wolfe
In the absence of trustee Wolfe, Development Director
Catherine Millar reported the Development Committee will meet four
times a year and announced the next committee meeting will be held
in December where members will establish the Development Committee
goals. Ms. Millar reviewed the Development Department’s Goal
Report for 2006/2007, which was distributed at the meeting. The department
has reached 30% of its goal to raise $2,156,925. Unrestricted gifts
are 20% of goal and more work will be put into bringing in more donors.
Bernadette Powell, Associate Director – Institutional & Annual
Gifts, was introduced and is responsible for making the Annual Fund
work. The Savin Foundation awarded the museum a $20,000 challenge
grant in support of increasing donations of $1,000 and above. Ms.
Millar asked for suggestions regarding improving the format of the
Goal Report and Ms. Wong asked those trustees who have not sent in
their pledges to please do so.
8.FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT – Rich
Edwards
Trustee Edwards reported that after four months into
the budget cycle there is a deficit but this is
predominantly due to timing issues. Factors behind
this include the fact that school groups don't
visit the museum during the first quarter of the
budget cycle and donors generally wait until the
near the end of the calendar year to make contributions.
Several major exhibitions opened this fall and
the costs of installing the exhibitions fell into
the first part of the fiscal year. In order to
better forecast and track revenues and expenses,
beginning next fiscal year each museum department
will do monthly budgets as part of the annual budget.
Mr. Edwards said the Foundation’s endowment
continues to grow as a consequence of the strong
stock market rally in the second half of calendar
2006. The Finance Committee is working with the finance
staff to monitor cash flows monthly, along with projections
for the upcoming 12 months, for both operations and
the capital campaign. A procedure has begun this
fall where twice each fiscal year earned revenue
department managers will report to the Finance Committee.
The committee has already met with the managers of
Professional Services and the Museum Store, which
is managed by Director of Marketing Ann Dickson,
and will meet with other managers at the next Finance
Committee meeting.
9. RENOVATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT – Lance
Gyorfi
Trustee Gyorfi reported the Decision Committee reviewed
and approved the revised budget of $53.0 million
and authorized the architects to proceed with the
design.
10. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT – Dale
Block and Matthew Cox
Trustee Block thanked Daryl Lillie for her service
as chair of the Nominating Committee. Ms. Block said
the committee will probably hold four meetings in
2007. The committee would like to bring in at least
six new members and is in the process of identifying
prospects in addition to a couple of candidates that
are now being considered. Presently, the Board of
Trustees makeup consists of thirteen males, eleven
females, and a good representation from both Alameda
and Contra Costa Counties. The desire is to recruit
individuals who are Latinos; individuals from San
Francisco; and individuals who have fundraising skills
and/or are knowledgeable of corporations. Trustees
were encouraged to recommend potential candidates
and also attend the Nominating Committee meetings.
11. WOMEN’S BOARD REPORT – Deborah
Roessler
Trustee Roessler reported the Women’s Board
granted $70,000 for the Days of the Dead exhibit,
$50,000 for Sports Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers,
and $15,000 for 101 Families Oakland: Art and Social
Change.
Ms. Roessler said Women’s Board members were
pleased to be the first guests at the new Collections
Center facility. Also, the White Elephant Preview
Sale will be held on January 28, 2007 and plans are
being made to have a museum membership table at the
preview and regular sale days. Donations can be dropped
off at the warehouse on December 16, 2006 and Monday
through Saturday in January 2007. There is a three
week wait for donation pickups and all were encouraged
to call as soon as possible if the pickup service
was needed.
There was a concern that the White Elephant Sale
facility would be considered a recycling center
and the unsold merchandise, such as televisions,
microwave
ovens, etc., would have to be disposed of according
to state law. However, legal counsel has advised
that the facility is considered a retail outlet.
12. OTHER
Chair Wong said an effort is being made to get
speakers to come to board meetings to speak on
the latest
technology, trends in exhibit design, program and
educational innovation in museums. She invited
trustees to make suggestions regarding speakers
and topics.
Director Fogarty said copies of the James Irvine
Foundation papers on None-Profit Arts in California
will be sent to trustees. Ms. Wong said she would
like to have a website that is dedicated to trustees
so that trustees could access various reports. Ms.
Fogarty has been talking with the Marketing Director
about including trustees on the museum’s intranet.
13.
ADJOURNEMENT – Sheryl Wong
There being
no further
business
Chair Wong
adjourned
the meeting
at 5:55 p.m.
Christopher
McLain
Secretary
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