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Oakland
Museum Of California Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes
January
25, 2007
RESTAURANT
4:00 P. M. – 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Trustees
Dale Block, Christopher Curtis, Richard DeAtley,
Steven Douglas, Rich Edwards, Lori Fogarty, Lance Gyorfi, Jacqueline
Kane, Christopher McLain, John McDonald, Marianne Robison, Deborah
Roessler, Bruce Westphal, Sandra Wolfe, Penelope Wong, and Sheryl
Wong
Trustees
Excused:
John Bowe, Susan Chamberlin, Matthew Cox, Anthony
Harris, Darren Oliver, Phyllis Pfeiffer, Margaret Russell, Katherine
Shea, and Timothy Silva
Staff
Present:
Gail Bernstein, Robert Brown, Ann Dickson, Rue
Flaherty, Barbara Henry, Dorothy Hood, Mark Medeiros, Catherine
Millar, and Bernadette Powell, and Elizabeth Whipple
Volunteers
Present:
Gay Auerbach, Barbara Bream, Carol Carman, Sandra Coleman,
Lois Corrin, Yvonne McCredie, Mary Reynolds, and Susan Schroeder
Guests
Present:
Linda Crittondon and Dave Dunn
1.
CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS – Sheryl Wong
Chair Wong called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Sheryl Wong
After a quorum was established, a motion was duly made and seconded
(Kane/DeAtley), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the minutes of the November 30, 2006 Board of
Trustees meeting are approved as mailed.
3.
CHAIR'S REPORT – Sheryl Wong
Chair Wong read
a thank you note from former trustee Judi McKee who expressed
her appreciation for the gift certificate received from the
Board of Trustees and for the opportunity to work on the
board. Trustees were asked their opinion regarding the new
set up and testing use of microphones for the board meeting
and some trustees acknowledged their approval. Chair Wong
also reminded trustees to make their annual board gift, if
they haven’t done it already.
4.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT–Lori Fogarty
Executive Director Lori Fogarty announced the retirement of Natural Sciences
Curator Tom Steller and Grant Writer Jerry Daviee. Recruitment will begin immediately
to fill these positions. Recruitment is now taking place to fill the Senior Curator
of Art position, formerly held by Harvey Jones who recently retired. There is
also a search for a new museum store manager; this position has been upgraded
from what it was formerly.
The 100 Families opening exhibition was very successful.
Director of Professional Services Cherie Newell and her
staff did an excellent job in putting this project
together. Musical Masterpieces and In Search of Human Culture are two of several
upcoming Black History programs scheduled. The Oakland Museum, Laney College,
and actress Rhodessa Jones are working in collaboration for the In Search of
Human Culture event. Also, the Museum’s entire collection has been removed
from the Oakland Army Base. The completed move was made in three months, which
is much quicker than anticipated.
Trustees will receive a draft of the Strategic Plan for the
March meeting. The Strategic Plan and gallery renovation
plans will be discussed at the mini-board
retreat. The Art Gallery plans are complete and the History Gallery plans should
be completed by next spring. Staff is rethinking the plans for the Natural
Sciences Gallery and a planning grant has been applied
for.
Director Fogarty noted the completion of the move of the
Museum Collections to the new California Collections
and Research Center, and thanked John Burke for
leading this massive project. On a motion duly made and seconded (Gyorfi/Wolfe),
the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, the Oakland Museum of California possesses one of the
most important collections of California Art, History, and
Natural Sciences that celebrates the State of California; and
WHEREAS, over 200,000 items of the Museum’s collection
was moved from the Oakland Army Base to the Museum’s
new California Collections and Research Center within four
months;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the
Oakland Museum of California Foundation gratefully acknowledges
and warmly thanks the Museum staff, under the leadership of Chief
Conservator John Burke, for safely moving the complete Museum
collection to the new California Collections Center.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the Oakland Museum
of California Foundation recognizes and acknowledges Mr.
Burke and Museum staff for causing the relocation of the Museum’s
collection to be accomplished within the time and cost budget
as planned.
5. WOMEN'S
BOARD– Deborah Roessler
Trustee Roessler reported the Women’s Board awarded $100,000 to
the Museum’s Marketing and Communications Department to be used for promotion
and advertising to increase public awareness of the museum. A $150,000 grant
was made to the Art Department for the Yosemite: Art of American Icon exhibition
which opens in May. James Moore made a contribution to the White Elephant Sale
Preview Party and mentioned in his note that he will contribute as usual to the
Museum. Members were reminded the White Elephant Preview Sale will be held on
Sunday, January 28, 2007 and two Museum staff will be at the sale selling Museum
memberships..
6.
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Anthony Harris
In the absence of trustee Harris, Director of
Marketing Ann Dickson reported the committee held their
first meeting on December 14, 2006 and a special meeting
on January 16, 2007 and focused on establishing the committee’s
goals. One function of the committee will be to provide
advisory assistance to the Museum’s Marketing Department.
City of Oakland Marketing Manager Sammee Roberts and
Michael Dobrin of MD Public Relations have also joined
the Audience Development Committee.
Director Fogarty introduced Dave Dunn, Chairman of e-agency,
who has been retained to assist with institutional branding
strategies. Mr. Dunn reviewed his report on branding
that was distributed at the meeting and said it was important
to get the branding strategies right before spending
money on implementation, such as advertising. Starting
with the right strategies ensures that marketing the
Museum will be more effective. After questioning trustees
and guests as to what museum was the biggest in the Bay
Area, it came as a surprise to most to learn that the
Oakland Museum of California was the biggest in gallery
size. Mr. Dunn suggested a photo be taken that shows
the entire scope of the Museum and use this photo for
press releases.
In response to the revelation that the Oakland Museum
was the largest in the Bay Area, trustees made the following
comments:
o It is important that people feel that they are important
and that we care.
o What are the Museum visitor’s insights and
how can we learn from that?
o The Museum is concealed, it is almost bunker like.
o You have to have a large facility to show all the aspects
of California.
o You don’t go to a place because it big or has
a California collection. We have to have something
that visitors want to see.
o We have an opportunity to reinvent what a museum means
especially with the Irvine grant. We should do something
revolutionary that will bring people in.
Mr. Dunn said the term “biggest” should be
used selectively. Ms. Fogarty added that positioning
is a way to differentiate the museum; size is something
that people can grasp. This is something that should
be woven into the literature. The challenge is the process
of change, i.e., every time a visitor comes to the museum
something is different. Trustee Roessler said the 100
Families exhibition, created by families from diverse
backgrounds, is a good example of something different
and said the opening event for the exhibit was one of
the best events she has attended at the Museum.
Mr. Dunn suggested that institutional literature should
include information going back to the year 1916 when
the art museum was founded; this gives the Museum more
historical roots. Director Fogarty said that she and
Marketing Director Ann Dickson will be working with
Mr. Dunn to look at the key issues which are the logo and
graphic presentations. Mr. Dunn was thanked for his
presentation. 7.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – Sandra Wolfe
Trustee Wolfe said the committee established its goals for the year
and has already reached half its annual fundraising goal. The most
important goal for this year is to increase the gifts of $1,000 or
more. Bernadette Powell, Associate Director Institutional & Annual
Gifts, asked trustees to call and thank donors who have made a contribution
of $1,000 or more and requested that this be done by the next Development
Committee meeting on February 13th.
8.RENOVATION OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE REPORT – Lance Gyorfi
The
committee will meet February 1, 2007.
9. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT – Dale
Block
Trustee Block reported the committee will invite
six prospects to join the board in May. The committee
is also looking at candidates from the next generation,
former trustees, those who have specific skill sets,
and also to bring in candidates as a group to offset
when several trustees leave the board at the same
time.
10. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN REPORT– Sheryl
Wong
Three salons have been held, one with Patrick Gallagher,
a second with a tour of the Mathews exhibition followed
by a dinner at the home of trustee Block; the other
with Karen Moss of the Orange County Museum of Art
who gave a presentation on contemporary California
art followed by a question and answer period with
Senior Curator of Art Karen Tsujimoto. More of these
events will be held in the future. Ms. Wong reminded
members that there will be a reunion of trustees
on February 10, 2007 at the CCRC and will be hosted
by Daryl and John Lillie. 11.
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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