Board of Trustees

Oakland Museum Of California Board Of Trustees Meeting
January 22, 2004
Museum Restaurant
4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Trustees Present:

William Chiasson, Virginia Furth, Lance Gyorfi, Anthony Harris, Melvin Harrison, Harold Jones, Ted Lagreid, Daryl Lillie, John McDonald, Judith McKee, Christopher McLain, Kirk Miller, Missy Nelson, María Ochoa, Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Dennis Power, Marianne Robison, Margaret Russell, Katherine McKenney Shea, Pamela Sher, and Mary Perry Smith

Trustees Excused:

Ophelia Basgal, Christopher Curtis, Richard DeAtley, Phyllis Pfeiffer, and Brian Washington

Staff Present: 

Jan Berckefeldt, Dorothy Hood, Philip Linhares, Dahlia Massehian, Mark Medeiros, Anne Spears-Dickson, Tom Steller, and Licia Wells

Volunteers Present:

Sue Cake, Lois Corrin, Elizabeth Hook, Mary Reynolds, Jeanne Ryan, and Helen Tryon

1. CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

Chairman Jackalyne Pfannenstiel called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. Trustee Lillie introduced and welcomed new trustee María Ochoa who is a professor at San Jose State University.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

On a motion duly made and seconded (Russell/Harrison), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the November 20, 2003, Board of Trustees meeting be approved as mailed.

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

Trustees were asked to vote on the reelection of Pamela Sher to serve a second term. On a motion duly made and seconded (Gyorfi/Robison), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that Pamela Sher is reelected to the Oakland Museum of California Foundation Board of Trustees to serve a second term ending in October 2006.

Chair Pfannenstiel announced trustee William Chiasson will serve as chair of the Finance Committee. A tentative schedule of Board of Trustees meetings with possible activities was distributed. Trustees were encouraged to give their feedback regarding the schedule and activities. The February 26, 2004, Board of Trustees meeting will be held at the Women’s Board’s White Elephant Sale warehouse.

Trustee Richard DeAtley has agreed to chair the Earned Revenue subcommittee. Discussions are being held with the Harvard Business School Community Partners for their assistance in establishing a business plan for the Foundation.

The Foundation has retained the services of the law firm Miller Brown & Dannis to serve as counsel and assist the Foundation and staff through legal issues and contracting resulting from the renovation process. Several law firms submitted proposals but Miller Brown & Dannis quoted the lowest price and they are competent and qualified.

In response to trustees’ inquiries as to what is expected of them, Development Director Jan Berckefeldt said it is important that trustees make their annual gift or pledge. In order to reach the goal for the year, trustees contributions should be in by June 30, 2004. However, to determine if the goal will be met, trustees were asked to inform the Development Department what they intend to give before June 30th. This year, there is an additional request being made of trustees for the Gala. Gala participation is important and trustees were encouraged to buy a table or tickets to this event. What is expected of trustees regarding the Capital Campaign is something that has to be developed but all trustees must participate in giving to the campaign. Also, there are other events, such as the upcoming Donor Forum reception that trustees’ were urged to attend.

As trustees may not be able to attend all events, Ms. Berckefeldt said a rating system could be created that would indicate events by priority. This evening’s reception for the Trustee Reunion is an example of a high priority event that trustees should attend. The invitees to this event are people who most likely will be donors to the Capital Campaign. An evaluation of this event will be conducted and trustees were encouraged to give their feedback. Trustees were asked to report any information by completing a form that will be sent out to them or by e-mailing or telephoning the information. Dr. Power said guests at the reception will not be solicited for money but will be introduced to the Master Plan. They will be given first knowledge as to what is being planned for the museum.

Ms. Berckefeldt said that members for the Capital Campaign Cabinet have been recruited and will meet on February 3, 2004. It probably will be in February or March before a campaign plan is determined. Pledges will be taken over a five-year period.

Chairman Pfannenstiel thanked former co-chairs Ted Lagreid and Christopher McLain for their leadership of the Board of Trustees during the prior year. On a motion duly made and seconded (McKee/Gyorfi) the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, Ted G. Lagreid/Christopher McLain served as co-chair of the Oakland Museum of California Foundation Board of Trustees from October 2002 through October 2003; and

Whereas, during Mr. Lagreid’s/Mr. McLain’s term, the Oakland Museum of California enjoyed success unequalled in its history, and, in particular, the opportunity to maximize the value of the Measure G proceeds providing for Museum renovation, expansion, and modernization; and

Whereas, as a result of the passage of Measure G, the Museum’s ability to fulfill its mission, provide educational opportunity, and build audience is greatly enhanced; and

Whereas, Mr. Lagreid’s/Mr. McLain’s support of Measure G and his leadership in all aspects of the Board’s and Museum’s work was both critical to its passage and the subsequent wise use of the resulting proceeds;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees offers its deepest thanks and appreciation to Mr. Lagreid/ Mr. McLain for his time, commitment, imagination and leadership on behalf of the Museum and the people of Oakland; and

Resolved Further, the Board is grateful to Mr. Lagreid/Mr. McLain for his continued Board service and friendship.

5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

No report.

6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Dennis M. Power

Executive Director Power reported on the Henry J. Kaiser: Think Big exhibit, which will open to the public the coming weekend. Funds were raised for the exhibit by retired Kaiser executives. The Kaiser Permanente was the lead donor. There are many events planned around this exhibit with an opening reception on Friday, January 23, 2004. There also will be a Donor Forum and this should be considered a priority event that trustees should attend.

Brochures were distributed that listed the scheduled Black History month programs and also a brochure for In Our Own Voice: The Making of a Korean Community. A successful Lunar New Year event was held at the museum on the weekend with a multi-ethnic audience of over 1400 people in attendance.

A final draft of the memo of understanding between the city and Foundation is under review by the city regarding architectural work for the Master Plan. A proposal for exhibit gallery design has been received from Gallagher and Associates. It is being reviewed.

7. RENOVATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE – Lance Gyorfi

No report.

8. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Richard DeAtley and Virginia Furth

No report.

9. NOMINATING COMMITTTEE – Daryl Lillie

No report.

10. FINANCE COMMITTEE – William Chiasson

No report.

11. WOMEN’S BOARD – Mary Perry Smith

Trustee Smith reported the Women’s Board donated $20,000 to the Henry J. Kaiser exhibit. Also, the Women’s Board has established guidelines and procedures for expending money from their Acquisition Fund.

Donations can be brought to the White Elephant Sale (WES) warehouse until Saturday, January 24, 2004. After the Preview Sale, donations will again be accepted beginning on February 4, 2004. Trustee Smith thanked trustee Jones and the Port of Oakland for the billboard advertising the WES. Also, guest shopping days for trustees are February 4 – February 28, 2004 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; trustees should wear their Board of Trustees name badges for admittance to the warehouse. Trustee Smith said all left over items from the sale are sent to various charitable groups.

12. OTHER

Gala Committee – Daryl Lillie
Trustee Virginia Furth said trustees need to respond by January 26, 2004 in order to have their names listed in the Gala program. It is hoped that each trustee will buy at least two tickets. So far, the sale of tickets and corporate donations total $190,925, which is half way to the goal. Corporate underwriting totals $90,500.

California Collection and Research Center – Melvin Harrison
Trustee Harrison said the plans for the California Collection and Research Center will be changed and scaled down. However, he will continue to seek funds to put up a new building and asked trustees for their ideas and suggestions.

Art Guild Trip – Philip Linhares
Chief Curator of Art Philip Linhares reviewed the itinerary for Art Guild and Board of Trustees trip on Saturday, March 27, 2004. A bus will be provided and will leave from the museum at 8:30 a.m. and return at 4:00 p.m. The tour will begin at the home of Harry and Margaret Anderson to view their prominent collection of American and European modern art. Mr. Linhares said this was a great opportunity to see a collection that is rarely seen. The second stop of the tour will be the home of John and Daryl Lillie to view their collection; lunch will be served at the Lillie’s. From there the tour will proceed to the Iris and Gerald B. Cantor Art Center at Stanford University to view the exhibition From Picasso to Thiebaud.

Miscellany
In response to a request that an assessment of the store be taken, Director Power said the Harvard Business group will look at the store and set a benchmark.
Trustee Lillie said the retreat will be held at the end of September or the first part of October and she is still looking for a hotel where the retreat can be held.

13. ADJOURNMENT – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

There being no further business Chair Pfannenstiel adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m.

Secretary