Board of Trustees

Oakland Museum Of California Board Of Trustees Meeting
May 27, 2004
Museum Restaurant
4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Trustees Present:

Ophelia Basgal, William Chiasson, Christopher Curtis, Richard DeAtley, Virginia Furth, Lance Gyorfi, Harold Jones, Daryl Lillie, Judith McKee, Christopher McLain, Kirk Miller, Missy Nelson, Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Dennis Power, Marianne Robison, Margaret Russell, Katherine McKenney Shea, Pamela Sher, Mary Perry Smith, and Brian Washington

Trustees Excused:

Anthony Harris, Melvin Harrison, John McDonald, María Ochoa, Phyllis Pfeiffer, and Margaret Russell

Staff Present: 

Jan Berckefeldt, Deborah Cooper, Dorothy Hood, Mark Medeiros, and Tom Steller

Volunteers Present:

Sue Cake, Michael Coleman, Lois Corrin, Elizabeth Hook, Jean Levin, Mary Reynolds, and Helen Tryon

1. CALL TO ORDER/INTRUDUCTIONS - Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

Chair Pfannenstiel called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

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

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the April 22, 2004 Board of Trustees meeting be approved as mailed.

3. COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

Chair Pfannenstiel reported that trustees will be involved in learning of the plans for the renovation of the Art Gallery by meeting with staff after the close of the business meeting.

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

Executive Director Power reported that news coverage of the museum continues to be strong and distributed news clips regarding various museum exhibits and programs. The Docent Council celebrated its 35th anniversary with an event held on Sunday, May 23, 2004 with over 200 people in attendance. It was agreed that a resolution honoring the Docent Council be included in the minutes as follows:

WHEREAS, the Docent Council is celebrating its 35th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, docents have proven to be vital in touring visitors, including tens of thousands of school children each year; and

WHEREAS, individual docents, some giving more than 25 years of service, are passionately supportive of the museum; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Oakland Museum of California Foundation Board of Trustees commends and thanks each and every docent and expresses its continuing gratitude to the Docent Council for 35 years of service to the museum.

Trustee Lance Gyorfi reviewed the Renovation Project’s milestones, plans, and priorities established. In addition to the $23.5 million in Measure G funds, he proposed three additional fundraising goals. Goal 1 would be to raise an additional $7.6 million, Goal 2. to raise an additional $18.7 million for History Gallery renovations and an endowment to cover operating expenses for the Art and History galleries and, Goal 3. to raise an additional $20.5 million for the renovation of the Natural Sciences Gallery, miscellaneous building projects, and an endowment for Natural Sciences operations. The Capital Campaign goal under this model would be to raise a total of $46.8 million.

Chair Pfannenstiel said executive director Power and staff are preparing a campaign plan on how the funds are to be raised and will give a report at the next Board of Trustees meeting.

5. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT – William Chiasson

Trustee Chiasson reported that as of March 31, 2004 there was, on an accounting basis, a $247,575 surplus in the current operating budget. However, without the unrealized gain on the endowment of $623,159, there is a deficit of $375,584. On the same basis, a surplus of $82,226 would be projected for year-end 6/30/04. Without the projected unrealized gain of $500,000, there will be a $417,774 deficit.

The Finance Committee recommends that the foundation’s investments be consolidated under the management of Dodge & Cox. On a motion duly made and seconded (McLain/Gyorfi), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the Oakland Museum of California Foundation’s investments be consolidated and managed solely by Dodge & Cox.

The Finance Committee recommends the approval for a request of funds to hire temporary staff for the renovations. On a motion duly made and seconded (Robison/McKee), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that $242,000 be designated for the hiring of temporary staff to work on the Oakland Museum of California’s renovation project.

6. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CABINET REPORT – Virginia Furth

Development Director Jan Berckefeldt said staff is working on a campaign plan. The plan will be presented to and reviewed by the full Campaign Cabinet on June 15, 2004 and then later presented to the Board of Trustees.

7. GALA REPORT – Daryl Lillie

Trustee Virginia Furth said the Gala was very successful and many commented that it was the best Gala yet. Although the After Hours Gala event was not as financially successful as had been hoped for, the event was enjoyed by all. Gala attendance was 580, which included the attendance of all board members. The After Hours attendance has yet to be determined. The profit from the Gala has yet to be determined because expenses are still being tracked. Each Gala attendee will be sent a thank you letter and trustees were asked to inform Ms. Berckefeldt if they would like to include a personal note to their Gala guests.

8. WOMEN’S BOARD REPORT – Mary Perry Smith

Trustee Smith reported the Women’s Board budget was approved. As costs have escalated, $650,000 will be granted to the museum for various projects next year, compared to $850,000 in the current year. The Women’s Board budget will be reviewed in December and there may be a reallocation of funds. The museum will also receive $21,000 in unspent funds and over $100,000 for the acquisitions fund.

The White Elephant Sale warehouse is open to receive merchandise from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the following Saturdays: June 19th, July 31st, and August 28th.

9. RENOVATION UPDATE – Lance Gyorfi

The Renovation Committee will meet on June 6, 2004.

10. OTHER

The Nominating Committee is planning to ask each trustee to participate in a board self-assessment survey. The results of the survey will be used at the October 1 – 3, 2004 board retreat.

The 2004/2005 fiscal year budget will be put up for approval at the June 24, 2004 Board of Trustees meeting. Also at that meeting, a presentation will be given by the Harvard Business School alumni’s “Community Partners” program which has been looking at opportunities for increasing the museum’s earned revenues.

Trustee Ophelia Basgal said our lobbyist has advised that a concept paper has been released for Prop 40 funds. There probably will be a grant application available by the end of the summer.

11. ADJOURNMENT – Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m., followed by a report from staff in the Art Gallery.

Secretary