• January 2008
• September 2007
• February 2007
• December 2006
• August 2006
• February 2006
• December 2005
• October 2005
• September 2005
• June 2005
• May 2004

Report from the Chair – January 2008
This is a report on both the October and the December Board meetings of 2007.

On October 6, 2007 there were 15 of the 18 board members present, along with one Emeritus Trustee, three staff members and the Muses President.

We accepted with regret the resignations of board members Rowena Dickerson and Octaviana Trujillo. The Governance committee will be discussing replacement board members to be appointed by the board to fill their terms. We heard a report on the successful Sustainers of the West event at the Flying M Ranch. The board agreed to take money from our lunch fund to provide the meat dish for the staff annual holiday party.

Dr. Breunig reported that indications are that MNA ended the fiscal year (October 31) in the black. He reviewed the wonderful MNA events over the year: Timeless Excellence, Lasting Light, Namingha, and Therizinosaur exhibits; the Gala event; the 32nd year of the Discovery program with over 600 children participating this year; the bus that LaVelle McCoy gifted to MNA and a Maren Foundation grant for a 12 passenger van; a reception for Flagstaff educators hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield; $850,000 in grants for new cabinetry for Collections.

Progress continues on the Collections Center with work on utility lines, removal of items from the buildings to be torn down. The preliminary estimate of the building is now near $5million. The good news is that since the original $3 million gift has been sitting in the bank, it has been gaining interest and that interest has paid for the architectural and other preliminary costs. The final design of the building is close to completion, including many sustainable features that should earn it LEED Certification.

Dr Breunig also reported that MNA has been working on the grant from Nina Mason Pulliam Trust for development of new long term exhibits. Some of the permanent exhibits displayed now were ones that Dr. Breunig was involved with in the 1970’s. Time to make a change! MNA is working with Roberts Jones Associates to do a complete analysis of the building.

There are ongoing Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) visits from various groups such as the Western Apache, Hopi, and Zuni. Upcoming events: Native American Film Festival; Trappings of the American West; Celebracion de la Gente. A Bruce Aiken painting “Coconino Skyway” is being donated to MNA by a friend of the museum. MNA had three artists in residence at Coyote Range: Katharine McKenna, Judy Abbott, and Eva Van Rijn – all doing work on the Colorado Plateau. Dr. Breunig reminded us that when the William Robinson Leigh painting, desert Country, was purchased last year that anonymous donors gave $5000 to purchase it, plus offered to donate another $5000 if we raise $5000 more by the end of the year.
Per the AAM date for a site visit, they are still trying to get the Visiting Committee together.

We approved accession of these items for Collections: a textile woven by Berdina Charley and donated anonymously; a Maria Martinez vessel, a book, a shadowbox bracelet, a turquoise chip inlay belt, and a necklace donated by Walter Hochstrasser; a color pencil on paer by Brennon Darrell donated anonymously; an Elmer Satala, Jr. silver overlay pendant, rattles, an Alfred Dawahoya kachina doll, and a Ted Puhuyesva flat/cradleboard kachina doll donated by Kelley Hays-Gilpin; a photo of Dr. Colton smiling donated by Roger Carpenter.

We approved the 2007-2008 budget proposal from the Finance Committee. The budget is $ 3.5 million.

The Sedona Muses have a total of eighty nine members, as they have been working on expanding their membership.

The board all pitched in to provide funds for admission fees for Hispanic community members to attend the Celebraciónes de la Gente.

At the December 1 board meeting there were 11 of the 18 board members present, two staff members, the Muses President, three Muses members, and one Emeritus Board member. We met in Sedona and then proceeded to Beverly Miller’s house for a holiday gathering.

Dr. Breunig announced that the 2006-2007 fiscal year did end up in the black and that the audit will be complete in early December.

On the Collections Center he explained that the demolition of the five buildings to be torn down is complete. Each building was carefully taken apart and most materials will be recycled or reused in the new building. The grading permit has been applied for and plans have been submitted to the city. A webcam of the building site will be up on the main MNA website in the next week or two, so anyone can watch the progress of construction. The previous week Dr. Breunig had met with an architect from the National Park Service, MNA’s Collections staff, MNA’s architect, and the Curator for the National Park Service to review the plans for the center. The review was on all building systems to ensure they meet conservation goals, including temperature, humidity, fire suppression, security, lighting, roof construction and pest management. All agreed that the building is designed properly to ensure that MNA’s Collections will be receive the best possible care. The ground breaking is planned for February 2, after our next board meeting. MNA membership will be invited as well as special dignitaries. This will be the first celebration to kick off MNA’s 80th year.

Work continues on the Nina Mason Pulliam Trust planning grant. The systems in the main museum building are being studied for any deficiencies and for future environmental needs. Ralph Appelbaum & Associates, one of the largest and most prominent museum design teams in the world, have been hired to conduct the planning for changes to permanent exhibits. Ralph Appelbaum will be personally involved. He has a special interest in MNA as his work with MNA in 1979 was his first project outside of New York.

The American Association of Museums (AAM) Accreditation process is coming right along. A site visit will be conducted in March or April of this year by Gary Edson, Texas Tech University, and Molly Lowell, Mercer Museum.

Dr. Breunig reported that the Annual Appeal is coming along well. So far all categories are ahead of the previous year. The board will help with follow up calls to appeal letters. He stressed that we should stress to those we know that yes, MNA is doing well, but it only is doing so because people continue to give.

He announced the new exhibits and upcoming projects for 2008: Grand Canyon Grandeur – February 8; an exhibit at the Phoenix Airport in Terminal 4 celebrating MNA’s 80th Anniversary, produced by the Sky Harbor Airport in opening in March.

The board approved these items for accession to Collections: a Mrs. Ondelacy (Zuni) Squash Blossom necklace, a Mrs. Ondelacy turquoise in silver cluster pin and bracelet, and a Jimmy Kewanwytewa katsina doll, all donated by Virginia Price. We discussed a Programs Committee proposal for a Deaccession Policy, but agreed that it needed more work, so it will be presented at a future meeting.

We agreed to move the General Endowment from MNA to the MNA Endowment Foundation. This fund was originally set up by an anonymous donor with the agreement that when we set up the Endowment Foundation that this fund would be moved to the new foundation. This is the first fund that we have transferred. The Endowment Foundation Board will be looking at other MNA endowment funds and they will be making proposals to move more funds to the Foundation in the future. The MNA Board has the final authority to allow these transfers.

The MNA Sedona Muses are still growing. They’re up to 95 members now! They’re getting ready for their holiday luncheon and their 2008 Lecture Series.

We adopted a formal resolution to recognize Karen Enyedy (Dr. Breunig’s wife), to present with a gift at our holiday party at the Miller house later in the day, for her untiring volunteerism at MNA to ensure MNA’s continued progress toward success.

Our next board meeting is 9 A.M. Saturday, February 2, 2008 at Pearson Hall. I want to remind you that all members are welcome at the regular session of our meetings. Please notify Director’s Assistant Pats Shriver at 774-5211 X 203 if you plan to attend.

I hope you all have had a great start to this New Year!

Susie Garretson, Chair of the Board

Report from the Chair – September 2007
This is a report on both the June 2007 and the August 2007 Board meetings:

The Board of Trustees met on June 2, 2007 with 11 of its 20 members present. This was the last meeting for outgoing Board members Katrina Rogers and Miguel Vasquez. They have both served full four year terms and are now Emeritus Trustees. We thanked them for their service to MNA and will miss their presence at our meetings.

We discussed with the Board members of the importance of chairing Committees and/or serving as officers. We will be electing new officers at our August 11, 2007 Board meeting. I also announced that a letter of appreciation is being sent to the MNA staff, inviting them to a board hosted barbecue at 5 PM on Friday August 10, 2007 at the Colton House. I also reported that MNA carries a two million dollar Directors & Officers liability insurance policy.

Dr. Breunig reported on the five buildings that are slated for removal to clear the way for the construction of the new Collections Center and the historical assessments of those buildings. It was determined that none of the buildings was historically or architecturally significant. MNA has been working on a Historic Property Survey of the MNA campus with two NAU student interns and former board member, Susan Olberding. This survey will form the basis of a potential historic district nomination for the Harold S. Colton Research Center. In addition this survey may be instrumental in obtaining future grants/funding with various funds/foundations. Susan gave a slide presentation of their survey.

Dr. Breunig reported that the American Association of Museums has granted MNA interim accreditation. The next step to official accreditation is a site visit by AAM appointees. They will be looking at long-term sustainability and how MNA will set priorities and scale resources.

Regarding the new Collections Center, Dr. Breunig has been working with architect, Jim Roberts, on an environmental assessment of the buildings to be removed. Asbestos was found, which necessitates remediation at an approximate cost of $45,000 or less. Target date to remove this is mid-August. The next steps will be 1) relocation of utilities, 2) salvage of building materials, and 3) tear-down and removal of buildings. The elevation drawings of the Collections Center are ready and available to view. The goal for dedication of the Center is September 2008, the 80th birthday of MNA. MNA has received two major grants recently in support of cabinetry for the Center. “Save Americas Treasures” granted $250,000. The National Endowment for the Humanities granted $550,000 if MNA can raise an addition $25,000 by 2010.

Tracy Anderson, MNA Education Director, gave an overview and update on exhibits and planning process, and long-term goals for exhibits. There is a five year plan for exhibits, utilizing short-term (4-6 months), intermediate-term (6-12 months), and long-term (12-18 months) exhibits. So far the first three years of exhibits are confirmed, while she and her staff are working on the firming up the last two of the five years. Tracy also gave an overview of the Ventures Program and explained that staff is in process now of reviewing it’s status because it is still not paying for itself.

Dr. Breunig announced a book signing at Branigar Chase Discovery Center by Dr. David Wilcox & Jim Holmlund, celebrating the publication of their book, “The Archaeology of Perry Mesa and Its World”.

The board approved the idea that Dr. Breunig could continue working on a deal with T-Mobile to lease land from MNA to put up a cell tower. The lease will bring MNA $12,000 per year for a fifteen year lease. Final terms will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and approved if appropriate.

The board approved accession in to Collections of these items: A Hopi blanket donated by Dr. Breunig, Karen Enyedy, Jonathan Day and Lynn Hagan; A Two Gray Hills rug, a Robert Draper watercolor, and three pottery jars from the Ralph Hanson estate; A Hopi bowl, a Jimmy Kewanwytewa drum, Dr. and Mrs. Colton bed headboard and footboard donated by Sat Best; Rubbings of Petroglyph on cloth, photographs, and a notebook of Petroglyph site locations and drawings, from the estate of Elfrieda Tingleaf; An Anthony Honanie painting, with a recording of an interview with Anthony discussing the painting, donated by MNA. Also the board accepted as a gift memorabilia from the Ned Danson estate given in memory by Jan Haury and Ted Danson.

The Finance Committee Chair, David Connell reported that general donations are below what was projected, but expenses are also below plan. It will still be a very tight year to make the budget projections. Jill Korenek, CPA with JDS Professional Group presented the 2006 audited financial statements, reported that they received full cooperation from MNA staff and that they determined that no fraud detected and no management letter comments. 2006 was a nine month year (January – September) so there were no comparables available to previous years. The audit was accepted by the board.

As per Fundraising, there was an update on the Namingha Gala coming up. The net goal of this fundraiser is $50,000, and there is a waiting list for seats at this point. The Annual Appeal will begin in October, and board members were encouraged to help with fundraising by hosting house parities, and other activities.

Pat Pauli, Muses President, distributed the 2006-2007 President’s report, Summary of Programs, End of the Year Report, and the 2007-2008 Budget.

The Board met again on August 11, 2007 with 12 of our 20 members present for the first meeting of the 2007-2008 year.

We welcomed Sara Alemán and Jim Reed as new board members to their first meeting and made introductions all around. An orientation had been presented to them on July 30, 2007. We are looking forward to the contributions they will make. I asked the board to sign up to sign up for committees and distributed the meeting dates. All meetings will be the first Saturday of every other month except for August. I also reported that at the Board hosted staff Barbeque held the previous evening at the Colton House there were 71 people in attendance. We felt this was a very successful event and a fitting thank you to the staff for their hard work and their dedication to MNA.

Dr. Breunig gave an update on the demolition of the five buildings to make way for the new Collections Center. It looks like this will not happen until after September 1, 2007, with the hope of breaking ground in early fall. Between the salvage work that will be done, and then grinding up the remaining bricks for reuse in the building, it looks like there will be no or very little of these buildings that will go to the landfill. The contract for demolition and construction with Kinney Construction, utilizing a “Construction Management At Risk” Contract, is being reviewed by our attorneys.

Dr. Breunig also reported that a new Membership Manager has been hired to replace Liz Gumerman. Cheryl Blume, long time Flagstaff resident and past Director of Camp Colton and Red Cross, will start work on August 20, 2007.

Dr. Breunig reported that FALA has recently conducted a Vision Retreat to plan for the next 15 years. He also reported on MNA programs – Hopi & Navajo Shows, the Discovery Program, the Therizinosaur exhibit, and the last Plateau issue covering water issues. He reported that he has heard no date for the upcoming AAM site visit for accreditation.

The board reviewed many of the items that the Programs committee recommends for accession: A deer skin and skull donated by Terry Merkel; 20 pieces of Hopi silver overlay jewelry donated by Elaine Hughes; Two Bonytail Chub fish specimens donated by Dr. Charles Minckley and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; A Zuni bolo tie donated by Ted Lorance; 153 pottery vessels, baskets, jewelry, and kachinas donated by Dr. Jean Van Duzen; Two specimens of a newly defined Grand Canyon lizard species, donated by Charles Drost and Trevor Parsons of the USGS Southwest Biological Diversity Center; A collection of jewelry, basketry, artwork, and other ethnographic items donated by Lillian Watson; Twelve quilted cotton wall hangings and a White Bear painting, donated by Margaret Wood; A Navajo textile, small loom, three Acoma pottery vessels, and a Cochiti pottery figurine, donated by Richard McCallum; Historic posters advertising MNA lectures, donated by Richard Beasley; Sixteen Mary Russell-Ferrell Colton paintings donated by Robin Colton; A Barton Wright scratchboard of MNA Courtyard, a Lillian Smith watercolor, Two Pueblo Indian Pottery portfolios, and print copy portfolio of paintings, donated by Quincy Tahoma; a Jay James painting donated by an anonymous donor; Navajo rugs, Bahe Whitethorne painting, Navajo cradleboard, Navajo corn, Hopi rattle and brush, Paiute basket, Hopi wicker baskets, Hopi coil basket, Hopi kachina dolls, Hopi print, Acoma jar, Zia jar and miscellaneous items, donated by Tom & Edie Welty; Nine kachina dolls and a Hopi rattle, donated by Jane Clendening Mazor. The board approved these accessions. They also approved a collection of archaeological material from Perry Mesa. In addition, they approved a deaccession of items from Collections that are from the Pacific Rim, and have been determined to have no importance to Colorado Plateau collections, or to MNA’s mission.

The board also visited the paleontology laboratory in the Brady Building to hear Dr. David Gillette explain the work he is doing on the Therizinosaur to prepare it for the upcoming exhibit. It was thrilling to get the inside story on the project and we all look forward to the exhibit.

Dr. Breunig presented a proposal for a reintroduction of a Collectors Club to purchase items for collections accessions. There was consensus by the board that this is a desirable project and the Programs committee will continue work on this to get it up and going.

Dr. Breunig presented a draft of the 2007-2008 budgets. It is still not finalized and more work needs to be done to bring it into balance, but the board agreed that he and staff are on the right track. The budget includes the restoring of most of the salaries that were cut back two years ago, and raises for staff who haven’t had raises for several years, as well as hiring three new staff who have been grant funded, to prepare for the new Collections Center move. There was a consensus by the board that we will create a separate audit committee that will oversee the audit each year and meet with the auditors separate from staff.

David Connell reported that the MNA Endowment Foundation (MNA-EF) has received its IRS status as a non-profit, and that they have been working on an MNA/MNA-EF Agreement.

The board elected its officers for 2007-2008: Susie Garretson, Chair; Drew Barringer, Vice Chair; Sam Henderson, Secretary; David Connell, Treasurer.

So we’re off to a great start! I want to remind you that MNA members are always welcome at our meetings. To do so, please contact Pats Shriver, Director’s Assistant, at 774-5211 x203. Also, remember that this report is not the official minutes of the meeting and leaves out a lot of detail. The minutes of the June meeting were approved at the August meeting and should be up on the website soon. The August meeting minutes will be approved at the October board meeting and will be on the website after that. The next meeting is October 6, 2007 at approximate 9 AM to 2 PM.

Report from the Chair – February 2007
Our first board meeting of the year on February 3 started off with 15 of our 20 board members attending. It was good to see everyone again after the holidays.

To start us off, our investment advisors, Dennis Miller & Lori Booth-Houle from Miller Russell & Associates reported on our investment status. At the end of 2006 the balance of our endowments was $6,433,907. This was a $737,778 gain in the year, which is a combination of contributions and interest earned. They reported that this is the most any of the non-profit accounts they represent has gained. Dennis also gave a demonstration on how much added interest the museum would have to use, for each added million dollars in endowment. This year MNA had $587,000 in contributions. If we continued to receive the same amount in contributions for 10 years, the endowment balance would likely be $15,677,000 making available more than $450,000 in income for that year. He also demonstrated other scenarios with different amounts of contributions. We got the message how important it is for MNA’s sustainability, to continue raising funds for the endowment. Mr. Miller is very optimistic about the coming year. He explained that the year is starting off with low inflation, low interest rates, cash rich corporations, globalization so more countries purchasing U.S. goods, poor countries becoming more wealthy who are now able to purchase U.S. goods, and housing starts are up.

Dr. Breunig then gave us his report. He gave an update on our American Association of Museums (AAM) accreditation status. We were hoping to have been granted interim accreditation by now so that we could continue on to the next phase. Instead, AAM sent us a letter seeking clarification on our Institutional Plan. The Accreditation Commission wanted to see clearer delineation of our institutional priorities. This will be responded to this month. He also reported that one of the paintings that had been sold in the 2003 art sale has become available for purchase and MNA has been given the opportunity. The board voted to purchase it, using money from the art fund. However efforts are already in place to raise the money for this to replace that used from the art fund. It is called “Desert Country” by William Robinson Leigh and is a beautiful example of Colorado Plateau art. Dr. Breunig, Susie Garretson, Ann Doyle and Diana Van Sanford will pick it up in Phoenix on Monday when they are there for the Arts Commission meeting with the legislature. Dr. Breunig gave an update on upcoming exhibits: Lasting Light: The Photography of the Grand Canyon, opening on February 3. This is an exhibit sponsored by The Grand Canyon Association, Hance Partners, and Grand Canyon National Park, and features many of the photographers work that we all know. An exhibit of Hopi painter Dan Namingha and his son Arlo’s work is due to open on June 16. There will be a fundraiser in conjunction with this exhibit.

Cassie Dakin and Karen Enyedy reported on the year end Annual Appeal and Endowment Drive. Contributions to the general operating fund totaled $265,213. The General Endowment received $235,513. $100,000 of that was designated for debt reduction.
Plateau Society members contributed $169,000, while $61,000 came from out of state members. There were 404 general fund gifts and 111 endowment gifts.

We approved another balanced budget for the third year in a row. Dr Breunig explained that the amount of $3,586,289 was a very difficult figure to come by. To get to this figure, the income was figured conservatively and included no raises for staff including those who took pay cuts two years ago, increasing all categories of admissions, increasing the price of memberships, gift shop sales increase of 5%, more aggressive Development efforts, a special fundraising event and a 5% draw from investments.

The Program committee presented and we approved these items for acquistion in to collections: A decorated gourd by Ed Nequatewa and a Black Mesa limited edition blanket donated by MNA gift shop; a Hopi pot from First Mesa donated by Gail Carey; a Maynard Dixon painting “East Wall of Long Valley” donated by Jessica Danson Haury and Edward Danson III; a silver spoon and pendant decorated with a Native American water symbol donated by Robin Greer; a Mogollon Brown Ware Bown donated by an anonymous donor; a bowl made by Nampeyo and Fannie Nampeyo, and a Nathan Begaye coffee pot donated by Julia Wilkinson; a Beatin Yazz painting and a Jerry Lee painting donated by Dr. Robert Breunig and Karen Enyedy; a banded Navajo textile donated by Karen Underhill; a California Condor donated by Arizona Game and Fish; 6 Navajo textiles donated by Dr. Marilyn Moore.

We watched a video: "Speaking of Money”, plus had a thorough discussion concerning trustee responsibility for fundraising. And the Governance Committee presented and we approved a document called Board/Staff Commitment, which lays out what responsibilities an MNA Board member has by serving on the board. It is once again time to elect new board members for four year terms. Miguel Vasquez and Katrina Rogers terms are up, and have chosen not to run again. Susan Golightly, David Connell and I will be running again. We encourage you to think about who would be a good MNA board member and suggest their name to the nominating committee. To suggest a name, we need a short bio as well as a signed letter of intention to run turned in to Pats Shriver at MNA.

I remind you once again that the details of our actions will be found on the minutes of this meeting. They will be on the MNA website once they are approved at our next board meeting on April 7. All members are welcome to attend the regular session of our meetings. To attend, notify our director’s assistant, Pats Shriver, at 774-5211 X 203. Our next meeting will be at the Colton House.

Report from the Chair – December 2006
For the last time this year, the Museum Board of Trustees met on December 2 at the Sedona Public Library, with 14 of its 20 members present.

It was very exciting to start the meeting off with a presentation by architect, Jim Roberts, who presented us with a model of what our new Collections Center may look like. In creating this model, he has drawn from the many meetings with staff and the Collections Center Board committee, meetings with the tribes, legal requirements, professional collections requirements of the American Association of Museums and the National Park Service, as well as building and LEED standards. It has taken almost two years to gather all of this information. The goal of the building is to be a state of the art facility for collections, as well as a sustainable facility that will serve MNA for many years to come. This model is not final as there is still much work to do to get to that point, however, the board did approve the direction that the design is taking as well as the location. We also accepted the Historic Structures Master Plan as a draft study. This plan lists each of MNA’s structures, and details what kind of improvements they need as well as their historical priority. This document will be a working document, and so will change as time and action proceed.

Dr. Breunig announced that MNA was awarded a grant of $300,000 from the Nina Mason Pulliam Trust, for the purpose of exhibits planning, as well as a $38,000 gift from an anonymous donor for the General Endowment. Both of these are much appreciated by the board. Cassie Dakan, from MNA’s Development staff, explained that the contributions goal for 2006 including the Year-End Appeal is $500,000 for general operations. In October Development sent letters to members to raise funds for this, as well as to raise funds for the General Endowment. She explained all of the things board and staff are doing to attain the goal. It is extremely important that all members and staff work to help MNA attain this goal. Dave Connell also explained the importance of 100% of the board giving to the annual appeal.

Dr. David Gillette and Victor Leshyk presented their report on the upcoming Therizinosaur exhibit. Dr. Gillette discovered and excavated this dinosaur in Utah. It is the first Therizinosaur species found in North America. Mr. Leshyk is creating all of the graphics and we were shown wonderful pictures of the Therizinosaur as well as what the exhibit will look like. They also explained that Eric Gold, a local and nationally know sculptor, is creating mechanical models of this dinosaur for both the exhibit inside and for the exterior of the museum. This will be one of the most spectacular exhibits MNA has ever had. There will be a catalog that accompanies the exhibit, which will be one of the issues of Plateau Magazine. They hope to make this a traveling exhibit so more people can come to know this dinosaur.

The board approved the deaccession of these items from collections: Items that were excavated in Maricopa County that qualify under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They were excavated by MNA during the archaeological investigations on behalf of the Arizona Nuclear Power Project in 1978-79, and this site was determined to be a Hohokam settlement south of the town of Cashion, occupied approximately 700-900 AD. The proper legal procedures have been followed and now these will be returned Salt River Maricopa Indian Community.

We approved the Operational Agreement for MNA Environmental Solutions. This is a for profit contract science corporation set up by the Museum.

At the last board meeting we had approved changing our year end to September 30 of each year. Dave Connell reported that as of September 30, 2006 we have achieved the balanced budget that we set for 2006. The new budget for October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 is still being worked on and will be presented for approval at the February meeting. The staff is working hard to create another balanced budget.

We approved the Operational Agreement for the MNA Endowment Foundation. This foundation is very close to becoming fully operational and will be a welcome addition and help to achieve MNAs’ endowment goals. David Connell has been elected by the Foundation Board to be President.

We heard a presentation by James Cowlin, the founder of an organization called “US Route 89 Appreciation Society”. It is dedicated to promoting knowledge and understanding of the geography, history, and culture along the West’s Most Western Highway. This is quite interesting as this highway travels from Mexico to Canada, and passes by or through many national parks or monuments, as well as all of the geographic provinces of the interior of the west. The board will leave it up to the Dr. Breunig to decide whether to enroll MNA as a member of this organization, but the board did agree that they were in enthusiastically in favor of it should he decide to afford the cost of $250 (good through 2009).

After the meeting adjourned we were off to a board party at Beverly Miller’s house and we were joined by several Emeritus Trustees and many old friends of the museum.

I remind you that the real details of our actions will be found on the minutes to this meeting. They should be approved at our February meeting and then will go on the website. All members are welcome to attend the regular session of our meetings, but do inform our director’s assistant, Pats Shriver at 774-5211 X 203, if you plan to attend. Our next meeting will be Saturday, February 3, 9 AM at the Colton House.

Report from the Chair – December 2005
This is a report of the April, May, June and August meetings of the Board of Trustees.

On April 1, 2006, MNA’s Board of Trustees met, with 14 of its members present.

Before the regular board meeting was called to order, we met as the sole shareholder of MNA’s for-profit subsidiary, MNA Environmental Solutions (MNA ES). Representatives of the board of MNA ES and its director presented their 2005 Profit & Loss statement (P & L), their budget, and a status report on the contracts they completed, the ones that are in process, and the ones they are seeking. They also presented revisions to their Operational Agreement with MNA. They came out in the black for 2005. The board approved their budget and agreed that they should go forward for another year. However, we decided to study the Operational Agreement a bit more so that we can vote on the revisions at our May board meeting. Overall, the board was pleased with MNA ES’s performance as a budding business.

After the official board meeting was called to order these are the things we covered:

We accepted, with regret, the resignation of board member, Dr. Larry Stevens. He has accepted a volunteer position at MNA, as Curator of Ecology and Conservation. Larry is one of the leading scientists in his field and we are proud to have had him serve with us as an MNA Board Member. His perspective and attention to the many facets of MNA’s success has been very instrumental in bringing MNA to normalcy. His term was due to expire in June. We also announced that the Executive Committee voted to extend the leave of absence from the board for Susan Olberding, who is serving as staff in the library. Her term also will expire in June. Susan, also, has been crucial in bringing MNA to a more stable position.

The Executive Committee announced that there will be a three hour retreat some time in July for the board to discuss its’ relationship with Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy.

Dr. Robert Breunig, gave his usual uplifting report, covering the many exciting exhibits and programs that are currently happening and ones that are being planned for. Watch your emails and newsletters for announcement about them. He announced that a Retail Manager for the Gift Shop has been hired and her name is Kalley Keams Lucero. She comes highly recommended and with an extensive background in her field.

The Executive committee presented two resolutions that the board passed: One concerns the preservation of Picture Canyon, a canyon very near to Flagstaff that is on State Trust Land and potentially open to sale for development. It contains unique archaeology and was one of the first sites that Dr. Harold Colton excavated. This resolution will be sent as support for those who are trying to Save Picture Canyon, as well as to other authorities that may be concerned with this matter. The other resolution is an official thank you to Whitney North Seymour, who as a noted attorney, volunteered many hours to MNA concerning the lawsuit pertaining to the sale of collections in 2002.

We reviewed the Institutional Plan status. In March there was a member’s meeting where Dr. Breunig and the board presented this and received member comments. The committee has narrowed the plan down to nine major goals, which involve many smaller goals within them. The next step is for the committee to make a plan of action and timeline to reach these goals within five years.

During the Finance & Investment (F& I) committee report, it was reported that the shops and admissions are doing much better, while the membership numbers are slightly down. The 2005 audit of MNAs’ finances has been conducted and the report will be presented at the June member meeting. We also discussed the pros & cons of socially conscious investing, and decided for the time being to instruct our investment advisors Miller Russell & Associates to continue to look in to them, and if they found a fund that meets their own screening that they might be considered at that time. At the request of the F& I committee and other of their clients, Miller Russell had looked in to them and found that many of these funds do not meet their requirements, but that there were more that do than they expected. When they do find one that is acceptable, we may offer this as a way for people who want to contribute to an MNA endowment, but who only want their money in socially conscious funds. This matter will continue to be studied.

Becky Daggett, from Friend’s of Flagstaff’s Future presented an initiative that may be on the Arizona November ballot, called Conserving Arizona’s Future. It is an initiative to conserve and protect approximately 690,000 acres of state trust land from development. Many of these parcels are on the Colorado Plateau and contain archaeologically important artifacts, as well as some of the most scenic areas in Arizona. The board will vote at its May meeting whether to endorse this initiative. To learn more about it go to www.conservingarizonasfuture.com.

At the May 6 meeting, there were 13 of the 18 active board members present.

It was reported that a draft of the Institutional Plan will be ready to present at the Membership Meeting on June 3.

The MNA Endowment Foundation Board is coming together. It will consist of three people who are not on MNA’s Board of Trustees, and two people who are. So far, Paul Delaney and David Chase have agreed to serve as the non-MNA Board members, and Dave Connell will serve as an MNA Board member. We still need to hear from two others. The MNA Endowment Foundation will be another option for those generous people who want to give to MNA’s endowments.

This was the first meeting of the board where our Director, Robert Breunig, was not present. He was on a Colorado River trip with Hopi elders. In his stead stood Tracy Anderson, MNA’s Education Director, who gave a report on upcoming public programs, along with a five year plan that her department is working on.
We accepted items to be acquisitioned for Collections, from Cynthia Perin, Dr. Philip M. James, Dr. Robert Breunig and Karen Enyedy, Robin Colton, Dr. Marilynn Moore, the MNA Gift Shop, Margaret Taylor, and Elaine Hughes.

At the June 3 Board meeting, 14 of the 18 board members were present.

We approved a “whistle blower” policy to be added to the personnel policy that is being revised. This will bring MNA in to compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act.

Dr. Breunig gave a report on: his river trip with the Hopi elders; upcoming events, exhibits, and festivals; plans for the Hopi Iconography Project (formerly called Southwest Mural Project); several staff changes and new interns; difficulties in hiring due to cost of living in Flagstaff and competition with other organizations for wages; grants applied for.

We all expressed our appreciation for outgoing board members, Susan Olberding, Linn Montgomery, and Carl Phagan. All three have been instrumental in bringing stability to MNA.

Per the April financial statements, we are slightly ahead of budget. The Gift Shop & Book Store are exceeding last year’s income. Weddings are down, Discovery is right on target, Ventures is ahead of last year. The MNA-Environmental Solutions Operational Agreement is still being worked on, however the board did vote to require interest only payments on their loan, until they achieve greater profitability. We also approved the 2005 audit as prepared by JDS Professional Group.

The Institutional Planning Progress reports are on the web.

The Muses reported that they gave $13,000 in donations to MNA this year.

We also appointed these people to the MNA Endowment Board: Paul Delaney, David Chase, David Connell, Cynthia Hazeltine, and Beverly Miller.

At the Annual Membership Meeting on June 3, we had 13 of the 18 active board members and approximately 75 members present.

The membership elected Beverly Lockett Miller, Sam Braun, LaVelle McCoy and Drew Barringer as new board members, and they elected Peter Pilles to serve another four year term.

Linn Montgomery, Chair of the Finance & Investment committee gave a thorough financial report, and Jill Korenek, of JDS audit firm gave a report on the 2005 audit. Chair Garretson gave a report on the accomplishments of the board/staff for the 2005/6 year and Director Breunig gave a State of the Museum report. Katrina Rogers, Co-chair of the Institutional Planning committee gave a progress report on the Institutional Plan.

The minutes of the membership meeting should be approved by the board to be placed on the web site at our October board meeting. You will have until the next membership meeting to make corrections. To do so, just notify the director’s assistant, Julie Sharpe at 774-5211 X 203. The members present will be asked to approve these minutes at the next annual membership meeting on June 2, 2007.

The next board meeting was held August 5, and there were 12 of the 20 Trustees present.

We approved a Documentation/Retention Policy, to help satisfy requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act and to bring us one step closer to achieving our AAM Accreditation.

The Director gave a report on: an inter-tribal meeting to go over the Collections Center plans; he described the process for the Accreditation application and where we are on it; announced that MNA has hired Kelly Hayes-Gilpin half time to be the lead on the Hopi Iconography project; gave us an update on grants applied for and achieved; as well as other MNA events.

We appointed LaVelle McCoy to serve as the MNA Board representative on the MNA-Environmental Science Board.

We elected these people to serve as officers of the board:
Susie Garretson – Chair
Katrina Rogers – Vice-Chair
Sam Henderson – Secretary
Dave Connell – Treasurer
We approved the board meeting dates for 2006/7, which basically is the first Saturday of every other month starting in October.

We approved revisions and additions to the MNA Ethics Policy, to make it more suitable for our AAM Accreditation application.

We approved the revised Collections Policy, which you will see soon on the list of website policies. This has been a policy in the making for several years now, so we are especially glad to get this to the completion stage. It took many months of meetings to get it to this point, which included both staff and board members.

We approved an Educational Philosophy.

We approved the five year Institutional Plan. This too has been many months in the making. We are looking forward to using this as our guide over the next five years.

As usual, I remind you that this is a rough summary of these board meetings. The details can be found in the minutes of these meeting on MNA’s website after they are approved by the board. The only ones not approved by the board right now are the August board minutes and the June membership meeting minutes. Remember that members are welcome to attend the regular portion of our board meetings, but please do let Dr. Breunig’s assistant, Julie Sharpe, know that you want to attend, by calling 774-5211 ext 203.

Report from the Chair – December 2005
The board met on December 3, 2005 and we had 15 of our board members present. The sad news was that board member, Max Oelschlaeger has had to resign, and so his resignation was accepted with regrets. Max was an invaluable board member in the tough times when a whole new board was selected in 2003, as he voluntarily served as the Acting Director for about six months, until Robert Breunig came on board. We all appreciated the great attitude he kept throughout that time, the amount of time he spent and the things that he accomplished. The board appointed David Connell to serve out Max’s remaining term that will end in 2007. David is a Senior Vice President of Northern Trust – Arizona located in Phoenix. We have gotten to know him as he has been an active non-board member on our Finance & Investment Committee this year. His contribution to this committee has already made a big difference and so now, we feel lucky to have him on the board.

We learned a lot about the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), as Gloria Lomaheftewa gave us a report on MNA’s program. She is working at MNA on a grant from the National Park Service (NPS). She is in the process of conducting a complete inventory of MNA Collections and sending updated summary reports to the tribes. With Leigh Kuwanwisiwma and other board members present, we had quite a lengthy discussion on this subject and for some of us it was extremely educational.

Related to this, we deaccessioned items from our collections, namely three sets of human remains excavated in the Tonto National Forest. These will be returned to Tonto NF for them to repatriate to a designated tribe as per NAGPRA requirements. We also deaccessioned an archaeological survey map made by Ben Wetherill in 1933 that was clearly belongs to the NPS/Zion National Park. We also learned about a plan by MNA librarians to cull materials from the library which are not mission related and likely to be found in other libraries, such as old almanacs, catalogs and lists of Who’s Who, etc. These will be offered to other institutions, and anything left over may be sold. This will allow for needed space in the library.

Dr Breunig gave his usual uplifting report on MNA, telling us of the successes of the Celebraciones de la Gente, an update on the Hopi Iconography Project (formerly Hopi/Southwest Mural Project) being curated by Dr Kelley Hayes-Gilpin, and the annual fund appeal (which has already brought in one $100,000 gift, as well as other substantial gifts from members). He reported on a pledged endowment challenge gift by the BF Foundation of Santa Fe. The gift is for $50,000 this year, with more pledged over the next five years, provided that MNA makes steady progress towards building its endowment. It also encourages MNA to seek new donors to the endowment.

We received an update on the Institutional Planning board/staff retreat which will be held on January 6 & 7 at La Posada in Winslow. Specific committees have been working on identifying key strategic issues that MNA & the board will need to tackle over the next five years. Following the retreat we will work on specific action steps and timetables. We want to have an Institutional Planning draft report completed in time for the June Annual Membership meeting. We plan to have the Institutional Plan complete and ready to submit to AAM with other documents by September 26, 2006 as a part of the re-accreditation process.

The October financial reports showed that MNA is close to breakeven on the revenue side, although revenues in the Gift Shop remain a concern. Expenses were above budget but still below budget for the year, with a net positive variance year to date from the budget of $160,811. The response to the annual appeal will be a major factor on if we can achieve the 2005 balanced budget that we approved last year.

The 2006 proposed budget was approved. Once again, Robert and staff were trying to achieve a sustainable budget, meaning that it once again is very tight. The budget amount is $3,329,937. This amount is similar to the 2005 budget, where many staff had to take salary cuts, while others received no raises. This year the goal is to give raises to some who have not had raises for several years. Setting the budget is one thing, while living the budget is another. All of the financial and moral support our members, board and community can give to Robert and the staff will make all the difference this year, as it did in 2005. We are very proud and thankful to Robert and staff to have this second sustainable budget.

We had a lengthy discussion concerning the MNA Endowment Foundation, but did not finalize the articles and bylaws yet, as we felt they needed more review.

More details concerning this meeting can be found in the minutes. The minutes will be posted on the website www.musnaz.org after the board approves them at the February 4, 2006 meeting. Members are welcome to attend the regular sessions of our board meetings if they notify Marlene at 774-5211 X 203 in advance.

Report from the Chair – October 2005
At MNA’s October 22 Board Of Trustees meeting, we had 12 board members, four staff members, two volunteers, one Emeritus Board member and the Sedona Muses Representative present. Susan Olberding has taken a six-month leave of absence from the board, since she is now working part time for MNA as an Archivist, until we find someone to fill that position.

I reported that the kick off to the Fall Campaign at the Metzger Flying M Ranch was quite a success, held on a beautiful fall day and included a pit barbecue, buggy rides, traditional blue grass music, and great company. So far the event has brought in over $100,000 in contributions to MNA’s operating funds.

The board approved acquisitions of items for our Collections from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Becky Gill, Richard and Jean Wilson, Jim and Karen Traut, and an anonymous donor. Dr Breunig gave us an overview of what’s been going on at MNA, including the Joella Jean Mahoney exhibit and her active participation in it, the Stories on Stone Exhibit, and the upcoming Celebraciónes de la Gente.

Elaine Hughes, MNA’s collections manager, gave us a half hour presentation covering the history of the collections department, her background, grants we’ve received and grants we’re hoping to get, and challenges the collections department has in attaining grants. This was a very enlightening presentation for the Board and much appreciated.

Cheryl Ossenfort, MNA volunteer, explained what is planned for the Fall Friend Raiser on November 19 named “It’s Saturday Night Live at MNA”, featuring Navajo comedians “James and Ernie”. She also explained that we are moving our 2006 Friend Raiser to the spring and will be in Sedona at Poco Diablo on May 27, featuring NPR personality, Baxter Black. Volunteer Director for Museum Advancement, Karen Enyedy, gave us a handout with a run down of grant funds applied for and received, as well as a summary of the unrestricted monies we have received this year. When she took the volunteer position, she accepted a goal of raising $523,315 in unrestricted money, as well as writing restricted grants for specific projects programs. To date half of the goal has been met, with the remainder expected in the last quarter. She requested board assistance in the way of follow up calls on fundraising requests. She also gave us information on three additional special events, including a tally of funds raised to date for the Danson Endowment. She and another volunteer are working on a case statement for the museum that can be used for grant proposals. Dr. Breunig noted that we are ahead this year compared to last year development wise, but stressed that it was critical that we meet the sustained budget that we set and urged the board to assist with the annual appeal.

MNA has now received the self-study documents from the American Association of Museums as the next step in the accreditation process and the process has to be completed by September 26 of 2006. The Institutional Planning Committee reported that they want to have the plan complete to present to the members at the June 2006 Annual Membership Meeting. There will be information on the website that reports the progress of the Institutional Plan and the accreditation. We agreed that we would have an Institutional Planning board retreat that includes appointed staff in early January at La Posada in Winslow, thanks to the donation of rooms by Trustee Allan Affeldt.

We signed the revised Bylaws and distributed them to the board. The Finance and Investment committee reported that the director, comptroller, and department heads are working on the 2006 budget and that it will be another sustainable budget presented to the board at the December board meeting. The committee reported that it has retained the JDS group to conduct the 2005 audit. The committee also has requested a report from MNA Environmental Solutions so that the committee can evaluate its’ performance since it has become a for-profit entity. MNA’s Comptroller presented the July – September financials and reported that we are ahead of budget on revenues and under budget on expenses. Areas that are doing well are admissions, memberships and donations, while shop sales are down and this area is being studied. The board authorized Dr. Breunig to work with Kendis Muscheid, an attorney with Fennemore Craig, on details of an establishment of an MNA Foundation, a support organization to manage certain MNA endowment funds. He will bring his recommendations to the committee in November, with the goal of presenting the plan to the board at its December meeting.

As you can see the meeting was jam-packed. You can get more details on this and previous meetings by checking out the minutes on the web. Minutes are posted after they have been approved by the board. Remember that members are welcome at the regular session of the board meetings any time. Just check out the website for scheduled meetings and agendas.

Report from the Chair – September 2005
In our efforts to keep you up to date on what’s going on at MNA, we have decided that the Chair should write you a note after each board meeting to tell you the highlights of the meeting. On the website you can just read the minutes of our meetings, however those minutes don’t get on the web until after we have approved them at our next board meeting, which sometimes is two months later.

The June 4 Board meeting was a short one held in the morning before the Annual Membership Meeting. Fourteen of our nineteen board members were in attendance, as well as one Emeritus Board member, the Muses Representative, three staff members and a representative from our auditors, JDS Professional Group. The Governance Committee reported that the Bylaw revisions are almost complete and that now is the time to make any more revisions, before they are sent to legal counsel for review. Our goal was to have the board approve them at our August 6 board meeting. The Finance and Investment committee reported that MNA is over budget on revenue and under budget on expenses this month, but stressed that the upcoming last quarter of 2005 will rely heavily on revenue from donations. MNA is short staffed at present and we need to continue to work hard to bring in more contributions. The auditor presented the MNA 2004 audit and it was accepted. It was reported that they had full cooperation from MNA staff, no errors or fraud was found, all internal accounting was well done and that a good accounting system is in place. They mentioned that the 2004 Nonprofit Integrity Act was passed in California and will probably have an impact on tightened rules for all nonprofits in the future. It was pointed out that the Annual Membership Meeting minutes do not get distributed until one year later, and that it would be good if we could get them out after the meeting. We agreed that they will be submitted to the board at the next board meeting to be accepted for distribution on the website. That way members have almost a whole year to read them, make corrections, and then at the next Annual Membership Meeting they will be approved as usual. We set up a “Board Fund”, with each board member contributing to buy gifts for outgoing board members and to pay for some of our joint lunches at board meetings, as there is nothing in the budget for Board expenses. Board members also contributed to a legal fund to help pay for the art sale lawsuit.

At the June 4 Annual Membership Meeting fifteen of our nineteen Board members attended, along with approximately 100 members and staff and, with four Emeritus Board members. The Finance and Investment Committee Chair explained that MNA’s endowments are managed by Miller/Russell Investments of Phoenix and that they report to MNA’s Finance and Investment Committee on a quarterly basis. He also gave a description of the various endowments held by MNA. He explained how the Director, staff and Board created the sustainable 2005 budget by making a cut of 23 percent from the previous year’s budget, pay cuts to staff of up to 20% and not funding some positions. But there was good news in that this year MNA has already received two substantial gifts to the general endowment and the future establishment of an Ecology Chair through a charitable remainder trust. Financial priorities involve the continued building of endowment funds and the continued repair of relationships with donors and members. The auditors presented the 2004 audit to the members. Outgoing board members Ann Poulos and Bill Beaver were thanked for their service of the past two years. The Chair reported on the Board accomplishments over the past year and noted that staff and volunteers were involved in every one of those accomplishments. (These can be read on this website) The Director gave his yearly report, covering the topics of the endowment level of MNA, maintaining a sustainable budget, new collections facilities, AAM Accreditation status, research programs, public programs, an MOU with the Hopi Tribe, summer programs, the art sale lawsuit and the magazine Plateau. Jim Roberts, architect, explained the status of the development of a campus master plan guided by a future new Collections Center. The highlight of the whole meeting was the election of seven new board members: Serving four year terms are: Allen Affeldt, Rowena Dickerson, Leigh Kuwanisiwma, Wayne Ranney, and Carolyn Shoemaker. Serving a three year term: Stephen Verkamp. Serving a two year term: Miguel Vasquez. Congratulations to all of them.

The August 6 Board meeting had fifteen of twenty Board members attending, as well as the President of the Sedona Muses and five staff members. The Chair of the Board reported that a legal fund has been set up to help pay for the legal costs of the art sale lawsuit. The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with NAU, which has been under development for a year by MNA and NAU staff. The highlight of this meeting was a presentation by Dr. David Gillette, Colbert Chair, on his recent work excavating a Plesiosaur in Glen Canyon National Recreation area. Dr. Breunig reported that attendance at the Navajo Festival was up 33% over last year, while at the Hopi Show it was up 30%. He also reported that the previously named Hopi Mural Project is now called the Hopi Iconography Project and is now underway with Dr. Kelley Hayes-Gilpin serving as guest curator. He reported that he has been working with National Park Service to discuss their involvement in the development of the new Collections Center. He reported that Coconino County gave MNA a $10,000 grant for security upgrades and that the Institute of Museum and Library Services gave MNA a two year grant to hire a registrar and an assistant to prepare a collections inventory in advance of the move to the new collections center. MNA also received a one-year Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) grant for $75,000 to help us come into compliance with NAGPRA, with Gloria Lomahaftewa hired as MNA’s new NAGPRA Specialist. MNA received a $44,000 grant for basic aid from Arizona Commission of the Arts and a $24,000 basic aid grant from Flagstaff Cultural Partners. Mary Ann Isom, the Sedona Muses President, reported that they gave MNA $12,000 from their Sedona Lecture Series this spring. In an effort to help Board members understand our role in fundraising, we watched a 40 minutes video called “A Matter of Money”. The board approved the revised Bylaws that the Governance Committee had been working on since the fall of 2004, with input from the rest of the board. We elected new officers: Susie Garretson, Chair; Susan Olberding; Vice Chair; Sam Henderson, Secretary; Katrina Rogers, Treasurer. We also received a status report on MNA-ES (Environmental Science), the for-profit subsidiary of MNA.

Report from the Chair – June 2005
It is my pleasure to report on the accomplishments & future goals of the board this past year. However, it is hard to separate board and staff accomplishments, since many times at least one staff member, if not more, were involved in our accomplishments. We have nothing but thanks and admiration for the many staff members & volunteers who have contributed their time & efforts to each of these achievements.

Third Highest Achievements

1. Approved a resolution to support the expansion of Petrified National Monument.
2. Approved the 2004 Audit
3. Approved renewing the FALA lease another year.
4. Accepted acquisitions to our collection that included jewelry, pottery, art, and paleontology specimens.
5. Approved having Fennemore Craig develop a proposal to establish an MNA Foundation.
6. With member input, provided an exceptionally well-qualified list of board candidates for the membership to choose from.
7. This is a great opportunity to emphasize that this has been a highly involved & working board. As an example, we have conducted 10 board meetings and achieved a quorum at all of them, as well as 112 committee meetings that I am aware of, not to mention the extra events that many of us attended.
8. Approved moving forward with filing a claim on Steve Diamant, concerning the accounting of the transaction on the 2002 sale of art, as well as for fraud in his representation to the existing board at the time

Second Highest Achievements

1. Approved the formation of MNA Environmental Science as a for-
   profit corporation and approved their bylaws.
2. Approved a Memorandum of Understanding to create an Ecological
   Endowment Fund, established by an anonymous donor who created a
   charitable remainder trust for this purpose.
3. Created & approved a resolution to encourage MNA collection of our founders Dr Harold & Mary Russell-Ferrell Colton’s artwork, family art, memorabilia & physical legacies.
4. *There being no funds for a Development officer, approved the volunteer offer of Karen Enyedy, the Director’s wife, to serve as Volunteer Development Coordinator, and provide her with needed logistic support.
5. Created & approved the Research Policy.
6. Created & approved the Research Associates Guidelines

Highest Achievements

1. Developed and approved the new Mission, Vision & Values Statement.
2. In response to the Director’s initiatives & plan of action, the board collaborated with the Director & staff to develop & approve a 2005 budget that is balanced, sustainable & based on realistic income projections. Consistent with desires of the Director & the board, and despite the need to make deep & painful cuts (totaling 23%) to operating expenses, the budget sought to support the key Museum functions of education, collections & research while minimizing the harm to its superb & supportive staff.
3. Revised & approved the MNA Code of Ethics.
4. Revised & approved the Endowment Investment Policy and Donor Bill of Rights
5. Approved the application to the American Association of Museums for accreditation to be sent Dec 3, 2004 (the same date our certification was revoked in 2003).
6. Created & approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hopi Nation that will guarantee strong collaborative efforts between MNA and the Hopi nation in future research & program development.
7. Continued to repair relationships with many members, donors and friends to the museum.
8. Created a Master Plan ad hoc committee to study the entire campus
   with the goal of coming up with an overall master plan that would be
   the perfect museum 50 years down the road.

Future Goals

1. Achieve AAM accreditation.
2. Continue to improve relationships with past & future members, alumni, donors, tribes and the community.
3. Attract additional support for general operating funds, as well as for endowments, so that MNA can:
   • raise salaries of staff, many of whom took pay cuts to achieve the sustainable budget we approved,
   • hire new staff for positions that are vacant, but much needed, and
   • conduct much needed building improvements.
4. Continue progress on the Southwest Mural Project, so that next year we can report the plan to you.
5. Approve the 2006 budget in December 2005.
6. Complete revisions of Collections & other policies.
7. Develop a single MNA Policy Manual, available to all employees, members, volunteers and visitors as a reference & guide.
8. Complete the master plan.
9. Finalize plans for fundraising efforts in support of the Collections Center and complete the plans for the Collection Center.

Report from the Chair – May 2004
I was asked to report on board accomplishments since elected July 26, 2003, but found it difficult to separate board from staff and volunteer accomplishments. We have worked hand in hand every step of the way. It has been heartening to see board, staff and volunteers rise to the occasion. Before Dr. Breunig came in January, board member Max Oelschlaeger acted as Director. There was need for the board to be more involved in daily decisions. Since Dr Breunig arrived, the board has backed off, leaving the daily decisions to him. I think we all have a lot to be proud of.

1. New Board of Trustees formed, offices and committees created and functioning.
2. AAM Letter of Allegations responded to, loss of AAM accreditation and decision to reapply at the earliest time allowed. MAP II completed as part of process.
3. Reviewed 60 applications for director, conducted interviews and hired Dr Robert Breunig, a full time professional museum director, who is of the highest caliber and comes with excellent relations with MNA’s community already in place.
4. Studied intricacies of the Southwest Mural Project, put the project on hold until an MOU with the Hopi Tribe can be established, but agreed to go forward with it, in an altered form, as soon as this is done.
5. The board and staff felt a continual need to clarify our mission, as there was much confusion this. Hired Gail Anderson, a consultant to help us begin the process of creating a new vision, mission statement and values. Conducted meetings with members, staff and board, with summer of 2004 as the expected completion date. A focus group is currently hard at work on this.
6. Re-opened Geology, finalized an MOU for the Colbert Chair and re-hired Dave Gillette as Colbert Chair curator. Hired Mike Woodburn, as Honorary Curator of Paleontology and Bill Breed as Emeritus Curator of Geology.
7. Hired Dianna Van Sanford as Docent/Volunteer Coordinator, Carol Hassler as half time librarian and Liz Gummerman as Membership Coordinator. This is actually a staff function, but we like to think we helped by supporting the decision.
8. Conducted a major fundraising activity, the Ted Danson Fundraiser, in celebration
of the 75th anniversary. We cleared $60,000.
9. Conducted a Community Welcome for Bob Breunig.
10. Conducted an Alumni Rendevouz.
11. Began and succeeded in many instances, the reparations of relationships with many members, donors and friends of the museum.
12. Conducted 10 hours of museum orientation for the board through campus tours and department descriptions by the managers of their areas.
13. Conducted 11 Board meetings and achieved a quorem at all of them.
14. Widened the abilities of the Finance & Investment Committee by bringing on an accountant who specializes in non-profits, an investment expert and a financial executive for a successful international business. Met twice with our investment representative from Miller/Russell & Associates. Contracted with a new auditor to audit MNA’s financial reports.
15. Began work on the Collections Policy.
16. Studied the condition of and agreed to continue Plateau Journal for two years under a revised structure of operation that has financial sustainability as its goal and a business plan as a requirement.
17. Created a committee to look in to the past sale of art & textiles and concluded to take no action at this time.
18. Approved a 2004 budget that is not sustainable, but much closer to sustainability than previous years.
19. Studied the condition of the Heritage Program and made changes to help it become more dynamic and financially sustainable. Hired Bob Lomadafkie as its director.
20. Began to study what it will take to build a new collections/repository facility with the goal of completing one by 2010.
21. Approved personnel policies including standards of conduct, travel, expense reimbursement and use of credit cards, as well as a change of retirement plans for the staff.
22. With member input, the Board Development committee provided an exceptionally
well qualified list of candidates for the Board for members to choose from.

GOALS
1. Reapply for AAM accreditation.
2. Achieve an MOU with the Hopi Tribe concerning the Southwest Mural Project and begin work.
3. Hire an archivist, a full time librarian and a development officer.
4. Secure endowments for Chairs in Archaeology, Biology, Art.
5. Begin plans for various curators in areas that are in need.
6. Continue to improve relationships with past & future members, alumni, donors, tribes, and the community.
7. Complete the Request for Proposal for legal services and sign a contract.
8. Raise twice the money budgeted for income.
9. Approve the 2005 budget in December 2004.
10. Achieve a more balanced board, ethnically and per abilities.
11. Complete the Collections policy and continue studying other policies for needed revisions, as well as the Bylaws.

Report from the Chair – February 2006
The board of trustees met on February 4 with twelve board members, four staff, two volunteers and two guests present.

We all agreed that in light of the passing of Jessica Danson, we would each make a contribution to a board gift to go to the Danson Anthropology Endowment Fund. Jessica was a delightful woman who was very supportive of the Museum’s efforts and she attended many of the function we held here in Flagstaff. She will be missed by many.

Dr. Breunig had many good things to report. He reported that the Native American Youth Art exhibit is opening this month, the Fragile Antiquities exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Antiquities Act will open March 4, and planning is underway for a 2007 exhibit on the Therizinosaur, excavated by Dr. David Gillette. Included will be illustrations by Victor Lesheck, a scientific illustrator from Sedona, showing various hypotheses about this dinosaur’s environment, behavioral patterns, subsistence strategies and appearance. He also reported that the Stories on Stone lecture series has been extended through February and urged us all to attend.

Dennis Miller and Lori Booth-Houle of Miller Russell and Associates presented the annual review of performance of MNA’s investments. The endowment funds grew by 1.2 million dollars due to addition of new funds ($830,000) and market appreciation. Mr. Miller noted that none of the other funds he manages grew in contributions by that much. So I say congratulations to Bob, the Board and staff, and of course the contributors who made this happen. The finance committee has asked Miller Russell to investigate the possibility of investing in socially responsible investment funds. They are doing this for other organizations they work with as well. There is more work to be done in this area and they should have more to report at our next finance meeting.

Jim Roberts of Roberts/Jones Architects gave an overview of the status of the Master Plan and development of the Collections Center. Things are coming along quite nicely, and for the board this is most exciting to be working on something so positive. There are many details to this report that are included in the minutes. The board agreed that the plan is going in the right direction and that Mr Roberts should continue along current lines to finalize the plan.

Karen Enyedy (MNA’s volunteer Development Director) reported on the results of all the different parts of the year end annual appeal. Her efforts paid off in that MNA completed the year 2005 accomplishing staying within the approved sustainable budget. The board thanked Karen by presenting her with a certificate for a two night stay (for two) at the Briar Patch Lodge creek side room in Sedona, plus a little eating money.