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MUSEUM OF
NORTHERN ARIZONA
Board Members in Attendance:
Members Present: Allan Affeldt; Drew Barringer; Sam Braun; David Connell; Susie Garretson, Chair; Sam Henderson; Leigh Kuwanwisiwma; Jack Metzger; Beverly Miller; Peter Pilles; Barbara Poley; Wayne Ranney; Carolyn Shoemaker, Miguel Vasquez; and Steve Verkamp Board Members Absent: Octaviana Trujillo; Susan Golightly, LaVelle McCoy, Katrina Rogers, MNA Staff Members in Attendance: Robert Breunig, Director; Pats Shriver, Executive Assistant; Lynn Yeager, Controller; Larry Stevens, Curator of Ecology and Conservation, Sonny Kuhr, MNA-ES Business Manager, Ted Neff, MNA-ES Project Manager, Tracy Anderson, Education Director, Karen Enyedy, Development Volunteer Sedona Muses Representative: Mary Ann Isom, President and Pat Pauli, President Elect Emeritus Board Member: Francis McAllister MNA-ES Shareholder Meeting Preceding the regular meeting of the board, the Annual Meeting of the MNA-ES Shareholder was held. The meeting began with a presentation by MNA-ES archaeologist, Ted Neff, on the Grand Canyon Archeological Project. He described several of the sites that are being excavated and showed images of the fieldwork done in September 2006. There are nine sites that the team will be excavating. There will be two full excavations this summer, with a short hiatus now while the Navajo Nation and the National Park Service finalize paperwork. It was suggested that if the public could participate (Ventures-like trip or Custom trip) it could help generate donor funds, and a great way to market the program. As of today, river trips are invited to stop to view the excavations and discuss the work activities. Sonny Kuhr Presentation Sonny Kuhr, MNA-ES Corporate Manager, presented the second quarter report and project updates. She discussed a major project with the Western Area Power Authority (WAPA) in western Arizona. The WAPA crews report that they are comfortable with MNA-ES monitors, and it is working very well. MNA-ES will be winding down smaller projects over the next few months, and a big portion of their work, the Grand Canyon Project will continue as a not-for-profit project, which effects financial performance, but which is also critical to MNA’s mission. MNA-ES is short of required Board members. Four have resigned this year. Helen Yard was proposed as a board nominee. She is a Flagstaff resident, MNA member, and has extensive experience in environmental consulting. Nomination to recommend Helen Yard as a Board Member for MNA-ES was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Sonny Kuhr is resigning as Corporate Manager, and will be stepping down from MNA-ES by June 14, 2007. This is a significant loss to the organization and prompts a reassessment of the direction of MNA-ES. Robert Breunig noted that the original business plan, established in 2004, focused on federal contracts called “small business set asides”. These have become increasingly scarce since then. Most the work of MNA-ES done today is not-for-profit work done through the Colorado Plateau Ecosystem Studies Unit (CPCESU). There will be a need to provide management oversight to the Grand Canyon Project that will now be managed directly by MNA. The scientific aspects of the project will remain under the direction of Ted Neff. A recommendation was made to suspend MNA-ES activity as a business for now and, in the future, restart it if there appears sufficient business to justify restarting. The motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Commendation to Sonny Kuhr for all her work was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Motion to approve the MNA-ES Minutes for 2006 and Financial Reports was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. I. Call to Order Chair Susie Garretson called the regular meeting to order at 10:18 AM Board Commitment sheets developed by the Governance Committee were passed out. Board members were asked to sign it and return it to Susie Garretson. All new board members will be asked to sign the commitment form going forward. II. Approval/Acceptance of Minutes A motion to approve the Board of Trustees meeting minutes of February 3, 2007 was made, seconded, and passed unanimously III. Approval of Consent Agenda A motion to approve the consent agenda minutes: Finance and Investment Minutes: January 31 and April 4, 2007, Governance Committee Minutes: March 15, 2007, and Fundraising Committee Meeting Minutes: February 15, 2007 was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. IV. Report from the Chair Susie Garretson Susie thanked Alan Affeldt for accepting the position as board advocate with Arizona Commission on the Arts. NAGPRA Deaccession Request. Robert Breunig outlined a NAGPRA repatriation request that resulted from a recent consultation visit from the Navajo Nation. Robert Breunig reviewed the records of these items and the nature of the request and it is his recommendation is that these items be deaccessioned and returned to the tribe. Recommendation from staff to the Board to deaccesion and return to Navajo Nation the items in the NAGPRA report. The motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. V. Report from the Director Robert Breunig Accreditation Update MNA has learned that we were granted Interim Accreditation, although the official letter has not yet arrived. There will be a Visiting Committee of two peer reviewers sent later this year and instructed to look and review specific things, such as finances, collections, etc. The peer reviewers will also want to meet with staff, board and volunteers. The visit may be months off, as it has to be coordinated, and MNA prefers not to have the visit until after the Heritage Program ends. Robert is very encouraged with receiving Interim Accreditation, Collections Center Robert, Sat Best, and Jim Roberts met with city officials on Thursday (4/5/07) for two hours for their second meeting to review the Collections Center plans. The meeting went very well, and the city seems very enthusiastic about the project. This meeting would have been the one to discuss extra requirements from the city, upgrades, etc. Nothing unexpected was required. The next step will be to apply for a demolition permit on the five buildings, then apply for the building permits. It will require relocating some utilities – an eight inch water line for sprinklers and hydrants, etc. There was discussion on whether there would be any “impact fees” imposed, and at this time it is not known. The hope is to break ground in late summer, or early fall. Robert expressed a dream – September 6, 2008 – it will be the museum’s 80th birthday and he hopes that the museum will receive full accreditation and also be able dedicate the new Collections Center at that time. Program Update The Dan and Arlo Namingha Gala Event will be held on June 16th under the big tent on the Rio de Flag. There is a great committee working on the program and logistics. Currently, Robert, Karen Enyedy and Cassie Dakan are working on commitments for table sponsors. We are very confident that it will be a successful event. Tracy Anderson is working with Dan and Francis Namingha on the logistics and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Niman Gallery is in place. Along with the show, there will be other collateral material available for sale in the bookstore, including posters, note cards, etc. The museum will republish the 1977 show poster, Walpi Night Dance, in a new format, as a commemorative poster. Therizinosaur Exhibit Exhibit construction started this week. Victor Leshyk, the artist, is continuing his work on exhibit elements. Staff member Vicki Wallis has brought the original bones back from Utah, where they were prepared for casting and they are reported to be they are in great shape, and MNA is preparing them for installation. There will be a member’s preview on Saturday, September 15th, and the public opening will be on Sunday, September 16th. The program is on track. Trappings of the American West Exhibit This fall, MNA will host their second annual Trappings of the American West exhibit. The members preview will be Saturday, October 12th, and the public opening will be Sunday, October 13th. The MOU is in place with Dry Creek Arts Fellowship and Linda Stedman. Havasupai MOU MNA entered into a MOU for a project with the Havasupai Tribe. It is for a grant to the Institute of Library Services for assistance in museum training for the Tribal Museum. MNA will partner with them on the grant and provide technical training to the Havasupai. Navajo Nation Relations MNA-ES is waiting on a signed agreement from the Navajo Nation to commence work at the Axehandle Site as part of the Grand Canyon Project. This agreement permits excavation on land now under dispute between the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation. Zuni Festival The A:Shiwi A:wan Museum and Cultural Center at Zuni will partner with MNA in 2008 for a revived Zuni Festival. The program will be in late May at MNA. The Zuni’s see Flagstaff as part of their traditional cultural landscape, want a presence in Flagstaff and to be a partner with MNA on the festival. Discovery Programs Discovery Program enrollments opened last Monday. The program is available for preschool through high school. The enrollment is off to good start. This year, MNA is offering after hours programs with before and after care. There will be fifty two programs offered this year. Development and Grants MNA received $10,000.00 from APS to assist local school children to visit the Therizinosaur exhibit. This is the largest APS grant in years. MNA also received $10,000.00 from the Walton Family Foundation to go towards general operating expenses. Development and grants are moving along well; the cash flow is still lean. Ecology and Conservation Program presented by Larry Stevens Robert introduced Larry Stevens who has been a Curator of Ecology and Conservation since last year. Larry is working on a number of projects. It is so important and great that we have someone in biological sciences. The ecosystems of the Colorado Plateau are at risk and Larry is best person to look at it. Larry presented several topics (handout provided) on bringing back the biological sciences and their importance to MNA and the Colorado Plateau. He discussed building up the herbarium collection, and having several volunteers helping him. There are over 100,000 specimens, one of the most extensive collections available. Twenty new species came back to him in the last shipment. Larry also described how he found Steve Carothers’ field notebook and pencil in the MNA biology lab – just the way it was left twenty-five years ago when Steve left MNA. Larry also discussed the Verde Valley Drainage Project and the biodiversity of Montezuma’s Well. Larry is also planning an amphibian sound exhibit at the museum in 2009/10, and is working to obtain gallery space for future biology exhibits. VI. Report of Land and Facilities Committee Allan Affeldt There was a general review of the facilities for ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act) compliance recently. The committee has also reviewed the staff Ad Hoc Space Allocation Committee Report, and recommends to the Board to approve it. Recommendation from the Land and Facilities Committee to accept the Ad Hoc Space Committee Proposal was first seconded, and passes unanimously. VII. Report from the Finance and Investment Committee David Connell The Finance and Investment Committee recommends to the Board acceptance of the February 2007 Financial Statements and Report was first, second, passes unanimously. A handout was provided of all the March financials. The audit is complete. JDS Professional Services rendered an unqualified opinion, which is the top opinion you can receive. It indicates the right controls are in place. MNA did not receive a management letter, which is a good indicator that everything is in order. This was for the nine-month year, and there are no comparative figures for the previous year. Lynn Yeager is to be congratulated on all the hard work. The Endowment Foundation is waiting on IRS approval for non-profit status. There is a foundation board meeting set for April 23rd and it will include the first discussion on investments, distribution policy, etc. The Foundation will discuss the proposal it will make to MNA on the management of existing endowments. Lunch IX. Report from the Governance Committee Drew Barringer Nominating Committee Report There was a need for consolidation of policies on retention and destruction. In December 2004, the Board approved a policy on retention of board minutes. Last summer the Board approved a comprehensive policy on retention and destruction of documents. Robert took the initiative of creating an Appendix B and moved the 2004 policy into the general policy. It is now an inclusive document. There was no change in either policy, so there is not a need to vote on it as a Board at this time. A few months ago, the Non Profit Resource Center in Flagstaff provided a workshop on responsibilities for Board of Directors. It is a one page summary of key points. It is important to revisit what our responsibilities are to the museum; fiduciary, etc. We need to ensure that we are giving proper oversight to what the Board should be doing, by giving time, expertise, and financial support. We also need to review and approve the adoption of long term plans and objectives. The Board of Trustees also needs to ensure that we establish an effective governance of the museum. IX. Muses Report Mary Ann Isom The transition to the new board of the Sedona Muses will be May 3, 2007, with the presentation of a $13,000.00 check to the museum. A handout was provided with the newly elected officers. The last lecture series will feature Dr. David Gillette on the Therizinosaur. There have been on average 175 people for each lecture. Many thanks to Mary Ann Isom for the great job she has done in the past two years. X. Other Business Susie Garretson Jack Metzger of the Flying M Ranch would again like to host MNA and Diablo Trust for a program and cookout. Robert commented it would have to be after Therizinosaur opens, and would prefer late September. There will be an email circulated to close on the date quickly. Next meeting will be Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 9:00AM at the Colton House, following by the Membership Meeting at Branigar/Chase Auditorium at 3:00 PM. |
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