05-20-19 Conrad Mansion Board of Directors MinutesConrad Mansion
Board of Directors Meeting
May 20th, 2019
Members Present:
Sue Corrigan, Mary Pat Murphy, Katherine King, Mark Norley, Diane Medler, Beth Collier, Tia Robbin,
Brit Clark (Interim Manager), Mark Schickendantz, Teri Iwerson, Gary Haven, Chris Vick, Carrie Nelson
Meeting called to order at 4:00 at Kalispell City Hall.
April Board Meeting Minutes- Approved.
Treasurer's Report:
• We will hold off on Brit's April financials and the budget until Everit is back at the next meeting.
President's Report:
Interim Management Plan
• Will is no longer with the Mansion. Brit will serve as manager of the house for this season. Her
salary will be increased from $31,500 to $35,00 and book keeping services will be contracted out
as to not overwhelm Brit and follow best practices. Jordahl & Sliter is doing book keeping as well
as payroll. Chris Vick moved to approve the Executive Committee's actions to have Brit continue
as Manager for the season. All were in favor.
• Katherine has someone in mind who can help us with fundraising for a year or less. She will
share more after she has had a chance to meet with this individual.
• Mary Pat agreed with the need to have someone help the Mansion with professional
fundraising. She has spoke with Tagen Vine from Kalispell Regional Hospital to gather ideas.
Mary Pat said she would be happy to write a case for fundraising restrooms and bridal rooms.
• Diane further supported the need for professional direction as managing the house and
fundraising is a lot. The Mansion needs to determine the best avenue for fundraising, what
projects have the best return and are doable projects. The Mansion needs a long term plan for
2020 and beyond. Professional input on these matters is worth the time and effort.
• Chris Vick said that he liked the model of having a manager for daily operations of the house and
hiring a consultant to help with fundraising.
2019 Budget
• Sue discussed the revised draft operations budget. This combined duplicates, and includes
committed room sponsorships to date. It does not include the summer Glacier Symphony &
Chorale concert event. The Bibler Foundation provides $20,000 each year for the Mansion's
Endowment. This year that amount can be used as best determined for the Mansion with no
designation that it go to the endowment.
• Regarding Line 4112- Regular Tour Income: Brit reported no complaints from visitors about the
increased admission price.
• Regarding Line 4602- Gift Shop Mansion Merchandise: The Mansion will resume pursuing coffee
and also Mansion mugs.
• Regarding line 6781 & 6782- Liability Insurance & Insurance for Directors & Officers: The
Mansion made a double payment last year. Sue had marked this item as one to check on
further. Diane asked if the Mansion had volunteer insurance. Brit will look into this.
• Katherine acknowledged Chris Vick's work on the budget and expressed thanks. Significant
changes have been taken into account since Will was working on it. (Room sponsorships added,
salary changes, membership dues simplified)
Fundraising
Room Sponsorship Campaign (Tia):
• Tia shared the current sponsor list. It has been an easy sell! In the event that potential sponsors
would like rooms that Board members have committed to sponsor, members said they would be
willing to give up spot and provide match for another contribution. Rita is preparing a certificate
for sponsors.
• Let Tia know right away when you have contacted businesses so the list of rooms available can
be kept up to date and also so people are not contacted more than once. Gathering room
sponsorships will end at the end of this month as our tour season has started.
The Garden Party with Glacier Symphony & Chorale (Katherine and Mark Norley)
• Planning for this event has been mainly between the leaders of the GSC and Conrad Mansion.
Katherine has confirmed that the project is still a go. Please plan on volunteering.
• Date: July 18t" at 5 :00
• Where: Conrad Mansion. Musicians will play in three locations around the Mansion grounds.
(40 minute sets)
• Tickets: $150 per ticket for this upscale (dressy casual) event. The goal is to sell 160 tickets total
(80 tickets for each organization) Tickets will only be available at the GSC office or website.
• Live & Silent Auction items: The goal is for each organization to provide 15 silent auction items
with a garden or music theme as well as 5 live auction experiences. One auction experience that
has been proposed is dinner at the Mansion with a GSC quartet. After discussion it was agreed
that 12 people was a better fit for the dining room rather than the 16 people originally
proposed.
• Other details: DeSoto Grill will cater. Beverages and the Tent are still being arranged.
• Next planning meeting with Glacier Symphony & Chorale: May 29t", 10:00 am at GSC office on
Main Street. It will be helpful to let Katherine know what we have for auction items for this
meeting. Please let her know ASAP.
125th Anniversary of the Conrad Mansion (Mary Pat):
• Next year will mark the Mansion's 125t" anniversary and be a good time to promote Mansion
preservation and role in community. She is willing to write a case for support.
Potential Summer Donor Event with Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau (KCVB) (Katherine)
• There is an opportunity to "piggy -back" on a KCVB event for a small donor thank you event.
KCVB's June event was determined to be too soon, but they might have another event in August
or September. Diane will keep the Mansion posted.
Mark Norley's Report:
• Mark reported on his recent experience at the successful Emmanuel Lutheran Estate Sale. The
Estate Sale involved the sale of treasures and objects left after residents downsized when they
moved into the villa. Funds raised supported respite care. Mark reported that the event was
well organized and raised significant funds.
Manager's Report (Brit):
Membership:
• Memberships have plateaued. We are out of membership cards and it is time to reorder. A
small number will be reprinted to leave with potential sponsors. The Business membership side
of card will not be reprinted. More can be printed at a later date to allow for time to consider
membership changes.
Website & Facebook page:
• The new website should launch soon. Was scheduled for yesterday, but not quite ready.
Death By Chocolate:
• Net earnings are $13,000 so far. Some invoices are still expected.
• Chris Vick said that Death by Chocolate would be good to discuss with a fundraiser and good
time to consider changes.
Tours:
• The Mansion is fully staffed and tours are going well. School tours are in full swing. Senior tour
guides are serving as house managers on the weekends. Board members can help on weekends
in August and September. Duties will be described and training provided.
Weddings and Presentations:
• 2 weddings are scheduled in June.
• Brit gave a Mansion presentation at Prestige Assisted Living.
Gardens:
• The gardener that was previous hired under Will had to be let go as she did not show up reliably.
Lisa is filling in as interim gardener through June 15t". Tyler and Jeannie from Biblers are willing
to help with finding a gardener.
Other Business:
FVCC Logos:
• Mary Pat expressed concern about the logos submitted by a FVCC design class and awaiting
decision. Central School picked one. Brit will confirm with FVCC. The Mansion will carry this
into the June Meeting. All entrants submitting a design have received Mansion Memberships.
Miriam Emerson Memorial (Sue):
• The memorial for Miriam, a longtime and beloved volunteer extraordinaire, will be held May
25t"1 2019. Service at Faith Covenant Church (1:30) and Celebration of Life to follow at the
Mansion (3:00). Donations for a memorial are being collected and a nice specimen plant will be
planted in her honor in accordance with the wishes of the family.
Next Meeting: June 18t" at City Hall. 4:00
NOTE: MEETINGS HAVE CHANGED TO TUESDAYS FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER.
Meeting adjourned: 5:30