01-19-21 Conrad Mansion Board of Directors MinutesConrad Mansion Board Meeting
Jan 19, 20214:00 via Zoom
Members present:
Mark Schickendantz, Diane Medler, Everit Sliter, Beth Collier, Cate Weber, Chris Vick, Teri Iwerson,
Jessica Treweek, Katharine King, Sue Corrigan, Carrie Nelson and Museum Director, Brit Clark.
December Meeting Minutes approved.
Committee Reports:
Finance: Mark & Everit
• Mark expressed his appreciation for Everit's work on the 2021 budget and a second PPP
application. Budget numbers use 2020 as a guide with 2% added for inflation. This year is a bit
of a challenge in knowing what to count on in terms of visitors. Everit reviewed the financials.
The new PPP loan application was submitted for $21,450, which like last year will be forgiven if
the program requirements are met. The good news is that we have cash in the bank at yearend.
• The Finance Committee will make some recommendations for endowment spending guides.
The Endowment has some accumulated income. We took out $16,000 for window painting and
maintenance but have not taken money out since.
• Mark is gathering information on some larger projects. The Brick Naming project has potential.
• Mary Pat and Diane offered kudos to Brit and Mansion staff. We came out of 2020 in the black!
Director Report: Brit
Gorden Renovation -
• Tyler provided an overall project summary for the second phase of the Garden renovation. Tyler
and Brit are both happy with how the season went. Joni would like to hire laborers later in the
season to help. The gazebo area required some additional tractor work that added to the first
season's expense, but helped move forward on the second season goals. Wholesale plants are
used with the savings are passed on to the Mansion. Tyler and Jeanie have been able to acquire
unique plant varieties making the Mansion gardens even more distinguished. Perennials are
also donated by Bibler Gardens.
Christmas Season Tours 2020-
Brit was impressed with how well the self -guided tours went. People were respectful and had
positive comments. There were actually more visitors than last year during December. Some
people want self guided tours, but other visitors prefer docents. It's nice to cater to both
preferences.
• Some website updates in 2021 will make it easier to navigate.
• The Annual Ask letters received several nice donations.
Marketing Committee: Diane and Brit
• Diane presented a high level marketing plan and budget and asked members for suggestions or
comments. New tour prices were proposed.
Previous Rates
(Guided Tours)
Proposed Rates
(Guided Tours)
Self Guided Tours
Specialty Guided
Seasonal Tours
$17 Adult
$20 Adult
$15
$22
$15 Senior
$18 Senior
-
-
$10 Teens
Sponsored
-
-
$8 Children
Sponsored
-
-
• 750 kids toured the Mansion in 2020 with the Sponsor a Kids Tour grant.
• The tour season kick off will focus on outdoor events in May.
• Marketing and Fundraising are very different entities.
• We can look at other museum partners for opportunities to
Teas & Tours -
We can charge more for high teas and advertise them year round. The Teas are well loved by
both staff and the public. Cate loved the idea and suggested offering a couples rate. Chris asked
for confirmation that original collection items would not be used and subject to wear and tear.
Robert will build a special table to use for Teas and Tours.
Planned Upcoming Special Seasonal Tours-
• Comfy Quilt Show in February (put together by Chare and Sharon)
• Inner Workings of the House for Father's Day
• Depending on how things go regarding Covid, Brit would like to do a "Stories in Stones"
Cemetery event this fall.
Photography in House-
• Brit would like to change the policy and allow visitors to take photos inside the house. People
love to take pictures with their phones and share them on social media.
• Chris would like to contact our insurance and see if this would have any impacts.
• Carrie shared the historical reasons for not allowing photography inside the mansion were that
light from the camera flashes contributed to fading on frequently photographed items, tour
rhythms were affected by the time needed for visitors to stop and take pictures, and also a bit of
a security measure. Cell phone photos without flash and self -guided tours are changes that
warrant reconsideration.
School & Education Tours -
The Sponsor a Kids tour was successful this year and Brit would like to continue this model.
Sponsorship could help cover additional special children's events.
• Anyone interested in serving on an Educational Program Committee is welcome to help. Jessica
Treweek volunteered. "Out with Mom/Dad/Grandparent" specialty tours were discussed, plus
ways to reach students when they can't have a class tour like usual years.
Room Sponsorship-
• Brit, Beth, and Teri will work as the Room Sponsorship committee again this year.
• Student Tour Sponsorship will be a separate focus.
Meeting Adjourn 5:02