01-15-02 Conrad Mansion MinutesWaNOW111116161W
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A meeting of the Conrad Mansion Directors was held Tuesday, January 15th, 2002 at 8:00am at
the Mansion.
Members present were Rita Fitzsimmons, Rick Champoux, Norb Donahue, Everit Sliter, Shirley
Miller, Gayle Vidal, Norma Happ, Lynn Redfield, Teri Florman and Carrie Nelson.
The January 9th minutes were approved as amended.
Rita advised the group that Sam has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He will begin
chemotherapy on January 1 bth. She visited with Sam for almost an hour on Sunday, January
13.
They discussed the following:
1. The planned honorarium - Sam liked the idea of an engraved rock honorarium
inscribed with his name as founding member and Board President for 27 years, and some
mention that it was his vision and funds which implemented the Mansion gardens.
2. Gardens - Sam has ordered the seeds and will instruct Hooper's to start them. Since
he will not be able to plant items, other arrangements to get this done will need to be
made, perhaps with FHS FFA.
3. Stables and Halvorsen house - Sam hopes we will not abandon the idea of following
through on these goals.
4. Foundation - Sam loves the idea of this tool being revitalized and promoted.
5. Mansion history - Sam believes it is important to gather photographs and papers of
the early history of the Mansion. He regrets not having a photo of himself gardening on
the grounds. He hopes we will more actively photograph employees, Board activities and
project activity in the future.
Discussion followed in which Board members related anecdotes and warm memories of early
Mansion activities. Norb emphasized the importance of crediting Larry Bjornaby, former
Kalispell mayor, with providing the civic leadership to make the Mansion agreement a reality.
Details of activating the foundation were discussed. Everit noted that we need to file an
application with the IRS within one year after we begin accepting donations. To complete the
application, Foundation Board members will need to decide and record what our activities and
purposes will be. To prepare members to do this, Everit provided everyone with copies of the
Foundation by-laws to read and review. He noted that it is possible to have two purposes and
two subfunds--one permanent endowment and one for supporting Mansion or other worthy
heritage projects.
Everit informed the group that in 1999 Charles Conrad contacted Lynn to let her know he
(over)
possessed an original claim deed to a Montana silver mine which he would like to donate to the
foundation. Sam approved of the donation at the time. Final arrangements for completing the
donation were to be made when Charles next traveled to Kalispell.
At present it appears that the Mercord gift could activate the foundation, although the
Foundation Board will still have to determine how to manage stock gifts. Everit moved and Norb
seconded that the Mansion Board also transfer @ $200,00.00 in CD's to the Conrad Mansion
Foundation. The motion passed.
Norb agreed to write letters announcing the formation of the foundation in a "Thank you Sam"
drive to promote the foundation and to celebrate Sam's 27 years of leadership and philanthropy
to the Mansion. He suggested we write people to contribute varying amounts from $25 to
$10,000 with larger donors awarded monuments and gifts such as copies of the PBS video or
engraved names on Sam's rock. Gift details will be determined later. A "Thank you Sam" parry
in May could be the focus of this drive.
Event moved that we recommend to the Foundation Board that they name the permanent
endowment fund the L. A. Bibler Endowment Fund. The motion passed.
Rita reminded the group that this spring we must arrange for help with planting and ongoing
gardening but that this topic will be revisited at a future meeting. She also announced that she
has asked Lynn to prepare drafts of job descriptions for herself and for others who work at the
Mansion as well as an Operations Manual. Preliminary information will be shared and discussed
in February. Rita also asked Donna Carr to consider working as part-time Mansion Board
secretary and perhaps sometime in the future to consider serving on the Board. Donna asked for
time to consider before she responded.
Liability insurance for board members and employees was discussed. Lynn stated that Robin
Boon had told her that liability insurance for all employees would cost about $350 per year. She
agreed to revisit this discussion with Robin to include board members and will report back to us.
Rita noted that we need to identify a new shipping address. Lynn will investigate commercial
possibilities and cost and report back to the Board.
It was agreed our next meeting will be Thursday, February 14th, at 8:00am at the Mansion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15am.
Conrad Mansion Board Meeting Agenda for January 15th, 2002 8 a.m.
Item I Approval/corrections of last meeting's minutes
Item 2 Brief update on Rita's visit with Sam on Sunday
a. The honorary we plan for him
b. The gardens
c. His long-range hopes
Item 3 Discussion of the Mansion's Heritage Foundation
a. Deciding on sub -titling the name of the Foundation
(Conrad Mansion Heritage Foundation—L.A. Bibler Endowment Fund)
b. Deciding on which monies/CDs to transfer to the Fund
c. Discussion on a direct mail campaign ((or other ideas)
Item 4 House/staff update
a. Need for a plan on getting the grounds planted/maintained
b. Lynn to have job descriptions for herself, Larry, asst. managers,
and guides by the Feb. meeting, as well as a general
operating manual arranged month by month
c. Donna as paid part-time secretary for the Board
Item 5 Any other business board members would like to bring up
Adjournment