Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Minutes of Past Meetings

 

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Minutes, October 26, 1990

 

Attending:

Helen Bechdel (President), George Dempsie, Joyce Hagen (Arts Coordinator), Joanne Tosti-Vasey (Secretary), Joe Vasey, Rob Gannon (Secretary), Carol Burke, and Kevin Burke. Judith Schardt (Treasurer) arrived about 10:00 p.m.

 

Meeting was called to order at 8:06 p.m. by Helen. The minutes were reviewed and Helen questioned why the Old House books appeared in both income and cost columns. Joyce explained this to her. The only correction to the minutes was the following written comment by Peter Schneeman:

Monday

Rob,

As of right now I won't be able to make the BHCA meeting on Friday-I have to go out to dinner w/ the visiting poet. However, I do want it noted in the minutes that the implication that I forgot the meeting (me, forget?) is erroneous and possibly actionable. I did not know, about the meeting since the Minutes from the previous meeting never reached me. Blame the secretary or the post office, but not me.

                                    Yours, Peter

 

Rob Gannon moved that officer nominees be accepted by acclamation.  Helen remarked that Melady (VP nominee) is not willing to become President next year but will serve as VP this year. No nominations were presented from the floor. Helen called for a vote. The following slate for 1990-1991 was accepted by acclamation:

President - Helen Bechdel

Vice President - Melady Kehm

Secretary - Joe Vasey and Joanne Tosti-Vasey
Treasurer - Judith Schardt

 

We had a quick discussion of by-laws. They require an executive committee. True Fisher had suggested to Helen before True left for the Orient that the people who attend meetings be designated the "executive committee" and other members who don't attend meetings but do things for BHCA be designated as "members." This was agreed to by all.

 

True also relayed a message from Betty Hawland to Helen that Betty wants to stay active but can't regularly attend meetings and will work with Peter Schneeman on the grant.

 

Joyce Hagen then gave her report:

• Joyce received a phone call from Maxine Simms, PA Dance Theater. They are interested in increasing their visibility and would like BHCA to work with them. This would not necessarily be a fund raiser; they just want to perform locally. Ms. Simms was referred to BHCA by the Gamble Mill. Joyce suggested to Ms. Simms that she try to tie in with the Bellefonte Arts and Crafts dinner. We then discussed this issue.
• Helen liked the idea of the dance event. Rob said we did a dance event a long time ago at the Mill. He suggested that a dance program might be done at the Opera House and that BHCA could provide info on resources and possibly do publicity, but otherwise the dance company would have to do all other arrangements.
• The group decided that if the PA Dance Theater wants to pursue working with BHCA, they should come to one of our meetings and present their proposal so that we would have a better idea of what they want/need. Joyce will relay this to Ms. Simms.
• Joyce attended the PA Humanities Council meeting. They are a potential funding source.
• The funding request to the CDT is ready for Helen's signature.
• The next gallery opening is November 6, 1990 (Election Day).
• The next Sunday Concert in the Library is Sunday, November 4, 1990 at 2:30 p.m. Marylene Dosse, piano and Marianne Behrendt, violin will be the featured artists. The will be doing three Beethoven sonatas.
• Joan Blasko will be taking the 1991 calendars to the printers on November 1, 1990. They will be ready before Thanksgiving. Three hundred copies will be run and they will be sold for $7.00 a piece. Anne Jacobs told Joyce she needs help in distributing the calendars to the points of sale.
• The Gamble Mill Gallery is interested in sponsoring a booth of former exhibitors at the Arts and Crafts Fair with BHCA taking full charge of this booth.  The general consensus of the group is that this would be too complicated and inappropriate. Joyce will relay this information at the next Gallery meeting.
• The application for the Garver Fund arrived in the mail with a note that they would like our response by November 5, 1990.  The fund has supported Summer Sounds and the Old House Fair in the past. Joyce needs the Old House Fair budget, which is not ready, before she can submit the application. She will therefore submit the request later.
• Bellefonte Area Chamber of commerce sent BHCA a notice of membership renewal for $50.00. Rob Gannon moved that we renew and Joanne Tosti-Vasey seconded motion. Motion was carried.
• The 1500-piece fund-raising mailing was taken to the printers this morning.
• As an issue related to fund-raising, the question of when dues are due came up. No one knew, so we decided to ask Judith Schardt (but no one was designated with this responsibility!).  The question was then raised as to how dues actually work.   Does it matter if it's called dues, membership, or contribution and what are the implications of whatever we call them? We decided to leave things alone for now (in limbo?). Dues (or whatever) will be collected later, when Judith says they are due.
• Joyce passed around a program package flyer from the PA Heritage Affairs Commission. It is a compilation of performers/artists representing the diversity of Pennsylvania 's ethnic heritage. These groups are available to non-profit organizations and half of the costs for production are paid for by the Commission.

 

Joe Vasey gave the Film Committee report. The presentations will start in January at the Elks Club; popcorn will be served. Showings will be on Wednesday night. Publicity will be taken out in Town and Gown and the State College Magazine,, among others. It looks like a set of series tickets may not be plausible given the time constraints--i.e., not everything is finalized and we don't have enough information to print, distribute, and sell series tickets at this point.

 

Rob Gannon had no report on the Plaques.

 

There was no report on the Old House Fair as there has not yet been a meeting.

True Fisher left some notes with Helen Bechdel regarding Victorian Christmas before she left for the Orient.

• We need a volunteer to go to the Victorian Christmas meeting on November 14, 1990. No one volunteered. Helen said she might go if Melady won't. Rob Gannon will ask Melady if she will go when she gets back from Florida tomorrow.
• True reminded people to dress up Victorian style if they will be working at a table for the Arts & Crafts Fair.
• True needs help with setup on December 8. She may be calling you for help.

Helen Bechdel is no longer planning to go to the Smithsonian Costume Workshop/Program since the U.S. Congress and the President have had so much trouble putting together a budget.

We then took a break, hoping Judith Schardt would show up.  After Judith arrived, we set up the next meeting for November 30, 1990 at 7:30 p.m. at Helen Bechdel's home.

Judith gave the Treasurer's Report for October 26.

	Current Report	Last Report:
	October 26, 1990	September 28, 1990
C.D.	3000.00                                               3000.00
Savings	1595.11                                                1895.11
Checking	484.40                                                  473.40
Income:	0.00
Expenses: Arts Coordinator	264.00
Misc Expenses	25.00

(stamps)

 

George Dempsie moved that we adjourn.  Joe Vasey seconded the motion.  Motion was carried.