Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Minutes of Past Meetings
Minutes for February 26, 2004
Centre County Historical Library & Museum, Pennsylvania Room
Attending: Gay Dunne, Jim Dunne, Buzz Evers, Bob Fenichel, Colina Jordan, Dick Knupp, Sharon McCarthy, Romayne Naylor (President), Colleen Pike Blair (Secretary), Ralph Seeley, Sam Totor (Arts Administrator), Kitty Wunderly.
The meeting was convened at 7:00 p.m.
The financial report was distributed and reviewed. Dave's report reiterates the cautionary projection of several previous reports regarding insufficient income to BHCA's overall budget. Sam moved to approve the Treasurer's report. Dick seconded; motion carried. Following approval, we conducted a brief review of how the expenses of Summer Sounds are estimated.
November's minutes were distributed and reviewed. Sharon moved to approve the minutes. Bob seconded; motion carried.
Arts Administrator's report: Correspondence was distributed, including a letter of thanks and appreciation for BHCA programs from Annette Smith. Sam has been working on the PA Rural Alliance Grant (deadline for submission is 03/01/04). A request for money to maintain the website was moved to later discussion under Old Business; this led to a conversation about development efforts. We reviewed various fundraising needs, various fundraising efforts (including corporate sponsorship, grant writing and private fundraising). There was a question raised as to whether the Gamble Mill might assist with the cost of improving the hanging system.
Committee Reports
BHCA Gallery at the Gamble Mill: Buzz distributed the annual schedule of shows. Art of the Bellefonte Schools will run from April 24 through June 19. This will be a juried show; the committee is currently contacting potential jurors from the wider community. From June 19 through September 18, there will be a show welcoming the American Philatelic Society (APS) to our community; working title is, "Wish You Were Here/Bellefonte Invitational `04" (local artists, artifacts from APS). The third and final show, from September 18 to January 8 2005, will be "Art As Dialogue: Correspondence Between Artists". Buzz suggested running concurrent exhibits at the Match Factory, once that facility is available; he has been in conversation with Bob Lamb about this possibility, including details regarding the promotion of these shows and their artists through a schedule of receptions and tours. The Gallery committee has not yet reviewed these plans with regard to concept and budget.
We discussed various dimensions to developing a relationship between BHCA and APS in light of Buzz's ideas for a Community Arts Resource organization. We felt the relationship is worth pursuing but involves a decision by BHCA following review of a recommendation by the Gallery committee. BHCA looks to the committee to propose a description of the relationship: for example, whether it will be limited to the use of the Match Factory as an extension of the Gallery at the Gamble Mill, or whether it will take shape as a more broad-based collaboration between APS and BHCA. There was strong concern voiced about the possible dilution of recognition due BHCA as the APS continues to develop a high profile of itself and the newly restored Match Factory.
Old House Fair: No report.
Summer Sounds: BHCA was awarded $1,000 from the Garver Fund.
Film Forum: The committee is developing a show featuring local filmmakers; a call for submissions is out for a late spring schedule, to take place hopefully at the Garman.
Library Concerts: Jim gave a brief update on the three remaining concerts of this season.
Victorian Christmas: True Fisher is resigning as chair of this committee. With no obvious successor at hand, it was decided that Executive Committee and/or a subcommittee of Sam, Romayne and True will meet to discuss next steps. Sam will convene this meeting.
Local Government Grants: Public notice will commence soon, on a slightly accelerated schedule compared with last year (March 29 is the deadline for applications). This fund received a little bit more money to work with this year.
Corporate Sponsors: A letter was distributed during the week of February 16 to about 100 local businesses; True will follow up with personal visits.
Old Business
BHCA Victorian Christmas Raffle: Profit from the raffle was about $400. A suggestion was made to conduct another raffle associated with the Bellefonte Cruise or with another community event, to gain access to a larger group.
Website: Bob received a bill for annual service fees ($9). Buzz offered to take over the development and maintenance of the site; we agreed to look into this more at our next meeting, when Buzz might be able to provide a proposal for how the website could be enhanced. Paul Ruby and Peg Dobrinsko were suggested as individuals who might help with website development. The PCA might offer grant assistance appropriate for this project.
Donor recognition event: Members were asked to consider a celebration for fall 2004: the type of event, location (Match Factory was suggested), etc. This topic will be discussed at the next regular meeting.
New Business
Historic Profiles Brochures: See attached description. Kitty has been working with Romayne and with Sue Hannegan on heritage tourism projects; the brochures are seen as a low-risk, low-cost way of enhancing visitors' experience of our community. Bob made a motion to proceed with this project. Gay seconded; discussion followed. The discussion focused on how polished the brochures should look: should the project go forth as best as can be immediately accomplished "just to get started"; or should more time and thought be invested with a view to a more finished and sophisticated product? The motion was carried with the sense that the group working on this will exercise common sense in developing an accessible, stimulating series of topics. The lime industry was also suggested as an additional subject for one brochure.
By-laws addendum for renewal of non-profit status: Last fall Sam applied for renewal of BHCA's non-profit status. In January, the Department of Internal Revenue sent BHCA a sample additional clause required for non-profit renewal. The text of that clause is as follows:
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Trustees shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Trustees shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
The above dissolution statement was read and will be voted on at the next meeting of BHCA. Until final review by the Department of Internal Revenue, BHCA remains on renewal status.
Jazz festival: Melady Kehm has been organizing a Jazz Festival to be held on June 25, 26 and 27, 2004; she will be seeking BHCA sponsorship through the Gannon Fund. The question of whether this will take the form of an official sponsorship will be taken up at the next meeting. Colina made a motion to inform Melady that BHCA heartily supports the Rob Gannon's Jazz in Bellefonte Festival of 2004. Jim seconded; motion carried.
Walking Tours: Colina is trying to convene a meeting for late March of individuals who have worked on the walking tours, in order to compile all the narratives.
Other: Ralph suggested the lower hall of the courthouse as an optimal location for the display of photographic art. He also recommended BHCA consider facilitating a stronger tie-in between the local kayaking organization and the Big Spring Festival.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on March 25, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Centre County Historical Library & Museum.
At 8:45 p.m., Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dick seconded; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Pike Blair, Secretary
BHCA Financial Report
February 26, 2004
|
|
7/1/00-6/30/01 |
7/1/01-6/30/02 |
7/1/02-6/30/03 |
7/1/03-2/26/04 |
2003-2004 FY Budget |
INCOME |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
1,335 |
192 |
584 |
297 |
500 |
|
Other Administration |
2,987 |
2,341 |
3,094 |
2,742 |
2,685 |
|
Film Forum |
0 |
175 |
37 |
77 |
70 |
|
General fundraising |
2,805 |
2,765 |
2,085 |
3,563 |
2,400 |
|
Gallery at Gamble Mill |
888 |
2,436 |
1,713 |
1,040 |
2,000 |
|
LGG Administration |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Old House Fair |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Summer Sounds |
1,187 |
2,778 |
1,198 |
1,726 |
2,000 |
|
Victorian Christmas |
4,689 |
4,445 |
3,670 |
4,670 |
3,670 |
|
Other projects |
_37_ |
_65_ |
_40_ |
_30_ |
50 |
|
TOTAL |
13,927 |
15,197 |
12,421 |
14,144 |
13,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administration |
5,872 |
6,215 |
8,546 |
5,161 |
7,085 |
|
Film Forum |
37 |
849 |
963 |
1,121 |
1,000 |
|
General fundraising |
165 |
128 |
237 |
399 |
255 |
|
Gallery at Gamble Mill |
2,748 |
3,193 |
2,139 |
991 |
2,275 |
|
25th Anniversary |
n.a. |
775 |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
|
LGG Administration |
1,314 |
602 |
680 |
145 |
715 |
|
Library Concerts |
0 |
0 |
0 |
400 |
0 |
|
Old House Fair |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Summer Sounds |
1,425 |
2,315 |
1,978 |
654 |
1,955 |
|
Victorian Christmas |
2,711 |
2,649 |
2,280 |
2,768 |
2,320 |
|
Other projects |
_21_ |
_0_ |
_0_ |
_0_ |
120 |
|
TOTAL |
14,292 |
16,725 |
16,822 |
11,639 |
15,725 |
ASSETS 2/26/04
Checking 5,814 General BHCA 17,765
Savings 628 Gannon Fund 1,245
MM Fund 8,185 Talleyrand Park 1,618
CD’s 6,000 TOTAL 20,628
TOTAL 20,628
Submitted: David H. Eggler, Treas.
Victorian Christmas A&C Fair netted $1,902 after sharing half the profits with Vict Christmas Inc.; the Vic Christmas Raffle netted $412; $920 of the fundraising monies were designated by donors for the Gannon Fund; we received $2,742 from the PA Rural Arts Alliance, which appears under Admin Income; we received (finally, and gratefully) a check from the Elks/Garver Fund for $1,000 for Summer Sounds 2003.