FRIENDS OF THE
GOLDA MEIR LIBRARY
Board of Directors
Meeting
September 28, 2006
12:00 p.m.
4th
Present: Ewa Barczyk, Pat Van Alyea, EJ Brumder, Deborah Conta, Bruce Fetter, Bob Meldman, Marianne Lubar, Donn Haglund, Martine Meyer, Gilbert Church, John Koethe, Tyrone Dumas, Suzy Ettinger, Bob Pietrykowski, Tom Bliffert, Gwen Plunkett, Sarah Kimball, Nancy Laskin, Betty Bostrom, Jody Steren.
Guests: Susan Modder, Steve Burnham, Dawn Lee-Vue (recorder)
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and introductions
2. The strategic thinking session was led by Bob Pietrykowski who began with a discussion of the mission statement. The idea of a mission statement is to keep the Friends activities current and effective. Barczyk explained that unlike public libraries, the Friends are not a separate incorporated entity, and more like a membership entity associated with UWM. More detailed comments from this discussion compiled in a separate document.
� Libraries staff members Lee-Vue, Modder and Burnham compiled a list of accomplishments of the Friends i.e. booksale, co-sponsorships for special programs and development activities, such as the AGSL Tea & Tours, and library staff professional development and the Board discussed additional accomplishments.
� The Friends have been a major contributor to many initiatives and the Friends now need to look at some of the future needs and directions in which they can engage. Van Alyea added that the Chancellor wants to increase the research on this campus but we can�t do that if we�re not a research library and not funded adequately to support new research programs. Several commented that the Friends could help with publicity and marketing in order to promote the Libraries. There are external and internal constraints for fund development on campus � approaches need to be cleared before they are made with the Development Office through Susan. The Board felt that it would be helpful if specific goals were set up. Dumas asked if Friends groups usually have student involvement as they are the ultimate benefactors of the Friends group. Meldman suggested that each board member bring one new guest to one lecture or speaker series to promote the events. There was also a suggestion to extend meetings, members of the board preferred longer meeting times (2 hour meeting) rather than more frequent meetings to really develop an agenda.
3. Minutes of the April 7, 2006 Board meeting were approved as submitted.
4. Treasurer�s Report: Meldman reported that the balance as of August 18, 2006 was $74,327.44
5. Interim Director of Libraries report:
� Barczyk thanked the board for their input and participation in the strategic brainstorming. This summer Ewa sponsored a BBQ at Denise and Gary Elfe�s home and it was an opportunity for the FOL to socialize and meet the Chancellor and Professor Robert McColl (major donor of AGSL digitization project). Barczyk noted that the Elfes have both joined the Friends of the Library as lifetime members.
� Update on the renovation project: request will be going out to bid this fall; need to raise $1.4 mil out of the $4.9 mil. Naming opportunities have been identified as a fundraising strategy.
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Latest UWM Libraries Newsletter highlighted
events and activities such as the upcoming Fromkin lecture, UWM Poetry reading
at the
� The WTMJ project was awarded a matching grant from the Abraham and Erma Schwartz Foundation. The Libraries need to raise the match of $50,000 in order to receive this grant.
� Barczyk shared with the committee the new Libraries redesigned web page which had a lot of student input through focus groups.
� Barczyk also explored interest in raising funds to jointly purchase a wall map from 1687 which would be primarily be housed in the Newberry Library�the shared custody was an intriguing concept but not very workable. If we can raise the funds, we will prefer to own it fully.
Barczyk introduced Anne Panter, Director for Major and Planned Giving. Panter oversees fundraising and she explained that her top priorities are helping the Libraries with the $1.4 million fundraising for renovation. She is also working with Susan Modder to raise funding for acquisitions and preservation.
6. Committee reports:
Development Committee: Meldman reported that part of the concept of raising money is to not have too many people approach one person for money. One of the things we can do is approach others to get in-kind contributions, even we cannot ask for direct support. The Friends have an opportunity to insert a solicitation for FOL membership inside the UWM Alumni Magazine which goes to 105,000 alumni. Meldman expressed many thanks to Pat Van Alyea for approaching Betty Quadracci to fund the printing costs. Meldman made a motion to offer a 30 percent discount for members joining using the brochure from the Alumni magazine, Ettinger seconded and passed unanimously.
Program Committee: Conta informed the Board that the next Friends Booksale will be held October 9-11. Board members are encouraged to come and to also suggest speakers for the summer program. Collaboration with other organizations is a possibility.
Nominating Committee: Lubar mentioned she would like to see some effective marketing approaches.
7. Funding request from the Interim Director of Libraries. The Friends co-sponsor many of the Libraries planned events and the Libraries requested funding for refreshments and speaker expenses. Funding was also requested for the UWM 50th anniversary new poetry reading series in the Gathering Place: �Words & Days: Poetry� as well as support for completion of the digitization of UWM�s Yearbook Ivy & Echo highlighted as part of 50th anniversary of UWM. This latter project is of great interest to UWM Alumni. There is also a renewal of support for staff development activities. The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30 pm