FoKL Board minutes
July 13, 2007
Eureka Public Library
9 a.m.
Present: President Nancy Malone, Vice President Carolyn Little, Secretary Sue Blechl, Treasurer Tina Stropes, Clarice Howard, Marion Renner, Susan Richardson, Gail Fisher, Connie Doeden, Andrea Sobba, Nancy Keith, Midge Jones
Absent: Shirley Funk and Special Board Members Rosanne Siemens & Christie Brandau.
Note: there are 4 board vacancies – 2 trustee-at-large positions, and 2 regional system trustees (CKLS and SWKLS)
Nancy M. called the meeting to order at 9:30. Connie, our host, shared information about her new library and the meeting room. The library opened in March 2007. A “Kitchen Shower” was held to furnish the meeting room kitchen.
New board member Gail shared her background. She sells office furniture to the government and to municipalities, working out of her home in Wichita. She is a member of the Wichita Friends.
Sue led a brainstorming exercise “If FoKL was the best it could be…” Many ideas were generated. They will be distributed with the minutes, and could be used for planning throughout the year.
Consent agenda. The proposed 2007-08 budget was removed from the consent agenda. All other items were approved. (Midge/Clarice, passed)
Clarice suggested that OPAL (voice conferencing program) be upgraded by the State Library, as the conditions have been poor.
Financial reports. Tina noted that we have a healthy carryover due to increases in membership revenue. The May and June 2007 reports were approved. (Nancy K/Clarice, passed)
The Meade Public Library never cashed their award check presented in 2006. We are unsure if they received the check. There could be other reasons for the issue. We will check on this.
The 2006-07 fiscal reconciliation report was approved. (Nancy K/ Andrea, passed)
The board commended Tina for her financial stewardship.
Board membership. There are currently four vacancies: representatives from CKLS and SWKLS and two at-large positions. Several board members suggested that we consider having a mileage subsidy for those board members who are not reimbursed by their libraries.
KLTA report. Midge did not attend the last meeting, but did have an evaluation report on Tri-conference programs which was distributed. There was general agreement that the sessions offered were worthwhile.
Marilyn Arnone, KLTA’s part-time employee, might be willing to do FoKL work for a fee.
Public Relations Report. Susan Moyer’s ideas on Extreme Recycling – do an article for FoKL Point? This might also make a good program idea for Tri-Conference.
It was suggested that we review the awards and grants given in 2006-07. Have any new Friends groups been started? We should use FoKL Point newsletter for more promotion of our awards and grants. Andrea encouraged each FoKL board member to serve on the awards & grants committee at some time, as it is very beneficial to be in touch, at least on paper, with the many Friends groups in Kansas. FoKL will work to set up award and grant application forms on our website, so that the process can be done on line. More announcements are needed back to the system directors on awards and grants done in their region. We will as for system consultant help for libraries applying for awards and grants. Nancy M will alert them to our need for assistance.
Membership Report. Clarice gave the following membership totals for June 30, 2007, the end of the fiscal year.
Individual members 122
Friends groups 68
Organizations & libraries 31
TOTAL 221
The 2007-08 year is starting out well, as many memberships and renewals were taken at the April Tri-conference.
Individual members 35
Friends groups 10
Organizations & libraries 1
TOTAL 46
Marion sent letters and made phone calls to each group that had not renewed. Kudos to Shirley Funk for her great promotional work to get members at Tri-conference.
KLA’s membership renewal on paper will include the option for FoKL dues. This is a big help for us. Clarice is pleased with the membership records kept by Annette Smith at Hutchinson Pub. Library. We appreciate the fact that Director Gregg Wamsley supports FoKL and allows his staff to assist with FoKL’s operations.
There was discussion of advertising in the newsletter. With only 200+ members, the newsletter does not have a high circulation, which makes it less desirable for a potential advertiser. Should all public libraries receive the newsletter? Should a promotional issue be sent once a year to a wide group of library organizations? The Public Relations committee will address this issue.
Carolyn discussed responses from board members on the survey about service to FoKL. A major issue is how to bring new board members up to speed about FoKL history and activities. Gail suggested that we create a bulleted list of responsibilities for each committee and position. Nancy M. and Carolyn created a summary calendar of tasks which was given out, along with a summary of FoKL’s history and highlights.
Lunch was a delicious salad and dessert buffet provided by a local caterer and the Eureka Public Library. Following the meal, Connie gave a tour of the new library building. There are many interesting features architecturally and for library service.
Tri-conference Planning for 2008. The conference will be in Wichita. Nancy Keith and Midge Jones will work on programs. Gail Fisher and Marion Renner will coordinate hospitality which includes our award luncheon. Sue Blechl will handle the FoKL exhibit which will focus on flowers and blooming.
KLA’s Government Affairs Committee (works with legislative issues). Sue will be the FoKL liaison, with Nancy Keith willing to help.
FoKL relationship to KLA. We continue to work on our role in KLA. FoKL is not a section or a roundtable, but we do have a relationship. Our ties to KLA began when Leroy Gattin served as treasurer of KLA and of FoKL. When Leroy retired, FoKL activities were moved to new locations. Rosanne Siemens, KLA Executive Director, has provided assistance to FoKL, and members are able to pay their FoKL dues through KLA’s mail-in membership form. KLA then sends a check to FoKL. When dues are paid with a credit card, there is a problem, since there is a charge to KLA for this service and there is a delay in the processing of dues.
The board approved paying KLA $200 for services related to accepting membership dues on FoKL’s behalf. (Clarice/Marion, passed) A new line item was created in the budget for 2007-08 to account for this expense. It is called Professional Services.
Another new line item under expenses was also added: Special Projects – $200. This category would be used for such programs as Kansas Center for the Book, Kansas Reads to Preschoolers, and the Greensburg, KS relief effort.
The 2007-08 budget was changed to add these lines and expenses. Cash carryover was reduced appropriately. The budget was approved as described above. (Connie/Susan, passed)
The board approved a $50 donation to the KLA Educational Foundation for Greensburg relief. (Marion/Susan, passed)
The board approved investing $3,000 in a 9 month certificate of deposit. (Tina/Marion, passed) We estimate a 5% interest rate will apply.
The board will meet at the Salina Public Library in the Technology Training room on Friday, October 12 at 9 a.m.
Nancy M. shared basic information about the Public Library Section retreat to be held on Sept. 19 & 20 at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita. Sue will prepare an exhibit on FoKL, using our display board. Connie will check on having a presence in some other way at the retreat.
Nancy M. informed the board about the second annual National Friends of Libraries Week, October 21-27, 2007. More information can be found at
http://www.folusa.org/sharing/national-friends-week.php
Nancy and Sue will follow up on ideas to share. Nancy will send out the password to access FOLUSA features. FOLUSA is the Friends of Libraries USA. We are a member. There are many great resources to be found on their website.
The board reviewed committee assignments. They are:
Public Relations
- Andrea Sobba-Chair
- Nancy Keith
- Gail Fisher
- Sue Blechl
- Susan Richardson
Membership
- Clarice Howard-Chair
- Midge Jones
- Shirley Funk
- Marion Renner
Governance
- Nancy Malone-Co-Chair
- Carolyn Little-Co-Chair
Finance
- Tina Stropes-Chair
- Connie Doeden
Board members were encouraged to consider people to the FoKL board vacancies.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.