2009 Annual Meeting The first annual membership meeting of the John Trigg Ester Library, Incorporated, was held at 4 pm on Sunday, October 25, at Hartung Hall in Ester. Minutes are below. Agenda Announcements
Adoption of Bylaws Officers' Reports
Elections
Old Business
New Business
Potluck For more information, please contact: Monique Musick, ad-hoc secretary, photosynthesisak@hotmail.com Nancy Burnham, treasurer, 457-6668 or Margaret Rogers, vice-president, 474-1694, or mfrogers100@hotmail.com Deirdre Helfferich, president, 479-3368 or library@esterrepublic.com Called to order by interim President Deirdre Helfferich at 4:18. Quorum with 17 present. Introduction to initial meeting: The library is ten years old. It had been part of the Ester Community Association spinning, but is spinning off on its own as of this First Annual Meeting. Working towards becoming a federal nonprofit—setting up as an independent charitable organization. Membership fee is $5, dues due at Annual Meeting Family membership decisions still to be made Non-natural person rules are in bylaws Adoption of Bylaws: Discussion and amendments. Trey Simmons moved to accept the Bylaws as amended (gender-neutral language), Hans Mölders seconded. MOTION PASSED: Adopt bylaws as amended (no opposed) OFFICERS' REPORTS: Treasurer’s report: Nacy Burnham presented the treasurer's report $15,220.25 income $4336.69 expenses This year net $10,483.56 Amendment: Projected costs changed from $1,3000 to $1,300 Projected year-end net $9183.56 Two accounts at Denali Alaska: Checking $2181.45 Savings $12,822.19 Spirit of Alaska: Checking $31.19- will be closed soon Accepted as read and corrected President’s Report: Presented by Deirdre Helfferich. Ten years of library- turning into real institution “most important project” more important than E.R. Researched role of libraries in communities: Sources of information, lifelong learning, early reading skills, immigrant naturalization, multicultural education, enhance property values, improves community satisfaction, support small business (help people find jobs), helps make a place a viable community. Has helped Ester develop a sense of community. One of the items that helped us keep a Postmaster. “Sign of a real community” Fundraising has been amazing this year Presented timeline: ten years of Ester Library First Annual meeting now List of people who have helped Elections: Nominations: Deirdre Hellferich, Monique Musick, Nancy Burnham, Melinda Harris, James Pagel, Eric Glos, Roy Earnest, Greta Berkhart, Kate Billington, Margaret Rogers. Each voting member turned in a ballot with seven names Door Prizes drawn lots of books and T-shirts, short break for snacks and stretching Old Business: Library on Main street Rental space above (Frank looking for new renter). Library is maintained by volunteers: “librarians” are not technically trained librarians. Collection was entirely donated except for a few purchased with Gulliver’s used book credit. Includes books, DVDs, games, puzzles (etc). Interlibrary loan with Calypso Farm & Ecology Center. 1040 books listed in online library, approx. 5,000 on shelf plus 5,000 elsewhere. Rent is only $50 a month. History: 1999 dumpster dive books. One book drive by initial librarians. Changed the name to honor John Trigg following his passing in 2000, grew and grew. Shelves built, furniture donated. Formerly Republic office. Joined ECA 2004. First library building-specific fundraiser in 2005. Land purchased in 2006, Initial clearing done and design on building begun. 2008 library separated from ECA because they did not have 501(c)(3) status. Library set to become own entity and establish as federal nonprofit Future: JTEL lecture series- first educational program Outdoor concerts etc. in gazebo Future building will serve multiple functions Needs: Help with maintenance: small tasks sweeping, shelving, etc. Biggest need is cataloging online. Deirdre helfferich will gladly train Need volunteers for fundraising etc. Friends of the Ester Library: Fundraising arm, loose-knit right now. In the future could take pressure off the library board Nancy Therrell offered to volunteer for vacuuming etc. Need an organizer for the Lallapolooza ELECTION RESULTS Greta Burkart, Monique Musick, Deirdre Helfferich, Nancy Burnham, Eric Glos, Margaret Rogers, Melinda Harris. NEW BUSINESS Overview of what needs to happen Monique introduced projects before the Board:
Sine Anahita added Grant writing LAND: ECA and library jointly bought the land. Monique Musick- Can we be successful with our organizational efforts with a 51% lease of $1 a month? Should we become single owner? Eric Glos- no bearing on funding. ECA should be paid back. Confusion with books earlier, best for clarity to buy out ECA. Peter McRoy- Board needs to bring options to Membership. (general agreement) The piece that we lease now from the Flodins will be granted in full once the library becomes non-profit Melinda Harris- Private ownership has a special value, pride, and additional benefit to membership. Construction Plans & Timelines Eric Glos re current plan: All it is is ink on paper right now: it can be changed. Anyone with suggestions please do it now. When we start construction is not the time. Eric can help explain the plans to anyone who doesn’t understand. Until we have a large pile of money we are not going to start much of anything. Site and materials can degrade. Don’t be in a hurry. Once we have the budget construction can happen quickly. The money will be there, we just have to chase it down. A good contractor can make it happen. FUNDRAISERS (Removed scheduling from agenda.) Capital fundraising: shelf dedication Lifetime memberships Fundraising Events Soliciting donations Grant solicitation Peter McRoy- Board really needs to focus on grants. Get a good return on effort- dollar amount. Fundraisers have nice community presence. Roy Earnest wants to learn more about grant writing. Send in any suggestions. Adjorn ~ 6:15 | |||||
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