Board of Trustees

Oakland Museum Of California Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Annual/Regular Meeting Minutes
October 26, 2006
JAMES MOORE THEATER
3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Trustees

Dale Block, Susan Chamberlin, Christopher Curtis, Richard DeAtley, Rich Edwards, Lori Fogarty, Virginia Furth, Lance Gyorfi, Anthony Harris, Melvin Harrison, Christopher McLain, Missy Nelson, Marianne Robison, Deborah Roessler, Katherine Shea, Bruce Westphal; Penelope Wong, and Sheryl Wong.

Trustees Excused:

William Chiasson, Matthew Cox, Steven Douglas, Harold Jones, Jacqueline Kane, Daryl Lillie, John McDonald, Judith McKee, Darren Oliver, Phyllis Pfeiffer, Margaret Russell, Timothy Silva, Brian Washington, and Sandra Wolfe.

Staff Present:

Inez Brooks-Myers, Dorothy Hood, Christiaan Klieger, Linda Larkin, Catherine Millar, Bernadette Powell, Carolee Smith, and Elizabeth Whipple

Volunteers Present:

Gay Auerbach, Carolyn Fulcher, Ruth Hussey, Susan Schroeder, and Yvonne McCredie

Guests Present:

Linda Crittondon

1. CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS – Lance Gyorfi
Chair Gyorfi called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m. and introduced Bruce Westphal as a new member of the Board of Trustees.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Lance Gyorfi
On a motion duly made and seconded (Wong/Harris), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the September 7, 2006 Board of Trustees meeting are approved as mailed.

3. CHAIR’S REPORT – Lance Gyorfi
Chair Gyorfi gave an overview of the plans of Bruce Beasley to establish a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), with the Oakland Museum of California Foundation as the beneficiary. Mr. Beasley’s vision is to establish a gathering place for the people of Oakland and surrounding areas to appreciate and enjoy works of sculpture and helps aspiring sculptors. A place that gives a permanent presence of sculpture and the importance of sculpture in our communities; and to provide a continued presence of Mr. Beasley’s work in Oakland. The facility could also provide space for educational programs; indoor and outdoor space for sculptures; and would be open to the public.

There would be four potential levels of operations: Level 1) Maintain facilities and have it open to the public for viewing of sculpture works (about $150K per year); Level 2) Curatorial exhibitions and programs (about $200K per year); Level 3) Education programs (about $200/300K per year); and Level 4) research and development – new technology and state of the art of sculpture development. Mr. Beasley would establish a CRT with investments sufficient to fund at least Levels 1 and 2.

Some of the safeguards for the foundation are: the foundation will make the decision as to whether to accept the CRT; there will be a letter of intent between Mr. Beasley and the foundation; and the foundation will control the implementation of programming levels. Mr. Beasley is ready to start funding the CRT, which will eventually be about $12 million.

As a follow up to the questions of trustees, Chair Gyorfi said there are additional safeguards; there will be liability insurance coverage paid out of the CRT funds; the trust insures the sculptures and operations; the foundation will be permitted to sell some of the sculptures while other sculptures must be kept in perpetuity. Details will be clearly defined in the trust agreement and in a Letter of Intent for the protection of both parties.

Two issues that need to be studied further are: what if there is a need to eventually sell the buildings due to imminent domain and, also, the kind of use permit. The buildings now have a permit for multi-use but it has to be determined what the permit status will be under a different owner/use.

On a motion duly made and seconded (Harris/Chamberlain), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the Oakland Museum of California Foundation accepts the concept and intent of the Bruce Beasley Sculpture Center which will be funded in its entirety by the proceeds from the Bruce and Lawrence Beasley Charitable Remainder Trust. The Foundation will ultimately determine the level of program activity consistent with available funding and Mr. Beasley’s intent for the Sculpture Center.

Gyorfi also reported that for FY 2005/06 there is a budget surplus of about $45,000, a first in several years; the board of trustees Capital Campaign goal has been exceeded by pledging more than $2 million; and the Management Operations Agreement (MOA) has been signed by the city and the foundation.

The following trustees’ terms have ended and will be leaving the board: William Chiasson, Virginia Furth, Melvin Harrison, Harold Jones, Daryl Lillie, Missy Nelson, Judith McKee, and Brian Washington. Chair Gyorfi presented departing gifts to those present and thanked each for their services. Virginia Furth, Melvin Harrison, Daryl Lillie, Missy Nelson, and Judi McKee will continue to serve on selected committees.

On a motion duly made and seconded (McLain/Edwards), the following resolution on behalf of Daryl Lillie was unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, Daryl Lillie has served as Board Chair, trustee and various committee chairs of the Oakland Museum of California Foundation since its inception; and

WHEREAS, during Ms. Lillie’s involvement, the Oakland Museum of California has enjoyed unprecedented community, donor and City of Oakland support for this vital cultural institution; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Lillie’s constant and generous leadership, intellectual support, passion and monetary contributions have been a critical part of helping the Museum of California achieve its mission, provide educational opportunity, and build audience; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Lillie has left a great legacy and foundation for others to build upon; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees offers its deepest thanks and appreciation to Ms. Daryl Lillie for her time, endless passion, commitment, imagination and leadership on behalf of the Museum and the people of our greater community; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, the Board is ever grateful to Ms. Lillie for her friendship and long term continued service to the Foundation, the Community, the Museum and the Board.

On a motion duly made and seconded (Edwards/Harrison), the following resolution on behalf of Cherie Newell, Director of Professional Services, was unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, The Oakland Museum of California is a renowned cultural institution of Oakland representing the best interpretations of California History, Art and Nature; and

WHEREAS, The Oakland Museum of California draws people from all over the world to experience and learn about California Art, History and Nature; and

WHEREAS, it is doubly important for the Oakland Museum of California to gain even wider exposure to attract more visitors to this great institution; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Newell has provided extensive hard work, devotion and dedication to ensuring that the Professional Services Department conducts its business at the highest museum quality standards with focus on exceeding customer expectations; and

WHEREAS, Cherie Newell has led the Professional Services Department with excellence in increasing the Museum’s exposure to new audiences, achieving and positively exceeding budget expectations for FY 05/06 by developing additional business to champion the Museum and what it offers to our community; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Trustees of the Oakland Museum of California Foundation is extremely gratefully to Ms. Newell for her excellence in leadership and setting the example for all to follow through her unselfish work, and for her dedication, time and energy on behalf of the Museum.

On a motion duly made and seconded (Wong/McLain), the following resolution on behalf of Linda Larkin, Associate Director of Development - Capital Campaign, was unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, the Oakland Museum of California attracts visitors from around the world to experience its diverse exhibitions, community building programs and presentation of its rich collections; and

WHEREAS, the Development Department is crucial to achieve the necessary funding to support operations, exhibitions and programs; and

WHEREAS, the museum was without a Development Director for most of the FY 2005/2006; and

WHEREAS, the Museum of California Foundation set an especially challenging Development Department stretch goal of $150,000 over an already aggressive budgetary goal; and

WHEREAS, considerable guidance, management and oversight was needed to ensure that the desired results were achieved; and

WHEREAS, Linda Larkin stepped up into the role of acting Development Director, and worked endless hours with trustees and staff to meet both the department budget and stretch goal; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Trustees of the Oakland Museum of California Foundation gratefully thank Ms. Linda Larkin for her endless hours of effort and devotion in attending to the critical development needs of the museum and for helping ensure that the expectations of the Board were met and exceeded.

Mr. Gyorfi acknowledged Christopher Curtis for his work on the CCRC and Anthony Harris for his work on the Audience Development Committee as each was making a transition in their personal life, and presented each a gift of appreciation for their services.

4. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT –Christopher McLain
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the foundation audit and has met with the auditors from Armanino McKenna. Because the audit is not quite completed, trustee McLain could not give a full report. However, the foundation is in a very good financial position due to the Capital Campaign, investment gains, the Gala, and also as a result of fiscal restraint. A final report will be given by the auditors at the November Board of Trustees meeting.

5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Lori Fogarty
Executive Director Fogarty announced that Mark Medeiros’ mother, Eileen Medeiros, has made her transition. Cards of condolences may be sent to Ms. Fogarty who will send them to Mr. Medeiros.

There were approximately 2500 paid visitors that attended the Days of the Dead exhibit. Ms. Fogarty thanked the Education Department staff, trustees who volunteered for the event and others who also volunteered, for their assistance. Trustees were also encouraged to attend the opening of The Art of Arthur & Lucia Mathews exhibition opening. Two-thirds of the museum’s collections have been moved into the CCRC. The move from the Army Base will be completed by December 31, 2006.

Director of Marketing and Communications Ann Dickson gave an overview of the department’s activities. There has been very good press coverage for the Days of the Dead exhibit and strong advertising has been done for the show as is also being done for Mathews and sports exhibitions. The department’s core function is being realigned to help serve the museum better. The strategic planning process will be used to help define the audience development plan, and Ms. Dickson will be working closely with the Audience Development Committee on implementation of the audience development goals and objectives. The department will also be working with the Development Department to create awareness about the museum in general and in conjunction with the capital campaign.

6. NOMINATING COMMITTEE – Daryl Lillie
In the absence of Daryl Lillie, trustee Dale Block presented the 2006/2007 Board of Trustees slate of officers as follows:

On a motion duly made and seconded (Block/Furth), the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the 2006/2007 Board of Trustees slate of officers be approved.

7. OTHER
A presentation was given by trustees Wong, Fogarty, and Harris spoofing and honoring departing chair Lance Gyorfi.

12. ADJOURNEMENT – Lance Gyorfi
There being no further business Chair Gyorfi adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Christopher McLain
Secretary