2009 Summer Board Meeting
Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney
July 1, 2009
Members in attendance: Donna Alden, Donna Arnett, Donna Binderup, Nancy Childs, Melissa Cleaver, Jean Detlefsen, Angie Fischer, Deb Goodenberger, Mary Gradoville, Susan Hanson, Deanne Hanisch, Phil Herrmann, Sheila Hubbard, Karen Janovy, Debbie Kippley, Amber Kosmicki, Christy Kosmicki, Jerene Kruse, Deb Kubik, Christina Newton, Matt Auch Moedy, Margaret Proskovec, Bob Reeker, Sue Reiber, Julie Ryan, Jeff Stern and Gladys Wassinger.
The meeting began at 12:00 at the Museum of Nebraska Art with Donna Alden as hostess. The meeting was called to order by President Debbie Kippley and individual introductions were made. Debbie explained the new meeting format modeled after Delegates Assembly. This process of working in breakout sessions with facilitators allowed the board to address major topics. In Breakout Session #1, the board worked in three groups to address 1. ESUs, 2. Divisions, and 3. Activities/Issues & Concerns. In Breakout Session #2, the board worked in four small groups to tackle the issues of 1. YAM/Spring Conference, 2. Website, 3. Awards and 4. Membership. The breakout facilitators from both sessions will give Debbie their findings. She will organize the data and distribute the findings to the board by our fall meeting.During the General Meeting, Debbie covered general introductions. Jill, Education Director from MONA welcomed the board and recapped educational opportunities and exhibits available at MONA. She emphasized the Kiewit program, “Miles to MONA” which will provide schools travel funding up to $250. Lucy Wicks McHugh resignation was accepted due to her move to California to teach and be with grandchildren. Kathy Lemmerman also resigned her ESU position.Minutes from spring Board Meeting were approved via email last spring and were posted on web site.The Treasurer’s Report was created by Emily Adams and reported by Sr. Margaret in her absence. When building the budget, the treasurer looks at a three year history in conjunction with any current board discussions or recommendations. The NATA Fiscal Year runs from July 1st to June 30th. Emily’s report reflects 3 accounts: Checking, savings, & auxiliary accounts.
Margaret presented the proposed budget and asked the board to discuss any potential changes. The following is a summary of the discussion: 1. Angie Fischer would like a budget of around $5,000 ($4,000 for local costs) for NSVAC/Scholastic. NATA will be losing the World Herald as a sponsor. The NSVAC committee is considering reestablishing Nebraska’s National connection with Scholastic Art Competition. This affiliation would cost $1,000 plus $5.00 per artwork submitted. This Scholastic affiliation would make easier form/registration available on line and provide Nebraska art students the opportunity for National Recognition for scholarships.Margaret asked the question as to how NATA would generate the additional funds to support this request. Deanne moved that NATA support the re-affiliation with Scholastic and NSVAC and table the discussion until hearing a report from an appointed adhoc committee to investigate and make recommendations. Angie seconded. The motion carried. Angie F., DeAnn H., Deb K., Jean D., and Mary G. & Sheila H volunteered to serve on this adhoc committee.Bob suggested that the website/ communications committee foresees additional funding. They will meet and enter a proposal outlining their needs and possible ideas for generating supporting funds. Bob moved that this committee present their additional financial needs and recommendations for the fall conference meeting. DeAnne seconded. Motion carried.
Bob R., Julie R., Carole M., Debbie K., and Christine B. will serve on this committee because of their communications positions on the board.After this discussion, Margaret continued to present Emily’s proposed budget as follows:
As of July 1st, the balance forward was $37,524.99 which included $4,453.69 in checking, $23,424.70 in investments, and $9646.40 in conference accounts. The projected income is $21,610.00 and projected expenses are the same amount. The complete FY 2009-10 NATA Proposed Budget can be seen in an attached form. Margaret asked for approval of the budget as presented, recognizing that recommend adjustments from adhoc committees will be addressed at the fall meeting. Karen J. seconded. Motion carried. Both adhoc committees need to meet prior to the fall meeting and forward budget recommendations to Emily, Debbie Kippley and Margaret.The Perspective Newsletter report was given by Julie. The July 1st deadline for the newsletter articles has been extended to July 21st. Julie spoke with individual board member for submission of articles. Julie also asked the board to recommend new connections for advertising in the Perspective, such as local businesses, galleries, etc.Western Region Report
Debbie represented NATA at the NAEA Western Region leadership conference in Grand Rapids Michigan last week. She said that each state was asked to report on their states’ top three accomplishments. She spoke about the following: 1. NATA ListServ, 2. NATA Fall Conference and 3. Efforts to get the Fine Arts Department of Education position filled. Multiple arts organizations in the state are working together to reinstate the State Dept. Arts position. Debbie estimates that this may be less than two years away. Debbie will report on the progress at a later date. Debbie and Margaret attended the NAEA leadership forum on June 25th and heard three major presentations from the National office: 1. Membership, 2. Financial Affairs Policy, and 3. Technology. In response to what was covered in the Financial Affairs presentation, Margaret reported by stating the following:
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Thanks to good practices of past treasurers of NATA and in light of National guidelines and procedures, Nebraska’s overall finances are in good shape.
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Our ratio of cash to savings is good. Twenty percent of funds should be in our checking account and savings should have approximately 2 years of operating costs.
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NATA budget categories convert well to those on the itemized 990 form for the IRS.
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The proposed budget is designed to operate within a balanced budget as required.
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In the past year, NATA has had ‘two pairs of eyes’ dealing with finances since Margaret has mentored Emily in the treasurer’s position.
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We received a detailed manual for state treasurers. Margaret, Emily, and Melissa will be making adjustment to the NATA treasurer’s manual to incorporate additional procedures to be in compliance.
Policies on Financial Affairs: Margaret distributed a handout on the Policies on Financial Affairs. In light of recent information received from the National Art Education Association and new U.S. Government regulations, the following policies will bring us into compliance with their recommendations and requirements. As a unified/member state, we are a part of the NAEA and will abide by these policies. These new regulations are a response to Enron’s mismanagement. This handout is attached to the minutes. In accordance with these recommendations, NATA will: 1. appoint a bookkeeper to work closely with the treasurer. Melissa Cleaver has accepted this position. 2. Discontinue the practice of keeping a separate conference account. Conference accounting will be handled by our treasurer and bookkeeper.Margaret also distributed a Conflict of Interest Policy and a Code of Ethical Conduct for Board Members. Board members were asked to review the materials, sign and bring to the fall board meeting in October. These documents can be found in an attachment.Fall Conference 2009 report was presented by Nancy. Lincoln will host an incredible line-up of artists, speakers, presenters and art exhibitions. Details on the conference and registration material will be available on the NATA website and in the Fall Perspective. Entry forms for the Annual Art Educators Show will also be available. A reminder will be sent out on the NATA Listserv. So that conference participants can experience the Gallery Walk on First Friday, the Awards Banquet and Silent Art Auction will be held Saturday night at the Sheldon. Conference accommodations can be made at Embassy Suites. Due to the changes in conference accounting to become in compliance with the new Financial Affairs Policies, the NATA treasurer will work with Nancy to make financial adjustments to accommodate the conference. Fall Conference host sites and conference chairs will be:
2010- Omaha – Angie F., Julie R., Deanne H. & Mary Gradoville
2011- Kearney- Donna A. & Christy K.
2012- Iowa/NATA joint conference- co-chair to be determined later
2013- McCook, possible site - Deb GoodenbergerFacilitators for each Breakout Session gave a brief overview of their findings and will send their full reports to Debbie to collate and process for the next board meeting.In the Presidents Report, Debbie stressed the need to archive NATA history and documents. She has volunteered to begin organizing them and digitizing as much as possible. Our goal is to have all the archival materials available in ‘hands-on’ and digital formats. In reference to Awards, the executive board members along with Jeff S. will be piloting the award rubrics for this year’s awards. They will recommend adjustments at the fall meeting. The NATA Membership goal is to increase membership to 300 in the coming year. This would allow NATA to have 2 voting members at the NAEA delegate assembly. Debbie will collate the break out session ideas to meet this goal and report back to the board. Sue R. shared an update on the retired members. She has been in contact with 8 of the 14 retired NATA members. They are working on 3 goals: advocacy, classroom assistance, and compiling research and statistics. Sue is writing an article on arts advocacy for the Fall Perspective. Phil H. gave a report on the 2009 Prairie Vision and the 80 participants focusing on community art. Phil will write a newsletter article for the fall issue.In New Business Debbie announced the following topics for board consideration at a later date:
1. NATA Fellows would be established. Debbie suggested that NATA consider selecting or identifying individual members who have made outstanding contributions to Art Education in our state. 2. A new NATA Brochure would be created. The National office would design a brochure if we give them the content.Sheila moved that the meeting adjourned. Phil seconded. Motion carried. Debbie adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Christy Kosmicki