FVLC General Meeting Minutes
May 14, 2004
Elisha D. Smith Library in Menasha

  1. Call to Order
    Rick Krumwiede, President, called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. at the Menasha Public Library. Rick thanked the Menasha Library for hosting. Jack Fry, the Director of the Menasha Library welcomed all the guests. He said that it was National Birding Day and thanked all for alighting at the library. Jack also talked about the remodeling of the library, and he mentioned that there are still some little things missing.

    Introductions were made of all guests.

  2. Approval of minutes
    Copies of the minutes were distributed. Pete Gilbert made a motion to accept the May 16, 2003 minutes. Mike May seconded. The motion was carried.

  3. Approval of minutes
    Craig Lahm made a motion to accept the December 5, 2003 minutes. Theo Knigge seconded. The motion was carried.

  4. Adoption of the 2004-2005 budget
    Pete Gilbert gave the Treasurer's Report. The only expense for the rest of the year is today's program. Income is from dues. $300 is budgeted for each program. Membership dues are paid to CCBC, WLA, and FOCOL. Jack Fry asked Pete if we run a deficit budget because we have reserves. Pete replied, "yes." If you have any ideas of how to spend the money let the board know. Joy Schwarz moved that we adopt the budget as proposed. Craig Lahm seconded. The motion was carried. Thanks Pedro!

  5. President's Report
    Rick introduced the board members and thanked them for serving this year.

    Rick stated that the transition to a new organizational structure, which was approved in 2002, has been completed. We have paid attention to the plan and accomplished most of its objectives including: updating the web site, creating a form for reporting censorship challenges, conducting an online survey, continuing to provide courtesy cards and interlibrary loan, reviewing the insurance program, and continuing to network, communicate, and offer continuing education opportunities. Rick thanked Education Committee Chair, Mark Arend, and members of the committee (Michael May, Janice Laubenstein, and Barb Fahey) for great programming.

    Challenges facing FVLC include a decline in membership renewals and declining participation by school librarians. Rick announced that, thanks to Evan Bend, FVLC will soon be implementing an on-line Directory. We will be sending the membership information on how to access it. Much of the information in the database is inaccurate, but you will be able to update your own information. Encourage your librarian friends to clean up their records. Please invite school librarians to keep up with us and use the listserve. At this point, Rick yielded the floor to Joy.

  6. Membership Survey Results
    Joy went over the results sheet that she developed (PDF). Joy thanked Pete Gilbert who arranged for us piggyback onto Lawrence University's subscription to Survey Monkey. Rick thanked Joy for pulling the results together.

  7. Adoption of 2004-2005 plan
    Rick reviewed the proposed 2004-2005 Annual Plan (PDF). Most of the goals are similar to those contained in past plans. Goal E contains a new priority for investigating ways to increase participation of non-public libraries. Nancy Greene moved to accept the 2004-2005 plan, and Ken Hall seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

  8. Election of 2004-2005 officers and directors
    Vice President/President-Elect Joy Schwarz will automatically become the new President. Rick reported that one Director at Large is still needed for the board. Pete nominated Gretchen Raab, and she agreed to accept the nomination.

    The following slate of candidates was presented for election:
    Vice President/President-Elect: Terra Mobley
    Secretary: Elizabeth Timmins
    Treasurer: Pete Gilbert
    Directors at Large: Erin Czech, Judy Owen, Gretchen Raab

    Mark Arend moved that the slate be accepted. Jack Fry seconded. All were unanimously elected.

  9. Any other business
    Jack Fry asked all members to promote an event being held at the Menasha Library on September 11, 2004 called the Aestival Festival Writer's Conference. The Keynote Speaker will be Michael Perry.

    Pete thanked Rick for his hard work as president this year. We all cheered in acclamation.

  10. Adjournment
    Meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Following the meeting, Markesan Public Library director Lucy Hazlewood presented the program, "A Wisconsin Librarian in Papua, New Guinea."

Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth ("long live rock") Timmins