Summary of Minutes from Annual Meeting held Jan. 28, 2012
The next meeting of German Settlement History, Inc. will be held at Liberty School on Sat. June 23rd, 2012,
starting at 12:00 noon with a potluck lunch followed by our meeting.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting and potluck lunch.
The meeting was called to order by Pres. Luann Lind. Present at the meeting were 10 board members and 8 guests. The minutes of the Sep. 4, 2011 meeting and the treasurer's report were reviewed and accepted. The revised By-Laws were previously mailed to the full membership. Motion carried to accept the By-Laws as presented. Ballots were tallied followed by a voice vote by board members. Motion carried to approve the By-Laws. Election of board members followed with 2 positions to be filled, that of Maryalice McHugh and Ronald Meier (deceased). Maryalice and Barb Failing were put on the ballot by the nominating committee and there were no more names added from the floor. Member ballots were tallied and motions carried to cast unanimous ballots for Maryalice McHugh and Barb Failing, each for a 5 year term. There was discussion regarding the inventory of local author's books that we have been selling and also have publishing rights for. We are in need of Carl Rhody's books I and IV. Motion carried that our book publishing committee consisting of Toni and Maryalice are to work out the details of how we can actually republish books that we hold the copyright to.
At the March meeting, they will present the details of the process needed to scan, prepare and publish a book and what the cost would be. We will use Carl Rhody's first book "The Saga of Spirit Valley" as our trial book to learn the proper process for publishing.
Re-shingling the Yesterday House will be a priority project in the spring with Luann and Gene volunteering for the roof work with assistance from Marvin and Michael to complete the project. Gene picked up the shingles late in the fall and they are currently stored in "The Machine Shed". Michael and Marvin are currently researching the proper technique to re-shingle a log structure.
The two new signs and frames designed by the interpretive media class at UW Stevens Point have arrived and will be installed in the spring. One sign will be put near the entrance to the flower garden path, which gives an overview of G.S.H.I., the second sign tells about "Our Yesterday House" and will be affixed to the side of that building.
Gene, Marvin and Michael have been working at improving the women's corner in "The Machine Shed". Bill Hoffman donated 8 sections of flooring materials which is now being used under the display area.
There was discussion regarding the development of a memorial for Ronald Meier focusing on the Machine Shed display. LaVonne Meier offered to contribute the additional cost of a third interpretive sign that would highlight the theme of "The Machine Shed", in memory of Ronald. Motion carried to modify the UWSP students original sign design to incorporate some sort of tribute to Ronald as part of the sign.
Luann has completely re-worked the website and is asking for edits and other suggested changes that would improve the information provided. She will also pursue the possibility of printing the G.S.H.I. brochure which the UWSP students developed.
The proposal of building an accessible ramp for the barn dance has generated $815 to date. Motion carried to earmark the funds raised from the 2012 barn dance for the completion of the ramp. We agreed that the ramp would be built by volunteer labor from the board with Nathan Lind's direction and the ramp would be completed prior to this year's barn dance.
Pam suggested it would be beneficial to open a savings account to earn interest on our funds that are available. Motion carried that Pam should check into such an account.
