November 08 special meeting minutes

VAN ALSTYNE HOMESTEAD SOCIETY

Minutes of the Special Meeting

November 24, 2008

Trustee Present: Mr. O. Neil Thomas

Officers Present: Mr. Joseph Trapani, President; Mr. Hans Drews, VP; Mr. Evan Horne Secretary

Members Present: Mrs. Grace Fenno; Mr. Joe Santangelo; Mr. Matt O’Brien; Mr. Oliver Simonsen; Dr. Donald Bowden; Mrs. Cindy Sinchak; Mr. Charles Clark, Esq.; Mrs. Alice Smith; Mr. Vic Ferraro; Dr. Robert Chen

Mr. Trapani called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

Mr. Joe Santangelo spoke briefly about his work with Arkell. He tasked the membership of VAHS to establish a plan and create a goal which will help to guide the organization. He remarked that Arkell would be interested in having a clearer picture of the direction of VAHS and encouraged the membership to move toward that goal. He mentioned that there has been a discussion of the possibility of creating a Canajoharie Historical Society which would embrace all of the individual societies under one credo.

Mr. Trapani brought forth a discussion of the position of Historian/Curator as described in the by-laws. This garnered a discussion of the position in theory and practice. Mrs. Alice Smith weighed in on the subject to lend her experience in dealing with historically significant items and societies. There was a lengthy discussion of the scope and contact of the Historian and the appropriate expectations the society may have of the position. It was resolved that to further develop the society’s position and to generate more material regarding these questions that a committee be formed to generate a business plan.

Mr. Trapani asked for a motion to form a Business Plan Committee. The committee was approved on motion (E. Horne move, M. O’Brien second)

Mr. Trapani asked for volunteers to be on the Business Plan Committee. The Committee will be Cindy Sinchak; Alice Smith; Joe Trapani; Matt O’Brien; Evan Horne

Mr. Trapani asked for a motion to create a Publicity Committee. The Publicity Committee will be tasked with better publicizing the VAHS and its events in an attempt to generate awareness and grow the membership. The committee was approved on motion. (C. Sinchak move, A. Smith second)

Mr. Trapani asked for volunteers to be on the Publicity Committee. The committee will consist of Alice Smith; Cindy Sinchak; Evan Horne

Mr. Trapani asked for a motion to hold meetings monthly. After discussion a meeting date was set for the next meeting for 02/09/09 at 7:00 PM. The motion was tabled until that meeting pending the results of the findings of the committees.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM

Respectfully submitted, Evan R. Horne, Secretary.