Minutes: September 19, 2001

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Archivists was held on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at Border’s bookstore in Albany, New York.

I. Minutes
The minutes of the May 8, 2001 meeting were approved.

II. Financial Report
Brian gave the Treasurer’s report. The checkbook balance of August 30, 2001 was $1,390.32. It was noted that funds tend only to be expended for refreshments at CAA programs, leaving a large balance from year to year. Potential ways to use the balance were discussed. Suggestions included offering program speakers an honorarium or bringing in speakers from outside of the Capital District. Brian suggested sponsoring an ad or event at the upcoming MARAC/NEA conference in Poughkeepsie. Brian also noted that he is on the local arrangements committee; CAA members may contact him if they are interested in participating in local arrangements. Susan suggested sponsoring a workshop on disaster planning, something that several people in her district have indicated a need for.

III. Membership Report
Rich Sloma was not present, so Brian noted that all of the revenue generated from July 1 to August 30, 2001 was from membership dues.

IV. Board Membership and Officer Roles
Elizabeth Putnam volunteered to move from the role of Secretary to that of Vice President and Newsletter Editor. Elizabeth was appointed Interim VP/Newsletter Editor. Board members discussed possible replacements for the role of Secretary. Jean suggested Molly Gossen of the New York State Nurses Association. Elizabeth will contact Molly to see if she is interested in joining the Board as Secretary.

Jean announced that Rebecca Hatcher has accepted a position at the Corning Museum of Glass and will most likely step down as Web Master. Jean will contact Rebecca and Kevin Glick to see if Kevin will take over the role of Web Master.

Jean will also contact Andrew Ashton to see if he will join the Board as the SAA student chapter liaison.

Jean read the resignation letter of Board member Ellen Fladger, who has become increasingly involved in campus committee work at Union College.

V. Newsletter
Elizabeth will take over Caleb’s role as newsletter editor. She is collecting news items and expects to have a newsletter out later in the fall. Board members suggested the following newsletter items:

VI. Fall Program
Jean will call Wes Balla from the Albany Institute of History & Art (AIHA) to see if he would be willing to host and speak at the fall program. Geoff suggested that the program address the need document traditionally under-documented communities in the Capital Region. That theme would also tie into Jean’s upcoming DHP-funded project to identify such communities. Brian mentioned Wes’s work on AIHA’s “City Neighbors” project, which features the diverse cultural and ethnic neighborhoods in the Capital District.

VII. Other Business
Geoff announced that there would be no additional $500,000 of support for DHP from the state government because of the lack of a budget. We will need to begin campaigning again to see that money included in the next budget. Geoff mentioned that the Governor was impressed by the number of letters he received, and that we may have a good shot at the allocation in the upcoming year.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Putnam, Secretary
September 20, 2001