Marcus Historical Society Meeting

May 22, 2007

The Marcus Historical Society met Tuesday, May 22 at the Reed Center of the Marcus Historical Society.

The minutes of the April meeting were approved as published in the Marcus News.  The treasurer balances of $1,956.78 in checking and $2,500 in savings.

The INS grant application has been completed and submitted.

Webmaster, June Dias, reported 266 visits to the Society's website in the past 31 days.

The fund raising committee had several projects on which to report.  There are presently six city-wide garage sales with advertising paid and two additional sales wishing to be on the map.  Some advertising contacts have been made.  Additional contacts will be made depending on the amount of fee money available.  The Society's own sale will be held at the Reed Center with set-up taking place Wednesday, June 13th.  Items to sell should be brought then and should already be priced.  Bob Reed has donated 20 autographed copies of his books for the Society to sell.  Maps for the sales will be available at noon on Friday, June 15 at Casey's and the Farmers State Bank.  Those holding sales will also receive maps.  The perpetual plaque is ready and was displayed.  More than 30 sponsorships of playing cards have been sold.  Calendar photographs have been chosen and Fran Briggs and Bonnie Husman will sell calendar page sponsorships.  These will be 2008 calendars and will include January of 2009.  After discussion it was decided to order 300 calendars.  The Society hopes to have these ready for sale at the booth at the Marcus Fair.

There will also be a mass mailing for the purpose of raising funds for building renovation.  Mailing lists from the 2006 Holy Name all-school reunion and public school scholarship foundation and class reunion lists will be used.  Use of a reduced postage mailing permit was discussed.  A motion was made by Fran Briggs, seconded by Fran Zembsch to purchase a bulk mailing permit and pay for a bulk mailing imprint fee, total cost to be $350.  Motion carried.

The building committee reports that two roofing bids have been received with a third bid in the offing.  There is an estimate of $676 for gutters and downspouts.  The air conditioner and furnace from the former Clarence and Nancy Hohbach farmhouse has been removed and reinstalled at the Reed Center by Marcus Lumber Co.  The current electrical box is not adequate for central air.  Mike Barry and Bob Boothby will work on this problem.

The daughter of a Society member tried to procure a free IPI surplus computer.  She was 44th in line and there were 41 computers.  She will try again.

A property tax exemption request was filed April 30, 2007.  A utility sales tax exemption was mailed to MidAmerican Energy on May 2.

Sixteen foot of space at the Marcus Fair has been paid for with a request for the same location as last year.

Because of the membership held with the Iowa Museum Association, the Society has been able to purchase both property and liability insurance at a cost of approximately $650 per year.  This also includes a directors' and officers' umbrella.

The Society now has some furnishings and equipment.  Farmers State Bank has donated a copier.  Fifteen shelving units have been purchased from Ben Franklin in Orange City for $300.  Two new folding tables for a total on-sale price of $67 have also been purchased.

A training seminar for nonprofit organizations will be held in Sheldon on June 12 or in Spencer on June 13.  There is a registration fee of $25.

The next meeting will take place Tuesday, June 26 at 7:00 pm at the Reed Center of the Marcus Historical Society.

Members present:  Mary Peterson, June Dias, Jerry Meylor, Jim Wiese, Galen Ducommun, Sherree Ogren, Faith and Don Specht, Bonnie Husman, Fran Zembsch, Helen Brady, Maxine Shea, Fran Briggs, and Jim Nielsen.

Respectfully submitted,