Board Minutes May 2023

May 9, 2023, 9:30 am CST  
AOTL Gallery/Zoom
Our Mission is to develop, promote, and encourage an interest in the arts.
Board members present: Kristi Kuder, Shanna Cramer, Sue Kalseim, Kathrine McDowell Ann Smith, and Mary Jo Wentz, Employee: Debbie Ness.
​Absent:  Judi Celaschi

Agenda: Additions:
New Business:  Blandin Grant Site Exchange Opportunity, 
Fundraising/Grants: Money for PLPA awards.

Minutes: Sue K moved to approve the Minutes from the April 11 Board Meeting.  The motion was seconded.  The motion was approved.

Financial Report: Debbie Ness and Treasurer Ann Smith.
Deb and Ann will meet before the June meeting to recategorize some entries to help clarify income and expenses in QuickBooks.
Katherine M. moved to approve the financial report.  Seconded.  The motion was approved.
Statement of Activity
Statement of Financial Position

Committee Updates 

• Art & Craft Affair August 12: 48 currently registered. Information was sent out via Zaplication, an email blast, and postcards.  Sue K will hand out postcards at Straight River Arts Festival in Faribault on May 20
• Building/Roof:  The roof has been inspected. County Inspector stated shared wall between Boathouse and Gallery is deteriorating. Tuck-point needs to be updated. John Shaw will be recruited to address the issue with Boathouse owners
• Creative Arts Center-CAC: Possible auxiliary space at 416 Lake St. (West of Perks Coffee). Shanna C. and Sue K. viewed the former salon and garage building for a maker space.  A preliminary floor plan with potential space for pottery/clay/kiln, fire arts, and jewelry areas was distributed. Rent is $1200/ month plus electricity estimated at $120/month. The south garage of the building’s rent is $1200/month.  A discussion was held about options of CAC at 112 Main with 416 Lake Street housing a “Messy” Arts Lab/Makerspace.  See Attached Floor Plan
• Fundraising/Grants:  Grant-writing committee: Mary Jo, Kristi, Sue, Ann, and Debbie. 

• LRAC Legacy Grant for $7,890 was awarded. The grant will cover winter workshops, a summer kite festival, mailing expenses, and workshop instructors.  
• Minnesota Arts Grant for $21,500. was awarded.  The grant includes the expenses for Leadership Retreat, two paid positions for communications, and a volunteer coordinator. printer, bookkeeping, and systems training.
• Malstrom Art Exploration Grant: $500 was awarded for Arts Education. A motion to approve the use of the grant to pay for planning, coordination, and supplies for the Street Art Project with the BL Public Schools was made by Ann, seconded, and the motion was approved. Mary Jo W. and Katherine M will be the Street Art coordinators with the project to be completed before the end of the school year.
• Art Education Grant for $35,000. The application will be submitted by May 19.   This will enable 100-grade school students to participate in 4 weeks of art classes through AOTL.    Mary Jo and Kristi will coordinate with 
• MSAB Accessibility Grant for $25,000.  Application is due by the middle of June Kristi plans to assign Ann Hermes, who will be serving as Interim Program Administrator, as soon as her contract is approved
• West Central Initiative Grant for $25,000 will be submitted by Kristi in mid-May This grant is targeted toward rural communities for environmental greening…i.e., updating inefficient windows, adding solar power to reduce carbon footprints
• Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program will be explored for the feasibility of an application. Grant could help with CAC’s major upgrades.
• Front Door Cyber Grant:  Debbie has registered the Art of the Lakes with Front Door.  This site provides viewership for multiple corporations to view nonprofits applying for grants. Will be able to apply for a Walmart Grant via Front Door.
• Mary Jo wants to find a grant to apply for a Forest Giant by the artist from Denmark: Thomas DaMbo with the possibility of coordinating with the BL Arts Advisory Board. She will explore.
• Gallery:

• Some shifts are not filled. Volunteer lists will be created including members who are willing to help in addition to their required shifts.
• Program Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator. Donna Westerling was hired and will be starting May 25.   

• Marketing: 

• Eight thousand postcards of AOTL summer events were bulk mailed this week to area addresses in Otter Tail County.
•  Milk Carton Races is scheduled on July 22 during Wenonga Days    Promotional ad will be placed in BL Review. $200 was donated to pay for the ad. Cass-Clay Creamery will donate ice cream bars for the event.   Sue Kalseim is the coordinator.

• Membership: 114 members currently registered.
• Plein Air Sept 29/30: Eleven artists are registered. Opening day paint-out will be held on June 17.at AOTL gallery. Flyers will be distributed by Shanna C
• Studio Tour:  July 14-15. Forty artists are registered.  A progressive studio tour for participating artists is planned on Thursday afternoon/evening on July 13 
• Workshops:   Volunteers are needed to assist with several workshops.: Grace Haverty’s workshop will have a max of 15 and will use the CAC 112 Main. Calvin DeRuyter s class at Glendalough is filled.  Phyllis Joos’ Accordion Books class is not filled-may be canceled.  Katherine M is coordinating.

Old Business 

• Endowment/Legal Counsel:  Ann S. is meeting with Battle Lake Edward Jones advisor Mackenzie Barry on Tuesday, May 16, to explore the options of setting up an endowment investment account. 

Ann Smith will contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (AOTL is a member) to request a referral for someone to provide legal counsel for non-profit organizations. to help update bylaws and discuss potential board liability issues. 

• Corporate Sponsors: Need to be listed on the website and all marketing material
• Annual Member Meeting: May 16 at CAC 112 Main. 6 pm - 8:30
  •  5:00 tour of the building.
  •  6:00 Taco Bar. 
  • 6:30 Member meeting.

New Business

• Gallery Cleaning - Deb
• Windows and floors need to be deep cleaned - volunteers will be contacted.
• Google Workspace -     Training will be scheduled. Deb and Ann will coordinate
• Wenonga Days Parade July 22@ 7:00 pm- registration is open. Will register the AOTL Milk Carton Boat and Mary Williams’s Car 
• Member Connections - Make personal phone calls to members not registered
• LACC & AOTL - Tabled
• Featured artist talks:  Mary Jo - will create the schedule 
• Program Assistant -Donna Westerling starts May 25
• Annual Report will be created for Member Meeting on May 16
• Site Exchange - Blandin Grant.  $1000 in travel money is available to visit other Blandin grant recipients to exchange ideas. – Kristi has the information 

Motion by Shanna to adjourn. Seconded

Next Board Meeting - June 13, 2023, at 9:30 am CST AOTL Gallery/Zoom