Call to order: Tony called meeting to order.

Board members present: Phyllis Schmitt, Jeremy Nichols, Tony Hoskins, Roberta Harlan, Jeff Tobes, Lee Torliatt, Ron Davis, Guy Smith, and Simone Wilson

Minutes: Minutes of the November meeting were accepted

Treasurer’s Report: Jeff Tobes reported two accounts are now closed, the Painting Account and the Russian River Account. He suggests setting up a History Day Coaches Account, for teachers who are willing to work for him—stipend of $500; Jeff will advertise in the next Journal to recruit interested teachers. Jeff asked if anyone had a copy of the Income and Expense Statement from November 2006 . . . Roberta said she might and would e-mail it to him.

Membership Report: Creighton Bell was not present for membership report; Tony and Sean both reported that Susan Burns is ready to take over membership duties.

Archivist’s Report and Editor’s Report: Lee Torliatt reported that people are sending in many photographs; upcoming story in Journal will highlight John Cummings from Petaluma.

Cemeterian’s Report: Jeremy Nichols reported that conservation on the Perot painting is finished; conservationist found an appropriate frame dating back to 1825—it originally framed a print from the California State Normal School (Cal. State San Jose); Chanate Cemetery—indigent grave markers are considered; est. at $75 for each marker. Jeremy is checking with the G. K. Hardt Estate for funding, in addition to funding from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Jeremy requested a transfer of excess funds from the Painting Account to a new account entitled “Chanate Cemetery II" or something
similar (Treasurer Jeff Tobes will provide the official name). It is a fund earmarked to purchase real granite tombstones for the 450 identified graves at Chanate. Tony moved and Jeff Tobes seconded. Motion accepted.

Committee Reports:

Annual Meeting: Roberta Harlan reported that she is meeting on Thursday, January 18th with Gesine Franchetti, events coordinator at Fountaingrove Golf and Athletic Club, to discuss and arrange for the annual luncheon on Saturday, March 24th, at 12 noon—thanks again to Joann Alba, SCM member, for making the facility available to us. Guy Smith is arranging for Kate McMurray to act as guest speaker. Roberta will confirm with Ms. McMurray as soon as Guy has an answer. Roberta is working on the flyer at this time.

Website: Sean Bressie reported that he is designing a History Walk link highlighting self-guided tours through historic districts, locations of historic buildings, and walking info on Sonoma County rural cemeteries. It was suggested that he talk to Katherine Rinehart regarding historic districts and buildings in Petaluma.

Old Business: None

New Business: Jeff Tobes announced plans for his upcoming 2007 Santa Rosa Historic Walk—tentative day is Saturday, June 30th. More to come.


Open discussion began on SCHS’s Goals and Objectives:

Everyone participated in what hopefully is the first of many “brainstorming” sessions regarding SCHS’s plans for future growth and change. Topics discussed:

Re-evaluation and commitment to the organization’s purpose, goals, and objectives.

Suggested: SCHS Board Member all-day retreat (location to be decided), tentatively scheduled for Sunday, April 15th; moderator a good idea; interested members will be invited. Suggested: Attend public history and/or preservation conferences either as a group or individually to get ideas, network, see what other organizations have to offer their members. Plan a board-member field trip to visit other regional history organizations such as Humboldt County’s Historical Society (would be great if we could arrange a joint meeting with Humboldt and other regional societies such as Del Norte and Trinidad Counties, Blue Lake, Trinidad, etc.; date to be decided).

Create and implement SCHS promotional opportunities/projects in an effort to market our organization and secure a greater presence in the community.

Suggested: More partnerships--lecture series and/or joint exhibition with Sonoma County Museum; invite Joann Mitchell and Eric Stanley from SCM to a future board meeting to discuss ideas and plans for joint projects; walks or tours in collaboration with other organizations such as LandPaths, Sonoma Ecology Center, Bouvier Audubon Preserve, or Heritage Network organizations. Suggested: Utilize the Historian and SCHS website to publicize goals--keep in the public eye. Suggested: Promote new publishing or republishing projects; strongly encourage interested member’s participation in the Historian, such as editorial writing, book reviews, stories, photographs. Suggested: Involvement of SCHS in a historically-based community or outreach project that will utilize the skills and support of interested members—archival projects, research projects, preservation projects with the assistance of interested members, interns in partnership with Sonoma State, Santa Rosa Junior College, and/or local educational facilities.

Aggressive steps towards increased membership and membership service

Suggested: Form a membership drive committee—board members and possibly interested representatives from the membership. Suggested: Demographic studies of similarly-sized public history organizations in California—Roberta is researching Humboldt County, Placer County, Kern County, and others to get an idea of how SCHS compares in membership and activities/events Suggested: Guy Smith offered Georgetown as a venue for a “SCHS Day” to promote SCHS to newcomers interested in membership and regular members; BBQ, speakers, displays, demonstrations—date to be decided. Suggested: More member-friendly events per year—other than annual meeting and summer picnic. Field trips to local history sites and/or events; lectures and programs. o Suggested: Research information regarding membership promotion and membership drives—contact Association of State and Local History or National Council on Public History.

Additionally, all board members agreed that SCHS goals and objectives be a regular section of the monthly board meeting agenda.

Respectfully submitted by Roberta Harlan, Secretary


Next Board Meeting: Thursday, January 18th, 2007

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