FY19 - November Board Meeting Minutes
Minutes
Meeting of the Board of Directors
Wednesday, November 28, 2018 - Textile Center Auditorium
Attendance:
Board: John Cairns, Richard Gilyard, Jeanne Hilpisch, Carol Mashuga, Larry McIntyre, Linda McShannock, Cyndi Kaye Meier, Anupama Pasricha, Lance Radziej, Ella Ramsey, Mariana Shulstad, and Lisa Steinmann. (Absent: Amelia Allen, Maggie Dayton, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and Maggie Thompson.)
Staff: Nancy Gross, Tracy Krumm and Karl Reichert
President Ella Ramsey called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.
Approval of Meeting Agenda. Motion by Carol Mashuga, second by Lance Radziej, passed.
Approval of Minutes for October 27, 2018 meeting. Motion by Jeanne Hilpisch, second by Lisa Steinmann, passed.
3300 University Ave. SE
The termination of the Purchase Agreement for 3300 University Ave. SE is in process. Karl Reichert reported that United Properties' attorney was challenging the notion that any reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses would be made to Textile Center, even though it was outlined in the Third Amendment. Attorney Renay Leone has recommended a settlement of $15,700 for expenses that would directly benefit United Properties, such as the property appraisal, environmental reports, and the lining up of tenant leases. The $50,000 earnest money would also be reimbursed.
Due diligence ended on November 7, 2018.
Strategic Planning and Review of Meetings with National Artist Advisory Council
On Friday, Nov. 16, a number of Board members gathered with staff leaders, guild leaders, architect David Salmela, and the members of our National Artist Advisory Council. Karl walked through the consensus that came out of the meetings that day, which will help form the Strategic Vision for Textile Center as it moves into its 25th year and beyond. Board members who were able to participate in the meetings and the evening reception held at Mariana and Craig Shulstad's home shared their takeaways from the meetings, and there was a general consensus that the day was productive, helping set a programmatic vision moving forward.
Finance Committee
Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Jeanne Hilpisch reviewed the October 2018 Financials. Textile Center’s financial health continues to be strong at the seven-month mark of fiscal year 2019. Net income was 131% of our monthly goal ($120,419 compared to a budget of $92,026), and year to date we are 118% of goal. We received our two-year $60,000 operating grant from the Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation (with $30,000 temporarily restricted to the next fiscal year), and the annual fund achieved goal for October, including donations from our 14 Guatemala travelers ($600 each). Membership income exceeded goal, as did Shop income … earning an impressive $12,371, compared to a budget of $9,630.
Motion to accept October 2018 Financials. Motion by Cyndi Kaye Meier, second by Mariana Shulstad, passed.
Review of Textile Center Employee Benefits Analysis & Recommendations
Before asking for her presentation, Ella Ramsey offered gratitude to Carol Mashuga for a very thorough analysis she conducted this fall of Textile Center employee benefits. Carol walked the board through her analysis, which she made available to board members on our Board website. The analysis consisted of three sections: 1) Comparison of Textile Center with other non-profit organizations based on the Minnesota Nonprofit Salary and Benefits Survey 2016, 2) Summary of Interviews with Textile Center Staff, and 3) Recommendations.
Carol also used data from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for comparison, looking at comparisons with organizations that have an annual operating budget of $1 million to $1.99 million. Her recommendations are:
These recommendations will be considered as part of the FY20 budgeting process. The most urgent issue the board identified is increasing Textile Center's contribution to the premiums for employee health care coverage. The Board will continue to visit these issues in upcoming board meetings. IN the meantime, the board moved to increase contributions to employees health care premiums starting in January.
Motion to authorize up to $12,000 toward increasing Textile Center's employer contribution toward health care premiums beginning January 1, 2019. for the first three months of calendar year 2019. Motion by Carol Mashuga, second by Jeanne Hiplisch, passed.
Minnesota State Fair Fiber Festival
Tracy Krumm and Nancy Gross shared information that Textile Center and North Star Farm Tour are in discussion with the Minnesota State Fair Board about creating a unique fiber experience to "connect people, farms, and fiber" starting in 2020. As planning continues, the Board was asked to pass a resolution of support this work moving forward.
Resolution: To accept the State Fair’s offer to cohost a Fiber Event at the Minnesota State Fair in 2020, with a cohesive, defined plan that fulfills a formalized relationship between North Star Farm Tour and Textile Center, based on the work we have already accomplished – one that incorporated future partners and stakeholders in the fulfillment of our partnership norms. Motion by John Cairns, second by Linda McShannock, passed.
Fund Development
Mariana Shulstad updated Board on Fall Appeal, which is has been going very strong. Karl will be sending out a final letter for the 2018 tax year in early December. Karl reported that earlier in the day we received word that McKnight Foundation awarded Textile Center a two-year $100,000 general operating grant ($50,000 in December and $50,000 next year.) Karl and Tracy will also be meeting with Arleta Little at McKnight Foundation on Dec. 10, to discuss application for the McKnight Artists Fellowships. Textile Center will administer this program starting in 2019, with the first two $25,000 grants awarded to mid career fiber artists in 2020. We are also submitting a grant for year 2 of Aroha Philanthropies Seeding Vitality Arts program, which funds our 8-week Interlace workshops.
Mariana also gave an update on international tours. The next tour to Morocco in late May is sold out, and we will announce soon a tour to Japan for Fall 2019.
Staff Updates
Nancy Gross gave an update of staff activities. The Holiday Gallery Shop is doing well for the season, and the staff will be celebrating the holidays with a special Sashiko stitching activities with teaching artist Sandra Brick followed by lunch on Dec. 18.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm. Motion made by Mariana Shulstad, seconded by Jeanne Hilpisch, and passed.
Minutes approved: January 16, 2019
Submitted by Cyndi Kaye Meier, Secretary
Meeting of the Board of Directors
Wednesday, November 28, 2018 - Textile Center Auditorium
Attendance:
Board: John Cairns, Richard Gilyard, Jeanne Hilpisch, Carol Mashuga, Larry McIntyre, Linda McShannock, Cyndi Kaye Meier, Anupama Pasricha, Lance Radziej, Ella Ramsey, Mariana Shulstad, and Lisa Steinmann. (Absent: Amelia Allen, Maggie Dayton, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and Maggie Thompson.)
Staff: Nancy Gross, Tracy Krumm and Karl Reichert
President Ella Ramsey called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.
Approval of Meeting Agenda. Motion by Carol Mashuga, second by Lance Radziej, passed.
Approval of Minutes for October 27, 2018 meeting. Motion by Jeanne Hilpisch, second by Lisa Steinmann, passed.
3300 University Ave. SE
The termination of the Purchase Agreement for 3300 University Ave. SE is in process. Karl Reichert reported that United Properties' attorney was challenging the notion that any reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses would be made to Textile Center, even though it was outlined in the Third Amendment. Attorney Renay Leone has recommended a settlement of $15,700 for expenses that would directly benefit United Properties, such as the property appraisal, environmental reports, and the lining up of tenant leases. The $50,000 earnest money would also be reimbursed.
Due diligence ended on November 7, 2018.
Strategic Planning and Review of Meetings with National Artist Advisory Council
On Friday, Nov. 16, a number of Board members gathered with staff leaders, guild leaders, architect David Salmela, and the members of our National Artist Advisory Council. Karl walked through the consensus that came out of the meetings that day, which will help form the Strategic Vision for Textile Center as it moves into its 25th year and beyond. Board members who were able to participate in the meetings and the evening reception held at Mariana and Craig Shulstad's home shared their takeaways from the meetings, and there was a general consensus that the day was productive, helping set a programmatic vision moving forward.
Finance Committee
Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Jeanne Hilpisch reviewed the October 2018 Financials. Textile Center’s financial health continues to be strong at the seven-month mark of fiscal year 2019. Net income was 131% of our monthly goal ($120,419 compared to a budget of $92,026), and year to date we are 118% of goal. We received our two-year $60,000 operating grant from the Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation (with $30,000 temporarily restricted to the next fiscal year), and the annual fund achieved goal for October, including donations from our 14 Guatemala travelers ($600 each). Membership income exceeded goal, as did Shop income … earning an impressive $12,371, compared to a budget of $9,630.
Motion to accept October 2018 Financials. Motion by Cyndi Kaye Meier, second by Mariana Shulstad, passed.
Review of Textile Center Employee Benefits Analysis & Recommendations
Before asking for her presentation, Ella Ramsey offered gratitude to Carol Mashuga for a very thorough analysis she conducted this fall of Textile Center employee benefits. Carol walked the board through her analysis, which she made available to board members on our Board website. The analysis consisted of three sections: 1) Comparison of Textile Center with other non-profit organizations based on the Minnesota Nonprofit Salary and Benefits Survey 2016, 2) Summary of Interviews with Textile Center Staff, and 3) Recommendations.
Carol also used data from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for comparison, looking at comparisons with organizations that have an annual operating budget of $1 million to $1.99 million. Her recommendations are:
- Increase the employer funding for the employee only health insurance coverage.
- Consider providing some funding for dependent health insurance coverage.
- Actively consider participating in the health care consortium being formed by the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits. Access to a larger group would likely reduce the deductible and eliminate age-based premiums but the final plan specifications are not yet available.
- Adopt a multi-year plan to fund a basic contribution and match for the retirement program.
- Request bids for life insurance and group long-term disability insurance.
These recommendations will be considered as part of the FY20 budgeting process. The most urgent issue the board identified is increasing Textile Center's contribution to the premiums for employee health care coverage. The Board will continue to visit these issues in upcoming board meetings. IN the meantime, the board moved to increase contributions to employees health care premiums starting in January.
Motion to authorize up to $12,000 toward increasing Textile Center's employer contribution toward health care premiums beginning January 1, 2019. for the first three months of calendar year 2019. Motion by Carol Mashuga, second by Jeanne Hiplisch, passed.
Minnesota State Fair Fiber Festival
Tracy Krumm and Nancy Gross shared information that Textile Center and North Star Farm Tour are in discussion with the Minnesota State Fair Board about creating a unique fiber experience to "connect people, farms, and fiber" starting in 2020. As planning continues, the Board was asked to pass a resolution of support this work moving forward.
Resolution: To accept the State Fair’s offer to cohost a Fiber Event at the Minnesota State Fair in 2020, with a cohesive, defined plan that fulfills a formalized relationship between North Star Farm Tour and Textile Center, based on the work we have already accomplished – one that incorporated future partners and stakeholders in the fulfillment of our partnership norms. Motion by John Cairns, second by Linda McShannock, passed.
Fund Development
Mariana Shulstad updated Board on Fall Appeal, which is has been going very strong. Karl will be sending out a final letter for the 2018 tax year in early December. Karl reported that earlier in the day we received word that McKnight Foundation awarded Textile Center a two-year $100,000 general operating grant ($50,000 in December and $50,000 next year.) Karl and Tracy will also be meeting with Arleta Little at McKnight Foundation on Dec. 10, to discuss application for the McKnight Artists Fellowships. Textile Center will administer this program starting in 2019, with the first two $25,000 grants awarded to mid career fiber artists in 2020. We are also submitting a grant for year 2 of Aroha Philanthropies Seeding Vitality Arts program, which funds our 8-week Interlace workshops.
Mariana also gave an update on international tours. The next tour to Morocco in late May is sold out, and we will announce soon a tour to Japan for Fall 2019.
Staff Updates
Nancy Gross gave an update of staff activities. The Holiday Gallery Shop is doing well for the season, and the staff will be celebrating the holidays with a special Sashiko stitching activities with teaching artist Sandra Brick followed by lunch on Dec. 18.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm. Motion made by Mariana Shulstad, seconded by Jeanne Hilpisch, and passed.
Minutes approved: January 16, 2019
Submitted by Cyndi Kaye Meier, Secretary