Memorial Union Building Association

Trustee Meeting Minutes

Friday, May 1, 2015

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm CDT

Class of 1924 Reception, Memorial Union

Attendees:

Trustees:

Ruth Brown, Ted Crabb, George Cutlip, Dan Erdman, Sheryl Facktor, Miguel Guevara, Sharon Hadary, Carol Hillman, Bill Kasdorf, Jeff Kunz, Lucy Lloyd, Jan Montgomery, Walter Pancoe, Ann Prisland, Lynn Stathas, Jim Wessing, Susie Younkle, Sherry Zander

Ex-Officio Trustees:

Mark Guthier, Hank Walter,

Student Trustees:

Associate Trustees:

Steve Cohan, Jeff Haupt, Shayna Hetzel,

Staff:

Mary Kay Dadisman, Kelly DeHaven, Lori DeMeuse, Jane Oberdorf, Laura Oberwetter, Timeka Rumph

Memorial Union Building Association

Trustee Meeting Minutes

Friday, May 1, 2015

1:30 pm – 3:00pm CDT

Class of 1924 Reception, Memorial Union

  1. Meeting called to Order at 1:44pm by Dan Erdman.
  1. Motion to approve Spring 2014 minutes.

Motion made by Jeff Hauptto accept the approval of Spring 2014 minutes.

Second by Sherry Zander.

Motion APPROVED (unanimous).

  • Discussion:
  • Correction by Carol Hillman that the Terrace will be open in Spring 2016, not Fall 2015.
  • Dan Erdman agreed and stated he believes the Fall 2015 date was for Phase II.
  1. Standing Committee Reports.

Membership Report- Lucy Lloyd with Mary Kay Dadisman

  • Introduction of Mary Kay Dadisman, External Relations Assistant Director.
  • Sarah Artz, Membership Director, last day of employment at the Wisconsin Union was November 12, 2014. She will be greatly missed. Sarah was an excellent strategic thinker.
  • A new Membership Director has been hired; she’ll be starting May 18, 2015.
  • Recognition given to the membership team including ScottSpychalla, Timeka Rumph, and all of the interns who have been working very hard and efficiently.
  • Shayna Hetzel gave a report on Terrace Views.She brought to the committee’s attention that out of 90,000 Life Members, we only communicate with 7,000 of them via the e-newsletter.
  • The new name for the SEAG program is now called the “GESR” program.Student employees will get a Life membership discount upon graduation.
  • Membership committee would like to make a motion to raise the new graduate membership fee from $75.00 to $100.00 effective Spring2016. Discussion followed:
  • That’s a 33% increase, some members thought this increase was too extreme.
  • It was noted that the price would affect recent graduates and most graduates receive this membership as a graduation gift from family members.
  • Last year we increased the fee to $75 from $55.
  • Lynn Stathasreminded everyone that other institutions have a much higher fee for a Life membership.
  • It was noted that there have been no complaints about the raise to $75, and the business consult said that if you’re not getting complaints then it’s not high enough. The Alumni Association is $600 and you don’t get nearly as many benefits as the Union provides.
  • Ted Crabb stated that the increase would be too soon. It would mean we increased the fee by 45% within a year’s time.
  • Walter Pancoesuggested that we tie the increase together with the Union’s reopening. This is a Lifetime membership and it’s a fairly cheap rate compared to other places.

Motion made by Jim Wessing that, based on all of this discussion, that the new graduate Life Membership be changed to $100 effective February 2016.

Second by Lynn Stathas.

Motion APPROVED.

Development Committee- Steve Cohan

  • Provided an update on MUBA giving. Participation was 84%; would like it to be 100%. Ruth Brown stated that this year took a little longer to get information out because the database changes.Reminded that annual giving is a Trustee responsibility
  • There was some confusion as to what qualifies as an annual gift. Defined the following guidelines to constitute what is considered a gift:
  • Annual giving can be considered cash gifts in the current year or in kind gifts, but deferred gifts do not count.
  • Examples of proper gifts include: cash, stocks, assets like a horse.
  • Had an engagement activity with Hoofers that brought in $6,300. It allowed current students and alumni to get involved.

Board Leadership and Governance Committee- Sharon Hadary

  • Shared that the committee is exploring ways to make the resource directory more available to students and the possibility of using “LinkedIn” to network with students. There is a subcommittee looking at policies and procedures and position descriptions.
  • Discussed Ad hoc committees and how they are valuable/liked by others.

Finance Committee- Susie Younkle and Ted Crabb

  • The main topic of discussionwas the Hoofer’s riding club situation. Noted that MUBA is essentially the landlord to the Hoofer’s riding club facilities.
  • The group worked on documenting this relationship because it hasn’t been looked into since 2003.The committee approved this document.
  • Abby Douglas and Jacob Hahn provided an updated report, and it looks like they had a pretty rough financial year.
  • Interested in what is going on in the riding club and with their finances, but it is not necessarily our area of involvement. Union Council is working with the club.
  • Dan Erdman asked what the attendance of the club looks like. So far they have lost some of their members because a new stable is in the area. Some of members decided to go with the new stable. These people were doing other things than just using the stable, therefore they are now struggling with wages.
  • Jeff Hauptmade a point that maybe the Union needs to take a step back and evaluate if the club is still an important asset or if we can do without it.
  • Susie Younkle stated that the club needs a benefactor.
  • Ted reminded everyone that the Union owns a piece of property in Verona that has grown in value. If the club does end up going under, we can sell the 40 acres and we won’t lose much.
  1. Ad Hoc Committee Reports.

Nomination Committee – Lynn Stathas

  • Lynn gave the report on standing committee of nominations.
  • Committee appreciates the comments and suggestions everyone has sent in. They are keeping a list of the comments and will be processing all of the data collected soon.
  • There are 23 Associate Trustees with expiring positions. They are looking at their past involvement and having interviews to get a sense of what exists and what is needed for the next term. The ultimate goal is to have ballots out by beginning of fall.
  1. New Business.
  • Follow up of the discussion from the last 2 days. The “What’s next for MUBA?” handout gives us a good idea of areas of interest.

Motion made by AnnPrislandto have a residency established.

Seconded by SharonHadary.

Carol Hillman called for an amendment as follows: Move that the Trustees establish a Residency focusing on the area of strengthening MUBA member engagement, specifically addressing three areas:

  • Research (identify the demographics of the larger MUBA membership, and learn what those members want and need from the organization)
  • Communication and branding (how to communicate about MUBA and create organizational branding of the organization for the larger MUBA membership )
  • Engagement opportunities for the larger MUBA membership (how to develop and provide engagement opportunities within MUBA and in support of the Union)

The Residency team meet this summer with the objective of making a report with action items to be presented in the Fall 2015.

Amended Motion APPROVED (unanimous).

Motion made by Walter Pancoe to create a new standing committee, the Director’s committee.

Committee members will be selected at the discretion of Director.

Second by Dan Erdman.

Motion not passed.

Motion made by Ruth Brown that the MUBA trustees support the Director’s idea of a Director’s Advisory Committee.

Second by Carol Hillman.

Motion APPROVED.

  1. Other Business:
  • Dan Erdman reminded the group that MUBA does not get involved with Wisconsin Union governance.
  1. Meeting Adjourned.

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