IAWA Executive Board of Advisors: November 14, 2000

IAWA

CAUS

IAWA Executive Board of Advisors

Meeting: November 14, 2000
3:00 p.m. in 201 Cowgill Hall Architecture Conference Room, Virginia Tech

Present: Marcia Feuerstein, Donna Dunay, Humberto Rodriguez-Camilloni, Gerrianne Schaad, and Mitzi Vernon.

Visitors: Milka Bliznakov, Dawn Buchnaq, Erin Gertz, Sarah Newbill.

Absent: Brian Katen, Frank Weiner, Paul Knox, Eileen Hitchingham.

Call to Order:

Chair Marcia Feuerstein called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.

Agenda Items

Marcia Feuerstein introduced guest Sarah Newbill and explained that she would be helping with publicity, such as submitting information to the ACSA Newsletter.

Approval of the 15th Annual Meeting Minutes: Mitzi Vernon so moved, Donna Dunay seconded the motion and the minutes were approved with corrections.

Approval of the September 10th Meeting Minutes: Donna Dunay so moved, Mitzi Vernon seconded the motion and the minutes were approved with corrections.

Meeting Dates and Times: Marcia Feuerstein distributed meeting schedules to the group.

Mid-Year Meeting: Donna Dunay reported that Jaan Holt suggested the mid-year meeting be held at the end of March. Donna asked the group what day would work best, Friday or Saturday. Milka Bliznakov suggested that we ask the other advisors before setting a date. Donna set the tentative date as either March 30 or 31. Donna is going to check these dates with Brian Katen.

Treasurer's Report: Bert Rodriguez-Camilloni reported on the endowment fund and said that some donations had been entered twice, leaving us with a deficit of $1,015. He explained that Eileen Hitchingam's donation of $1,500 had been split: $500 was deposited in our account and $1000 was deposited in the Library Operations account. The $1,000 was then transferred to our account, but we were still left with a $15 deficit. Milka Bliznakov then donated $50 to make up for the deficit. Denise Orden informed Bert that the $1,000 had been withdrawn from our account, as Eileen emailed her saying she did not want the $1,000 for the Milka Bliznakov Prize account. Bert said that the total in Milka's Prize account is currently $24,035.12, which is $964.88 short of the $25,000 threshold needed to create an interest bearing foundation account. It was suggested that Blanche Lemco van Ginkel may still donate her expenses. Donna Dunay will contact Kim O'Roarke regarding a donation from the President's office.

Regarding other expenses, Milka Bliznakov provided a copy of the agreement between the IAWA, CAUS, and Library. The Chair will develop an accounting of the expenses from the past year from the Archivist's report and CAUS. Milka was concerned with other expenses, such as maintenance charges for the future foundation account.

Development Report: Assessment of the Archive: Gerrianne Schaad discussed a previous assessment of the collection, completed before Gail McMillan became head of Special Collections. At the time of that assessment, there were 7,233,000 items (177 collections) which was valued at $.0425/piece of paper or $307,402.50. Gerrianne explained how one might calculate the value of a collection on a cost per item basis. If the cost of each piece of paper in the collection is 4.5 cents, an arbitrary number is then multiplied by the number of pages. Gerrianne does not believe that the Library's value of the collection is correct. She suggested that we get an appraiser and have it done correctly. Milka Bliznakov reported that she has done extensive beginning research in this area by contacting a number of architects who donated work to the IAWA. She found that none had appraised their donations and she learned that appraisals are usually for auctions and are very expensive. However, she found that in New York, as well as in Virginia, a person can take up to $5,000 tax deductions per year for donations. Milka also called architects in Blacksburg and found that no one had insurance on their donations. (Donna Dunay added that their office work, which is part of their residence, is included in homeowner's insurance.) Milka also contacted insurance agencies and learned that it has provided coverage for up to $400,000 to insure architectural or engineering projects or about $4,000 - $5,000 per project (based on the time it took to produce the drawings.) Marcia Feuerstein added that in her experience, each drawing takes 40 hours to produce. Milka said that she called Tony Wrenn, and he said that we must find an aesthetic replacement value. Milka asked how we would like to decide on this. Donna suggested that Milka contact an auction house or Phyllis Lambert. Marcia suggested we get an estimated value, then give it to Denise Orden. Bert Rodriguez asked about how to handle additional costs of the projects. Milka suggested that she call SOM in Chicago. She was also going to call Dennis Kilper and Robert Turner to find out more information on how to appraise the archives Dunay added that Wrenn offered to finalize the appraisal numbers. Bliznakov asked Schaad to remind donors that for each project they donate, they can take a $5,000 tax deduction/year.

Future Needs and Fundraising: It was decided that Judy Graham would be invited to the next meeting on December 12. This should include future needs and fundraising related to spatial requirements. Mitzi Vernon suggested we establish short and long term goals as well as scholarship money in the future. Dawn Bushnaq thought that we need to have ongoing money for lectures and promotional activities, which could include a travelling exhibit and a symposium. Other suggestions included the establishment of an endowed lecture which would then be published, as well as other on-campus projects.

Letterhead: Donna Dunay reported that the letterhead was at the printer. Milka Bliznakov suggested that updated letterhead be ready in September or at least by November for next year. Donna said that she is having 500 copies of the letterhead printed, and 1,000 copies of the letterhead without names printed.

Other Business: Marcia Feuerstein gave Mitzi Vernon the list of advisors whose terms will be ending. Milka Bliznakov challenged Donna Dunay and others to identify Virginia architects whose work might become part of the IAWA.

Marcia Feuerstein adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Bert Rodriguez-Camilloni so moved to adjourn the meeting, and Donna Dunay seconded the motion.

Minutes recorded by Erin Gertz, recording secretary, reviewed, corrected, and respectfully submitted by Marcia Feuerstein, Chair, 8 February 2001.