North Saskatchewan River Museum Society

Executive Meeting

Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m.

Sharon Skage home, 4604 Ada Bld

 Present: Denis Wall, Sharon Skage, Billie Milholland, Cheryl Mahaffy

 Regrets: Naomi Mcilwraith, Tim Marriott

 ACTION SINCE LAST MEETING

• Application to form a society approved and papers received.
• Naomi McIlwraith will take a leadership role in NSRM research, with the caveat that she will be undergoing surgery soon and recovering in the months after that. 
• Edmonton Journal published an article on the museum society: “River’s rich past rising to the surface: Newly formed society floats idea to showcase the North Saskatchewan” by Darcy Henton June 3, 2008, City page 1. More than a dozen enthusiastic phone calls and e-mails result (see “Interested parties”, attached) as well as coverage from Examiner, CHED, CKUA and others? 
• Denis introduced NSRM to Gerald Cunningham, president of the Alberta Métis Settlements General Council; and to Audrey Poitras, president of the Métis Nation of Alberta, noting that our site can help publish and store information about Métis community activity on the river. On their leading, he contacted Nathan Carlson, archivist/researcher for the Metis Settlements General Council, and Corrine Card, manager of the Métis Crossing project in Smokey Lake.
• Billie has introduced the NSRM in many settings and finds enthusiastic response—both people who have things to share and people who want a place to find things related to the river.
• Graham Watt-Gremm [Graham.Watt-Gremm@edmonton.ca], (780) 496-2870, Billie’s colleague at North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, offered to work on an NSRM website and host it with the watershed alliance site. The site would use Drupal (Dutch for droplet), an open-source content management system. He proposes that initial installation and migration of existing site be donated; subsequent work either be pro-bono or for an honorarium.
• Drafts were created of these documents: a news release for communities along the river, a membership form, talking points, logo.
• Denis made initial contact with Councillor Amarjeet Sohi of Ward 6, which extends to the south bank of the river. (David Thiele is other Ward 6 councillor). Exploratory meeting to occur soon. 

 MINUTES

• Talking points: We agreed it would be helpful to include a few human interest stories, as well as a sense of the enthusiastic response to initial publicity.
                                                                          Send stories to add to talking points. BILLIE
                                                                                        Next draft of talking points. DENIS
• Membership fee: We considered dispensing with a fee and making membership by donation only. Instead, we agreed to retain the $20 fee, invite donations and make it possible for people to pay reduced or no fee in future years by banking volunteer time. Billie will include those decisions in a next draft of the membership form.                                                                                                                                 BILLIE
• Bank account: Needed soon for membership fees and to pay for logo design. Denis will connect with Tim about setting up the account.                                                                                      DENIS/TIM
• News release to communities along river: Latest version to be circulated for polish and then sent, including the secretary’s mailing address and e-mail but no phone number.                   SHARON/DENIS
• Cell phone: We discussed the possibility of purchasing a cell phone for use as our contact number. No action at this time.
• Logo: We reviewed the two logo options prepared by Jennifer Skage. Those present very much like the watercolour incorporating a circle. Pending input from others, this looks to be our logo. 
• Website: We viewed the beginnings of a site quickly put together by Graham and discussed the possibility of meeting with Graham to explore options for how a site could look and function once we have developed the guidelines for what it will contain. We welcome Graham’s offer to contribute energy in this area, and would like to see it continue with the caveat that it not be accessible to the general public at this point.         
• Strategic plan: Denis will begin work on a foundation document fleshing out our goals, objectives, programs and timelines. After being expanded and approved by the executive, this document will eventually be sent to all members for comment.                                                                                                    DENIS/ALL
• Scouting for funds outside of the museum community: Executive members will look for likely sources of funding for strategic planning, administration and/or early program planning and implementation. We’ll download and share application requirements, which could also inform our strategic plan.
• Keeping others in the loop: Once approved, minutes will be e-mailed (or mailed if necessary) to those who’ve expressed interest, with an invitation to comment on priorities they would like to see for NSRM.            CHERYL
• Membership meeting: AGM could be combined with a first meeting of members and other interested parties. We’ve set this to occur prior to November 30.
• Next meeting: Sunday, July 20, 2 p.m., Mahaffy house, 11243 63 St. unless otherwise notified.                                                                                                                      EXECUTIVE

_______________________________         ___________________________ June 20, 2008

Denis Wall – Chair                       Date             Cheryl Mahaffy – Secretary                          

RESPONSES TO PUBLICITY  

• Dianne Assaly, 780 481 4981, dassaly@telusplanet.net. North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society www.edmontonrivervalley.org. Involved in lobbying against Qualico’s proposed gravel pit across from Terwilliger Park. Mother’s family grew up by the NS near Burtonsville Alberta, in the Wabamun area
• Bob Bruinsma, 474-2922, bruinsma@shaw.ca. Education professor with biology background and interest in the river. Has a canoe and may be a candidate for David Toop’s river journey.
• Nathan Carlson, Métis Settlement General Council archivist/researcher.
• Darlene Davidson, 462-1380, DonDarlene.Davidson@gmail.com. Retired from U of A nursing faculty, father was ferryman at Pakan, Old (Fort) Victoria Settlement, 1936 to 1950. May be interested in research on behalf of NSRM. Has photos, etc.
• Cliff Kulak, 987-2851. Recalls playing along river in west end Edmonton, chatting with war vets living in caves.
• Ken McCrimmon, contact?, Attempted to employ Metis along the river and is wondering whether this idea could be resurrected in conjunction with what we're doing. Has done newspaper work, farming “and getting ice out of the river in Fort Saskatchewan.”
• Ken Perry, 962-6200 (w) 452-8830 (h), daisyperry@shaw.ca. Boatbuilder father, originally from Nfld, ran excursions from Victoria Park to Big Island and beyond. Has pictures, remembers Alberta Boat works, happy to share.
• Georgina Porozni, (780) 488-9076. Lives and owns a few historic sites in Edmonton, plus has 35 acres along river at Duvernay River crossing. Very interested in becoming a member, supplying photos, telling her story, taking a group out to that land.
• Robert Scott, 469-7739, (Ottewell Senior Residence front desk). Father and he (briefly) both worked in Black Diamond coal mine in Beverly. Takes and develops photos - has given many to city and provincial archives and happy to share river related photos, do darkroom work, scout for other photos, etc. Also willing to gather a group for interview.
• Bud Squair, bud.squair@shaw.ca. V/P of the Edmonton & District Historical Society; on the Edmonton Historical Board, the Historical Resources Review Panel, the city's Naming Committee; involved in discussions to form Edmonton Heritage Council. Given move afoot to develop an Edmonton Museum, wondering if one wouldn't help the other to get started. Family is donating items to various museums.
• David Toop, 489-3981, DST@shaw.ca. Hopes to retrace dinghy voyage Drayton Valley to Edmonton he did with a trio 50 years ago. Has memories of that trip and will have a digital camera now. Interested in doing some writing, perhaps comparing what he finds this trip with the past. After mid-July; looking for cohorts.
• Sandra VanRiper, vanripers@shaw.ca, 9655 95 Ave. Edmonton T6C 2A3. Top-of-the-river-bank dwellers, may have time to help, interested in becoming members.
• Don Williams, andydon@telus.net, 426-3215. Began ConCerv 
• (Concerned Citizens for Edmontons River Valley) to stop Epcor from expanding Rossdale Power Station. Says interior of oldest portion of the plant is breath-taking. Also that EPCOR is struggling with adaptive reuse. Shared a vision of what can be done and invites a phone call if we need assistance.
• Norah Wyman, 645-5953. Cowboy poet living about 30 minutes west of Elk Point on a mile of riverfront, in view of island that housed a fort.
• Walter Zucht, 466-6254, (also has e-mail).Northern Alberta Pioneers and Descendants Association, membership about 650, offering meeting space at Old Timers Cabin and perhaps other support.

Plus numerous others – particularly through watershed alliance and friends.