Save The North Coast's Natural History Museum: Where are we at: A short update

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Where are we at: A short update

Hello All:

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend (I did!) and spent some time relaxing.

The Friends of the North Coast's Natural History Museum is still going strong and I wanted to take a moment to do a very quick update for everyone.

If you notice our pledge watcher over there -----> we are now over $70,000 in pledges!!! That's way over the half way mark and well on our way. Thank you to all who have pledged support for the museum and for those who continue the efforts to raise money.

If you are new to our blog and would like to pledge please visit www.savethenorthcoastnhm.org

TODAY: The Board is going to meet with HSU regarding our proposal. The meeting will be a closed session between the Deans, Provost and Board Members. We are all hopeful that we can reach an agreement SOON and begin the next phase of our efforts (filing for 501(c)(3) status AND more fundraising).

And again, we are continuing our tabling at various locations around the county AND we also welcome more pledges.

Thank you again for all of your support. As soon as I get any further word I will let everyone know.

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Calendar

To View the Volunteer Tabling Calendar click here!

The Friends of the North Coast's Natural History Museum received word that their proposal was turned down by HSU.

However, the Friends of the NCNHM continue their efforts to get the word out, solicit pledges and raise the funds needed to keep the museum open.

Upcoming events WILL be posted soon. If you are interested in volunteering and/or hosting some sort of event or just trying to help in anyway please email us savethenorthcoastnhm@gmail.com

Thank you for your continued support.

HSU Plans Closure of Natural History Museum

On August 7, 2009 Humboldt State University announced plans to close the Natural History Museum at G and 13th Streets in Arcata due to “this year's severe and unprecedented state budget cuts.

The Save the North Coast's Natural History Museum effort was formed by a devoted group of volunteers and community members who have come together to fundraise, organize and develop plans for the museums future.

While originally the museum faced a solid closure date at the end of the month Humboldt State granted some time for a last ditch effort to raise funds through next June and plan for even more daunting fundraising beyond that. The Board was given two weeks to submit a proposal to HSU outlining their plans to raise the money to keep the museum open.

The proposal to keep the museum open was submitted to HSU on August 28, 2009 by the Museum Board and outlined a three-stage plan for the museum:

1) a short phase of being closed (where we are now),
2) a transitional phase reopening but with reduced staffing and hours, and
3) a long-term phase with an independent non-profit organization running the museum, increased staffing and a new location.

In the proposal the Board outlined their budget to keep the museum open through June 2010. The funds required only $60,000 in donations, an amount we have already exceeded in pledges, rather than the $120,000 the university had estimated was needed for continued operation at existing staffing levels.

We are committed to continuing our large scale effort to get the word out about the museum closure, to solicit pledges, and to raise the funds needed to keep the museum open.

SAVE the Natural History Museum.

Press

At the end of our first week we have a round of press passing along information about our efforts.

The North Coast Journal calls out SpongeBob and creator Stephen Hillenburg. (August 19)

We call out the journal (and SpongeBob too). (August 20)

The Times Standard posts information on how to contact us -- and find out more about us. (August 19)

Channel 3 gives us a tag line. A museum for the people... by the people. (We'll think about it). (August 20)

The Arcata Eye posts our press release for all to see! And promises even more to come. I'm calling the Editor tomorrow. (August 19)

The Times Standard TOASTS us. (August 17)

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Where are we at: A short update

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Our Immediate Goal: Renegotiate with HSU to keep the museum open!

Our Long Term Goal

HSU Plans Closure of Natural History Museum

Press

Thank You to our Supporters!