Here we go everyone: Press Release: THE FUTURE OF THE MUSEUM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HSU AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM BOARD DISCUSS PLAN TO KEEP MUSEUM OPEN TILL JULY 2010; FUTURE STILL UNCERTAIN

September 10, 2009

The HSU Natural History Museum Advisory Board met with HSU Provost Robert Snyder and College of Natural Resources and Sciences Associate Dean Steven Smith last night to discuss the future of the Natural History Museum. The University had announced on August 7^th that the Museum would be closed permanently at the end of the month due to California’s fiscal crisis and the University’s need to cut millions from their annual operating budget. Following the initial announcement, the Board and public rallied to keep the museum open by a dual effort that involved fundraising to replace HSU’s state funds contribution, and creating a proposal for a model that would allow the museum to operate without any state funds. The proposal submitted to HSU on August 28^th by the museum Board and the Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum outlined a transition from the current university-funded and managed entity to an independent non-profit museum, funded and managed through the volunteer efforts of an elected Board of Directors and fewer permanent staff. The transitional phase was proposed to be partially funded by the grassroots fundraising efforts, which in the last few weeks has already netted approximately $74,000 in pledges from an energized base in the community.

In last night’s meeting, Provost Snyder noted that HSU would not be able to sell or lease the building until at least July 1, 2010, and committed to leaving the exhibits intact at the present time, rather than beginning to dismantle them, significantly extending the time period during which an alternative model for museum operations can be developed. The University also expressed interest in allowing K-12 educators to use the museum for class trips during the current academic year. This would enable curriculum specific to the Natural History Museum, written last year with funds from the McLean Foundation and the Redwood Science Project, to be utilized by area teachers. HSU also agreed to discuss the possibility of the fledgling Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum funding the expenses that would be necessary to keep the museum open to the public until July 2010. Details of such an arrangement remain to be worked out.

With respect to the long-term fate of the Museum, HSU plans to form a workgroup composed of representatives of the HSU administration, faculty, K-12 educators, and Museum Board to develop a proposal for the future of the Museum. In parallel, the Board intends to execute plans outlined in their proposal that move toward an independent nonprofit organization running the Museum. These include incorporating, applying for non-profit status, electing a new Board of Directors, and applying for grants and continuing to fund-raise for capital that will secure the long-term viability of the Museum.

For the present, the museum remains closed, but there now appears to be some hope that the Museum will be able to reopen to K-12 educators and the public shortly. In the long term, the Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum are committed to ensuring that a natural history museum that serves the needs of the North Coast community will continue to exist, whatever precise form it may take, and whatever role HSU chooses to play.

The Latest Press Release

Save the North Coast’s Natural History Museum

brought to you by Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum

	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 20, 2009

FRIENDS OF THE NORTH COAST’S NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

$40,000 raised by this group of volunteers in three days

The fundraising campaign to “Save the North Coast’s Natural History Museum” launched yesterday when a group of dedicated volunteers met at the museum to outline a comprehensive strategy for keeping the museum from closing. Calling themselves “Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum” this independent group of community members outlined their approach to raising the $120,000 necessary to keep the museum doors open through June 2010. $40,000 in pledges has been gathered in only three days. The most recent donor pledged both $5000 and a trailer to accommodate more office space for the museum staff.

On August 7, 2009 Humboldt State University announced plans to close the museum due to State Budget Constraints. Immediately after the announcement concerned community members rallied their support to "Save the North Coast’s Natural History Museum." On August 12 the first community meeting was held at the Museum with over 60 people in attendance. At this meeting Dean James Howard and Associate Dean Steven Smith agreed to let the group come up with a plan by Aug. 28 to raise $120,000 and to submit strategies for long term fiscal support for the museum. A second meeting held on August 17 set forth a fundraising, marketing and long term strategies plan for the future of the museum.

The August 19, 2009 meeting was a lively and excited discussion. Buoyed by the $40,000 in pledges the group developed a Fundraising Committee focusing on six approaches : Grassroots Efforts; Foundations & Large Donors; Grants; 501(c)(3) Research; Closing & Incentive Costs and Marketing. In the coming weeks each group will launch their efforts to raise the rest of the funds needed to keep the museum open.

The proposal to Humboldt State is due on August 28, 2009. After receipt of the proposal HSU will determine if the museum will stay open or if the doors will be closed. The Board is at work on a proposal that both outlines short term goals to raise $120,000 and also the long term goals of raising enough money to fund the museum so that it can be a lasting and thriving institution in the community.

Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum continues to update the blog (http://savethenorthcoastnhm.blogspot.com) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/savencnhm). They are also on Facebook and can be reached at savethenorthcoastnhm@gmail.com. For interviews please contact Karen Reiss, 825-0465 or karen-reiss@redwoods.edu

The Arcata Eye posts our press release for all to see!

COMMUNITY CONTINUES EFFORTS TO SAVE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM – August 18, 2009

Visit the post here.



The Editor of the Arcata Eye Mr. Kevin Hoover also wrote me a very nice email today letting me know that whatever the Arcata Eye can do to help they will. Thank you Arcata Eye for your quick response and your exclamation points/ excitement about our efforts.

I will be calling him soon.