A new Mendocino Art Center board of directors promised greater openness and maximum fundraising energy and commitment at the Dec. 15 meeting of the financially troubled nonprofit.
Gone since the last regular board meeting were MAC board members Mike Dell”Ara, Richard Miller, president Jean Cunnington, Jan Bell and Sarah Logan.
Also gone was all talk of “hibernation” or any partial closure of the Art Center.
Newly arrived are board President Liliana Cunha, Treasurer Lucia Zacha, Secretary Dale Moyer, Janis Porter, Marge Stewart, John Cornacchia and Bob Treaster. Two board members didn”t resign in early December and were in their seats at the meeting; new board vice president Rick Keller and Nick Schwartz.
Spring classes are now on track to go forward, the new board indicated.
“We voted to continue the MendocinoArts magazine; we will only be issuing two volumes, because of late start,” Cunha said.
The biggest announcement was $10,000 in matching moneys that has been pledged by a “local donor.” Details of this fundraiser were to be posted on the MAC website this week. Cunha said each board member had pledged to donate money to the matching fund drive and encouraged community supporters to pledge so that the matching money can be realized.
“I hope you all will give us a little bit of time. Considering the fact we have only been at it for a week, we”ve done pretty well. I ask your indulgence … Let us get our feet under us and see what we can do,” said Cunha.
Retired banker Tom Becker, who had been running the Art Center as volunteer executive director since the previous executive director departed last spring, also returned, with a new title. Becker will continue for the next three to six months as volunteer operations director, Cunha said.
“We appreciate the fact you have stuck with us through all this, the art center is kind of like herding cats, we are artists, but thanks very much for everything you have done for us …,” Cunha said.
Fine arts and jewelry Coordinator Marge Stewart has moved from paid employee to volunteer and has joined the board until the problems can be resolved, Cunha said.
Cunha said the board has promised to post on its website an audit of 2009 taxes and tax forms that the nonprofit is required to submit to the IRS and is required to make public on request.
Eleven seasoned MAC observers sat quietly during the meeting, with only Janet Eklund-Cook providing comment. Cunnington was the only member of the old board immediately visible in attendance, but she did not speak during the first hour of the meeting.
Eklund-Cook suggested greater openness was critical, providing the board with a letter and a copy of a 2009 Mendocino Beacon editorial which urged maximum transparency for the MAC and other nonprofits seeking public support..
Becker provided details on the financial situation, which continues to be critical. There was discussion of restricted funds and reports of increased recent donations and fundraising efforts.
On Nov. 22, the “old board” said the MAC was losing more than $15,000 per month and was forced to seriously consider a plan to cancel spring classes and reorganize how the nonprofit does business.
That announcement was followed by a meeting in early December, then a special meeting during which the old board resigned, a new board was formed, appointed and then a quorum met, resulting in the new board which Cunha said is composed of a mixture of temporary and permanent members.
Last spring when Executive Director Karen Ely resigned, many board members did too and new board members stepped into the void. Some of those “new” members left this month, with another “new” board now in place.
For those unfamiliar with the players, no program was provided. Only Cunha introduced herself in the first hour of the meeting Dec. 15. The two old board members wore their old name tags.
Earlier in the year, Cunha said the website now has bylaws which are being updated. She said those are a “rough draft” but should not be relied upon.
The website at www.mendocinoartcenter.org contains other information, including links to donate or sign up for spring classes.
