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Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
Advisory Committee Meeting
April 3,2008
The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum's DeDietrich Conference Room at
Noon on Thursday, March 6, 2008. Members Present: Margaret Bolick, Jonda
Halcomb, Robert Hatherill, Kathy Juneau, Tom Kimes, Jim Moloney, Nelida Ortiz, Luci
Sosa and Linda Tomo.
Upon motion by Kathy Juneau and seconded by Tom Kimes, the minutes of the March 6,
2008 meeting were approved as presented.
Upon motion by Tom Kimes and seconded by Jim Moloney,the absences Luci Sosa,
Linda Torno, and Margaret Bolick were excused.
Rick Stryker informed the Committee that Luella Gipson-Torres called to let him know
of her intention to resign from the Advisory Committee.
Business:
a. Members received copies of the new Texas Tropical Trail brochure
b. Rick Stryker reported that attendance for the fiscal year through March was down by
5%. Since paid attendance categories were up by 7% and revenue to date was up about
9%, it was clear that non-paid attendance categories were dragging down attendance
numbers. Leading the decline is school group attendance which is down 25%. Paid
attendance and revenue were down in the month of March providing the first indication
that the peak tourist season might not live up to last year's numbers. Perhaps the troubled
economy and especially the price of gas might become a negative influence on tourism.
Participation in the Land and Sea Odyssey in February was lower this year than last.
Free admission is a community wide member benefit so the important negative indicator
on this event is lower sales of memberships for the Friends of the Museum.
c. This will be a difficult budget for the City. Revenues will not be sufficient to sustain
current service levels. Each department is being asked to take extraordinary measures to
justify budget requests including the submission of a very detailed transmittal memo.
There are potentially some choices ahead for the Museum regarding strategies to either
diminish service levels to cut costs or to find ways to increase revenue.
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d. A variety of concepts were discussed regarding a recognition program for museum
leaders and donors. It was the consensus of those present that a structured program that
would recognize individuals who made especially significant contributions to the growth
and development of the Museum was overdue. Among concepts discussed were bricks,
tiles, photographs, and plaques. Staff will report back with a location and a concept for
further consideration.
e. Staff Reports
• The Museum Auxiliary will host a reception for a pre-conference tour of the
Museum for those attending the Texas Historical Commission's Preservation
Conference beginning May 1.
• Lecture: April 24—"I remember When...Growing up in Corpus Christ?' featuring
McGregor slides with a panel of four people including Mayor Henry Garrett,
Lucille Skaggs, and Leroy Baskin
• Museum staff is preparing to develop a new Paleo exhibit. Members of the
Museum Advisory Committee will serve as advisors in the development of this
exhibit to make certain that the needs of various audiences are represented in the
exhibit content and techniques.
The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.