Dear members of the PRHS; April 5, 2009
Since the founding Annual General meeting in January 2009 the Board of Directors has been diligently working to move ahead on the aims of the PRHS. Actioned items are:
- The PRHS is now formally registered with the Ontario Historical Society as a member and registered with the federal government for taxation responsibilities. We are in the process of filing for not-for-profit status with Revenue Canada and the forecast looks good on this. We hope to be able to issue income tax receipts for funding and some artifact & archive donations later this year.
- The PRHS now has a video camera and an accompanying microphone and tripod mount for use in interviewing senior citizens on their recollections of their life, their home, Portland and the Big Rideau Lake. The PRHS camera can be borrowed by any PRHS member for a period of up to two weeks to carry out their own interviews with a senior citizen of their choice. The video records collected will then be kept in the PRHS archives. We encourage members to get involved and to collect this important heritage while we can. Contact the Chair [Buzz Boles 349-5435] to arrange to borrow the easy to use camera and related equipment.
- The Board of Directors has begun establishing PRHS working committees. All members are invited to join any committee of their choice. It is through the work of committees that the PRHS will fulfill its objectives. The following is a list of committees and we encourage you to join at least one of them to work on preserving the history of Portland and the Big Rideau Lake.
Museum Development Committee: Chair Buzz Boles – contact 613-349-5435
Fund Raising Committee: Chair Ian Johnson – contact 613- 275-2343
Artifacts & Archives Committee: TBA…in the interim contact Buzz Boles.
Membership & Communications: held by Board of Directors for now.
Committees will establish their own schedules, agendas and workplans. Board of Directors approval will be required for any committee budgetary items and for approval in principle of workplans and public communications.
- The Board of Directors has decided that due to a shortage of funds we will not operate a drop in centre this summer as we did last year. We want to focus our limited treasury on building a stronger organization able to pursue the goals of building a museum and preserving the heritage of the area. The PRHS will be promoted through signage at some local events and locations. Our strategy is to inexpensively build membership and awareness for the PRHS. Current members will be kept up to date either through email or real mail as each may need and they may join in the committee work as they wish. We are also looking at establishing a PRHS website.
- 2009 membership fees are under review. Members will be notified shortly of how to submit their 2009 membership fees.
I hope you have found this brief update informative and I encourage you to join into the committee work of your choice. Any questions or comments please feel free to contact either me or the other directors.
Chair Buzz Boles
email: prhs@live.ca
tel: 613-349-5435
PO Box 1, Portland ON, KOG 1VO
